CLAIMS
1. A dental instrument holding device including one or more spaced apart holding wells, each well extending between an open end configured for receiving a dental instrument and a closed end, each well including a pair of coaxial bores . longitudinally spaced apart from each, other and a stepped portion disposed intermediate said pair of coaxial bores, an upper of said coaxial bores having a
■ minimum diameter of 2.3mm to 2.6mm and a lower of said coaxial bores having a minimum diameter of 1.6mm to 1.9mm wherein said upper and lower coaxial bores each extend a pre-determined depth.
2. A holding device according to claim 1 including a topmost coaxial bore longitudinally spaced apart from said upper and lower bores and disposed intermediate said holding well open end and said upper coaxial bore, said topmost coaxial bore having a minimum diameter of 2.5mm to 4.8mm, each holding well further including a stepped portion disposed intermediate a lower end of said topmost coaxial bore and an upper end of said upper coaxial bore.
3. A holding device according to claim 1 wherein said open end of each of said holding well is tapered by 45° relative to the longitudinal axis of said coaxial bores.
4. A holding device according to claim 1 wherein one or more of said coaxial bores are tapered or straight.
5. A holding device according to claim 1 wherein each said stepped portion is conically tapered at an angle of between 5° and 50° to the longitudinal axis of said coaxial bores.
6. A holding device according to claim 1 wherein said closed end of each said holding well is conically shaped, flat or hemispherical.
7. A holding device according to claim 1 wherein each said coaxial bore diameter extends a depth of between 2mm to 15mm.
8. A holding device according to claim 1 wherein said lower coaxial bore diameter corresponds to a high speed dental burr shaft, said upper coaxial bore having a diameter configured to retain a low speed burr shaft, and said topmost coaxial bore having an diameter configured to retain an elongate handle of a dental implement wherein said elongate handle has a diameter of between 1.6mm and 4.8mm.
9. A holding device according to claim 8 wherein said dental implement is a dental brush, cotton tip or a restorative dental instrument.
10. A holding device according to claim 1 wherein the length of each said coaxial bore is configured to retain a dental instrument such that it extends a predetermined height above said holding well.
11. A dental brush holding device including one or more spaced apart holding wells configured to retain a dental brush head with bristles of said brush head projecting into a holding well, each said holding well extending between an open end and a closed end and including a tapered portion extending a pre-determined depth into said well from said open end wherein said taper is disposed at an angle of between 5° to 50° relative to a longitudinal axis of said welL, each said well including a brush head bore extending from said tapered portion about said upper end to or adjacent to said closed end wherein said brush head bore has a minimum diameter corresponding to a diameter being larger than the diameter of a dental brush head and a depth configured to retain said brush head inserted therein and provide a partial or total atmospheric and/or light sea] between said brush head bore and said brush head.
12. A holding device according to claim 11 wherein said tapered portion about said open end is angled at 30° relative to said well longitudinal axis to provide a transition step to prevent bristle curling upon insertion of a brush head in said bore.
13. A holding device according to claim 11 wherein said closed end of each said holding well includes a reservoir configured for receiving a material applied to bristles of a dental brush head inserted into said well, or to be applied to the reservoir upon insertion of said dental brush head into said holding well.
14. A holding device according to claim 13 wherein said reservoir is hemispherically shaped, flat or conical, or said reservoir includes a reservoir bore extending coaxially with said brush head bore.
15. A holding device according to claim 11 wherein said tapered open end of each said well includes a drain board disposed thereabout, said drain board having a diameter being at least twice the diameter of said tapered open end and being inclined at an angle relative to an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said brush head bore by an angle of between 5° to 45°.
16. A holding device according to claim 15 wherein said drain board includes and upwardly extending lip disposed around a circumference thereof.
17. A holding device according to claim 16 wherein said lip is disposed substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said brush head bore and extends a depth between 0.5mm to 10mm, and said drain board has a diameter of 4mm to 30mm.
18. A dental well holding device including a bulbous portion extending a predetermined depth between 1 Omen to 30mm and having an upper diameter of between 10mm and 30mm, and a nipple disposed in a bottom of said bulbous portion extending a depth of between lmm to 9mm with a diameter of between 2mm to 9mm wherein said holding device is configured to cause liquids disposed therein to collect in or about said nipple.
19. A dental well holding device according to claim 18 wherein said nipple is configured to hold fluids having a volume of between ImI to 5ml.
