Unit dose delivery system

Abstract

The invention includes a delivery system for a composition made of two or more components, the assembly of a container for use in the system, a method for providing a composition, and a delivery system including an applicator and container. In one embodiment, the container includes an outer housing holding a first mass of a first component of the composition, an inner housing holding a second mass of a second component of the composition, and a seal. The first component is a liquid and the mass of the second component conforms to a bottom and side wall of the inner housing. An interference fit exists between the outer housing and the inner housing such that the inner housing seals the first mass within the first chamber. The inner housing has an aperture in a side wall of the second chamber.

1 . A delivery system for a composition, comprising: 
 (a) a container having a chamber and an opening surrounded by at least one wall;    (b) a seal for sealing the composition within the chamber; and    (c) an applicator having a smaller girth dimension at the tip of the applicator and a larger girth dimension, wherein the tip is capable of piercing the seal to create seal fragments, and the applicator at its larger girth dimension pushes seal fragments toward and holds them against the at least one wall.    
   
   
       2 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the fit between the applicator at its larger girth dimension, the seal fragments, and the at least one wall is an interference fit.  
   
   
       3 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the seal is a foil seal.  
   
   
       4 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the seal seals a mass within the chamber of an inner housing, and a second seal seals the inner housing within the chamber of an outer housing.  
   
   
       5 . The delivery system of  claim 3 , wherein the inner housing is positioned with an interference fit within the outer housing.  
   
   
       6 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator further comprises a shoulder.  
   
   
       7 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator comprises a hollow body that includes at least one air vent.  
   
   
       8 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator tip is a brush.  
   
   
       9 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a dental composition.  
   
   
       10 . The delivery system of  claim 9 , wherein the composition comprises a first mass contained within the chamber of the inner housing, a second mass contained within the outer housing, and the first and second masses may be mixed together to form the composition.  
   
   
       11 . The delivery system of  claim 10 , wherein one mass is a liquid, and the other mass is a solid.  
   
   
       12 . The delivery system of  claim 1  wherein the delivery system is used in a dental procedure.  
   
   
       13 . The delivery system of  claim 1  wherein the composition is hardenable.  
   
   
       14 . A method of providing a composition comprising: 
 a) providing a container, the container having: 
 a chamber and an opening surrounded by at least one wall;  
 a seal for sealing the composition within the chamber; and  
 an applicator having a smaller girth dimension at the tip of the applicator and a larger girth dimension, wherein the tip is capable of piercing the seal to create seal fragments, and the applicator at its larger girth dimension pushes seal fragments toward and holds them against the at least one wall; and  
   b) piercing the seal.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of piercing the seal includes pushing downward on the seal with the applicator.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the seal seals a mass within the chamber of an inner housing, and a second seal seals the inner housing within the chamber of an outer housing.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the composition comprises a first mass contained within the chamber of the inner housing, a second mass contained within the outer housing, and the first and second masses may be mixed together to form the composition.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the step of piercing the seal includes piercing the second seal.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the step of piercing the seal includes pushing downward on the seal with the applicator.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising agitating the composition with the applicator to mix the first mass and the second mass.