Abstract:
A device for storing and applying a dental substance, with a container from which the substance can be removed through a first opening in a first direction with the aid of an applicator, and with a substance supply which can be introduced into the container through a second opening in the wall of the container and which is sealed off against this opening by a breakable foil, is characterized in that the second opening is arranged transversely with respect to the first direction and that the foil is applied over the opening in such a manner that it closes same.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2006/007794 filed Aug. 7, 2006. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates to a device for storing and applying liquid and/or pasty substances, with a container from which the substance can be removed through a first opening in a first direction with the aid of an applicator, and with a substance supply, which can be introduced into the container through a second opening in the wall of the container and which is sealed off against this opening by a breakable foil. 
     A known device of this kind (EP 1 163 918 A2) comprises a container which, in a lower part, has one or more foil containers holding the substances. A plunger is pushed into this container and destroys the foil containers. The substance then passes through an opening in the plunger into an interior space of the plunger, where the substance can be removed by an applicator. 
     This device has various disadvantages. The plunger  2  has to be sealed off from the container  1  since otherwise, when the plunger is pressed into the housing, the substances could escape sideways between container and plunger. If the applicator is intended to be present in the plunger right from the outset and protrudes from the latter (this is expedient in order to protect the mixing space in the plunger from contamination and to obtain a one-piece unit), the protruding part of the applicator gets in the way when pressing the plunger into the container. In any case, it is also disadvantageous when activation and removal take place in the same direction, i.e. the axial direction. 
     It is known to introduce substances from the side into a mixing space (DE-AS 23 24 296). However, this mixing space is closed; the substance is applied through a nozzle with the aid of a plunger. The use of an applicator that can be introduced into the mixing space is not possible. An object is to make available a device of the aforementioned type which avoids the stated disadvantages and permits better handling. 
     SUMMARY 
     The second opening is arranged transversely with respect to the first direction. The substance is therefore pressed from the side into the space in the container, from which it can then be removed from the top with the aid of an applicator. Since pressure is exerted from the side in order to press the substance into the container, and the substance can then be removed from the top, the device does not need to be turned when the substance is introduced into the container. The device is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     An advantageous embodiment, in which two substances are intended to be mixed, is characterized in that a second substance supply is provided which can be introduced into the container through a third opening arranged diametrically with respect to the second opening and which is sealed off against this opening by a breakable foil. The substances are thus pressed into the container from two opposite sides, so that they are thoroughly mixed together. Since pressure is exerted from both sides on the container, the latter does not need to be specially supported. 
     Advantageously, at least one substance supply is enclosed in a foil pouch with a breakable foil secured on the second/third opening. This foil pouch is then compressed when the substance is to be brought into the container. 
     The foil pouch expediently has, on the side directed away from the opening, a stronger foil than on the side directed toward the opening. This ensures that the foil pouch opens on the correct side. 
     Instead of a foil pouch, provision can also be made for at least one substance supply to be arranged in a cylinder which is closed off with a plunger and which is arranged in front of the second/third opening transverse to the first direction and is sealed off against this opening by a breakable foil. The substance is thus initially enclosed in the cylinder. When pressure is then exerted on the plunger of the cylinder, the breakable foil is opened and the substance flows through the opening into the container. 
     To ensure that the substance cannot escape sideways between the outer container wall and the foil, provision is expediently made for the breakable foil to be welded or adhesively bonded onto the container. A particularly simple way is for the breakable foil to be flanged, rabbeted or crimped onto the container. It has surprisingly been found that this affords such a secure fit that welding or adhesive bonding is not necessary. 
     The breakable foil is advantageously provided with a predetermined break point. 
     The container is expediently made of plastic. It can be produced in particular as an injection-molded part. 
     The foils are gas impermeable in an advantageous embodiment, so that liquid substances in particular cannot dry out. At least some of the foils are composite foils. These composite foils can comprise an aluminum layer, which promotes the gas impermeability. 
     The device can on the one hand be designed such that it comprises only one component which is pressed into the container in order to be removed from there with the applicator. However, as has already been mentioned above, it is also possible to provide two components which are then pressed in particular from opposite sides into the container and are mixed together there. However, a third component can also be arranged in the container. 
     In order to avoid contamination, the first opening can be closed off prior to use, for example by a foil. It is then used with a suitable applicator. However, the device advantageously already comprises an applicator. The latter can be a brush or a sponge. In the case of a brush or sponge, the applicator can be impregnated with a further substance. 
