US3796303A

US3796303A - Containers

Info

Publication number: US3796303A
Application number: US00229478A
Authority: US
Inventors: Coche P Allet
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co
Priority date: 1967-05-05
Filing date: 1972-02-25
Publication date: 1974-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 1991-03-12
Also published as: DK130101C; JPS545351B1; DE1766334A1; NL6806385A; CH491011A; LU56008A1; ES148357U; NL157498B; DK130101B; ES148357Y; FR1528920A; GB1180181A; DE1766334B2; BE714630A; DE1766334C3; SE342980B; NO126898B

Abstract

Containers for storing, transporting and intermixing preproportioned substances, such as a metallic powder and mercury, for producing dental amalgam. The containers have two separable sections, each with a compartment therein; a partition is provided, preferably in the form of a ball, for separating the compartments during filling and transportation, and for assisting in the mixing of the substances, once the ball has been forced from its separating position into the lower compartment. The upper section of the containers have a passage therein through which one or both substances may be introduced successively, with the partition or ball being interposed after the first substance has been introduced into the lower compartment. A pusher is insertable in the passage of the upper container section and slidably movable therein toward the partition so as to unseat and displace the same from said separating position by pressure exerted by the intermediary of the upper compartment and the substance therein.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Appl. No.: 229,478

Related US. Application Data Allet-Coche Mar. 12, 1974 CONTAINERS Prima Examiner-William T. Dixson Jr. 75 1 :1 Allt-Ch P ,F 1 l 1 men or Ierre e 0c ans rance Attorney, Agent, or FirmHarvey B. Mortimer [73] Assignee: Jean-Jacques Goupil, Cachan,

France [57] ABSTRACT [22] F1led: Feb. 25, 1972 Containers for storing, transporting and intermixing pre-proportioned substances, such as a metallic powder and mercury, for producing dental amalgam. The containers have two separable sections, each with a compartment therein; a partition is provided, preferably in the form of a ball, for separating the compartments during filling and transportation, and for assist- [30] Foreign Application Priority Data M 5 1967 F 67105329 mg 1n the m1x1ng of the substances, once the ball has ay rance been forced from its separating position into the lower 52 us. 206/47 A, l28/272,206/63.5 mpmmem 51 Int. Cl .L B65d 81/32 The upper semen of the contamers have a passage [58] Field of Search 206/47 A, 63.5; 215/6; therein through which one or both Substances y be 128/272 introduced successively, with the partition or ball being interposed after the first substance has been 5 References Chad introduced into the lower compartment. A pusher is UNITED STATES PATENTS insertable in the passage of the upper container section and slidably movable therein toward the fs partition so as to unseat and displace the same from 2764983 10/1956 128/272 said separating position by pressure exerted by the 2549 417 4/1951 Brown "I: 206/47A intermediary the upper compartment and the 2,717,601 9 1955 Br0wn..... 206/47 A Substance 3,l98,l94 8/1965 Wilburn 128/272 3,464,414 9/1969 Sponnoble 206/47 A 21 Clam, 8 D'awmg F'gures Pmmmmxzaan 3396303 VENTOR PIER LLET-COCHE BY M D AGENT PATENFED I58 \2 I974 SHEETEUFZ INVENTOR PIERRE ALLET-COCHE AGENT CONTAINERS I This application is a continuation of my prior copending application Ser. No. 703,422 filed Feb. 6, 1968, now abandoned.

The invention relates to small containers with multiple compartment preferably for storing, transporting and eventually intermixing the substances separately contained in the compartments.

It is already known to provide cartridges for preproportioned substances contained in discrete spaces or capacities which are separated by a partition or valve adapted to be operated from outside for the eventual mixing of the substances.

The rudimentary devices which have been realized so far in this field did not give satisfaction because they did not provide all the practically required qualities of such cartridges, in regard to the conditions of filling, the tightness between the capacities or compartments, and the simplicity of the operational steps to be performed by the user, particularly in case of amalgams used for dental purposes.

In particular, such devices have to be adpated to allow the use of a pestle-like member, for assuring preproportioned substances under good conditions of intimate mixing, e.g. by a simple shaking movement.

The present invention has as one of its major objects to provide an improved device which responds to these requirements.

It is another important object to provide two distinct compartments in a' device of this kind, which can be filled by way of a'single inlet passage; and one of which may also serve for the intermixing of the substances.

It is an object of the invention to provide containers which are easy to manufacture and to use, more particularly to fill, transport and also to use for the intermixing of the pre-proportioned substances in the compartments.

The inventive containers are characterized by the following novel features and provisions, taken either separately or in combination:

- l. The containers comprise two compartments separated by a movable partition, preferably in the form of a balL caught elastically between adjoining walls, and being adapted to be expelled into one of the compartments, by the action of a pusher which is slidable in the end of the container opposite to the other compartment.

2. One of the compartments may receive the partition or ball, acting in fact as a pestle, for intimately mixing the two substances contained in the compartments.

3. The compartment into which is expelled the partition can be separated in two portions, fitting one on the other, either by sliding action or by conventional thread engagement.

4. The pusher is preferably constituted by the stem of a piston which traverses the wall of the compartment in which it slides, by way of an opening having a diameter sufficiently close to that of said compartment so that the pusher can be inserted in place, owing to the elasticity of its material or the wall surrounding it, by simple pressure.

According to major features of the inventive containers, they are constituted by two separable and interconnectable sections, each defining therein a compartment adapted to receive a particular substance. A partition, preferably in the form of a ball, is movable in said sections between an initial or closing position, in releasable frictional engagement with the upper container section, and a final or mixing position, loosely contained within the lower container section.

According to further important features, a passage is provided in the upper section, leading from the upper compartment to the outside, and a pusher member insertable in said passage and sealingly slidable therein toward the partition so as to unseat the same by pressure exerted by the intermediary of the upper compartment and the substance therein.

When said partition is moved from its closing position to the mixing position, upon actuation of the pusher member, the substances are placed in communication, allowing intimate intermixing thereof in the lower compartment alone, by shaking the container, the partition or ball assisting the intermixing on account of its mass.

