Patent Publication Number: US-2016220335-A1

Title: Impression material automatic kneading apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to impression material automatic kneading apparatuses for forming impression materials used in the dental field. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Examples of impression materials used in the dental field include such that a powdered material and water of a proper volume are mixed and kneaded. However, such a case is common these days that proper amounts of two kinds of pasty raw materials (hereinafter may be mentioned as just “pastes”) are mixed in an automatic kneading apparatus, to form an impression material, whereby an impression material is easy to be made with a good accuracy, and also the working efficiency can be improved. There are some known combinations as such two kinds of pastes. Examples of the combinations include a combination of a base paste containing alginic acid as the main component and a hardener paste containing gypsum as the main component. Such two kinds of pastes are each put in separate packages that are containers formed from a flexible material. 
     Automatic kneading apparatuses as described in Patent Literatures 1 and 2 are disclosed, for example. That is, an automatic kneading apparatus is structured so that packages in which two kinds of pastes are attached thereto; just a proper amount of a paste is taken out of each package if necessary; and two kinds of the taken pastes are kneaded and discharged. At this time, it is effective in view of discharging the pastes from the packages without wasting anything and using the pastes in the packages completely that the packages are attached to the automatic kneading apparatus as being energized to stretch. Therefore, means of holding and stretching upper and lower ends of the packages are provided for the automatic kneading apparatus. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     Patent Literature 1: JPH8-24273A 
     Patent Literature 2: JP2002-191624A 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     It sometimes takes time to attach the packages to the automatic kneading apparatuses of Patent Literatures 1 and 2. Particularly, operation to energize the packages is troublesome and complicated. Users replace the packages, and thus easy replacement is required. Besides, if the pastes are used up in the middle of treatment, it is necessary to quickly replace the packages in order to avoid the treatment from being delayed. 
     In view of the above problem, an object of the present invention is to provide an impression material automatic kneading apparatus where packages can be replaced easily. 
     Solution to Problem 
     The present invention will be described hereinafter. Reference signs on the attached drawings are added in parentheses for easy understanding of the present invention, which does not limit the present invention to the illustrated embodiments. 
     The present invention is an impression material automatic kneading apparatus ( 1 ) that kneads and discharges at least two kinds of pasty materials which form a dental impression material, the apparatus includes: a holder ( 10 ) that holds a package ( 20 ) which is a container like a bag, the package containing the pasty materials; and a main body ( 2 ) that is connected to an opening part ( 21 ) of the package, sucks the pasty materials from the package, and kneads said at least two kinds of pasty materials, wherein the holder includes: a holding member ( 11 ) that holds the opening part of the package; a moving member ( 15 ) that holds an end part that is in a side opposite to the opening part of the package, the moving member movably arranged along the holding member; and an elastic member ( 19 ) one end of which is attached to the holding member and another end of which is attached to the moving member, and wherein the holder can be attached to and detached from the main body in a state where the package is energized by the elastic member. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the present invention, a holder that holds a package can be attached to and detached from a main body as the package is energized. Thus, it can be possible to replace the package easily and quickly, as the package is energized in order to discharge a paste without waste. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view to explain a package. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view depicting the structure of an impression material automatic kneading apparatus  1  and packages  20  separately. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view to focus on an insertion port  4 . 
         FIG. 4  (a) is a perspective view of a holder  10  seen from one side, and  FIG. 4( b )  is a perspective view of the holder  10  seen from a side opposite to that in  FIG. 4( a ) . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the impression material automatic kneading apparatus  1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view to explain a scene of attaching the package  20  to the holder  10 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the impression material automatic kneading apparatus  1  where the packages  20  are attached. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The above described effect and advantage of the present invention are clarified from the embodiments of the invention described in the following. Hereinafter the present invention will be described based on the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. It is noted that this invention is not limited to these embodiments. 
     Prior to describing the impression material automatic kneading apparatus  1  according to one embodiment, an example of a package that is attached to the impression material automatic kneading apparatus  1  and that contains a paste.  FIG. 1  depicts an exterior perspective view of the package  20  that is in a bulging state with a paste contained therein. As is seen from  FIG. 1 , the package  20  is a container like a bag that is formed from a flexible member, and the paste is contained therein. 
