Patent Application
20240315820
This disclosure relates to storage systems for orthodontic devices for use with devices including aligners, retainers, mouthguards dentures and other orthodontic devices.
Many orthodontic devices exist and many of these orthodontic devices must be periodically removed from a user's mouth by the user. The user must then store the orthodontic device. A portable, reusable, and easy to use removal and storage system can help a user to remove and store their orthodontic devices.
To allow for a more full understanding of the present disclosure, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail example embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. In the following description of various example structures according to the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example devices, systems, and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, and environments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “side,” “distal,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures or the orientation during typical use. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three-dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention. Also, the reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
The following terms are used in this specification, and unless otherwise noted or clear from the context, these terms have the meanings provided below.
“Plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number.
In general, this disclosure relates to an orthodontic device storage system that is configured to store an orthodontic device and assist a user to more easily remove an orthodontic device. An orthodontic device can include any device a user may insert and remove from their mouth. This can include, for example, orthodontic aligners, dental prostheses, retainers, mouthguards, dentures, etc.
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To use the storage system 100 a user may adhere to the following steps: (1) the user opens the case 200 and extracts the removal tool 300; (2) the user dons the removal tool 300 by inserting a finger into each of the first and second pockets 312, 314; (3) Using prehension between the first and second pockets 312, 314, the user grips the orthodontic device; (3) the removal tool 300 provides sufficient friction on the surface of orthodontic device to grasp, and in certain cases slightly torque, and remove the orthodontic device from the user's mouth; and (5) the user then may place the orthodontic device and the removal tool 300 into the case 200 in generally a single motion.
The case 200 can also include a closure mechanism 220 to close the opening 201 such that the orthodontic device cannot accidently fall out of the case 200. The closure mechanism can include any suitable closure device. In some embodiments the closure mechanism can include, for example, elastic, a drawstring, a zipper, one or more magnets, one or more buttons, and a snap fit connection. The case 200 can also include an attachment device 230 that can be used to attach or hang the case to other items. The attachment device 230 could include, for example, a loop of material, a carabiner, a ring, a clip, or other suitable device
The case 200 and the removal tool 300 can be made of any suitable material. For example, the case 200 and the removal tool 300 can be made of natural or synthetic materials and the case 200 and the removal tool 300 can be made of the same material or different materials. While the term removal cloth 302 has been used herein to describe a portion of the removal tool 300, the removal tool 300 can be formed of other flexible materials that may not be cloth materials. Each of the case 200 and the removal tool 300 can be made of materials which may have antimicrobial materials or materials coated with antimicrobial agents. Further, in some embodiments, the case 200 and the removal tool 300 can be made of materials that allow for easy washing of the storage system 100 such as by washing it in a dishwasher or laundry machine. In some embodiments the removal tool 300 can include additional treatments which may allow a user to more easily grip the orthodontic device such as by including gripping dots on the removal tool 300.
In certain embodiments the case 200 and removal tool 300 can have certain dimensions that may be advantageous to the usability of the storage system 100. As best shown in
In some embodiments the storage system 100 can include other implements which may assist in removal of an orthodontic device. In some embodiments the removal tool 300 may include a removal instrument 320 extending from the removal cloth 302. For example, as shown in
As described and shown in
The various embodiments described herein enable connection of an articulating boom arm. It is also understood that in other embodiments, the various devices, components, and features of the boom arm described herein may be constructed with similar structural and functional elements having different configurations, including different ornamental appearances. Still other benefits may be recognized by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.
This utility application claims priority to provisional application entitled Orthodontic Device Storage System, Ser. No. 63/453,914 filed Mar. 22, 2023 which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63453914 | Mar 2023 | US |