The upper container section may have one or more locking portions, in the form of annular grooves, ribs or spurs, adapted frictionally to hold the partition or ball in its closing position.

Preferably the ball is of a rigid material while the container sections are made of a relatively resilient and elastic material, such as plastic. The plastic container sections may have portions adapted for threaded or sliding interengagement therebetween. At least one of the sections may be provided with preferably outer reinforcing portions for preventing collapsing and crushing of at least the lower compartment, particularly during transportation.

According to further features of the inventive containers, the pusher means may be provided with a head portion adapted to obturate the mouth of the lower compartment when the pusher is enforced into the upper container section. The head portion may have a concave lower face, e.g. for complementary engagement with the outer surface of the ball constituting the partition.

Yet another feature relates to the expedient'that the the upper compartment is narrower than the lower compartment and has a smaller inner volume. The metallic powder used for making the dental amalgams has a smaller volume than the mercury with which it is intermixed in the larger lower compartment. The latter consequently has to be adapted to receive the volume of both initially introduced substances.

The inner diameter of the upper compartment is preferably the same or similar to the outer diameter of the pusher member and/or the ball serving as a partition.

Other objects, features and many of the attendant advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when considered with the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred first embodiment of the inventive containers;

FIG. 2 is a vertical, axial sectional view of the container embodiment of FIG. 1, after both substances have been filled in;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 but after mixing of the substances once the pusher has been en- FIG. 4 is a sectional view, somewhat similar to that of FIG. 2, of a second, preferred embodiment of the containers;

FIG. 5 is a view somewhat similar to that of FIG. 3 but after mixing of the substances;

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 6 6 of FIG. 5; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are partial, vertical sectional views showing modifications of the pusher structure in the upper compartment and of the locking portions for the ball-shaped partition.

First the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 will be described. This embodiment of the inventive containers comprises an upper section 10, a lower section 20 and a pusher member 30 insertable in the open top of the upper section 10, as can be seen from the as-- sembled view of FIGS. 2 and 3. The two sections can be slidingly engaged, in a liquid-tight manner, by way of respective sleeve-like

terminal portions

12 and 22 which allow a close fit of the sections and 20.

Upper compartment 14 is formed within section 10, and lower compartment 24 in section 20, as shown in FIG. 2. Between the compartments, a ball-shaped partition or valve member 39 can be frictionally seated, for example in an annular groove 16 of the upper section 10. Inwardly projecting spurs 18 or a continuous ridge serve for tightly surrounding the pusher member 30 in the free end of the upper section 10.

Preferably, the

sections

10, 20 may be provided with outer ribs or reinforcing portions as shown in FIG. 1 at 19 and 29 for lending rigidity to the container, particularly in the area of the lower compartment 24. It should be noted that these ribs have been shown for the first embodiment only since appropriate wall thickness may make such reinforcements superfluous.

The pusher member 30 has an upper portion 32 which is manually operable, and a lower portion 34 which may constitute an enlarged head, as shown. Preferably, but not necessarily, the lower face of the pusher 30may be made concave, as shown at 36, so as to complement the shape of the ball partition 39 and obturate the lower compartment 24 when completely pushed into the upper container section 10, as shown in FIG. 3. For manufacturing purposes, the pusher 30 may have an axial bore 38 in its top, primarily for saving material, although this expedient does not appreciably affect the operation of the container.

The filling of the device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 can be accomplished as follows: one starts with the assembled container, that is

sections

10, 20 which are interconnected with a sliding fit, as shown, or by a thread (not illustrated). The ball 39 and the pusher 30 are not yet in place so that the

compartments

14, 24 directly communicate with the outside by way of the passage or opening of upper section 10 (below the ridge or spurs 18).

' One pours into the lower compartment 24, that is, into the lower section 20, the desired amount of the first substance which is identified by letter A. Hereafter one inserts in place the ball 39 by forcing it into the compartment 14, for example by means of a mandrel, stem or similar conventional tool. Owing to the elasticity of the material (either of the ball or of the container section in question), the ball 39 will first pass the ridge at 18 and then take its place in the groove 16. Thus, the ball constitutes a leak-tight partition which separates the two compartments l4 and 24.

Subsequently one pours into the upper compartment 14, which is still open from the top, the desired quantity of the second substance B. All that remains now is to insert the pusher 30 past the ridge 18, which will then occupy the position shown in FIG. 2. The container isnow charged and is ready for transportation or storage. It should be noted that the operation was carried out without any disassemblage of the

sections

10, 20, simply by way of the passage or opening leading to the outside from the upper compartment 14.

The filling can of course also be carried out by separating the

sections

10, 20, the ball 39 being then set in its place, as shown in FIG. 2, e.g. in its seat 16. The substance A is now introduced into the lower section 20, the

sections

10, 20 are assembled, and the filling operation continues as has been explained before.

For discharging the substances, or their mixture, from the container, subsequent to transportation or storage, it is sufficient to exert a pressure sufficient for the pusher 30 to exert a pressure (direct or indirect) on the ball 39, whereby the latter is made to fall into the lower compartment 24. It will be understood that hydrostatic pressure plays a certain role in this pushing operation, by way of the substance A contained in the upper compartment 14.

The partition which was previously constituted by the ball 39, and which separated the two compartments, is thus abolished so that the substance B is allowed to drop and mingle with the substance A in the lower compartment 24.

When one continues to move the pusher member 30 inward, it will take the position as shown in FIG. 3, its base or lower face 36 abutting against the annular groove 16 so that the compartment 24' is now closed again in a hermetic manner.

The container may now be vigorously shaken to bring about and assure the intimate mixing of the substances A and B. As has been mentioned before, A may be a metallic powder while B may be mercury, the mixing action resulting in an amalgam, suitable e.g. for dental purposes. The mass of the ball 39 efficiently assists in the thorough intermixing of the substances.

When the shaking and mixing is terminated, the

sections

10, 20 of the container may be separated so that the user can easily discharge the mixture or amalgam, which is now contained in the open lower compartment 24, in section 20.

Another preferred embodiment of the inventive containers is shown in FIGS. 4 through 6, and the modifications shown in the partial views of FIGS. 7 and 8. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the modifications can be appliedto the first embodiment as well, and that the detailed features are of course interchangeable between the two somewhat different exemplary container embodiments. The numbering scheme is correlated so that similar or identical parts are easy to recognize.