     The package  20  has a cylindrical opening part  21  at its one end side. The opening part  21  allows the inside and the outside of the package  20  to communicate, and discharges the paste. 
     Two annular parts  21   a  and  21   b  are arranged around the cylindrical outer circumferential portion of this opening part  21  at a predetermined interval in the direction of cylindrical axis of the opening part  21 . Whereby, as described later, the opening part  21  of the package  20  can be fixed to the holder  10  by sliding and inserting an edge part of the impression material automatic kneading apparatus  1  that forms an opening holding part  13   a  of the holder  10  into between the annular parts  21   a  and  21   b  to be engaged. 
     On the other hand, a lug part is formed along a side opposite to the opening part  21  of the package  20  when the package  20  is made to have the shape of a bag by sticking parts of the member, which composes the bag, to each other. Two recess parts  22  are provided here (only one recess part can be seen in  FIG. 1 ). 
     Side face parts of the package  20  are now focused on. The package  20  has two side face parts  23  that have wider faces in its side parts (only one side face part can be seen and the other is arranged on the opposite side in  FIG. 1 ). When the paste contained in the package  20  is reduced by use, the package  20  in a bulging state is deformed so as to be crushed. When the package  20  is crushed as such, deformation in a direction where two side face parts  23  approach each other (direction represented by  1   a  in  FIG. 1 ) is remarkable. According to this, the package  20  also deforms in a direction where the end part at the opening part  21  side and the end part at the recess parts  22  side move away from each other (direction represented by lb in  FIG. 1 ) so as to make their distance long. 
     It is effective to apply tension (energize) to the package  20  in the direction represented by the arrow  1   b  in order to efficiently discharge the paste from the package  20  without waste. Therefore, a means for carrying out such energization is provided for an automatic kneading means. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the direction of connecting the end part in the opening part  21  side and the end part in the recess parts  22  side may be described as “package length direction”, the direction of connecting two side face parts  23  may be described as “package thickness direction”, and the direction orthogonal to the package length direction and the package thickness direction may be described as “package width direction”. 
     Here, the paste contained in one package  20  is kneaded with another paste contained in the other package  20 , to form an impression material that is used in dentistry. Materials are not specifically limited as long as an impression material can be formed, and known materials may be used. Examples of the materials include a combination of one paste, which is a base paste containing alginic acid as the main component, and the other paste, which is a hardener paste containing gypsum as the main component. 
     The impression material automatic kneading apparatus  1  according to one embodiment where such a package  20  can be attached will be described.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the impression material automatic kneading apparatus  1  and the packages  20 . In  FIG. 2 , the structure is separated and arranged to be illustrated. The impression material automatic kneading apparatus  1  is described with reference to  FIG. 2  and drawings indicated if necessary. 
     The impression material automatic kneading apparatus  1  includes a main body  2  and two holders  10 . 
     The main body  2  is a member having a function of taking the pastes contained in the packages  20 , which are held by the holders  10  described below, out of each package  20 , and kneading and discharging the pastes. The main body  2  has a housing  3  that forms an outer contour of the main body  2 . Inside the housing  3 , a suction means for sucking and taking the pastes, and a kneading means for kneading two kinds of the pastes, which are sucked, are provided (not depicted). Known forms of sucking means and kneading means may be used. 
     The recessed insertion ports  4  are provided for the main body  2 . The insertion ports  4  are for holders  10  to be inserted thereinto, and one end part of each holder  10  can be inserted into each insertion port  4 . An inflow port  4   a  that communicates with the suction means is provided for each insertion port  4 .  FIG. 3  depicts an enlarged view to focus on a portion of one insertion port  4 . 
     As seen from  FIG. 3 , the inflow port  4   a  is structured so that the opening part  21  of the package  20  can be attached thereto and detached therefrom. Thus, when the opening part  21  of the package  20  is attached to the inflow port  4   a,  the paste in the package  20  flows through the opening part  21  to the inflow port  4   a,  and is supplied to the main body  2 . 
     Further, as seen from  FIG. 2 , a discharging means  5  for discharging an impression material that is composed of the kneaded pastes is provided for the main body  2 . This discharging means  5  is not specifically limited, and known means may be applied. 
