Abstract: A dispensing applicator includes a body with a handle, a pivotable lever and a front holder with a receptacle that is adapted to removably receive a dual chamber cartridge. In certain embodiments, the majority of the cartridge contents are expelled during a single stroke of the lever, an advantage when used for single patient use in dental or medical fields. In other embodiments, the holder is rotatably connected to the body so that the holder and the cartridge can be moved as needed in an arc in order to vary the orientation of the cartridge relative to the applicator handle. The rotatable connection enables the cartridge to be moved to any one of a number of different orientations as may be desired to provide optimum maneuverability of the applicator in use and to enhance the operator's vision of the application site.

Abstract: A dispensing system for dental material made of two components has a dual chamber cartridge that releasably connects to an applicator. The chambers of the cartridge are located in an over-under orientation relative to the user's grip on the applicator, enabling the system to be especially useful for placing dental material in regions of the patient's oral cavity that are difficult to access. Certain embodiments of the invention include a static mixing assembly having a swivelable cannula, and an exit conduit of the mixing assembly is optionally curved along its length. Other aspects of the invention relate to a reusable hygienic sheath useful for covering a dual chamber cartridge as well as a single chamber cartridge.

Abstract: A dispensing container, such as a double-barrel cartridge used in dispensing dental material, matingly receives a sliding cap that maintains a seal between material in the barrels and the atmosphere. The cap includes a body and a gasket within the body, and the cap also includes a cam portion that shifts the body slightly away from an outlet of the container as the cap is moved toward a closed position to seal the container. Once the cap is in a fully closed position, the cam portion enables the body to shift somewhat closer to the container outlet in order to increase the compression of the gasket between the body and the outlet. Optionally, an orienting section is provided for insuring that the cap is coupled to the container in only one certain orientation, so that the likelihood of cross-contamination of material within the barrels due to residual material on the gasket is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A cartridge for delivery of aqueous paste dental materials is provided, wherein the cartridge comprises a cartridge body made from an injection moldable material comprising polyolefin polymers. The cartridge body having a Moisture Permeability less than 25 g mil/m.sup.2 day atm. and an Oxygen Permeability greater than 180 cm.sup.3 mil/m.sup.2 day atm. The cartridge body comprises at least one chamber adapted for holding and simultaneously dispensing an aqueous paste dental material. The cartridge has a polymerizable aqueous paste dental material contained within the chamber of the cartridge body, and the cartridge is specially adapted to be mounted in a hand-held ejector-type gun.

Abstract: A dental dispensing tray has a plurality of wells formed in a substrate, along with a cover that is slidably attached to the substrate. The cover transmits at least a portion of the visible light spectrum but does not transmit a substantial portion of actinic radiation that might otherwise prematurely cure photocurable material in the wells.