The upper and lower container sections, the pusher member and the partition-forming ball are respectively identified by numerals 4t}, 50, 60 and 6 9 (in correlation to the previously described

parts

10, 20, 30 and 39, respectively). The sections 40, have respective sleevelike

terminal portions

42, 52; the compartments are identified by

numerals

44, 54. In FIG. 4, a groove 46 is shown which is similar to groove 16 of FIGS. 2 and 3; and a ridge or spurs 48 are disposed on the top end of the upper section 40, as before.

This embodiment is not shown with reinforcing ribs although, it will be understood, the same expedient can be used for FIGS. 4 and 5 as for FIGS. 1 through 3.

The pusher member 60 has similar upper, lower and

concave portions

62, 64 and 66, respectively, as was described before; the concave lower face can of course be omitted for the sake of simplicity.

The operation of the second embodiment is identical with that of the described first embodiment, and need not be repeated at this point. When the filling is completed, as shown in FIG. 4, the ball 69 separates the

compartments

44, 54; its outer diameter fits into the inner lumen of'the restricted groove area 46. The ball again serves as a pestle during the intermixing of the two substances, A and B, in the lower compartment 54 (see FIG. 5). The groove 46 is preferably provided at the level of the junction between the two

compartments

44 and 54.

The ball 69 is given a diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the compartment 44 so that the former is held in place by friction and slight deformation of the inner walls.

In FIG. 6, spurs 48a are shown for a slightly different upper section 40a having a modified pusher member 60a movable therein. The lower projection of section 40a is identified by numeral 42a, and the groove is here 46a. The pusher 60a has respective upper, lower and

concave portions

62a, 64a and 66a. The structure of FIGS. 5 and 6 is otherwise identical with or closely similar to that of FIG. 4.

It is also possible to provide two ribs, such as shown in FIG. 7 at 46b, 46b, in a modified upper section 40b of the container. These ribs flank or encircle the equator of the ball 69.

FIG. 8 illustrates another modification wherein a pusher 60c has a substantially cylindrical upper portion 62c and a slightly enlarged head portion 64c at its lower end, with an annular ridge disposed just above the head portion. The concave bottom face is denoted with numeral 660. The upper section, identified here as 40c, has one or two inwardly protruding rib-

like portions

460, 460 which flank the outwardly bulging head portion 640. In this modified structure, the pusher member 60c cannot be forced deeper into the compartment 54 than the annular ridge would allow, thus providing a tight seal when the lower compartment is obturated.

In the illustrated embodiments, the pusher member has been shown to be substantially cylindrical. It will be understood that it could be given any other configuration, complementing the inner passage of the upper container section, as long as a sliding fit can be assured, with a leak-proof engagement when the pusher member is completely enforced.

The container sections themselves need not be cylindrical, as shown, although this is the easiest manner of manufacturing them, particularly from a plastic material. A rectangular octagonal or other cross section would work equally well for the inventive containers.

It will be understood that the diameter of the circle which can be inscribed between the

spurs

48, 48a of FIGS. 4 and 5, 6 is slightly smaller than that of the

pusher portions

64, 64a, respectively, but the difference is nevertheless small enough to be able to insert the pusher in place in view of the elasticity of the walls, by simply forcing or pushing the same into'the free opening of the

upper sections

40, 40a, respectively.

The concave lower faces of the pusher embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 and 8 at 36, 66, 66a and 66c, respectively, prevent sticking of the mixed substances while the container is shaken, owing to the absence of corners and gaps between the adjoining parts.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates only to preferred, exemplary embodiments the the inventive containers, and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the examples described which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A reusable container for storing, transporting and intermixing pre-proportioned amounts of substances, comprising, in combination, upper and lower interconnectable sections, partition means movable in said sections between an initial or closing position, in releasable engagement with said upper section, and a final or mixing position, loosely contained within said lower section; said upper section having at least one locking portion of a diameter somewhat smaller than that of said partition means, for frictionally holding the same in said closing position, wherein said partition means initially provides respective upper and lower compartments, said lower section lodging the major part of the lower compartment while said upper section lodges the upper compartment and the remaining part of said lower compartment; said upper section having therein a passage leading from said upper compartment to the free end there of and to the outside; said compartments being adapted to hold therein different substances to be transported and intermixed; and pusher means separate from said partition means having a first portion insertable in said passage and a second portion sealingly slidable with the interior walls of the upper section of said container as the pusher means is moved toward said partition means so as to unseat and displace the same from said closing position by pressure exerted by the intermediary of said upper compartment and the substance therein; the substances being eventually placed in communication when said partition means is moved from said closing position to said mixing position, upon acutation of said pusher means and eventually away therefrom, to allow intimate intermixing of the substances in said lower compartment alone, by shaking the container, said partition means by itself assisting the intermixing on account of its mass.

2. The container as defined in claim I, wherein said second portion of said pusher means has a head portion adapted to obturate the mouth of said lower compartment when said pusher means is moved into said upper section to a position to unseat said partition means.

3. The container-as defined in claim 1, wherein said upper compartment is substantially narrower than said lower compartment has a considerably smaller inner volume.

4. The container as defined in claim 3, wherein the outer diameter of said pushermeans is substantially the same as the inner diameter of said upper compartment.