     The applicator could of course be supplied together with the container, but not initially connected to the container. It is expedient however if the applicator closes the first opening in a leaktight manner. Special sealing means are then not required in order to protect the container from contamination prior to use. 
     The applicator is expediently conical in the front part since, in dental applications, this makes it easier to apply the substance from the container into the patient&#39;s mouth. The applicator can be secured with a form fit on the first opening. In particular, the applicator can be secured on the container with a snap-fit lock connection, so that it can be easily detached for use. The same applies when the container, in another advantageous embodiment, is connected to the container via a predetermined break point. 
     In one expedient embodiment, a tube for receiving the applicator is provided on the first opening. 
     The applicator is maintained upright both during the pressing in of the substance/substances and also during removal of the substance from the container with the applicator. If it has a bottom surface for placing it on a base, the container maintains the upright position even when placed on a base. In another advantageous embodiment, the container has a support surface. 
     As already mentioned, the device can be used for dental purposes. The liquid and/or pasty substances are not however limited to dental substances. The device is suitable also for other areas of application. Devices that may be mentioned, simply as examples of particularly advantageous areas of application, are those which are used for medicine, cosmetics and technical applications such as for adhesives, paints, sealants and other plastic compounds and which are specially designed for these purposes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference is made to the attached drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of the device, partially in cross section, 
         FIG. 2  shows a second embodiment of the invention, partially in cross section; 
         FIG. 3  shows an enlarged representation of the embodiment from  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 4-39  show further embodiments; 
         FIG. 40  shows a further embodiment in cross section along line X-X of  FIG. 42 ; 
         FIG. 41  shows a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 40 ; 
         FIG. 42  shows the embodiment of  FIGS. 40 and 41  in a top view in enlarged scale; 
         FIGS. 43 and 44  show the embodiment of  FIGS. 40 and 41  with inserted applicator and foil pouch; 
         FIGS. 45 and 46  show details Y and Z of  FIGS. 43 and 44 ; and 
         FIG. 47  shows the embodiment of  FIGS. 40 through 46  during the application. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As is shown in  FIG. 1 , the device comprises a container  1  with a hollow space  2  and with a first opening  7  into which an applicator  3  is inserted or can be inserted. Provided in the wall perpendicular to the extent of the applicator  3  there is a further opening  4  over which a foil pouch  5  is secured which contains the substance that is to be applied. When the foil pouch  5  is compressed, the substance contained in it flows through the opening  4  into the space  2  and can be removed by the applicator  3 . The container  1  is an injection-molded part preferably composed of plastic. 
     In the embodiment in  FIG. 2 , the container  1  is provided with two further openings  4  which are diametrical with respect to one another and transverse to the longitudinal extent of the applicator  3  and over which foil pouches  5  are secured. By compression of the foil pouches  5 , the substances in the latter can be brought into the space  2  and mixed together and can then be removed by the applicator  3 . 
       FIG. 3  shows an enlarged representation of the embodiment in  FIG. 2 . Here (and in the further figures) an element  11  is also shown schematically with which the components can be applied. This can in particular be a brush, a sponge or a spatula. The spatula is of course particularly suitable for applications where pasty substances are used. 
     In the embodiments in  FIGS. 1-3 , the container is substantially rectangular.  FIG. 4  shows an embodiment in which the container  1  is substantially round. After the foil pouch  5  has been fitted on the container  1 , projections  6  about the edge of the foil pouch  5  can be flanged or rabbeted in order to securely hold the foil pouch  5 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment.  FIG. 6  shows this embodiment enlarged and partially in cross section. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show, in similar representations as in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a perspective overall view and an enlarged sectional view, respectively, of an embodiment that has only one substance supply. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  show again a perspective view and a partially cross-sectional view, respectively, of a further embodiment which is designed like a triangle in such a way that three foil pouches  5  can be applied, for example welded on. Behind each of the foil pouches  5  there is once again a bore  4 . The three bores  4  meet in the center of the hollow space  2 , such that the individual liquids are brought together after the foil pouches  5  are burst. 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  also show a container  1  configured with three sides. To be able to apply all three components separately and in succession, the bores  4  behind the foils  5  are not interconnected, in contrast to the embodiment in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . Consequently, in this embodiment three first openings  7  are provided with three hollow spaces  2  and three applicators  3 . 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  show an embodiment with two separate hollow spaces  2  and applicators  3  arranged therein. The left-hand hollow space in the figure is provided with two openings  4  and foil pouches  5  whose contents can be mixed together in the hollow space  2 . The right-hand hollow space  2  is provided with only one opening  4  and one foil pouch  5 , so that here only one component can be removed by the applicator  3 . 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  show an embodiment with four foil pouches  5  whose associated openings  4  all lead into the hollow space  2 , so that the four components can be mixed together. 
