Packaged orthodontic assmebly with retaining member
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsDavid K. Cinader, JR., Alan F. Conley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Orthodontic assemblies and related methods are provided where an adhesive coated orthodontic appliance is received in a container that includes a substrate and a lid having a retaining member. When the lid is closed, the retaining member is complemental to the shape of the appliance and engages with the appliance. By conforming to the shape of the appliance, the retaining member constrains the appliance from shifting in lateral and vertical directions within the container. When the lid is opened, the associated retaining member disengages from the appliance, thereby facilitating user access to the appliance.
Claims22
A packaged orthodontic assembly comprising:
- an orthodontic appliance having a base for attachment to a tooth surface;
- an adhesive extending across at least a portion of the base;
- a substrate having a release surface in contact with the adhesive;
- a lid coupled to the substrate and comprising a retaining member that contacts the appliance at a non-zero angle relative to the release surface to hinder relative sliding movement between the appliance and the release surface.
(canceled)
20-21. (canceled)
A method of packaging an orthodontic appliance comprising:
- coating a base of the appliance with an orthodontic adhesive;
- placing the appliance on a substrate, wherein the adhesive contacts the substrate;
- and
- placing a lid over both the appliance and the substrate, wherein the lid comprises a retaining member that at least partially surrounds the appliance to hinder relative sliding movement between the appliance and the substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.