CA2083045A1

CA2083045A1 - Syringe for dispensing multiple dosages

Info

Publication number: CA2083045A1
Application number: CA002083045A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Keith F. Woodruff
Original assignee: Keith F. Woodruff; American Cyanamid Company
Current assignee: Wyeth Holdings LLC
Priority date: 1991-11-19
Filing date: 1992-11-17
Publication date: 1993-05-20
Also published as: SG47568A1; AU659692B2; DE69210180D1; EP0543156A1; MX9206588A; DK0543156T3; US5531708A; DE69210180T2; GR3019909T3; NZ245146A; AU2845392A; BR9204448A; EP0543156B1; US5328486A; ES2087396T3; ATE137121T1; HK1000007A1

Abstract

31,700 SYRINGE FOR DISPENSING MULTIPLE DOSAGES
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A syringe (2) for administering medicines, pharmaceuticals, and other liquid or semi-liquid materials includes a movable scale (18) which is automatically reset to a zero position after a prese-lected dosage of material has been discharged from the syringe. The scale (18) is adjustable for selecting subsequent dosages to be discharged, which may be the same or different in quantity from the previously discharged dosage. The automatic zero reset feature of the scale (18) enables a user to administer multiple dosages of material from the same syringe, and vary the quantity of each dosage if desired, without the need to make calculations or adjust the scale to compensate for either the quantity of material previously discharged from the syringe or the quantity of material currently remaining in the syringe. The automatic zero reset function is provided by a scale (18) which is movable, together with a slideable stop element (20), relative to a plunger (14) of the syringe (2), and releasably lockable at preselected positions on the plunger (14) corresponding to the quantity of material to next be discharged from the syringe. In further aspects of the invention, the front ends of the plunger and a forward container (4) are tapered for complementary fit, and a storage element (28) is provided on the syringe for removably retaining a cover (10) for a discharge outlet (8) when the syringe is being used.

Description

2 ~ 3 31,700 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to syringes for administering liquid and semi-liquid (e.g.
pastes) compositions and preparations such as medi-cines, pharmaceuticals and the like. The invention is more particularly directed to syringes adapted to discharge material in a plurality of separate succes-sive, preselected dosages which may vary in quantity from each other, or which may be of the same quantity.
The invention is particularly useful in connection with the administration of veterinary pa~te, such as that commonly administered to horses, but is not limited to this specific application.
United States Patent No. 3,563,240, entitled "Dual Unit Syringe" and issued to Jules Silver on February 16, 1971, is illustrative of the general state of the art. This patent discloses a syringe including a container pre-loaded with material to be admini6-tered, and a plunger received within the container for discharging saparate, predetermined quantities of material from a discharge opening in the container. A
scale insoribed on the plunger enables the user to select a predetermined dosage of material to be dls-charged ~rom the container. $he plunger lncludes a threaded outer surface, and a nut or other stop element is rotatable along the plunger relative to the scale on the plunger. The scale designates predetermined dosages to be administered, and the nut is moved into alignment with a desired dosage designation. The - 2 ~ 3 nl~

plunger is then advanced into the container until further forward movement of the plunger is prevented by the stop element abutting against the rear end of the container. Engagement of the stop against the contain-er to restrain further forward movement of the plungerindicates that the desired preselected dosage of material has been discharged from the syringe. The scale provided on the plunger designates specific predetermined dosages, but does not indicate the specific quantity of material to be discharqed from the syringe. Accordingly, any variation in the quantity of material to be discharged which differs from the preset dosea designated on the scale must be based upon imprecise estimates.
P~T Patent Specification No. PCT/US80/01468 discloses a syringe (marketed under the name DIAL-A-DOSE) including a scale on a plunger designating specific quantities of material to be discharged. A
stop element is formed from a ring which is slideable along the plunger to select the next desired dose to be administered by the syringe. The ring is rotatable into a locked position on the plunger after the desired do6e has been set. However, after an initial dose i8 discharged, subsequent doses only can be set on the 5cale after calculations have been made based upon the quantity of material previously discharged from the syringe. For example, if the first dosage to be administered is "50" in quantity, the portion of the scale deaignating "50" will be aligned with the rear end of the container after the plunger has been ad-vanced relative to the container to discharge the initial dose. The scale setting of a subsequent dosage to be admini~tered must be bas2d on calculations using "50" as the standard of reference. If, for example, the next dosage to be administered 18 1-7511 in quantity, the user must make a calculation to determine the total quantity that will have been discharged after the next _ 3 _ ~8 3~