5. The container as defined in claim 3, wherein the outer diameter of said partition means is substantially the same as the inner diameter of said upper compartment.-

6. A container for storing, transporting and intermixing pre-proportioned substances, comprising, in combination, an upper and a lower, interconnectable section;

partition means movable in said sections between an initial or closing position, in releasable engagement with said upper section, and a final'or mixing position, loosely contained within said lower section; said upper section having at least one locking portion of a diameter somewhat smaller than that of said partition means, for frictionally holding the same in said closing position, wherein said partition means initially provides respective upper and lower compartments, said lower section accommodating the major part of the lower compartment while said upper section accommodates the upper compartment and the remaining part of said lower compartment; said upper section having therein a passage leading from said upper compartment to the free end thereof and to the outside; said compartments being adapted to hold therein different substances to be transported and intermixed; said passage being adapted for successively introducing therethrough both substances into the respective compartments, with the interposition of said partition means after the first substance has been introduced into said lower compartment; and pusher means insertable in said passage and sealingly slidable'therein toward said partition means so as to unseat and displace the same from said closing position by pressure exerted by the intermediary of said upper compartment and the substance therein; the substances being eventually placed in communication when said partition means is moved from said closing position to said mixing position, upon actuation of said pusher means, to allow intimate intermixing of the substances in said lower compartment alone, by shaking the container, said partition means assisting the intermixing on account of its mass, wherein said partition means is in the form of a ball, said locking portion of the upper section is constituted by at least one annular groove in its inner wall, and one of said ball and said groove is of a resilient material yielding when in frictional engagement with the other.

7. A container for storing, transporting and intermixing pre-proportioned substances, comprising, in combination, an upper and a lower, interconnectable section; partition means movable in'said sections between an initial or closing position, in releasable engagement with said upper section, and a final or mixing position, loosely contained within said lower section; said upper section having at least one locking portion of a diameter somewhat smaller than that of said partition means, for frictionally holding the same in said closing position, wherein said partition means initially provides respective upper and lower compartments, said lower section accommodating the major part of the lower compartment while said upper section accommodates the upper compartment and the remaining part of said lower compartment; said upper section having therein a passage leading from said upper compartment to the free end thereof and to the outside; said compartments being adapted to hold therein different substances to be transported and intermixed; said passage being adapted for successively introducing therethrough both substances into the respective compartments, with the interposition of said partition means after the first sub stance has been introduced into said. lower compartment; and pusher means insertable in said passage and sealingly slidable therein toward said partition means so as to unseat and displace the same from said closing position by pressure exerted by the intermediary of said upper compartment and the substance therein; the substances being eventually placed in communication when said partition means is moved from said closing position to said mixing position, upon actuation of said pusher means, to allow intimate intermixing of the substances in said lower compartment alone, by shaking the container, said partition means assisting the intermixing on account of its mass, wherein said locking portion of the upper section is constituted by two spaced-apart ribs in its inner wall, said partition means being constituted by a ball adapted to be seated between said ribs when in its closing position.

8. A container for storing, transporting and intermixing pre-proportioned substances, comprising, in combination, an upper and a lower, interconnectable section; partition means movable in said sections between an initial or closing position, in releasable engagement with said upper section, and a final or mixing position, loosely contained within said lower section; said upper section having at least one locking portion of a diameter somewhat smaller than that of said partition means, for frictionally holding the same in said closing position, wherein said partition means initially provides respective upper and lower compartments, said lower section accommodating the major part of the lower compartment while said upper section accommodates the upper compartment and the remaining part of said lower compartment; said upper section having therein a passage leading from said upper compartment to the free end thereof and to the outside; said compartments being adapted to hold therein different substances to be transported and intermixed; said passage being adapted for successively introducing therethrough both substances into the respective compartments, with the interposition of said partition means after the first substance has been introduced into said lower compartment; and pusher means insertable in said passage and sealingly slidable therein toward said partition means so as to unseat and displace the same from said closing position by pressure exerted by the intermediary of said upper compartment and the substance therein; the substances being eventually placed in communication when said partition means is moved from said closing position to said mixing position, upon actuation of said pusher means, to allow intimate intermixing of the substances in said lower compartment alone, by shaking the container, said partition means assisting the intermixing on account of its mass, wherein said partition means is in the form of a substantially rigid ball, at least said upper section being made of a resilient plastic material.

9. A container for storing, transporting and intermixing pre-proportioned substances, comprising, in combination, an upper and a lower, interconnectable section; partition means movable in said sections between an initial or closing position, in releasable engagement with said upper section, and a final or mixing position,

' loosely contained within said lower section; said upper section having at least one locking portion of a diameter somewhat smaller than that of said partition means, for frictionally holding the same in said closing position, wherein said partition means initially provides refree end thereof and to theoutside; said compartments being adapted to hold therein different substances to be transported and intermixed; said passage being adapted for successively introducing therethrough both substances into the respective compartments, with the interposition of said partition means after the first substance has been introduced into said lower compartment; and pusher means insertable in said passage and sealinglyslidable therein toward said partition means so as to unseat and displace the same from said closing position by pressure exerted by the intermediary of said upper compartment and the substance therein; the substances being eventually placed in communication when said partition means is moved from said closing position to said mixing position, uponactuation of said pusher means, to allow intimate intermixing of the substances in said lower compartment alone, by shaking the container, said partition means assisting the intermixing on account of its mass, wherein said head portion hasa concave lower face adapted to engage a substantially complementary upper face of said partition means.

10. A container for storing, transporting and intermixing pre-proportioned substances, comprising, in combination, an upper and a lower, interconnectable section; partition means movable in said sections between an initial or closing position, in releasable engagement with said upper section, and a final or mixing position, loosely contained within said lower section; said upper section having at least one locking portion of a diameter somewhat smaller than that of said partition means, for frictionally holding the same in said closing position, wherein said partition means initially provides respective upper and lower compartments, said lower section accommodating the major part of the lower compartment while said upper section accommodates the upper compartment and the remaining part of said lower compartment; said upper section having therein a passage leading from said upper compartment tothe free end thereof and to the outside; said compartments being adapted to hold therein different substances to be transported and intermixed; said passage being adapted for successively introducing therethrough both substances into the respective compartments, with the interposition of said partition means after the first substance has been introduced into said lower compartment; and pusher means insertable in said passage and sealingly slidable therein toward said partition means so as to unseat and displace the same from said closing position by pressure exerted by the intermediary of said upper comaprtment and the substance therein; the substances being eventually placed in communication when said partition means is moved from said closing position to said mix ing position, upon actuation of said pusher means, to allow intimate intermixing of the substances in said lower compartment alone, by shaking the container,

section; partition means movable in said sections between an initial or closing position, in releasable engagement with said upper section, and a final or mixing position, loosely contained within said lower section; said upper section having at least one locking portion of a diameter somewhat smaller than that of said partition means, for frictionally holding the same in said closing position, wherein said partition means initially provides respective upper and lower compartments, said lower section accommodating the major part of the lower compartment while said upper section ac commodates the upper compartment and the remaining part of said lower compartment; said upper section having therein a passage leading from said upper compartment to the free end thereof and to the outside; said compartments being adapted to hold therein different substances to be transported and intermixed;

' said passage being adapted for successively introducing allow intimate intermixing of the substances in said said partition means assisting the intermixing on account of its mass, wherein said pusher means has an annular ridge above said head portion, adapted to engage a narrowing portion in the inner wall of said upper section, preventing pushing in said pusher means beyond the point where said mouth of the lower compartment is obturated.

