Apparatus, system and method for mixing and dispensing dental impression materials

Abstract

An apparatus, system and method for mixing and dispensing dental impression materials is described. A dental impression material mixing machine comprises a water dispenser fluidly coupled to a hollow mixing axle, the mixing axle extending through a pulley, wherein an inner circumference of the hollow mixing axle forms a water conduit and an outer circumference of the hollow mixing axle forms a hub connector, a closeable valve inserted at a water entrance to the water conduit and electronically coupled to a water pump, an electronically commutated motor rotatably coupled to the pulley, wherein the hub connector receives a tubular rotatable hub of a disposable mixing vessel comprising dry dental impression powder, and wherein water is dispensed from the water dispenser into the disposable mixing vessel through the water conduit and hub orifice.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for mixing and dispensing dental impression material comprising:
 attaching a disposable mixing vessel to a mixing machine, the disposable mixing vessel comprising a pre-measured amount of dry alginate powder;   entering into the mixing machine a quantity of water to be mixed with the dry alginate powder by the mixing machine;   activating the mixing machine to dispense the quantity of water into the disposable mixing vessel and mix the quantity of water with the dry alginate powder to form a paste;   removing an adhesive from a slit in the disposable mixing vessel;   compressing the disposable mixing vessel to dispense the paste from the slit in the disposable mixing vessel; and   discarding the disposable mixing vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 attaching a second disposable mixing vessel to the mixing machine, the second disposable mixing vessel comprising a pre-measured amount of dry dental stone powder;   entering into the mixing machine a second quantity of water to be mixed with the dry dental stone powder by the mixing machine;   activating the mixing machine to dispense the second quantity of water into the second disposable mixing vessel and mix the second quantity of water with the dry dental stone powder to form a second paste;   removing an adhesive from a second slit in the second disposable mixing vessel;   compressing the second disposable mixing vessel to dispense the second paste from the second slit in the second disposable mixing vessel; and   discarding the second disposable mixing vessel.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixing machine mixes the quantity of water with the dry alginate powder by spinning in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the mixing further comprises spinning a whisk of flexible cords inside the disposable mixing vessel, the whisk sweeping around a wall of the disposable mixing vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising removing the disposable mixing vessel from the mixing machine after the paste is formed and prior to removing the adhesive from the slit. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the disposable mixing vessel is transparent and further comprising determining whether the paste has reached a desired consistency by viewing the paste during mixing. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the disposable mixing vessel is attached to the mixing machine by mating depressions on a lid of the mixing vessel to protuberances on a platform of the mixing vessel. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising pressing and twisting the mixing vessel into place on the platform. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixing vessel proceeds through a pre-programmed mixing cycle when mixing the quantity of water with the dry alginate powder. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixing vessel is compressed by forcing down a lid of the mixing vessel to a base of a bowl of the mixing vessel. 
     
     
         11 . A method for mixing and dispensing paste material comprising:
 attaching a disposable mixing vessel to a mixing machine, the disposable mixing vessel comprising a pre-measured amount of powder;   entering into the mixing machine a quantity of liquid to be mixed with the powder by the mixing machine;   activating the mixing machine to dispense the quantity of liquid into the disposable mixing vessel and mix the quantity of liquid with the powder to form a paste;   removing an adhesive from a slit in the disposable mixing vessel;   compressing the disposable mixing vessel to dispense the paste from the slit in the disposable mixing vessel; and   discarding the disposable mixing vessel.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the mixing machine mixes the quantity of liquid with the powder by spinning in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the mixing further comprises spinning a whisk of flexible cords inside the disposable mixing vessel, the whisk sweeping around a wall of the disposable mixing vessel. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising removing the disposable mixing vessel from the mixing machine after the paste is formed and prior to removing the adhesive from the slit. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the quantity of liquid to be dispensed into the disposable mixing vessel is entered by turning a dial and the mixing machine is activated by pressing a switch. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the disposable mixing vessel is transparent and further comprising determining whether the paste has reached a desired consistency by viewing the paste during mixing. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the disposable mixing vessel is attached to the mixing machine by mating depressions on a lid of the mixing vessel to protuberances on a platform of the mixing vessel. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising pressing and twisting the mixing vessel into place on the platform. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the mixing vessel proceeds through a pre-programmed mixing cycle when mixing the quantity of liquid with the powder. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the mixing vessel is compressed by forcing down a lid of the mixing vessel to a base of a bowl of the mixing vessel.