dosage has been administered, and then retract the stop means to "125" on the scale of the plunger to assure that a ~uantity of "75" will next be discharged from the syringe. Continuous re-calculating, re-adjusting and re-setting the position of the stop means on the scale for each subsequent dose to be administered from the syringe is cumbersome, adversely affects the time required for administration, and is likely to result in errors in the dosages administered, particularly where numerous dosages of different quantities are to be se~uentially administered.
A syringe sold under the name SLIDE-A-DOSE
and marketed by Silver Research similarly includes a scale on a plunger which requires continuous calcula-tions based on the quantity of previously administereddoses as a prerequisite to setting the next successive dose to be administered. Accordingly, the drawbacks discussed with reference to the aforemantioned PCT
publication, are equally applicable to this syringe.
~o The SLIDE-A-DOSE ~yringe employs a stop element which is slideable along the scale of the plunger and held in a selected position thereon substantially by friction fit.
It is the primary ob~ect of the present invention to provide a syringe having a scale which is automatically re-set to a zero raference position after any preselected dosage of material has been discharged from the syringe. The automatic-zero reset enables the user to set the scale for only the quantity of material to be discharged from the syringe for the next dosage to be administered, thereby eliminating the need to make calculations and ad~ustments to the setting on the scale to compensate for the quantity of material discharged from the syringe in prior doses. In this manner, separate, multiple dosages of material, each of which may (or may not) va~y in quantity from each other, can be efficiently administered from the same - 4 - 2 ~ (~3 ~ ~

syringe, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the administration procedure and eliminating the risk of administering an incorrect dosage as a result of erroneous calculations or scale settings by the user.
It is a further ob;ect of the present inven-tion to provide a syringe for administering separate, multiple dosages of material including improved means for setting the preselected quantity of material to be administered, improved means for assembling a scale within the plunger, improved means for storing a retainer cap or closure element for the discharge outlet of the syringe when the cap is removed from the discharge outlet, and improved means for assuring that substantially the entire contents of the syringe is ultimately discharged therefrom to minimize any residue therein.
Other objects and ad~antages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a syringe of the type adapted to administer separate, multiple dosages of material, each of which may be the same or different in quantity from previously administered dosages. The syringe includes a forward container portion adapted to store material to be administered by the syringe, and a plunger received wlthin a rear opening of the container. The plunger is movable forwardly relatlve to the container for exerting a force on the material within the container for dis-charge thereof through a discharge outlet defined at the forward end of the container. The plunger includes a scale calibrated to designate the quantity of materi-al within the container ranging between the maximum storage capacity of the container and zero contents.
The scale is subdivided by gradient markings to enable precise selection of a specific quantity of material to - 5 _ 2~ o~r~