11. A container for storing, transporting and intermixing pre-proportioned substances, comprising, in combination, an upper and a lower, interconnectable lower compartment alone, by shaking the container, said partition means assisting the intermixing on account of its mass, wherein said free end of the upper section has therein at least three inwardly directed spurs for guiding said pusher means in its sliding movement within said passage.

12. A container for storing, transporting and intermixing pre-proportioned substances, comprising, in combination, an upper and a lower, interconnectable section; partition means movable in said sections'between an initial or closing position, in releasable engagement with said upper section, and a final or mixing position, loosely contained within said lower section; said upper section having at least one locking portion of a diameter somewhat smaller than that of said partition means, for frictionally holding the same in said closing position, wherein said partition means initially provides respective upper and lower compartments; said upper section having therein a passage leading from said upper compartment to the free end thereof and to the outside; said compartments being adapted to hold therein different substances to be transported and intermixed; said passage being adapted for successively introducing therethrough both substances into the respective compartments, with the interposition of said partition means after the first substance has been introduced into said lower compartment; and pusher means insertable in said passage and sealingly slidable therein toward said partition means so as to unseat and displace the same from said closing position by pressure exerted by the intermediary of said upper compartment and the substance therein; the substances being eventually placed in communication when said partition means is moved from said closing position to said mixing position, upon actuation of said pusher means, to allow intimate intermixing of the substances in said lower compartment alone, by shaking of the container, said partition means assisting the intermixing on account of its mass, wherein said pusher means has a head portion adapted to obturate the mouth of said lower compartment when said pusher means is enforced into said upper section, and wherein the length of said pusher means substantially corresponds to that of the portion of said upper section which lodges said upper compartment, preventing manual removal 1 of said pusher means from said upper section once it has been completely enforced and said mouth of the lower compartment is obturated.

13. The container as defined in claim 12, wherein at least one of said sections includes means for slidingly and frictionally interconnecting the same with the other section.

14. The container as defined in claim 7, wherein said interconnecting means is provided in the area of said lower compartment, in the form of sleeve portions constituted by the adjoining ends of said sections, and allowing introduction and removal of one of the substances into said lower compartment irrespective of the provision of said partition means and said pusher means in said upper section.

15. A plural-chamber admixing container comprising a sectional container body forming a first chamber, one section having a reduced neck bore extending therefrom and open at the end thereof, a movable first plug frictionally removably retained in and closing said neck bore at the-entrance of the first chamber, said first plug being smaller than and fully freely movable in tumbling mix-assisting fashion within said first chamber upon removal from said neck bore, a second plug slidably mounted in said neck bores open end and frictionally engaging the wall of said reduced neck bore in externally sealing relation, said second plug being physically separate and spaced at all points from said first plug forming a second chamber peripherally bounded by said reduced neck bore, the effective front surface of said second plug and the effective rear surface of said first plug, and manually manipulable means integral with said second plug and protruding externally from said reduced neck bore for moving said second plug along said reduced neck bore, a first admixable material disposed within said second chamber and forming an axial force transmission means between said second and said first plugs, a second admixable material disposed within said first chamber for admixing with said material within said second chamber upon dislodgement of said first plug into said first chamber, the inner face of said second plug being movable substantially to the juncture zone between said neck bore and said first chamber during dislodgement of said first plug to effectively form a single chamber bounded by the walls of said first chamber and the effective inner forward face of said second plug for admixing of said materials after dislodgement of said first plug into said first chamber.

16. A plural-chamber admixing container comprising a body forming a first chamber and a second chamber, the latter having a neck bore extending therefrom, said neck bore being reduced relative to said first chamber and opening at the end thereof into said first chamber, a movable first plug frictionally removably retained in and closing said neck bore at said end, said first plug being smaller than the fully freely movable in mixassisting fashion within said first chamber upon removal from said neck bore, a second plug slidably mounted in said second chamber and frictionally engaging the interior wall thereof in externally sealing relation, said second plug being physically separate from said first plug and there being space between said plugs, said space being defined by said interior wall, front surface of said second plug and rear surface of said first plug, and manually operable means integral with said second plug and accessible externally of said container for moving said second plug along said neck bore, a first admixable material disposed within said space, a second admixable material disposed within said first chamber for admixing with said material within said second chamber upon dislodgement of said first plug into said first chamber, the inner face of said second plug being movable substantially to the juncture zone between said end of said neck bore and said first chamber during dislodgement of said first plug to effectively form a single chamber bounded by the walls of said first chamber and the effective inner forward face of said second plug for admixing of said materials after dislodgement of said first plug into said first chamber.

17. The plural-chamber admixing container of claim 16, wherein said interior wall of said second chamber and said reduced neck bore define a cylindrical wall having uniform diameter substantially from said second plug, through said space and to said end of said reduced neck bore, except that the diamter of said neck bore decreases from said uniform diameter to said end of said neck bore, said second plug being adapted to fit, at its periphery, to said cylindrical wall continuously, while said second plug is moved to said juncture zone and to fit the total interior surface of said neck bore.