20. A dental well holding device according to claim 18 configured for retaining crowns, in-lays, teeth, sectional matrix bands, or like sized objects, and/or to retain liquids.
21. A dental well configured for retaining a dental instrument, said well including a longitudinally extending substantially straight bore extending between a tapered opening and a closed end, said closed end including a ledge disposed thereabout wherein said ledge extends radially inwardly a pre-determined distance, and a nipple disposed a pre-determined depth into said closed end intermediate said ledge.
22. A dental well according to claim 21 wherein said drainage nipple is conical or hemispherical.
23. A dental well according to claim 21 wherein said dental instrument includes a local anaesthetic needle cap or a bonding resin package or part thereof, or other dental material or liquid.
24. A dental well according to claim 21 wherein said opening is tapered by an angle of between 5° to 60° relative to said longitudinal axis of said bore.
25. A dental well according to claim 21 wherein said nipple is substantially conical and having a diameter of between 0mm to 10mm and a depth of 0.2mm to 6mm.
26. A dental implement holder including an elongated slot extending a predetermined length between first and second ends, said slot extending a width greater than the width of a dental implement handle and said slot extending a pre-determined slot depth between an open end and a closed end, said slot including a first ramp portion extending across said slot width from said first end of said slot length downwardly a pre-deteπnined depth at an angle of between 5° and 15° relative to the direction of said slot depth, said first ramped portion terminating in a substantially flat step extending a pre-deteπnined length towards said slot second end, a second ramped portion extending from said first flat step and terminating at said closed end of said slot at said slot length second end wherein said slot is configured to support a dental implement handle.
27. A dental implement holder according to claim 26 wherein said second ramped portion terminates at a second flat step at said closed end, said second flat step extending to said slot length second end.
28. A dental implement holder according to claim 26 wherein said first or second end of said slot length includes a V-portion extending across said slot width and having the tip of said V-portion being disposed approximately halfway along said slot width beyond said slot length second end.
29. A dental implement holder according to claim 26 wherein said dental implement is a dental brush, or said dental implement is a cotton tip and said slot extends a width greater than the width of a cotton tip in a compressed state.
30. A dental brush including a manually claspable handle longitudinally extending between a head end and a distal end, a brush head having a longitudinal axis wherein said brush head is mounted to said head end of said handle such that said brush head longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle of between 35° to 85° to said handle longitudinal axis.
31. A dental brush according to claim 30 wherein said brush head longitudinal axis angle relative to said handle longitudinal axis is selectively variable about a brush neck portion disposed intermediate said brush head and said handle head end such that said brush head longitudinal axis is bendable within a range of angles of 0° to 110° relative to said handle longitudinal axis.
32. A dental brush according to claim 31 wherein said brush head longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle relative to said handle longitudinal axis of between 45° to 65°.
33. A dental brush according to claim 31 wherein said dental brush head includes outwardly extending bristles or a flocked tip.
34. A dental brush according to claim 30 wherein said brush head extends longitudinally between a brush head mounting end and a bristle end wherein said bristle end includes a conically tapered knife edge portion extending a pre-determined distance from said bristle end toward said handle connection end such that said knife edge angle is a taper in the range of 5° to 70° relative to said longitudinal axis of said brush head wherein said bristle end of said brush head has a radius of less than 0.25mm or wherein said bristle end of said brush head has a thickness of 0.5mm or less.
35. A dental brush according to claim 30 wherein said brush head extends longitudinally between a brush head mounting end and a flocked tip end being configured to be flocked.
36. A dental brush according to claim 30 wherein said brush head is substantially right cyliπdrically shaped and extends between a brush head mounting end and a bristle end, said brush head mounting end mounted to said head end of said handle such that the intersection of said handle longitudinal axis and said brush head longitudinal axis are offset transversely to said handle longitudinal axis.
37. A dental brush according to claim 31 wherein said neck portion is tapered from said head end of said handle toward said brush head a predetermined neck taper distance and is untapered a further predetermined distance being less than said predetermined neck taper distance.
38. A dental brush according to claim 30 wherein said brush head longitudinally extends a distance of 6mm or less.
39. A dental brush according to claim 30 wherein a predetermined length from said distal end of said handle is stepped down in diameter from said handle diameter so as to have a diameter of between 1.4 and 1.7mm, or a diameter of between 2.2 to 2.5mm.
