Dispensing cartridge

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dispensing cartridge, particularly for dental impression materials, formed from a plastic material having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and comprising a metal reinforcement tube.

1 . A dispensing cartridge formed of plastic material having at least one inlet and at least one outlet and comprising at least one metal reinforcement tube.  
   
   
       2 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 1 , where in the metal reinforcement tube comprises a body having an open end and an outlet opening.  
   
   
       3 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 2 , wherein the open end of the metal reinforcement tube comprises a flared flange.  
   
   
       4 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 2 , wherein the open end of the metal reinforcement tube comprises a chamfer.  
   
   
       5 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 1 , comprising at least one compartment, each comprising a body adapted to receive a plunger of an applicator and having an open end and an outlet opening, the compartment extending between the open end and the outlet opening.  
   
   
       6 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 5 , wherein the metal reinforcement tube comprises a body having an open end and an outlet opening.  
   
   
       7 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 5 , wherein the metal reinforcement tube is provided within the at least one compartment.  
   
   
       8 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 6 , wherein the metal reinforcement tube is provided within the at least one compartment.  
   
   
       9 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 6 , wherein the metal reinforcement tube is integrally molded into the body of the at least one compartment.  
   
   
       10 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 5 , wherein the open end of the at least one compartment comprises a chamfer or a truncated cone.  
   
   
       11 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 6 , comprising a smooth transition between the open end of the at least one compartment and the open end of the metal reinforcement tube.  
   
   
       12 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 7 , wherein the metal reinforcement tube is held in the at least one compartment in a positively engaging manner.  
   
   
       13 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 12 , wherein the metal reinforcement tube is held in a positively engaging manner at the open end thereof.  
   
   
       14 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 12 , wherein the metal reinforcement tube is held within the at least one compartment by adhesive, frictional connection or adhesive and frictional connection.  
   
   
       15 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 6 , wherein the open end of the metal reinforcement tube comprises a flared flange.  
   
   
       16 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 6 , wherein the open end of the metal reinforcement tube comprises a chamfer.  
   
   
       17 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 6 , wherein the open end of the metal reinforcement tube is offset from the open end of the at least one compartment so that the open end of the at least one compartment extends beyond the open end of the metal reinforcement tube in the longitudinal direction.  
   
   
       18 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 17 , wherein the offset is about 5 to 15 mm.  
   
   
       19 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 16 , wherein the offset is about 10 to 13 mm.  
   
   
       20 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 6 , wherein the outlet opening of the metal reinforcement tube extends beyond the outlet opening of the at least one compartment in the longitudinal direction.  
   
   
       21 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 6 , wherein the outlet opening of the at least one compartment extends beyond the outlet opening of the metal reinforcement tube in the longitudinal direction.  
   
   
       22 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 6 , wherein the outlet opening of the metal reinforcement tube is flush with the outlet opening of the at least one compartment.  
   
   
       23 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 6 , wherein the outlet opening of the metal reinforcement tube or outlet opening of the at least one compartment is adapted to releasably receive a cap of a foil bag to be accommodated within the metal reinforcement tube.  
   
   
       24 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 23 , wherein the outlet opening of the at least one compartment is adapted to releasably receive a cap of a foil bag to be accommodated in the metal reinforcement tube.  
   
   
       25 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 24 , wherein the outlet opening of the at least one compartment comprises a projection in the longitudinal, radial or longitudinal and radial direction to provide for rotational adjustment of the cap on the tube.  
   
   
       26 . A method of dispensing a dental composition comprising the acts of: 
 providing a dispensing cartridge according to  claim 1;  and    advancing a plunger in the metal reinforcement tube such that the plunger urges a dental composition through the outlet opening of the cartridge.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the act of advancing a plunger is carried out by an applicator or mixing unit.  
   
   
       28 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 6 , further comprising a foil bag and a cap, wherein the outlet opening of the metal reinforcement tube is adapted to releasably receive the cap.  
   
   
       29 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 28 , further comprising a foil bag and a cap, wherein the outlet opening of the at least one compartment is adapted to releasably receive the cap.  
   
   
       30 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 29 , wherein the outlet opening of the at least one compartment comprises a projection in the longitudinal, radial or longitudinal and radial direction adapted to provide for rotational adjustment of the cap.  
   
   
       31 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 6 , wherein the open end of the metal reinforcement tube has an outlet opening with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the metal reinforcement tube.  
   
   
       32 . A dispensing cartridge comprising: 
 at least one compartment formed of plastic material with an open end and an outlet opening, such compartment extending between said open end and outlet opening, and said open end being adapted to receive a plunger of an applicator; and    at least one metal reinforcement tube, said tube having an open end and an outlet opening and extending between said open end and the outlet opening; and    wherein said tube is located within said at least one compartment.    
   
   
       33 . A dispensing cartridge according to  claim 31 , wherein the open end of said at least one tube is embedded into the wall of said at least one compartment.  
   
   
       34 . A dispensing cartridge comprising: 
 at least one compartment formed of plastic material with an open end and an outlet opening, such compartment extending between said open end and outlet opening, and said open end being adapted to receive a plunger of an applicator; and    at least one metal reinforcement tube, said tube having an open end and an outlet opening and extending between said open end and the outlet opening; and    wherein the open end of said at least one tube is embedded in the wall into the wall of said at least one compartment.    
   
   
       35 . A method of dispensing a dental composition comprising the acts of: 
 providing a dispensing cartridge according to  claim 32;  and    advancing a plunger through the metal reinforcement tube such that the plunger urges a dental composition through the outlet opening of the cartridge.    
   
   
       36 . A method according to  claim 35  wherein the act of advancing a plunger is carried out by an applicator.