be discharged from the syringe. The scale is movable relative to the plunger by a slide element attached to the scale at its zero indicia designation. The scale is calibrated such that when the slide element is retracted to its most rearward position on the plunger, a fixed reference position proximate to the rear end of the container (e.g., a rear container wall) i8 aligned with the indicia on the scale designating the quantity of material remaining in the container.
A preselected dosage of material to be admini6tered by the container is set b~ moving the slide element (and thus the scale) to a position on the plunger such that the indicia on the scale correspond-ing to the preselected quantity of contents to be discharged from the syringe is aligned with the fixed reference position on ths container. The slide element is then releasably locked into position on the plunger, and the plunger i8 advanced forward relative to the container until further forward movement of the plunger is stopped by the slide element engaging against the rear end of the container. When the forward movement o~ the plunger i8 stopped, the pre-selected quantity of material has been discharged from the container.
Other advantages and benefits of the syringe in accordance with the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the drawings described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 of the drawing illustrates a top plan view of a syringe in accordance with the present inven~ion;
FI~URE 2 of the drawing is a sectional view taken along directional arrows 2-2 of FIGURE l;
FIGURE 3 of the drawing is a sectional view taken along directional arrows 3-3 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 of the drawing illustrates a side elevational view of the syringe illustrated by FIGURE
l;
FIGURE 4A illustrates a side elevational 5view, in section, of a slide element used in the syringe shown in FIGURE l;
FIGURE 4B illustrates a top plan view of the slide element illustrated in FIGURE 4A;
FIGURE 4C illustrates a front elevational 10view of the slide element illustrated in FIGURE 4B;
FIGURE 5 of the drawing illustrates a rear elevational view of FIGURE 4 in which a hinged end wall of the syringe i8 pivoted into an open position; and FIGU~ES 6 - 9 are top plan views of the 15syringe, similar to that disclosed by FIGURE l, sequen-tially illustrating an operating cycle of the syringe in which successive, multiple doses of different quantities are discharged therefrom.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODES

FIGURES 1 - 3 of the drawing illustrate a ~yringe in accordance with the present invention, which is generally designated by the reference numeral 2.
The syringe may be of the pre-loaded disposable type, 25or may be of the refillable reusable type. The syring i~ particularly useful for administering veterinary materials, but i8 not limited to this particular application. The syringe includes a forward container portion 4 for storing a quantity of liquld or ~emi-30liquid material 6 (e.g., a paste) to be discharged through a discharge outlet 8 defined at the ~orward end of the container portion. A cap l0 having a tab 12 is removably mounted over the discharge outlet 8 when the syringe is not in use. The forward end of the contain-35er portion defines an inward taper which terminates at the discharge outlet.

- 7 - 2~o~

A plunger 14 is received within a rear opening of the container for ~lideable movement rela-tive to the container. As the plunger i8 advanced forwardly within the container, it exerts a force on the contents 6 therein to discharge a portion of the contents through the di~charge outlet 8. The forward portion 16 of the plunger is inwardly tapered and corresponds to the configuration of the forward end of the container for providing a complementary fit therein when the plunger is moved into its forwardmost position relative to the container. The plunger carries a movable scale 18, which as will be discussed in greater detail below, enables the user of the syringe to preselect and ad~ust the quantity of each of the dosages of material to be administered from the forward container, without engaging in any calculations or adjustments to compensate for the quantity of material 6 previously discharged from the container. The scale 18 includes indicia corresponding to the quantity (e.g., volume) of material within the container 4, ranging from zero contents to the maximum capacity of the container when it is fully loaded.
A slide element 20 i8 mounted to the plunger 14 for selective longitudinal movement therealong substantially between a rear plunger wall 22 and the forwardmo~t portion 24 of the plunger extending rearwardly from the rear end of the container 4. The slide element is selectively and releasably lockable at predetermined positions on the plunger by engagement of the slide element with teeth 26 defined on the upper surface of the plunger. As will be discussed in further detail below, the movable scale 18 i8 coupled to the slide element 20 for conjoint movement with, and relative to, the plunger to provide an automatic zero reset function after a preset quantity of material 6 has been discharged from the syringe to enable the quantity of the next successive dose to be administered --8-- 2 ~? ~ c~

