Delivery of dental materials

Abstract

A delivery system ( 10 ) includes a tube ( 11 ) having a central passageway ( 12 ) and a dispensing orifice ( 22 ) and a venting orifice ( 23, 50 ). An amount of the material to be dispensed is drawn into the central passageway ( 12 ), after which the venting orifice ( 23, 50 ) is closed off, causing the material within the central passageway ( 12 ) to remain due to unequal pressures between the central passageway ( 12 ) and the atmosphere, until the venting orifice ( 23, 50 ) is again uncovered. A squeeze pump ( 40 ) may be positioned between the dispensing orifice ( 22 ) and the dispensing orifice ( 23 ) to be pinched, thereby drawing liquid into or dispensing liquid from the central passageway ( 12 ).

In the claims:  
     
         1 . A delivery device for a liquid comprises a plastic or glass tube having a central passage longitudinally therethrough and open first and second ends such that said central passageway extends between and fluidly communicates with each said first and said second passageway.  
     
     
         2 . A delivery device as in  claim 1 , further comprising a resilient, manually actuatable pump positioned between said first and said second ends, such that a user may selectively squeeze and release said pump to draw into or expel liquid from said central passage.  
     
     
         3 . A delivery device as in  claim 1 , further comprising a brush positioned proximate to said second end of said tube, said brush being at least partially exposed on the exterior of said tube.  
     
     
         4 . A delivery device as in  claim 1 , wherein said tube is transparent.  
     
     
         5 . A delivery device as in  claim 1 , wherein said tube is fabricated from a flexible, plastic material.  
     
     
         6 . A delivery device as in  claim 1 , further comprising a secondary relief orifice in said tube, fluidly communicating with said central passageway and the atmosphere.