     In the embodiment in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , four foil pouches  5  are once again provided which each lead into the hollow space  2 . The hollow spaces  2  are separated from one another and are each provided with a separate applicator  3 . Four liquids or pastes can therefore be removed independently of one another which cannot be mixed together in the container  1 . 
       FIGS. 19 and 20  show a further embodiment from the front and back, respectively. An enlarged partially cross-sectional view of this embodiment is shown in  FIG. 21 . The container  1  in this case has two interconnected areas which each comprise separate systems of foil pouch  5 , opening  4 , hollow space  2  and applicator  3 . However, each hollow space  2  is supplied only by the content of one foil pouch  5 ; the individual components are not mixed together. 
       FIGS. 22-24  show a further embodiment in a similar representation to that of  FIGS. 19-21 . The embodiment has two areas which are mechanically interconnected but which, in flow terms, are separate from one another. One area is provided with two foil pouches  5 , so that here two components can be mixed, whereas the second area has only one foil and only one substance supply. 
     The embodiment in  FIGS. 25-27  has three areas arranged alongside one another. In one area, the substance supplies of two components can be mixed with one another, whereas for the other areas only one foil pouch  5  is in each case provided, so that here only one individual component can be removed. 
       FIGS. 28 and 30  show further embodiments in which the foil pouches lying alongside one another are connected to one another in one piece, as is shown more clearly in  FIGS. 29 and 31 . 
       FIGS. 32 and 33  show an embodiment in which the two hollow spaces  2  and the applicators  3  are arranged behind one another. Each hollow space  2  is provided with an opening  4  and a foil pouch  5 . One component can therefore be removed independently of another. 
     The embodiment in  FIGS. 34 and 35  corresponds in function to the embodiment in  FIGS. 5 and 6  but has a triangular shape. 
     The embodiment in  FIGS. 36 and 37  again has, like the pre-ceding embodiment, a triangular shape. Here, however, the foil pouches  5  and the openings  4  are arranged on inclined side faces. 
     The embodiment in  FIG. 38  has a snap-fit lock device  8  on which the applicator  3  can be secured. The hollow space  2  is in this case closed by a stopper  9  in order to avoid its contamination. This stopper  9  is removed when the applicator  3  is inserted into the opening  7 . 
     The embodiment in  FIG. 39  has several containers  1  which have snap-fit lock devices  10  with which they can be connected to one another. 
     The foils may be gas permeable. At least some of the foils may be composite foils which have an aluminium layer. 
     The embodiment of  FIGS. 40 through 47  in the region of the opening is provided with axial extending ribs  12  for supporting the applicator  3 . As can be seen in  FIG. 42  between the applicator  3  and the wall of opening  7  in this manner arcuate slits are left open. When the substance is pressed into the container  1 , air can escape from the container through these arcuate slits. In addition, a venting channel  13  is provided. 
     In  FIGS. 40 and 42  a stop  14  for the applicator  3  is shown which limits the movement of the applicator  3  into the container  1 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 40 and 41 , the container  1  has three bottom protrusions  15  which serve as a three-point support for holding the container  1  on a surface thus saving material. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 40 and 41  the second opening  4  is surrounded by a trough or depression  16  in the wall of the container  1 . This depression  16  has the largest depth in the vicinity of the second opening  4 . The opening  4  can be provided with cutting edges  17 . 
     The purpose is as follows. 
     After the foil pouch  5  has been affixed to the container  1 , ( FIGS. 43 and 44 ) pressure is exerted in the direction of arrow  18 . Due to the special form of the depression  16  the foil pouch  5  is stressed and deformed to the maximum extent in the region of the second opening  4  and will rupture here. This will also result in a popping sound indicating that the substance has been transferred into the inner space of container  1 . 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 43 and 45 , container  1  has annular protrusions  19  and  20 . As best seen in  FIG. 46 , the foil of the pouch  5  can be crimped between these two protrusions thus obtaining a tight seal in this region.