40. A dental brush according to claim 30 wherein a predetermined length from said distal end of said handle is stepped down in diameter from said handle diameter to a first stepped diameter of between 1 ,4mm and 1.7mm, and a second predetermined length toward said brush head end of said handle from the end of said first stepped diameter has a second stepped diameter of between 2.1mm to 2.5mm.
41. A dental brush according to claim 30 wherein said the steps at said distal end of said handle include at least one transition shoulder having an angle of between 5° to 50° to said longitudinal axis of said handle.
42. A dental brush according to claim 30 wherein said elongate handle has a diameter of between 2.3mm and 3.4mm.
43. A dental instrument handle including a manually claspable portion extending between a tool end and a distal end, said distal end including a first stepped down diameter portion extending from said distal end a predetermined distance, said handle adjacent said first stepped down potion having a diameter of between 3mm to 4.8mm and said first stepped down diameter portion having a diameter of 2.3mm to 2.6mm.
44. A dental instrument handle according to claim 43 having a second stepped down portion extending from a distal end of said first stepped down portion away therefrom a predetermined distance, said second stepped down diameter portion having a diameter of 1.6mm to 1.9mm.
45. A dental instrument handle according to claim 44 including a tapered portion disposed intermediate said first stepped portion and said handle, and intermediate said first and second stepped portions, said taper in the range of 5° to 60° relative to a longitudinal axis of said handle.
46. A dental instrument handle according to claim 45 wherein said first and second stepped portions extend a distance of between 2mm to 15mm. |
Dental Well & Dental Instrument Holding Device Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to dental apparatus and, in particular, to dental instrument holding devices, dental instruments, and dental wells.
The invention has been developed primarily with respect to bristled dental brushes or flocked tips and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to these particular dental instruments.
Background Art
Dental brushes having handles extending between a claspable and a brush head end are well known. Often, the brushes are formed with a neck portion having a reduced diameter to allow the neck of the brush to be bent. This thereby allows an angular orientation of the brush head to be varied relative to the brush handle.
Unfortunately, once the brushes are bent from a relatively straight position or one in which there is substantially no angle between the brush head and the handle longitudinal axis, the neck of the brush adjacent the brush head and handle junction is weakened by the bending process. This typically results in the bent brush heads not being able to withstand applied transverse forces meaning that the brush head angle varies as pressure is applied by the user. The process of bending the brush heads provides some spring-back so that the final angle achieved can be difficult for the operator to predict, and is always less than the maximum angle which the brush head is bent relative to the handle.
It is also known to dispose dental implements close to a dental practitioner or technician and the patient. The dental implements are usually laid out on a tray or table having a clean or sterile surface. In these cases, the dental practitioner or technician will manually pick up a dental brush which has been laid on the flat surface. Unfortunately, this has the potential to expose the table or tray or brush, and hence a patient, to undesirable contamination from the contents of the brush head accidentally being transferred to other instruments.
Typically, it is well known for dentists to lay most of their instruments out on a sterilised tray or table surface for use on a patient during a procedure. Unfortunately, it is not unknown for the dental instruments such as brushes bearing similar colours with clear liquids on the bristles to be confused with each other if care is not being taken. Furthermore, dental liquids such as bonding substances or acid agents are often disposed in vendor provided containers which are placed on the sterile tray or surface or thereabout for use by the dentist.
It is also known that conventional dental brushes, such as those manufactured by Niicrobrush International under the trade name ULTRABRUSH, for example, encounter difficulties on insertion into a hole or cavity because the edge of the cavity catches the horizontal ledge at the point where the bristles enter the brush head. In these cases, it is not unknown for the brush head to preclude access to the bristles of a desired site.
Genesis of the Invention
The genesis of the present invention is a dental brush which will overcome or substantially ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a dental instrument holder and dental well which minimises the possibility of contamination and which allows the dental practitioner to organise the instruments in a spatially convenient and hygienic manner, or to provide a useful alternative.