to be set without making oalculations or ad~ustments to compensate for previously administered doses. The rear end wall 22 of the plunger defines a rearwardly extend-ing protuberance 28 adapted to removably store the container cap 10 by friction engagement thereon when the cap i6 removed from the forward discharge outlet 8 of the container 6. A wide flange 30 extends outwardly from substantially the rearmost portion of the contain-er 4, and is readily gripped by a user to provide relative movement between the plunger 14 and the container 4 when the plunger is advanced into (or retracted from) the container.
F~GURES 4 - 5 of the drawing illustrate a side elevational view, in section, and a rear elevational view, in section, of the syringe illustrat-ed by FIGURE 1. In FIGURE 4, the rear wall 22 of the plunger 14 is illustrated in its open, downwardly pivoted position, while FIGURE 1 illustrates this wall in its closed position. A living hinge 32 is provided for pivoting the rear end wall of the plunger between its opened and closed positions. FIGURE 4 more clearly discloses that the scale 18 is an endless loop selec-tively rotatable about a longitudinally extending support element 34 fixedly mounted relative to (or within) the plunger 14.
The slide element 20, shown in FIGURE 4 and illustrated in greater detail in FIGURES 4A, 4B, and 4C
iB an elongated element comprising a forward generally "U" shaped segment 36 which i8 retained on the plunger 14 and is 81 ideably mounted along the upper surface o~
the plunger, and a rear segment 40 connected to and extending rearwardly from the forward sagment 36 and linearly movable thsrewith. A lever portion 44 extends integrally from the rear segment 40 for selectively pivoting section 40 into an elevated position relative to the top surface of the plunger 14 when the lever 44 is depressed downwardly towards the top surface of c~

forward slide segment 36. When no downward force is exerted on the lever 44, the rear segment 40 of the slide element is supported by the top surface of the plunger 14. When a downward force is exerted on the lever 44, the rear segment 40 is pivoted upwardly relative to the top surface of the plunger. The resilient force necessary to pivot the rear segment by the lever is preferably provided by forming the slide element 20 from a flexible material tsuch as a plastic) having a normal unstressed configuration as shown in FIGURE 4A, but which may be elastically de~ormed to pivot segment 40 upwardly by applying a downward forcQ
on the lever 44.
Still referring to FIGURE 4A, the forward segment 36 of the slide element 20 carries a tooth or prong 38 extending downwardly from its top surface, while the rear segment 40 of the slide element 20 carries a downwardly extending tooth 42. The tooth 42 will engage the complementary teeth 26 extending upwardly from the top surface of the plunger 14 when the rear segment 40 i8 in its lowermost elevated position relative to the plunger (i.e., when no down-ward force i5 exerted on the lever 44). In this position, the slide element 20 is locked at a predeter-mined position on the plunger, and no relativeslideable movement between the slide element and the plunger is possible. By depressing the lever 44 downwardly, the rear segment 40 is pivoted upwardly relative to the top surface of the plunger, disengaging the tooth 42 ~rom the plunger teeth 26, and thus permitting the slide element 20 to be moved selectively relative to the plunger 14. The slide element 20 eliminates the burdensome procedure of rotating a threaded element along the plunger to set the scale or to lock or unlock the slide in a selected position on the plunger, a6 is common to many prior art syringes, yet does not rely on friction fit, but provides 2~ 5 positive locking engagement, to secure the slide/stop element at selected positions on the plunger.
The downwardly extending prong 38 carried by the forward segment 36 of the slide element 20 engages the scale tape 18 through a suitable opening defined therein so that the scale is movable with the slide element relative to the plunger, or the scale is releasabl~ locked into a predetermined position rela~
tive to the plunger when the slide element is in its locked position. The scale 18 and the slideable element 20 are oriented relative to one another, as shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawing, such that the zero indicia of the scale is aligned with the forward end of the forward segment 36 of the slide element. ~ongitu-dinal movement of the slideable element 20 relative tothe plunger 14 causes the scale, which i8 formed as a closed, endless loop of tape, to rotate around its longitudinally extending support element 34 fixedly mounted relative to the plunger 14. The scale 18 is calibrated such that when the plunger is fully rearwardly retracted from the forward container, and the slide element is in its rearmost position relative to the plunger, the forward end of the scale 18 in alignment with a fixed position proximate the rear of the forward container 4 (e.g., the rear wall 24 of the container) designates the maximum capacity of the container 4 when it i9 fully loaded wlth materlal 6.
FIGURES 6 - 9 of the drawing illustrate an operating sequence of the ayringe illustrated by FIGURE
1. FIGURE 6 shows the rear plunger 14 substantlally fully retracted from the forward container 4 which is substantially loaded with a maximum capacity of con-tents 6. The slide element 20 i8 retracted relative to the rear wall 24 of the container 4. As discussed above, the scale 18 is movable with the slide element, and the zero indicia marking on the scale is aligned with the front edge of the forward segment 36 of the - 11 - 2~3~

