Dental film cartridge cushion
OwnerReginald B. Jacksoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cushion for dental film cartridges and a method for forming the same are disclosed. The cushion comprises first and second layers of foam or a like material bonded together about their common periphery and having a central opening passing therethrough. The foam cushion is installed about the periphery of a film cartridge such as those commonly used in dentistry to facilitate x-raying of the teeth. The foam cushion surrounds and covers the typically hard and sharp edges of the film cartridges to prevent discomfort and pain due to abrasion of the gums and soft mouth tissue.
Claims20
A dental film cartridge cushion for reducing discomfort during dental x-rays, the cushion comprising:
- a. A first layer of resilient material formed generally in the shape of a dental film cartridge;
- b. A second layer of resilient material likewise formed generally in the shape of a dental film cartridge laminarly disposed along one surface of said first layer of resilient material;
- c. A central aperture forming a common opening through both said first and second layers of resilient material, said central aperture being formed generally in the shape of a dental film cartridge;
- and
- d. Wherein said first layer of resilient material and said second layer of resilient material are bonded together about their common periphery such that a groove is formed within the central aperture between said first and second layers of resilient material such that a dental film cartridge is disposable within said groove.
A roll of dental film cartridge cushions comprising:
- a. A first layer of resilient foam material;
- b. A second layer of resilient foam material laminarly disposed along one surface of said first layer of resilient foam material;
- c. A central aperture forming a common opening through both said first and second layers of resilient foam material;
- d. A paper substrate upon which said first and second layers of resilient foam material are laminarly disposed;
- e. Wherein said first layer of resilient foam material and said second layer of resilient foam material are ultrasonically bonded together about their periphery such that a groove is formed within the central aperture between said first and second layers of resilient foam material, the groove being specifically sized to receive a dental film cartridge;
- and
- f. Wherein said first and second layers of resilient foam material and said paper substrate are elongate planar layers sufficiently flexible to be formed into a roll.
A method for manufacturing dental film cartridge cushions comprising the steps of:
- a. Bonding together two layers of a resilient material such that a seam is formed, the seam being substantially of the size and shape of the periphery of a dental film cartridge;
- b. Cutting a common central opening through the two layers of resilient material, the central opening being large enough to receive a dental film cartridge when stretched.
- c. Cutting adjacent dental film cartridge cushions apart by cutting the two layers of resilient material along a line defining their common interface.
A method for manufacturing dental film cartridge cushions comprising the steps of:
- (a) forming a first layer of resilient material in the shape of a dental film cartridge, said first layer being formed to have a central opening therethrough, said opening being formed generally in the shape of a dental film cartridge;
- (b) forming a second layer of resilient material in the shape of a dental film cartridge, said second layer being formed to have a central opening therethrough, said opening being formed generally in the shape of a dental film cartridge, said second layer being formed in laminar juxtaposition to said first layer;
- (c) wherein a groove is formed intermediate said first and second layers such that a dental film cartridge may be disposed therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.