Device and system for mixing and dispensing components stored separately from one another

Abstract

Mixing devices and systems are disclosed for storing separate components and for mixing and dispensing those Components on demand. A mixing device includes a syringe having a generally tubular housing formed with a mixing chamber. A plunger is fitted to the tubular housing to form a first syringe. A dispensing syringe is releasably connected to the mixing chamber. At this point each syringe holds a desired amount of a mixture component. The contents of one syringe are passed through the mixing chamber to the other syringe, forming a usually incomplete mixture. The mixture is then passed through the mixing chamber to the other syringe. Multiple passes through the mixing chamber are continued until the desired mixing result is achieved, and the mixture material is contained in the second syringe that is used to thereafter dispense desired amounts of the mixture.

1 .- 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A mixing device comprising:
 an integrally constructed body having a housing and a mixing chamber integrally connected to a distal end of the housing, the mixing chamber having a distal open end;   a plunger having a plunger body fitted at least partially within the housing, the plunger axially moveable relative to the housing; and   an interior structure disposed within the mixing chamber, wherein the interior structure cooperates with internal walls of the mixing chamber to define multiple flow passageways.   
     
     
         10 . The mixing device of  claim 9 , wherein the interior structure is positioned adjacent the hollow housing and spaced from the open end. 
     
     
         11 . A system for mixing and dispensing, comprising:
 the mixing device of  claim 9 , further comprising a first engagement member disposed in the mixing chamber of the mixing device; and   a dispensing syringe comprising:
 a tubular housing having a hollow bore; 
 a discharge nozzle extending from the tubular housing; 
 a dispensing syringe plunger disposed at least partially within the tubular housing; and 
 a second engagement member provided on the discharge nozzle and adapted for direct mating with the first engagement member. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second engagement members comprise a bayonet interlock, a threaded engagement, or other interlocking arrangement. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second engagement members provide releasable engagement between the mixing device and the dispensing syringe, and wherein the engagement is sufficient to withstand pressures generated during a mixing event without requiring manual pressure to hold the mixing device and the dispensing syringe together. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the dispensing syringe plunger comprises a plunger tip configured to provide wiping engagement with interior walls of the tubular housing. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a unit dose dial. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a stop collar, wherein the dispensing syringe plunger is provided with a series of engagement features each adapted to retain the stop collar at a selected position along the dispensing syringe plunger. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a cap fitted over at least a portion of the discharge nozzle to occlude the orifice; and   a support base having an interior opening adapted to receive the cap.   
     
     
         18 . A method of mixing two flowable components, comprising:
 introducing a nozzle of a dispensing syringe into a distal opening of a mixing device,
 wherein the dispensing syringe comprises a tubular housing having a hollow bore, a nozzle extending from the tubular housing, and a dispensing syringe plunger disposed at least partially within the tubular housing, 
 wherein the mixing device comprises a housing, a mixing chamber integrally connected to a distal end of the housing, the mixing chamber having a distal opening, a mixing device plunger fitted at least partially within the housing and axially moveable relative to the housing, and an interior structure disposed within the mixing chamber and cooperating with internal walls of the mixing chamber to define multiple flow passageways, and 
 wherein a first liquid component is stored in the housing of the mixing device and a second component having a higher viscosity is stored in the tubular housing of the dispensing syringe; 
   interlocking a first engagement member disposed within the mixing chamber with a second engagement member disposed on the nozzle of the dispensing syringe such that the mixing device and the dispensing syringe releasably engage in a free standing manner that does not require manual pressure to maintain;   depressing the mixing device plunger so as to move the first liquid component through the mixing chamber into the dispensing syringe to contact the second component; and   depressing the dispensing syringe plunger so as to move the first liquid component and the second component through the mixing chamber into the housing of the mixing device.   
     
     
         19 . A syringe comprising: a generally tubular housing having opposing proximal and distal end portions, the distal end portion terminating in a nozzle defining a mixing chamber, wherein the tubular housing and mixing chamber are a unitary molded body; and a plunger configured for axial movement with the tubular housing wherein the mixing chamber includes at least one emulsifying passageway formed by an internal structure disposed within the mixing chamber and wherein the interior structure has opposed ends that are flared in an inwardly extending or concave frustoconical shape, wherein the plunger comprises a plunger tip configured to provide wiping engagement with interior walls of the tubular housing. 
     
     
         20 . The syringe of  claim 19 , further comprising a stop collar, wherein the plunger is provided with a series of engagement features each adapted to retain the stop collar at a selected position along the dispensing syringe plunger.