slide element. In the position of the slide shown in FIGURE 6, indicia on the scale corresponding to a dosage of "500" is aligned with the rear wall 24 of the container. The slide element 20 is releasably locked into this position, and the plunger is advanced into the container until ~urther forward movement is stopped by engagement of the front edge of the slide with the rear wall of the container, as shown in FIGURE
7. At this position, a dose of "500" has been dis-charged from the container, and the zero indicia on thescale is aligned (together with the front edge of the slide 20) with the rear wall 24 of the container. The slide element i8 of a larger dimension than the opening in the container rear wall 24 which receives the plunger so that forward movement of the slide element relative to the container i8 stopped by the container rear wall.
FIGURE 8 of the drawing illustratss the same relative position between the plunger 14 and the container 4 as shown in FIGURE 7, but the slide element 20 has been unlocked from its position on the plunger and retracted rearwardly relative to the plunger so that the "250" indicia on the scale 18 i9 now aligned with the rear wall 24 of the container. (As the slide element moves relative to the plunger, the scale 18 i9 rotated about its longitudinal support element 34 fixedly mounted relative to the plunger). This setting establishes that the next do~age of materlal 6 to be di~charged from the container 4 will be o~ a quantity of "250". (~his quantity has been arbitrarily selected for illustrative purposes, and it is clear that the user of the syringe may set any other quantity between zero and the full contents of the material remaining within the container, as desired.) Once the selected setting is indicated on the scale 18 by rearward movement of the slide element relative to the plunger, aR discussed above, the slide element is releasably - 12 - 2~83~

locked into its selected position in the manner previ-ously described.
FIGURE 9 illustrates the relative position of the plunger 14 and the container 4 after the plunger has been advanced forwardly from the position illu8-trated in FIGURE 8 to its maximum forwardmost position relative to the container 4. As the plunger is ad-vanced forwardly relative to the container, it is further received within the container, and forces discharge of the material 6 within the container through the forward discharge outlet 8 thereof, until such further forward relative movement is again stopped by the engagement of the front edge of the slide and the rear wall of the container. When thi~ occurs, the quantity of material which has been discharged from the container corresponds to the guantity of material ~e.g., "250") that had been set on the scale 18 prior to commencement of the further forward movement of the plunger relative to the container as a result of the calibration of the scale which corresponds to the quantity of material within the container. When the slide element is advanced to its forwardmost position relative to the rear wall of the container as a result of the forward movement of the plunger relative to the container as illustrated in FIGURE 9, the zero indicia on the scale 18 again will be in alignment with the rear wall 24 of the container becau~e the scale has advanced con~ointly with the locked slide element and the plunger.
FIGURES 6 - 9 illustrate the "zero reset"
feature of the syringe in accordance with the present invention. As described, the initial doae o~ "500" was selected by movement of the slide element rearwardly relative to the plunger, and was administered by forward movement of the plunger relative to the con-tainer until such forward movement was stopped by the slide element. When the pre-set dosage has been - 13 - 2~