18. A container for storing, transporting and intermixing pre-proportioned substances comprising in combination: first and second interconnectible sections, said first section including a closed end defining a mixing chamber for holding a first admixable substance and said second section having an inner wall substantially free from indentations or protuberances defining a material containing chamber vfor communicating with said mixing chamber for holding a second admixable substance, partition means having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the mixing chamber held in a friction fit by the inner wall of one of said sections at the junction of said chambers and movable in said sections between an initial or closing position separating said chambers and a final or mixing position loosely contained within said mixing chamber, pusher means slidably positioned in said material containing chamber with the outer periphery of its inner end in sliding and sealing engagement with the wall thereof, said pusher means being movable from an initial position through the entire length of said material containing chamber to a final position with its inner end positioned substantialy at said junction of said chambers for positively forcing said partition means and clearing the entire contents of said material containing chamber into said mixing chamber, the lower end of said pusher means when in said final position and subsequently sealing the upper end of said mixing chamber to allow intermixing in said mixing chamber of the admixable substances originally in said chambers by the shaking of said container with the partition means aiding in the mixing.

19. A container for storing, transporting and intermixing preproportioned substances, comprising in combination: (a) first and second interconnectible sections, said first section including a closed lower end defining a mixing chamber for holding a first admixable substance, and said second section defining a materialcontaining chamber for communication with said mixing chamber for holding a second admixable substance, the communicating means between said chamber defined by a bore having one end communicating with said mixing chamber and at its other end with said material-containing chamber, said second section having an inner wall substantially free from indentations or protuberances, said boreproviding a smooth, uninterrupted continuation of said inner wall of said materialcontaining chamber, said bore, at said one end, being of lesser diameter than said mixing chamber; (b) partition means in said bore at one end and held in a friction fit by the interior wall of the bore between said chambers and movable between a closing position separating said chambers and a mixing position within said mixing chamber, said partition means sealingly closing said one end of said bore and sized so as to be loosely contained within said mixing chamber; pusher means slidably positioned in said material-containing chamber with its inner end slidingly and sealingly engaging said inner wall in a fraction fit, said inner end of said pusher means being slidingly sealingly engageable within said bore, (d) said pusher means being movable along the length of said inner wall and the length of said bore, from an initial position spaced from said other end of said bore, to a final position wherein its said inner wall is sealingly seated in said one end of said bore for positively forcing said partition means into said mixing chamber and clearing the entire second substance from the space through which said inner end moves in going from said pusher means initial position to said pusher means final position, and for thereafter sealing the upper end of said mixing chamber to allow intermixing in said mixing chamber of the original substances of said chambers by the shaking of said container.

at the entrance of the first chamber, said first plug being smaller than and fully freely movable in tumbling mix-assisting fashion-within said first chamber upon removal from said neck bore, a second plug slidably mounted in said neck bores open end and frictionally engaging the wall of said reduced neck bore in externally sealing relation, said second plug being physically separate and spaced at all points from said first plug forming a second chamber peripherally bounded by said neck bore, the effective front surface of said second plug and the effective rear surface of said first plug, and means integral with said second plug and protruding externally from said reduced neck bore for moving said second plug along said neck bore, a first admixable material disposed within said second chamber, a second admixable material disposed within said first chamber for admixing with said material within said second chamber upon dislodgement of said first plug into said first chamber, the inner fact of said second plug being movable substantially to the juncture zone between said neck bore and said first chamber during dislodgement of said first plug to effectively form a single chamber bounded by the walls of said first chamber and the effective inner forward face of said second plug for admixing of said materials after dislodgement of said first plug into said first chamber to form said semi-solid material.

Claims

2. The container as defined in claim 1, wherein said second portion of said pusher means has a head portion adapted to obturate the mouth of said lower compartment when said pusher means is moved into said upper section to a position to unseat said partition means.

3. The container as defined in claim 1, wherein said upper compartment is substantially narrower than said lower compartment has a considerably smaller inner volume.

4. The container as defined in claim 3, wherein the outer diameter of said pusher means is substantially the same as the inner diameter of said upper compartment.

5. The container as defined in claim 3, wherein the outer diameter of said partition means is substantially the same as the inner diameter of said upper compartment.

6. A container for storing, transporting and intermixing pre-proportioned substances, comprising, in combination, an upper and a lower, interconnectable section; partition means movable in said sections between an initial or closing position, in releasable engagement with said upper section, and a final or mixing position, loosely contained within said lower section; said upper section having at least one locking portion of a diameter somewhat smaller than that of said partition means, for frictionally holding the same in said closing position, wherein said partition means initially provides respective upper and lower compartments, said lower section accommodating the major part of the lower compartment while said upper section accommodates the upper compartment and the remaining part of said lower compartment; said upper section having therein a passage leading from said upper compartment to the free end thereof and to the outside; said compartments being adapted to hold therein different substances to be transported and intermixed; said passage being adapted for successively introducing therethrough both substances into the respective compartments, with the interposition of said partition means after the first substance has been introduced into said lower compartment; and pusher means insertable in said passage and sealingly slidable therein toward said partition means so as to unseat and displace the same from said closing position by pressure exerted by the intermediary of said upper compartment and the substance therein; the substances being eventually placed in communication when said partition means is moved from said closing position to said mixing position, upon actuation of said pusher means, to allow intimate intermixing of the substances in said lower compartment alone, by shaking the container, said partition means assisting the intermixing on account of its mass, wherein said partition means is in the form of a ball, said locking portion of the upper section is constituted by at least one annular groove in its inner wall, and one of said ball and said groove is of a resilient material yielding when in frictional engagement with the other.

7. A container for storing, transporting and intermixing pre-proportioned substances, comprising, in combination, an upper and a lower, interconnectable section; partition means movable in said sections between an initial or closing position, in releasable engagement with said upper section, and a final or mixing position, loosely contained within said lower section; said upper section having at least one locking portion of a diameter somewhat smaller than that of said partition means, for frictionally holding the same in said closing position, wherein said partition means initially provides respective upper and lower compartments, said lower section accommodating the major part of the lower compartment while said upper section accommodates the upper compartment and the remaining part of said lower compartment; said upper section having therein a passage leading from said upper compartment to the free end thereof and to the outside; said compartments being adapted to hold therein different substances to be transported and intermixed; said passage being adapted for successively introducing therethrough both substances into the respective compartments, with the interposition of said partition means after the first substance has been introduced into said lower compartment; and pusher means insertable in said passage and sealingly slidable therein toward said partition means so as to unseat and displace the same from said closing position by pressure exerted by the intermediary of said upper compartment and the substance therein; the substances being eventually placed in communication when said partition means is moved from said closing position to said mixing position, upon actuation of said pusher means, to allow intimate intermixing of the substances in said lower compartment alone, by shaking the container, said partition means assisting the intermixing on account of its mass, wherein said locking portion of the upper section is constituted by two spaced-apart ribs in its inner wall, said partition means being constituted by a ball adapted to be seated between said ribs when in its closing position.