Summary of the Invention
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a dental instrument holding device including one or more spaced apart holding wells, each well extending between an open end configured for receiving a dental instrument and a closed end, each well including a pair of coaxial bores longitudinally spaced apart from each other and a stepped portion disposed intermediate said pair of coaxial bores, an upper of said coaxial bores having a minimum diameter of 2.3mm to 2.6mm and a lower of said coaxial bores having a minimum diameter of 1 ,6mm to 1.9mm wherein said upper and lower coaxial bores each extend a pre-determined depth.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a dental brush holding device including one or more spaced apart holding wells configured to retain a dental brush head with bristles of said brush head projecting into a holding well, each said holding well extending between an open end and a closed end and including a tapered portion extending a pre-determined depth into said well from said open end wherein said taper is disposed at an angle of between 5° to 50° relative to a longitudinal axis of said well, each said well including a brush head bore extending from said tapered portion about said upper end to or adjacent to said closed end wherein said brush head bore has a minimum diameter corresponding to a diameter being larger than the diameter of a dental brush head and a depth configured to retain said brush head inserted therein and provide a partial or total atmospheric and/or light seal between said brush head bore and said brush head.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a dental well holding device including a bulbous portion extending a pre-determined depth between 10mm to 30mm and having an upper diameter of between lOmrn and 30mm, and a nipple disposed in a bottom of said bulbous portion extending a depth of between lmm to 9mm with a diameter of between 2mm to 9mm wherein said holding device is configured to cause liquids disposed therein to collect in or about said nipple.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a dental well configured for retaining a dental instrument, said well including a longitudinally extending substantially straight bore extending between a tapered opening and a closed end, said closed end including a ledge disposed thereabout wherein said ledge extends radially inwardly a pre-determined distance, and a nipple disposed a predetermined depth into said closed end intermediate said ledge.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a dental implement holder including an elongated slot extending a pre-determined length between first and second ends, said slot extending a width greater than the width of a dental implement handle and said slot extending a pre-determined slot depth between an open end and a closed end, said slot including a first ramp portion extending across
said, slot width from said first end of said slot length downwardly a pre-deteπnined depth at an angle of between 5° and 15° relative to the direction of said slot depth, said first ramped portion terminating in a substantially flat step extending a predetermined length towards said slot second end, a second ramped portion extending from said first flat step and terminating at said closed end of said slot at said slot length second end wherein said slot is configured to support a dental implement handle.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a dental brush including a manually claspable handle longitudinally extending between a head end and a distal end, a brush head having a longitudinal axis wherein said brush head is mounted to said head end of said handle such that said brush head, longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle of between 35° to 80° to said handle longitudinal axis.
The dental brush of the invention advantageously allows access of the brush head into otherwise inaccessible areas due to the minimisation of the ledge at the point where the bristles enter the brush head. Furthermore, because the brush head is pre-bent at the preferred angle bending is typically not required in a majority of uses resulting in a sturdier and more durable neck portion which will not flex as significantly as the known art that has been bent when a pressure is applied and which also provides a known and reliably selectable brush head orientation angle due to the removal of the brush head spring back when it is bent. Yet further, it will be appreciated that the brush of the invention can be retained in a conventional low or high speed burr holder.
It can also be seen that there is advantageously provided a dental brush head holder and dental brush bead well which are configured to retain the dental brush head in a head down configuration where the brush head forms a partial or substantially total atmospheric and/or light seal. In this way, evaporative dental liquids or other materials do not evaporate or become exposed to contaminants, the brush bristles are not exposed to the atmosphere and allowed to dry out or be contaminated and a practical storage device is provided in which the dental fluid can be stored together with the implement brush that is to apply it as a single unit thus reducing the need to pick up a brush and manually dip it into the liquids or materials applied thereby
saving time and motion. Likewise when using light sensitive materials, the light tight or substantial light tight seal prevents curing or activation of the material whilst waiting to be used.
It can also be seen that the dental instrument holder having two or three coaxial bores advantageously allows a dental implement having any one of the three diameters to be received and retained thereby. This advantageously allows burs or other dental implements to be more easily accessed by the dental practitioner and allows the hole to be used at the operators discretion for high or low speed burs or conventional brush or instrument handles.
It will also be further appreciated that the angled dental implement handle holder advantageously allows a dental brush or cotton tip or elongate dental implement handle to be retained substantially vertically in a self-centred position. The extreme end of the dental implement handle distal a working end is retained in a bottom corner of the angled dental implement holder and an upper diagonal corner of the holder provides a second support point for the implement handle to allow it to be supported thereby. The angle of the implement handle when in the holder depends principally on the height of the first ramped portion and the length of the first flat step. If the step length is short, the brush will project more upwardly than outwardly (ie more upwardly or vertical) and the converse can be said to be true. The angled ends cause the instrument to automatically align in the centre of each end thus causing the instrument to stay in line and square to the edges of the product.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a side view of a dental brush according to a first aspect of the invention; Fig. 2 is a cutaway side view of the brush of Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 3 is an enlarged cutaway side view of the head portion of the brush of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a rear view of the brush of Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 5 Is a cross-sectional side view of a dental instrument holder according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the holder of Fig. 5 with preferred dimensions; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a dental implement holder according to another preferred embodiment;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectiona! side view of a dental brush head holding device according to another preferred embodiment;
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of a dental brush head holding device according to another preferred embodiment;
Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of a dental instrument holder according to another preferred embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 11 is a plan view of the holder of Fig. 10;
Fig. 12 is an end elevation of the holder of Fig. 10; Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of a dental well holding device according to another preferred embodiment; and
Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional side view of a dental well according to yet another preferred embodiment.