discharged, the zero indicia on the scale is in align-ment with the rear wall 24 of the container. The next dosage to be administered, which can be the same or different from the prior dosage, is set by retracting the slide element and the scale relative to the plunger until the scale indicia corresponding to the absolute value of the desired quantity is aligned with the rear wall 24 of the container. The slide element is locked into position on the plunger, and the administration procedure i5 repeated. It i8 apparent that subsequent doses to be administered are each preset baséd only on the absolute value of the quantity to be discharged in the next successive dose, without reference to, or calculations involving, the quantity of material previously discharged from the syringe, or the quantity of material still remaining in the syringe. The elimination of such calculations and adjustments in computing the setting for the next dosage to be admin-istered significantly reduces potential setting errors and enables more rapid and efficient use of the syringe to administer a sequence of successive, separate, multiple dosages, each of which may be of the same or different in quantity than prior dosages.
The user of the syringe may readily determine the quantity of material 6 remaining in the forward container 4 at any time during the administration sequence described above. As discussed, the indicia on the scale 18 ranges between zero contents and the maximum capaoity of the container 4. By retractlng the 3 0 81 ide element 20, together wlth the scale 18, to its rearmost position on the plunger 14 (e.g., the rear plunger wall 22), the scale indicia al~gned with the rear wall 24 of the container 4 will designate the actual quantity of material 6 still remaining within the container 4 at any relative position of the plunger and the container. The user may then ~et the next dosage to be administered at any quantity equal to or - 14 - ,~

less than that remaining in the container. It is also apparent that the user may not set a subsequent dosage to exceed the remaining capacity of material 6 in a container 4 since the slida element 20 cannot be retracted relative to the plunger into any position in which indicia on the scale exceeding the contents remaining in the container will be aligned with the container rear wall. Therefore, the inability to move the slide to a position on the plunger which will set a selected guantity on the scale informs the user that the quantity of material remaining in the container is less than the desired dosage, and the indicia on the scale aligned with the rear container wall further informs the user of the specific quantity of contents remaining in the container.
In the preferred embodiment of ~he invention, the scale 18 is an endless, rotatable loop of tape mounted for rotation about a longitudinally extending support member fixedly mounted relative to, or within, the plunger. The tape loop can be formed from any suitable material, as for example, a flexible plastic or metal. As illustrated in FIGURE 4, the rear wall 22 ; of the plunger is hingedly mounted at 32 between an opened and closed position to provide access within the plunger assembly to install, remove or repair the scale 18. However, the movable scale may be provided by embodiments other than a rotatable loop, as ror exam-ple, a tape wound on a coil spring and havlng one end ~ixedly mounted proximate to the rear wall 24 Or the container, and in which the tape is retractable rearwardly relative to the plunger by rearward movement of the slide element 20 against the opposing resilient force of the coil spring. As the retracted tape is moved forwardly either by movement of the slide element relative to the plunger, or by con~oint movement with the slide element and the plunger relat~ve to the container, the tape will recoil around the coil spring.

- 15 - ~ 30i~

Other known or conventional means for providing a retractable measuring tape may also be employed in connection with the present invention.
Syringes in accordance with the present invention can be originally manufactured to include the zero reset feature described herein. It is also within the SCOpQ of the present invention to retrofit existing syringes to include the automatic zero reset feature.
FIGURES 1 and 4 of the drawings also illus-trate other advantageous features of a syringe inaccordance with the present invention. ~he forward end 16 of the plunger 14 is configured to complement the tapered configuration of the forward end of the con-tainer 4. Accordingly, the plunger end 16 will be fittingly received within the forward end of the container when the plunger is advanced into its forwardmost position relative to the container. The complementary structure of the respective forward ends of the plunger and container assures that substantially all material 6 will be discharged from the container 4 leaving only minimal residue therein. The tapered configuration of the complementary fit enables the container discharge outlet or nozzle 8 to define a relatively narrow opening which is essential to proper control and discharge of the material 6 from the syringe.
The protuberance 28 projecting outwardly from the rear wall 22 of the plunger provides means Sor removably recelving and storing the discharge outlet cap 10 when the cap i5 removed from the discharge outlet 8 at the front of the container during operation of the syringe. (See FIGURES 6 - 9). Preferably, the cap 10 is received on the projection 28 in a friction fit relationship, and the cap may be readily removed from both the di charge outlet and the pro~ection 28 by means of the tab 12 extsnding from the cap. Loss of the cap during operation of the syringe is prevented by - 16 ~ 3~