9. A container for storing, transporting and intermixing pre-proportioned substances, comprising, in combination, an upper and a lower, interconnectable section; partition means movable in said sections between an initial or closing position, in releasable engagement with said upper section, and a final or mixing position, loosely contained within said lower section; said upper section having at least one locking portion of a diameter somewhat smaller than that of said partition means, for frictionally holding the same in said closing position, wherein said partition means initially provides respective upper and lower compartments, said lower section accommodating the major part of the lower compartment while said upper section accommodates the upper compartment and the remaining part of said lower compartment; said upper section having therein a passage leading from said upper compartment to the free end thereof and to the outside; said compartments being adapted to hold therein different substances to be transported and intermixed; said passage being adapted for successively introducing therethrough both substances into the respective compartments, with the interposition of said partition means after the first substance has been introduced into said lower compartment; and pusher means insertable in said passage and sealingly slidable therein toward said partition means so as to unseat and displace the same from said closing position by pressure exerted by the intermediary of said upper compartment and the substance therein; the substances being eventually placed in communication when said partition means is moved from said closing position to said mixing position, upon actuation of said pusher means, to allow intimate intermixing of the substances in said lower compartment alone, by shaking the container, said partition means assisting the intermixing on account of its mass, wherein said head portion has a concave lower face adapted to engage a substantially complementary upper face of said partition means.

10. A container for storing, transporting and intermixing pre-proportioned substances, comprising, in combination, an upper and a lower, interconnectable section; partition means movable in said sections between an initial or closing position, in releasable engagement with said upper section, and a final or mixing position, loosely contained within said lower section; said upper section having at least one locking portion of a diameter somewhat smaller than that of said partition means, for frictionally holding the same in said closing position, wherein said partition means initially provides respective upper and lower compartments, said lower section accommodating the major part of the lower compartment while said upper section accommodates the upper compartment and the remaining part of said lower compartment; said upper section having therein a passage leading from said upper compartment to the free end thereof and to the outside; said compartments being adapted to hold therein different substances to be transported and intermixed; said passage being adapted for successively introducing therethrough both substances into the respective compartments, with the interposition of said partition means after the first substance has been introduced into said lower compartment; and pusher means insertable in said passage and sealingly slidable therein toward said partition means so as to unseat and displace the same from said closing position by pressure exerted by the intermediary of said upper comaprtment and the substance therein; the substances being eventually placed in communication when said partition means is moved from said closing position to said mixing position, upon actuation of said pusher means, to allow intimate intermixing of the substances in said lower compartment alone, by shaking the container, said partition means assisting the intermixing on account of its mass, whereiN said pusher means has an annular ridge above said head portion, adapted to engage a narrowing portion in the inner wall of said upper section, preventing pushing in said pusher means beyond the point where said mouth of the lower compartment is obturated.

11. A container for storing, transporting and intermixing pre-proportioned substances, comprising, in combination, an upper and a lower, interconnectable section; partition means movable in said sections between an initial or closing position, in releasable engagement with said upper section, and a final or mixing position, loosely contained within said lower section; said upper section having at least one locking portion of a diameter somewhat smaller than that of said partition means, for frictionally holding the same in said closing position, wherein said partition means initially provides respective upper and lower compartments, said lower section accommodating the major part of the lower compartment while said upper section accommodates the upper compartment and the remaining part of said lower compartment; said upper section having therein a passage leading from said upper compartment to the free end thereof and to the outside; said compartments being adapted to hold therein different substances to be transported and intermixed; said passage being adapted for successively introducing therethrough both substances into the respective compartments, with the interposition of said partition means after the first substance has been introduced into said lower compartment; and pusher means insertable in said passage and sealingly slidable therein toward said partition means so as to unseat and displace the same from said closing position by pressure exerted by the intermediary of said upper compartment and the substance therein; the substances being eventually placed in communication when said partition means is moved from said closing position to said mixing position, upon actuation of said pusher means, to allow intimate intermixing of the substances in said lower compartment alone, by shaking the container, said partition means assisting the intermixing on account of its mass, wherein said free end of the upper section has therein at least three inwardly directed spurs for guiding said pusher means in its sliding movement within said passage.

12. A container for storing, transporting and intermixing pre-proportioned substances, comprising, in combination, an upper and a lower, interconnectable section; partition means movable in said sections between an initial or closing position, in releasable engagement with said upper section, and a final or mixing position, loosely contained within said lower section; said upper section having at least one locking portion of a diameter somewhat smaller than that of said partition means, for frictionally holding the same in said closing position, wherein said partition means initially provides respective upper and lower compartments; said upper section having therein a passage leading from said upper compartment to the free end thereof and to the outside; said compartments being adapted to hold therein different substances to be transported and intermixed; said passage being adapted for successively introducing therethrough both substances into the respective compartments, with the interposition of said partition means after the first substance has been introduced into said lower compartment; and pusher means insertable in said passage and sealingly slidable therein toward said partition means so as to unseat and displace the same from said closing position by pressure exerted by the intermediary of said upper compartment and the substance therein; the substances being eventually placed in communication when said partition means is moved from said closing position to said mixing position, upon actuation of said pusher means, to allow intimate intermixing of the substances in said lower compartment alone, by shaking of the container, said partition means assisting the intermixing on acCount of its mass, wherein said pusher means has a head portion adapted to obturate the mouth of said lower compartment when said pusher means is enforced into said upper section, and wherein the length of said pusher means substantially corresponds to that of the portion of said upper section which lodges said upper compartment, preventing manual removal of said pusher means from said upper section once it has been completely enforced and said mouth of the lower compartment is obturated.

