US 6,681,925 B2 · Autoclavable and resealable endo file container

Abstract

An open-ended container for holding dental instruments includes a body and a lid. The lid is configured to close the container when the lid is placed over the open end of the container. The lid is also configured for stabilizing the container in an upright position when the lid is placed over the bottom of the container. The lid is flared and generally provides greater support to the container for standing upright than does the bottom of the container. A piece of tape is used to seal and reseal the lid on the container. A foam material (e.g., open cell foam) housed within the container is used to hold dental instruments. A disinfecting solution contained within the container disinfects any dental instruments held therein.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims20

Dependent claims

A container configured for holding dental instruments, the container comprising:

a body including a bottom and a plurality of sidewalls extending upwards from the bottom, the sidewalls defining a cavity and an open-ended top, the bottom being configured to rest on a planar surface;
a support material disposed within the cavity that is configured for supporting and holding one or more dental instruments, the suPport material having sufficient porosity or deformability to enable a dental instrument to be inserted into the support material without bending, blunting or damaging the dental instrument;
a disinfecting solution disposed within the cavity for disinfecting a dental instrument inserted into the cavity;
and
a lid configured for closing the open-ended top when the lid is placed in a closing position over the open-ended top and for stabilizing the body in an upright position when the lid is placed in a stabilizing position over the bottom of the body,
the lid comprising an open end configured to receive and slidably engage a portion of the sidewalls when the lid is in the closing position and to receive the bottom of the body when the lid is in the stabilizing position, and
the lid comprising an enlarged top that is significantly larger than the open end of the lid, the open-ended top of the body, and the bottom of the body and that is configured to rest on a planar surface, the enlarged top of the lid thereby providing greater stability for the container when the lid is in the stabilizing position than when the bottom of the body rests on a surface without the lid or when the bottom of the body is attached to a lid that does not have an enlarged top.

4 more elements

A container configured for holding endodontic instruments, the container comprising:

a body including a bottom and a plurality of sidewalls extending upwards from the bottom to an open-ended top, the sidewalls defining a cavity and the open-ended top, the bottom being configured to rest on a planar surface;
and
a lid comprising an open end configured for slidably engaging the sidewalls of the body when the lid is placed in a closing position over the open-ended top, wherein the open end of the lid is further configured for slidably engaging the sidewalls of the body when the lid is placed in a stabilizing position over the bottom of the body,
wherein the lid has an enlarged top that is significantly larger than the open end of the lid, the open-ended top of the body, and the bottom of the body and is configured to rest on a planar surface,
the enlarged top of the lid thereby providing greater stability for the container, and preventing inadvertant spillage of liquid contained in the body cavity, when the lid is in the stabilizing position than when the bottom of the body rests on a surface without the lid or when the bottom of the body is attached to a lid that does not have an enlarged top;
and
a support material housed within the cavity of the body that is configured for supporting and holding one or more endodontic instruments securely in place within the cavity of the body, the support material having sufficient porosity or deformability to enable an endodontic instrument to be inserted into the support material without bending, blunting or damaging the endodontic instrument.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description3,851 words

Summary1,411 words

#1. The Field of the Invention

#The present invention is in the field of storage containers, more particularly, storage containers configured to hold and store dental or medical instruments such as endodontic files and other tools.

#2. The Relevant Technology

Brief description of the drawings6 figures

#In order that the manner in which the above recited and other benefits, advantages and features of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 illustrates a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the container of the invention that includes a body and a lid;

#FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of one embodiment of the container of the invention that includes a body, a lid, and a sealing strip wrapped around the body and the lid;

Detailed description2,128 words

#A detailed description of the containers of the invention will now be provided with specific reference to figures illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention. It will be appreciated that like structures will be provided with like reference designations.

#To provide assistance in construing the scope of the invention, definitions to terms used throughout the application will now be provided. The term “stabilize” should generally be construed as holding an object in a steady position. With specific reference to the present application, the term “stabilize” refers to holding the containers of the invention in an upright position.

#The term “upright position” generally refers to the position in which the top of the container is maintained directly above the bottom of the container, wherein the “top” of the container is the portion of the container through which access to the inside of the container is provided, and wherein the bottom of the container comprises the surface or portion of the container that directly opposes the top of the container.

Facts

Application

10/028,606Filed 19 Dec 2001

Published

US 2003/0111361 A119 Jun 2003

Granted

27 Jan 2004

Term ended

19 Dec 2021

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification7 codes

A61C 19/02
Dental auxiliary appliances: protective casings, e.g. boxes for instruments; Bags
A61B 50/3001
Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments:…
A61C 5/44
Implements for surgical treatment of the roots or nerves of the teeth; Nerve needles; Methods or instruments for medication of the roots: means…
A61B 50/20
Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers: holders…

Autoclavable and resealable endo file container

Life of this patent

Autoclavable and resealable endo file container

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims20

Description3,851 words

Drawings

Classification7 codes

Life of this patent

Description3,851 words