Dispenser for orthodontic chain-formed intraoral devices

Claim 2

Apparatus for dispensing intraoral orthodontic devices of the type which are severably joined in an elongated flexible chain, with each device in such a chain including an aperture, said apparatus comprising a digitally manipulatable dispenser portion including means therein defining a guide for guiding the dispensing of devices from such a chain, a storage portion mounted for movement on and relative to said dispensing portion for storing a chain of devices, movement of said storage portion relative to said dispensing portion effecting taking-up and paying-out of a stored chain, a chain of devices when stored in the apparatus in a condition for the dispensing of devices therefrom having a reach extending between said storage portion and said guide, and means on said dispensing portion employable releasably to lock a chain in place against dispensing movement relative thereto.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes means producing a detent-like, releasable locking inteRaction between said dispensing portion and said storage portion in different positions of the latter relative to the former.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means employable releasably to lock a chain in place comprises a catch disposed adjacent said guide for catching an aperture in a device.

Claim 5

Apparatus for dispensing intraoral orthodontic tensioning devices of the type which are severably joined in an elongated flexible chain, with each device in such a chain including an aperture, said apparatus comprising an elongated finger having means adjacent one end defining a guide for freely receiving such a chain and for guiding the dispensing of devices from a received chain, a spool removably and rotatably mounted on said finger at a point spaced from said guide for storing a chain from which devices are to be dispensed, and for enabling the taking-up and paying-out of a stored chain, a chain of devices when stored in the apparatus in a condition for the dispensing of devices therefrom having a reach extending between said spool and said guide, and a catch joined to said finger adjacent said guide for releasably catching an aperture in a device thus to prevent movement of a chain past said guide.

Claim 6

Apparatus for dispensing intraoral orthodontic tensioning devices of the type which are severably joined in an elongated flexible chain, with each device in such a chain including an aperture, said apparatus comprising an elongated finger having means adjacent one end defining a guide for freely receiving such a chain and for guiding the dispensing of devices from a received chain, a spool removably and rotatably mounted on said finger at a point spaced from said guide for storing a chain from which devices are to be dispensed, and for enabling the taking-up and paying-out of a stored chain, a chain of devices when stored in the apparatus in a condition for the dispensing of devices therefrom having a reach extending between said spool and said guide, and a catch joined to said finger adjacent said guide for releasably catching an aperture in a device thus to prevent movement of a chain past said guide.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said catch comprises an elongated prong projecting from said finger.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said guide has an entry side for receiving a chain, and a dispensing side from which devices are dispensed, and said catch is located on said dispensing side.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said catch comprises an elongated prong projecting from said finger.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 4 which further includes means producing a detent-like, releasable locking interaction between said finger and said spool in different angular positions of the spool on the finger.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said finger includes a pair of spaced-apart mounting portions for said spool, which portions are movable toward and away from one another for enabling mounting and demounting of the spool, and said means which produces said detent-like interaction comprises a plurality of ridges formed on said spool which ridges are engageable with one of said mounting portions.

Claim 12

Apparatus for dispensing intraoral orthodontic tensioning devices of the type which are severably joined in an elongated flexible chain, with each device in such a chain including an aperture, said apparatus comprising an elongated element forming a dispensing finger in the apparatus, and including adjacent its inner end a pair of adjacent, spaced-apart portions which are movable relatively toward and away from one another, means in said element adjacent the outer end thereof defining a closed loop guide for freely receiving such a chain and for guiding the dispensing of devices from a received chain, a spool removably and rotatably mounted on said element adjacent its said inner end for storing a chain from which devices are to be dispensed, and for enabling the taking-up and paying-out of a stored chain, a chain of devices when stored in the apparatus in a condition for the dispensing of devices therefrom having a reach extending between said spool and said guide, and a catch joined to said element adjacent said guide for releasably catching an aperture in a device thus to prevent the movement of a chain past said guide.

Claim 13

Apparatus for dispensing intraoral orthodontic tensioning devices of the type which are severably joined in an elongated flexible chain, with each device in such a chain including an aperture, said apparatus comprising an elongated element forming a dispensing finger in the apparatus, and including adjacent its inner end a pair of adjacent, spaced-apart portions which are movable relatively toward and away from one another, means in said element adjacent the outer end thereof defining a closed loop guide for freely receiving such a chain and for guiding the dispensing of devices from a received chain, a spool removably and rotatably mounted on said element adjacent its said inner end for storing a chain from which devices are to be dispensed, and for enabling the taking-up and paying-out of a stored chain, a chain of devices when stored in the apparatus in a condition for the dispensing of devices therefrom having a reach extending between said spool and said guide, and a catch joined to said element adjacent said guide for releasably catching an aperture in a device thus to prevent the movement of a chain past said guide.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 10 which further includes means producing a detent-like interaction between said element and said spool in different angular positions of the spool on the element.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said catch comprises an elongated prong projecting from said element.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said guide has an entry side for receiving a chain, and a dispensing side from which devices are dispensed, and said catch is located on said dispensing side.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said catch comprises an elongated prOng projecting from said element.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said means which produces said detent-like interaction comprises a plurality of ridges formed on said spool, which ridges are engageable with one of said ends of said element.