Dental equipment and material storage and multi-positional display apparatus

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention generally relates to storage and display devices and, more particularly, the invention relates to devices adapted to store and display dental equipment and materials.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Technology

[0005] In many industries, it is desirable to store equipment and supplies related to a given task within a single package or toolbox for convenient access when the task needs to be performed. It is advantageous if the tools and equipment are provided in an organized fashion enabling the operator to quickly and repeatedly find the desired implement or supply. Various storage trays, holsters, tool belts, easels, and tool boxes have therefore been developed to service individual industries.

[0006] With particular reference to the field of dentistry, specific tools, chemicals, and composites are designed for particular dental maintenance and restoration procedures. When the procedures are to be performed, the tools and materials need to be accurately and readily grasped by the operator. Moreover, it is important that the equipment and supplies remain aseptic and not be subjected to cross-contamination in the process. When the procedure is completed, it is desirable to store the equipment and materials in an organized and centralized fashion to allow for quick retrieval for subsequent procedures.

[0007] According to the invention, a storage and multi-positional display apparatus is provided which includes a cover having a plurality of hinged segments, and a storage tray secured to one of the hinged segments. The storage tray is adapted to store dental equipment and materials and the cover is foldable from a storage position surrounding the storage tray, to at least one display position exposing the storage tray for ready access to the dental equipment. The cover may include a top, a first side, a bottom, a bottom extension, a second side, and an attachment flap allowing the cover to be foldable into multiple display positions, including vertical, horizontal, and angled with respect to the surface on which the apparatus is set.

[0008] These and other aspects and features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

[0009] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a dental equipment storage and multi-positional display apparatus according to the invention, shown in a closed position;

[0010] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the dental equipment and material storage and multi-positional display apparatus of FIG. 1, shown in a display position;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of the storage and multi-positional display apparatus of FIG. 1, shown in a closed trapezoidal position;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 in a first display position;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 in a second display position;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a dental equipment and material storage and multi-positional display apparatus according to the invention in a third display position; and

[0015] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view through a portion of the cover.

[0016] While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and are described below in detail. However, there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0017] Referring now to the drawings, and with specific reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a dental equipment and material storage and multi-positional display apparatus according to the invention is generally depicted by reference numeral 20. The dental equipment and material storage and display apparatus 20 is depicted in FIG. 1 in a closed or storage position, and in FIG. 2 in a display or easel position at one of the various angles obtainable with the invention. In the stored position of FIG. 1, the contents of the apparatus 20 are completely enclosed, and protected from contamination during transportation or storage, whereas in the display position depicted in FIG. 2, the contents of the apparatus are readily displayed and easily selected and obtained by a user with minimized risk of cross-contamination. As used herein, the term “display” is therefore intended to not only convey that the contents of the apparatus are viewable, but that the contents can also be easily and quickly selected and accessed for use by the practitioner.

[0018] While the preferred embodiment of the invention is described with respect to dental equipment and material, it is to be understood that the invention can be employed with similar efficacy to other fields, including, but not limited to, art, construction, medicine, practically any type of presentation, and the like.

[0019] The storage and display apparatus 20 includes a cover 22 to which a storage tray 24 is secured. The cover 22 preferably includes a plurality of individual, substantially rigid, segments 26 connected by hinges 28. In the preferred embodiment, six segments 26 are provided including a top 30, a first side 32, a bottom 34, a bottom extension 36, a second side 38, and a connection flap 40.

[0020] The connection flap 40 is depicted having a curved edge 41, but it is to be understood that a variety of other shapes including, but not limited to, straight edges are possible. In the closed position, shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the bottom 34 and the bottom extension 36 cooperate to form a single planar side of the apparatus 20, and the top 30 and connection flap 40 cooperate to form an opposed side of the apparatus 20. The first and second sides 32 and 38 form two additional sides of the apparatus 20, but are non-parallel to each other. As described in further detail below, the storage tray 24 includes first and second walls 42 and 44 which form the remaining sides of the six sided apparatus 20 to completely enclose the contents of the tray 24 when the apparatus 20 is closed. The resulting shape of the apparatus, as shown best in FIG. 3, is trapezoidal. This shape is of particular significance with respect to the alternative embodiment described later herein with respect to FIG. 6 in that it prevents sliding of top 30 relative to flap 40.

[0021] The connection flap 40 can be connected to the top 30 in a variety of ways, with the preferred embodiment using opposed strips 46 of hook and loop fasteners, a preferred embodiment using VELCRO® brand hook and loop fasteners, extending from the top 30 and connection flap 40. A number of other fastening devices could be employed. For example, in the alternative embodiment of FIG. 6, a band 48 of material extends from the top 30 and defines a longitudinal opening 49. The opening 49 is slightly smaller in cross-sectional area than the connection flap 40 such that the connection flap 40 frictionally engages the band 48 to secure the connection flap 40 to the top 30 when the apparatus 20 is in the closed position.

