Abstract: A cartridge contains a storage chamber for a fluid filler material in which a piston can be movably received, wherein the storage chamber has a filling end and a discharge end and an inner wall extending between the filling end and the discharge end and the piston is displaceable in the storage chamber from the filling end to the discharge end along the inner wall to discharge the filler material from the storage chamber and the filler material can be enclosed in a sealing manner in the storage chamber by the piston. The piston is captively held within the inner wall by a projection provided at the inner wall in the environment of the filling end.

Abstract: A micro-applicator includes a body and a tip holder located at an end of the body. A spring-loaded plunger extends through the body such that when sufficient force is applied to the end of the plunger extending out of the body, the plunger extends into the tip holder to eject a tip held therein. Another micro-applicator includes a grip, a tip holder located at an end of the grip and a spring-biased ejector configured such that compression of the spring causes the ejector to extend through tip holder and eject a tip held therein. Another micro-applicator includes a body, including a grip portion and a tip holding portion. The tip holding portion is configured to hold a disposable dental tip. A spring-biased ejector located within the body allows quick and efficient ejection of the disposable dental tip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to automatically reverse the motor of a power tool, such as a dispensing gun or similar tool. In some constructions, a controller automatically reverses the direction of plunger movement and removes the plunger from contact with the back wall of a cartridge. The controller has a trigger switch that is coupled to a power source, such as a battery, and includes a main power on/off switch and a potentiometer. A protection or secondary switch is coupled in parallel to the main power on/off switch. A power supply circuit and a commutator are each coupled to the main and secondary switches. An overload sensor is coupled to the commutator. The controller includes a programmable device that is coupled to the power supply circuit, the potentiometer, the commutator, and the overload sensor.

Abstract: A body waste fluids collecting container is used in the disposal of waste fluids drained from a body cavity of a patient. The collecting container has inlet and outlet ports, a collecting compartment for collecting body waste fluids drained from a patient, and a retaining compartment located within the collecting container. A composition for treating body waste fluids is located within the retaining compartment. At least one wall is located on the retaining compartment. The wall separates the composition from the collecting compartment. An actuator opens the wall and permits release of the composition from the retaining compartment upon actuation. A composition consists of a disinfectant, a xerogel, or combination thereof. A waste treatment material dispensing device is also used with a closed waste fluid disposal vessel. The device contains waste treatment material and a container defining a storage volume for holding the waste treatment material.

Abstract: Packaging pads comprise top and bottom sheets laminated together along peripheral surface portions with a pocket of comminuted filler material centrally disposed between the sheets. Apparatus for manufacturing the pads continuously feeds an endless bottom sheet along a predetermined travel path, and liquid adhesive is applied to the upper surface of the sheet as it so travels. A stream of filler material is divided into spaced apart individual pocket amounts and these filler amounts are joined to the adhesive coated surface of the bottom sheet. A top sheet coated with liquid adhesive on the underside thereof is laminated onto the bottom sheet and the pocket amounts of filler material. The thus formed continuous laminate is transversely cut midway between adjacent pockets of filler material to thereby form individual packaging pads.