Device for dispensing a material from a container

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for batch-dispensing a material from a container, such as pulverulent or granular material, for example dental powder such as glass ionomer, the device comprising at least one displaceable member being displaceable between a first position and a second position, and having at least one cavity being alternately emptied and filled from the container upon displacement of the displaceable member.

1 . A device for dispensing a material from a container, comprising a displaceable member movably accommodated in a body member of the device and displaceable between a first position and a second position, the displaceable member having at least one cavity being alternately filled in the first position and emptied in the second position, the body member having only one opening to the exterior of the device, the device having an airtight circumferential seal associated with the displaceable member that is loaded and unloaded in the direction of movement of the displaceable member.  
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body member is connectable to the container.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the body member comprises a longitudinal axis, the displaceable member being moveable along an axis being inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the body member comprises a longitudinal axis, the displaceable member being moveable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body member.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 2 , the displaceable member having an axis of movement, the at least one cavity being inclined with respect to the axis of movement of the displaceable member.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 2 , the displaceable member having an axis of movement, and the at least one cavity being arranged transverse to the axis of movement of the displaceable member.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the seal seals the displaceable member against the body member once the displaceable member is fully accommodated in the body member.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the seal comprises a circumferential flange engaging a corresponding circumferential groove provided at the body member.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the circumferential flange is substantially L-shaped, and extends from the first end of the displaceable member along the displaceable member's axis of movement.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising an activating element for moving the displaceable member.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the activating element is substantially U-shaped with the legs of the U being connected to the displaceable member.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , the displaceable member further comprising at a first end thereof a web element arranged transverse to the axis of movement of the displaceable member.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the web element has two ends that extend beyond the circumference of the displaceable member, the activating element being connected to the ends of the web element.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a retaining element for urging the displaceable member back to its accommodated position inside the body member.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the retaining element is an O-ring or elastic band.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the retaining element is connected to the displaceable member in the area of its first end, and surrounding the body member.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a locking element for releasable locking the displaceable member and for generating an additional sealing pressure to the displaceable member in its accommodated position inside the body member.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17 , further comprising a retaining element for urging the displaceable member back to its non-dispensing position.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 1 , in combination with the container.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 19 , further comprising pulverulent or granular material contained within the container.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the material to be dispensed has a grain size in the range of d50 equal to 20 to 130 μm.