     The holders  10  will be described.  FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of one holder  10 .  FIG. 4( a )  is a perspective view seen from the side where the package  20  is attached, and  FIG. 4( b )  is a perspective view seen from the side opposite to that in  FIG. 4( a ) . As seen from  FIGS. 4( a ) and 4( b ) , the holder  10  is structured with a holding member  11 , a moving member  15  and elastic members  19 . 
     The holding member  11  has a back plate  12  that is like a rectangular plate. 
     A base plate  13  is provided for the holding member  11 . The base plate  13  is like a plate extending from one end of the back plate  12  in the direction of erecting on a face of the back plate  12 . Thus, an approximate L-shape is formed by the back plate  12  and the base plate  13 . Here, as represented in  FIG. 4 , the direction where a ridge formed by the back plate  12  and the base plate  13  extends may be described as “holder width direction”, the direction of the thickness of the back plate  12  may be described as “holder thickness direction”, and the direction orthogonal to the holder width direction and where the back plate  12  extends may be described as “holder length direction”. 
     Two slits  12   a  that extend in the holder length direction are arranged on the back plate  12  in the holder width direction at a predetermined interval. Elastic member locking projections  12   b  that are projections are provided at a position on a face of the back plate  12  which is an opposite side to the face where the base plate  13  erects. This position is at an opposite side to the the base plate  13 , holding the slits  12   a  with the base plate  13 . 
     Here, the back plate  12  in the holder width direction is formed almost same as or a little larger than the size of the package  20  in the package width direction (see  FIG. 1 ). The back plate  12  in the holder length direction is formed larger than the size of the package  20  in the package length direction. 
     An opening holding part  13   a  that is a rectangular slit is formed at the center of a tip part of the base plate  13  (an end part in the holder thickness direction) in the holder width direction. 
     Here, the thickness of the base plate  13  is almost same as or a little thinner than the interval between the above described annular parts  21   a  and  21   b  provided for the opening part  21  of the package  20 . The opening holding part  13   a  is a slit of an opened tip side of the base plate  13 . The size of the opening holding part  13   a  in the holder width direction is larger than the cylindrical outer diameter of the opening part  21 , and smaller than the outer diameters of the annular parts  21   a  and  21   b.    
     The moving member  15  is a member that can be moved along the holder length direction of the back plate  12 . The moving member  15  has guides  16  each of which is arranged along both sides in the holder width direction of the back plate  12 . The guides  16  are like plates extending in the holder length direction. Therefore, two guides  16  are arranged as holding the back plate  12  in the holder width direction. 
     An arm  17  is provided for each guide  16 . The arm  17  extends from the guide  16  in the direction same as that where the base plate  13  erects. The arms  17  are bent at their tips in the direction where two arms  17  approach each other. 
     On the other hand, two guides  16  arc, as seen from  FIG. 4( b ) , coupled by a coupling plate  18  on the face side of the back plate  12  where the base plate  13  does not erect. Elastic member locking projections  18   a  that project in the side opposite to the back plate  12  and guiding projections  18   b  that project toward the back plate  12  are provided for the coupling plate  18 . Both of two elastic member locking projections  18   a  and two guiding projections  18   b  are provided at a predetermined interval in the holder width direction. The guiding projections  18   b  are inserted into the slits  12   a  of the back plate  12 , and are structured so as to be moved along the slits  12   a.  The tips of the guiding projections  18   b  are formed to be thick so as not to pass through the slits  12   a , which prevents the moving member  15  from leaving the back plate  12 . Examples of means for making the tips thick like the above include attaching bolts. 
     The elastic members  19  are elastic members such as springs. Springs are applied in this embodiment as well. As seen from  FIG. 4( b ) , two elastic members  19  are provided in this embodiment. One end of each elastic member  19  is locked by the elastic member locking projection  12   b  of the back plate  12 , and another end thereof is locked by the elastic member locking projections  18   a  of the coupling plate  18 . This makes it possible to apply energetic force to the moving member  15  when the moving member  15  is moved. The elastic member  19  is arranged so that as described later, the moving member  15  holds an end part of the package  20  that is in the opposite side to the opening part  21  to be energized in the direction of stretching the package in the holder length direction. More specifically, if the moving member  15  is moved so as to approach the base plate  13  as illustrated by the arrow IV in  FIG. 4( b ) , the moving member  15  is energized in contrast in the direction of being away from the base plate  13 . 