15. A plural-chamber admixing container comprising a sectional container body forming a first chamber, one section having a reduced neck bore extending therefrom and open at the end thereof, a movable first plug frictionally removably retained in and closing said neck bore at the entrance of the first chamber, said first plug being smaller than and fully freely movable in tumbling mix-assisting fashion within said first chamber upon removal from said neck bore, a second plug slidably mounted in said neck bores open end and frictionally engaging the wall of said reduced neck bore in externally sealing relation, said second plug being physically separate and spaced at all points from said first plug forming a second chamber peripherally bounded by said reduced neck bore, the effective front surface of said second plug and the effective rear surface of said first plug, and manually manipulable means integral with said second plug and protruding externally from said reduced neck bore for moving said second plug along said reduced neck bore, a first admixable material disposed within said second chamber and forming an axial force transmission means between said second and said first plugs, a second admixable material disposed within said first chamber for admixing with said material within said second chamber upon dislodgement of said first plug into said first chamber, the inner face of said second plug being movable substantially to the juncture zone between said neck bore and said first chamber during dislodgement of said first plug to effectively form a single chamber bounded by the walls of said first chamber and the effective inner forward face of said second plug for admixing of said materials after dislodgement of said first plug into said first chamber.

16. A plural-chamber admixing container comprising a body forming a first chamber and a second chamber, the latter having a neck bore extending therefrom, said neck bore being reduced relative to said first chamber and opening at the end thereof into said first chamber, a movable first plug frictionally removably retained in and closing said neck bore at said end, said first plug being smaller than the fully freely movable in mix-assisting fashion within said first chamber upon removal from said neck bore, a second plug slidably mounted in said second chamber and frictionally engaging the interior wall thereof in externally sealing relation, said second plug being physically separate from said first plug and there being space between said plugs, said space being defined by said interior wall, front surface of said second plug and rear surface of said first plug, and manually operable means integral with said second plug and accessible externally of said container for moving said second plug along said neck bore, a first admixable material disposed within said space, a second admixable material disposed within said first chamber for admixing with said material wiThin said second chamber upon dislodgement of said first plug into said first chamber, the inner face of said second plug being movable substantially to the juncture zone between said end of said neck bore and said first chamber during dislodgement of said first plug to effectively form a single chamber bounded by the walls of said first chamber and the effective inner forward face of said second plug for admixing of said materials after dislodgement of said first plug into said first chamber.

18. A container for storing, transporting and intermixing pre-proportioned substances comprising in combination: first and second interconnectible sections, said first section including a closed end defining a mixing chamber for holding a first admixable substance and said second section having an inner wall substantially free from indentations or protuberances defining a material containing chamber for communicating with said mixing chamber for holding a second admixable substance, partition means having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the mixing chamber held in a friction fit by the inner wall of one of said sections at the junction of said chambers and movable in said sections between an initial or closing position separating said chambers and a final or mixing position loosely contained within said mixing chamber, pusher means slidably positioned in said material containing chamber with the outer periphery of its inner end in sliding and sealing engagement with the wall thereof, said pusher means being movable from an initial position through the entire length of said material containing chamber to a final position with its inner end positioned substantialy at said junction of said chambers for positively forcing said partition means and clearing the entire contents of said material containing chamber into said mixing chamber, the lower end of said pusher means when in said final position and subsequently sealing the upper end of said mixing chamber to allow intermixing in said mixing chamber of the admixable substances originally in said chambers by the shaking of said container with the partition means aiding in the mixing.

19. A container for storing, transporting and intermixing preproportioned substances, comprising in combination: (a) first and second interconnectible sections, said first section including a closed lower end defining a mixing chamber for holding a first admixable substance, and said second section defining a material-containing chamber for communication with said mixing chamber for holding a second admixable substance, the communicating means between said chamber defined by a bore having one end communicating with said mixing chamber and at its other end with said material-containing chamber, said second section having an inner wall substantially free from indentations or protuberances, said bore providing a smooth, uninterrupted continuation of said inner wall of said material-containing chamber, said bore, at said one end, being of lesser diameter than said mixing chamber; (b) partition means in said bore at one end and held in a friction fit by the interior wall of the bore between said chambers and movable between a closing position separating said chambers and a mixing position within said mixing chamber, said partition means sealingly closing said one end of said bore and sized so as to be loosely contained within said mixing chamber; (c) pusher meAns slidably positioned in said material-containing chamber with its inner end slidingly and sealingly engaging said inner wall in a fraction fit, said inner end of said pusher means being slidingly sealingly engageable within said bore, (d) said pusher means being movable along the length of said inner wall and the length of said bore, from an initial position spaced from said other end of said bore, to a final position wherein its said inner wall is sealingly seated in said one end of said bore for positively forcing said partition means into said mixing chamber and clearing the entire second substance from the space through which said inner end moves in going from said pusher means'' initial position to said pusher means'' final position, and for thereafter sealing the upper end of said mixing chamber to allow intermixing in said mixing chamber of the original substances of said chambers by the shaking of said container.

20. The container of claim 18 wherein one said substance is liquid mercury and the other said substance is amalgamable with mercury to form dental restorative material when mixed.

21. A plural-chamber admixing container for mixing a semi-solid dental restorative material comprising a sectional container body forming a first chamber, one section having a neck bore extending therefrom and open at the end thereof, a movable first plug frictionally removably retained in and closing said neck bore at the entrance of the first chamber, said first plug being smaller than and fully freely movable in tumbling mix-assisting fashion within said first chamber upon removal from said neck bore, a second plug slidably mounted in said neck bores open end and frictionally engaging the wall of said reduced neck bore in externally sealing relation, said second plug being physically separate and spaced at all points from said first plug forming a second chamber peripherally bounded by said neck bore, the effective front surface of said second plug and the effective rear surface of said first plug, and means integral with said second plug and protruding externally from said reduced neck bore for moving said second plug along said neck bore, a first admixable material disposed within said second chamber, a second admixable material disposed within said first chamber for admixing with said material within said second chamber upon dislodgement of said first plug into said first chamber, the inner fact of said second plug being movable substantially to the juncture zone between said neck bore and said first chamber during dislodgement of said first plug to effectively form a single chamber bounded by the walls of said first chamber and the effective inner forward face of said second plug for admixing of said materials after dislodgement of said first plug into said first chamber to form said semi-solid material.