Detailed Description
Referring to the drawings generally, it is noted that like reference numerals are used throughout to denote like components.
Turning firstly to Figs. 1 to 4, there is shown a dental brush 1 including a manually claspable handle 2 extending longitudinally between a head end 3 and a distal end 4. The brush 1 includes a brush head 5 having a longitudinal axis wherein brush head 5 is mounted to the head end 3 of the handle 2 such that the longitudinal axis of the brush head S is disposed at an angle of 52° to the handle longitudinal axis.
It will be appreciated that the angle between the longitudinal axis and the brush head 5 and the longitudinal axis of the handle 2 can be in the range of 35° to 85° by manually bending the brush head relative to the handle. Further, the handle 2 and the brush head 5 are integrally formed from a plastics material using a moulding process.
The angle between the brush head longitudinal axis and the longitudinal axis of the handle 2 is selectively variable about a brush neck portion 6 to allow for manual bending. The neck portion 6 is disposed intermediate to brush head 5 and said handle head end 3. The angle of longitudinal axis of the brush head 5 is moveable within a range of angles of between 0° to 110° relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle 2.
The brush head 5 extends longitudinally between a brush head mounting end 6 and a bristle end 7. The bristle end 7 includes a conically tapered knife edge portion 8. The knife edge portion 8 extends a pre-determined distance from the bristle end 7 toward the head mounting end 6.
The conically tapered knife edged portion 8 is an angled taper of 15° relative to the longitudinal axis of the brush head 5. It will be appreciated that die conically tapered knife edge portion 8 can have a taper angle in the range of 5° to 70°.
As shown in the drawings, the brush head 5 is right cylindrically shaped. It can be seen that where the brush head mounting end 6 mounts to the brush neck portion 10 the angles between the longitudinal axis of the brush head 5 and the neck portion 6 are offset such that the intersection of the longitudinal axis of the handle 2 and the longitudinal axis of the brush head 5 are offset transversely to the longitudinal axis of the handle 2.
As best shown in Fig. 3, the diameter of the brush head 5 is greater than the diameter of the head end 3 of the handle 2. An edge of the brush head 5 is substantially longitudinally aligned with an edge of the head end 3 of the handle 2. That is, an edge of the neck 10 aligns with an edge of the brush head 5.
Also as best shown in Fig. 3, the neck portion 10 is tapered from the head end 3 of the handle 2 toward the brush head 5 along a pre-deteπnined neck taper distance 11. Beyond the neck taper distance, the neck is un-tapered a further pre-determined distance that is less than the neck taper distance. In this way, the brush head advantageously provides a resilient mounting against applied pressure when in use.
In the embodiments shown, the brush head 5 extends a longitudinal distance of 5.5mm and the brush head 5 diameter is 3.3mm. It can be seen that the un-tapered neck length is about lmm and the tapered neck length is approximately 6mm. Shown in Fig. 3 is a stand member 80 extending radially outwardly a pre-deteπnined distance from the neck 10. The stand 80 radially extends a distance such that the diameter of the neck 10 at the stand 80 is increased. In this way, if the brush head 5 is inserted into a holder element, the stand 80 engages with a Hp of a holder or holding well (not illustrated) to prevent the brush from falling over when in the holder or holding well.
As best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the dental brush handle 2 includes a first stepped length 13 wherein said handle 2 diameter is stepped down so as to have a diameter of 2.3mm. A second step length 14 extends a further distance from said distal end of said handle where the second step length has a diameter of 1.6mm. As shown in Fig. 1 , the diameter of the handle 2 is 3.4mm and the diameter of a handle is preferably generally between 1.6mm to 4.8mm. It will be appreciated that the diameter of the first step portion can be between 2. lmm to 2.5mm, the second step portion having a diameter of between 1.4mm and 1.7mm and the diameter of the handle 2 can be between 3.1mm and 3.8mm.