     The impression material automatic kneading apparatus  1  structured as above is structured so that the holders  10  can be attached to and detached from the main body  2 .  FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of the impression material automatic kneading apparatus  1  in a scene of attaching the holders  10  to the main body  2 . When the holders  10  are attached to the main body  2 , the holders  10  are arranged so that an end part of the holding member  11  of each holder  10  in the base plate  13  side is inserted into the insertion port  4  of the main body  2 . Whereby, the holders  10  are held by the main body  2 . At this time, the holders  10  and the main body  2  are engaged as well by the inflow ports  4   a  of the main body  2  passing through the opening holding parts  13   a,  and by the opening parts  21  of the packages  20  connected with these inflow ports  4   a  as described below. 
     On the other hand, when the holders  10  leave the main body  2 , the holders  10  are just lifted. 
     Attaching the packages  20  will be described. The packages  20  are attached to the holders  10  under a state where the holders  10  leave the main body  2 .  FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view in a scene of the package  20  attached to the holder  10 .  FIG. 7  represents a perspective view in a scene of the packages  20  attached to the impression material automatic kneading apparatus  1 . As seen from  FIG. 6 , an edge of the opening holding part  13   a  that is formed at the base plate  13  of the holder  10  is inserted into between the annular parts  21   a  and  21   b  provided for the opening part  21  of the package  20 . Whereby, the base plate  13  is sandwiched between the annular parts  21   a  and  21   b,  and the opening part  21  of the package  20  is locked and held by the base plate  13  of the holder  10 . On the other hand, the tips of the arms  17 , which are provided for the moving member  15  of the holder  10  and bend as facing each other, are inserted into two recess parts  22  of the package  20 , respectively. At this time, the moving member  15  is moved in advance against the energetic force of the elastic member  19  so as to approach the base plate  13 , and the tips of the arms  17  are inserted into the recess parts  22  under this posture. Therefore, the moving member  15  is inserted so as to be energized upward by the elastic member  19 . Whereby, the package  20  is held by the holder  10  as energized in the package length direction as represented by VI in  FIG. 6 . That is, the package  20  is held by the holder  10  before attached to the main body  2  of the apparatus under the already energized state. 
     The package  20  held by the holder  10  will be attached to the main body  2 . This can be carried out as well as the attachment of the holder  10  to the main body  2  as described above. Further, the opening part  21  of the package  20  is connected to the inflow port  4   a  provided for the insertion port  4  of the main body  2 . This makes it possible for the impression material automatic kneading apparatus  1  to knead and discharge an impression material. 
     The package  20  can leave the main body  2  as the above in reverse order. 
     As described above, according to the impression material automatic kneading apparatus  1 , the holder  10  that holds the package  20  can be attached to and detached from the main body  2 , and the package  20  may be attached to the holder  10  leaving the main body  2 . Thus, it becomes easy to attach the package  20  to the holder  10 . 
     When the package is attached to the holder  10  leaving the main body  2 , the package  20  is already energized by the elastic member  19  for discharging the paste without waste. Thus, it is not necessary to apply any energetic force to the package  20  again when attached to the main body  2 . Thus, it is also easy to attach the holder  10 , where the package  20  is attached, to the main body  2 . 
     According to this, for example, if the holder  10  where the package  20  is attached in advance is prepared as a spare, replacement can be carried out quickly even if a paste is lacked during operation. Thus, operation can progress with almost no interruption. Therefore, there is no need to replace pastes even if the paste is slightly left in order to avoid a case where a paste is used up in the middle of operation. In view of this, a paste can be used without waste. 
     Because the package  20  is already energized by the elastic member  19  when the package  20  is attached to the holder  10  leaving the main body  2  like the above, any mechanism for energizing the package again when the holder  10  is attached to the main body  2  is not necessary, and a complex mechanism for energizing two support means as disclosed in Patent Literature 2 is not necessary. Thus, it can be possible to simplify the structure. 
     REFERENCE SINGS LIST 
     
         
           1  impression material automatic kneading apparatus 
           2  main body 
           3  housing 
           4  insertion port 
           5  discharging means 
           10  holder 
           11  holding member 
           12  back plate 
           13  base plate 
           15  moving member 
           16  guide 
           17  arm 
           18  coupling plate 
           19  elastic member