providing storage means for the cap integrally formed on the syringe itself.
FIGUR~ 1 of the drawing also illustrates a wide handle 30 extending radially outwardly from the rear end 24 of the container 4. The wide handle enables a user to operate the syringe with one hand, freeing the other hand to control the sub~ect (which may be an animal receiving medication) during the administration procedure.
The syringes of the present invention are particularly useful in the application of veterinary medicines, but may also be employed for any application performed by known and conventional syringes. The syringes may be of either the preloaded, disposable type, or of the refillable, reusable type.
Other modifications within the scope of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. The description herein of the preferred embodiments i~ intended to be illustrative only, and not restrictive of the scope of the invention, that scope being defined by the following claims and all equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A syringe having a container for storing material to be discharged therefrom, a plunger mounted behind said container and having a forward end receiv-able in a rear opening in said container for selective movement of said plunger relative to said container for discharging material from said container, and means for measuring the quantity of material to be discharged from said container, characterized in that said means for measuring includes a scale calibrated to correspond to the quantity of material within said container, said scale being movable together with said plunger relative to said container, and said scale being selectively movable relative to said plunger.

2. The syringe as claimed in Claim 1 charac-terized in that said syringe includes a slide element mounted to said scale and aligned with a zero indicia of said scale, said slide element being movably mounted for longitudinal movement relative to said plunger such that retraction of said slide and said scale away from said container determines a preselected quantity of material to be discharged from said container by said plunger when said plunger is advanced a corresponding distance into said container.

3. The syringe as claimed in Claim 2 charac-terized in that said slide element is a stop for limiting relative movement between said plunger and said container.

4. The syringe as claimed in Claims 1 - 3 characterized in that said scale is formed from an endless loop mounted for rotation relative to said plunger.

5. The syringe as claimed in Claims 2 - 4 characterized in that said slide element includes a locking element for selectively and releasably engaging locking means on said plunger, said slide element being pivotal between a first position in which said locking element is engaged with said locking means on said plunger and said slide is locked in a selected position relative to said plunger, and a second position in which said locking element is disengaged from said locking means on said plunger to permit selective movement of said slide element relative to said plung-er.

6. The syringe as claimed in Claim 5 charac-terized in that said slide element is formed from at least first and second segments, said first segment being slideably mounted on said plunger, and said second segment carrying said locking element and being pivotably connected to said first segment.

7. The syringe as claimed in Claim 6 charac-terized in that said first and second segments are integrally connected to each other, and said second segment includes a lever extending therefrom for pivoting said second segment relative to said first segment.

8. The syringe as claimed in Claims 1 - 7 characterized in that said container includes a cap for removably closing a forward opening in said container, and said plunger includes a projection extending therefrom for storing said cap when said cap is removed from said container.

9. The syringe as claimed in Claim 8 wherein said plunger includes a rear opening closably covered by a rear wall for selective providing access to said scale within said plunger, said rear wall including said projection extending therefrom for removably storing said cap when said cap is removed from said forward opening in said container.

10. The syringe as claimed in Claims 1 - 9 characterized in that said container is formed in a generally tubular configuration having a narrowed forward end thereof defining a nozzle, said plunger being formed in a generally tubular configuration and having a narrowed forward end thereof, said configura-tion of said container complementing said configuration of said plunger such that said plunger is received in said container in complementary fitting relationship when said plunger is moved into its forwardmost posi-tion relative to said container.