[0022] The cover 22 is preferably manufactured from a flexible material such as plastic, and as shown in FIG. 7 is provided in the form of a tube or sleeve 50. To provide each segment 26 with rigid support, individual rigid inserts 52 are positioned within the sleeve 50. First and second opposed surfaces 54 and 56 of the sleeve 50 are then heat sealed between adjacent inserts 52 to form the hinges 28 and completely seal each rigid insert 52 inside the sleeve 52. During the heat sealing process, a source of heat is directed against the surfaces 54 and 56 to melt the plastic sleeve 50 sufficiently to form a bond. The inserts 52 can be provided in the form of many rigid, or substantially rigid, materials including chipboard, cardboard, and the like.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage tray 24 includes a substantially rectangular base 58 having a top 60, a front 62, a bottom 64, a back 66, and the first and second side walls 42 and 44. The side walls 42 and 44 are preferably formed from base portions 67 which extend beyond the base 58, and wedges 68 extending from the base portions 67. The wedges 68 are sized sufficiently long and high to completely close two sides of the apparatus 20. The tray 24 further includes a plurality of compartments 69 sized and shaped to frictionally receive a variety of instruments and materials, with the preferred embodiment including syringes 70 for dispensing dental materials, as well as bottles or vials 72 of additional compounds. The tray 24 is preferably manufactured from plastic through a thermoforming process, vacuum forming process, or injection molding process. Since both the storage tray 24 and the sleeve 50 of the cover 22 are preferably manufactured from plastic, the tray 24 can be heat sealed to the cover 22. In the preferred embodiment, the tray 24 is heat sealed to the cover 22 proximate the bottom segment 34 of the cover 22. The base portions 67 are preferably not heat sealed to the sleeve 50 to enable the individual segments 26 to be folded into the various positions depicted in FIGS. 3 through 6.

[0024] In operation, FIGS. 3 through 6 depict some of the positions into which the storage and display apparatus 20 can be transformed. The four positions depicted are only illustrative of the invention, and are not exclusive. With specific reference to FIG. 3, the storage and display apparatus 20 can be folded into a storage position by wrapping the cover 22 around the storage tray 24, and connecting the connection flap 40 to the top 30 with the fastening strips 46. The segments 26 of the cover 22 cooperate with the side walls 42 and 44 of each tray 24 to completely enclose the syringes 70 and bottles 72 stored within the tray 24. More specifically, in the closed configuration of FIG. 3, the cover 22 forms a trapezoid in cross-section with top 30 being parallel to a bottom 34 and bottom extension 36, the first side 32 being non-parallel to the second side 38, and the connection flap 40 being parallel to and in engagement with the top 30. The strips 46 of hook and loop fasteners are hidden from view when the cover 22 is in a closed position.

[0025] FIG. 4 depicts the storage and display apparatus 20 after being transformed into a first display or easel position wherein the tray 24 is positioned approximately 45° from horizontal. To reach such a configuration, the connection flap 40 is first detached from the top 30, and then folded approximately 270° with respect to the first side 32 about a hinge 28. In addition, the bottom extension is folded approximately 180° with respect to the bottom 34, with the second side 38 remaining spaced approximately 90° from the bottom extension 36. The connection flap 40 is folded approximately 225° with respect to the second side 38 and reattached to the top 30 using the fastening strips 46. The unique positioning of the fastening strips 46 and reversibility of the flap 40 facilitate this process. The apparatus 20 can then be set upon a suitable work surface, counter top, or the like with the top 30 serving as a horizontal base.

[0026] FIG. 5 depicts a second display position wherein the tray 24 is positioned approximately 30° from horizontal. To reach this position from the position depicted in FIG. 4, the second side 38 is folded parallel to the connection flap 40. In so doing the second side 38 pivots about the hinge 28 and the bottom extension 38 is folded approximately 90° to be orthogonally disposed relative to the bottom 34. A variety of angles can be obtained other than the 45° and 30° angles depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5 by slight movement of the various segments 26. For example, the angle of display will necessarily vary depending on the amount of overlap between the fastener strips 46. Additionally, the apparatus 20 can be opened with the bottom 34 remaining horizontal to thus display tray 24 horizontally as well.

[0027] The configurations shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 show that segments 36 and 38 can be completely folded away from the syringes 70 making the handles 71 of the syringes 70 easier to grip and remove from the tray 24. Moreover, the syringes 70 can be more easily returned, and the segments 36 and 38 can be aseptically cleaned without touching or otherwise contaminating the other segments or the other syringes 70.

[0028] FIG. 6 depicts an alternative embodiment of the storage and display apparatus 20 in a substantially elevated display position. The substantially elevated display position can be reached from the position depicted in FIG. 4 through the use of a locking sleeve 78. The locking sleeve 78 is preferably made from a substantially rigid material, such as plastic, in the form of a continuous loop. Alternatively, a spring clip (not shown) or other type of mechanical support could be used. The locking sleeve frictionally engages the cover 22 and is slidable between the bottom extension 36 and the second side 38. Accordingly, from the position depicted in FIG. 4, the bottom extension 36 and the second side 38 are folded about the hinge 28 into a parallel configuration. The locking sleeve 78 is then slid over the hinge 28 such that the locking sleeve 78 partially engages the bottom extension 36 and the second side 38. The locking sleeve 78 prohibits pivotal motion about the hinge 28. Moreover, the parallel bottom extension 36 and second side 38 support the bottom 36 and tray 24 at a greater, substantially vertical, angle.

[0029] From the foregoing, it will be seen that the storage and display apparatus 20 can be transformed into a plurality of angular displays best suited to the particular user, and to the particular procedure being performed. Moreover, through the use of individual compartments 68 and a cover 22 which can be folded completely away from the top of the tray 24, the syringes 70 and bottles 72 can remain organized, and aseptic, with minimized risk of cross-contamination. When the procedure is completed, the apparatus 20 can be closed for storage, handling, and transportation until subsequent procedures are to be performed.