Frangible Applicator Holder for Dental Material Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing applicators for dispensing small quantities of materials, such as medicaments or dental materials, often fail to keep the applicator end protected from contamination and require the material to be in contact with the applicator until ready for use, leading to inconvenience and potential waste.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a removably attached applicator holder with a frangible portion separating the material holder from the applicator holder, allowing the material to be stored in a sealed chamber until needed, with the applicator end being protected from contamination until use, and enabling easy resealing and handling of small quantities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the applicator is kept attached to the material holder for easy use, then the applicator can be quickly accessed, but the applicator end becomes vulnerable to contamination and the material may waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequick access to applicatorVSAvoidcontamination of applicator end

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separable components: the applicator holder with the protected applicator end, and the material holder with the sealed material chamber. The frangible portion allows easy separation while maintaining protection during storage and transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The applicator is nested within the applicator holder, which itself is attached to the material holder. This nested structure provides protection while maintaining compactness, and allows sequential access to each component as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the material chamber is kept sealed to prevent contamination, then material sterility is maintained, but the material cannot be accessed for application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial contaminationVSAvoidmaterial access

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The frangible portion is pre-positioned between the applicator holder and material holder, creating a predetermined break point. This preliminary preparation allows for quick and easy separation when material access is needed, without compromising the sealed integrity during storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If the applicator holder is permanently attached to the material holder for structural stability, then the device maintains integrity, but the applicator cannot be separated for cleaning or replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice integrityVSAvoidapplicator replaceability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the applicator holder and material holder transitions from a static permanent attachment to a dynamic separable connection. The frangible portion provides a controlled weak point that allows separation when needed while maintaining structural integrity during normal use and storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS7476046B2Applicator and material dispensing system

Publication Date: 2009.01.13 CENTRIX INC(US)

AI summary

An applicator and material dispensing system having an applicator frictionally retained within an applicator holder and the applicator holder frangibly attached to a material holder. Material placed within the material holder is initially sealed by a frangible portion adjacent one end of the applicator holder. Upon separation of the applicator holder from the material holder the material contained therein is exposed permitting the applicator, upon removal from the applicator holder, to be used to dispense the material. The invention is particularly well suited to dispensing small quantities of dental material.