Although no bristles or the like are shown extending from the brush head 5, it will be appreciated that bristles or a flocked tip can be provided to extend therefrom. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that a rigid or flexible stem can be mounted to the brush head 5 and extend therefrom a predetermined distance where an end of the stem distal the brush head 5 is configured to support bristles extending therefrom or a flocked tip.
As shown in Figs. 1 , 2 and 4, the dental brush handle 2 includes transition shoulders 16 disposed intermediate the handle and first stepped diameter, and the first stepped diameter to the second stepped diameter. The transition shoulders most preferably are conical tapers having an angle of 45° to the longitudinal axis of the handle. However, it will be appreciated the transition shoulders can be inclined by between 5° to 50°.
Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, there is shown a cross-sectional side view of a dental instrument holding device according to another preferred embodiment of the invention. The dental instrument holding device 20 includes a pair of spaced apart holding wells 21, each holding 21 extending between an. open end 22 configured for receiving a dental instrument and a closed end 23.
Each well 21 further includes a pair of coaxial bores 24 and 25 longitudinally spaced apart from each other. Intermediate the coaxial bores 24 and 25, there is disposed a stepped portion 26 in the form of a conical taper being angled at about 45° to the longitudinal axis of the co-axial bores 24 and 25. The stepped portions allow an implement to be centred when inserted into a holding well 21 and that the taper angle is preferably within the range of 5° to 60°. Furthermore, use of an angled taper in this range advantageously prevents brush bristles curling back towards the handle upon insertion.
An upper of the coaxial bore 25 has a minimum diameter of between 2.3 to 2.6mm, and a lower of said coaxial bores 24 has a minimum diameter of between 1.6mm to 1.9mm. The dimensions shown in Fig.6 illustrate a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention.
The holding device 20 further includes a topmost coaxial bore 27 longitudinally spaced apart from the upper coaxial bore 25 and disposed intermediate the holding well open end 22 and the upper coaxial bore 25. The topmost coaxial bore 27 has a minimum diameter of between 2.5mm to 4.8mm, 3.7mm being shown in the embodiment of Fig. 6. The holding wells 21 further include a stepped portion 28 disposed intermediate a lower end 29 of the topmost coaxial bore 27 and an upper end 30 of the upper coaxial bore 25.
Although the coaxial bores shown in Figs. 5 to 7 are straight, it will be appreciated that they can be tapered. The closed end 23 of each holding well 21 is flat however, it will be appreciated that the closed end 23 can be conically shaped, hemispherical, V- shaped or any other preferred configuration.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, it can be seen that the topmost coaxial bore 27 extends a length of 5.7mm, the upper coaxial 25 extends a length of 1 mm, and the lower coaxial bore 24 extends a depth of 2.2mm. It will be appreciated that any preferred depths can be used to retain a preferred dental implement
As best shown in Fig. 6, the open end 22 of each well 21 includes a conically tapered portion extended at an angle of 45° to the coaxial bores. The embodiment of Fig. 6 illustrates the dimensions of a particularly preferred embodiment.
It can therefore be seen that the lower coaxial bore is configured to retain a dental implement that includes a high speed dental burr shaft, the upper coaxial bore 25 is configured to retain a dental implement that includes a low speed contra-angle or straight handpiece burr shaft, and the topmost coaxial bore is configured to retain a dental brush handle 2 or cotton tip or cotton tip handle (not illustrated). Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the depth of each coaxial bore can be configured to retain a plurality of dental instruments a pre-determined height above the open end 22 of each well 21.
Turning to Fig. 7, it can be seen that this is the same as the holding device of Fig. 5, except mat the topmost coaxial bore 27 is not included. In this embodiment, the upper bore 25 can be configured to receive a dental brush or cotton tip handle and a low or high speed burr shaft, or to receive a low and high speed burr shaft only.
Turning now to Figs. 8 and 9, there is shown two preferred embodiments of a dental holder having two or more dental brush holding devices 30. Referring firstly to the embodiment of Fig. 8, the holding device 30 includes one or more spaced apart holding wells 31 configured to contain a dental brush head such that the bristles or tip of the brush head project into the well 3!, or if the operator/practitioner prefers, the handle can be inserted into the well. Each well 31 extends between an open end 32 and a closed end 33. The holding well open end 32 includes a tapered portion 34 extending a pre-determined depth into the well 31. The tapered portion 34 is tapered at an angle of 60° relative to an axis transverse the longitudinal axis, however, it will
be appreciated that the taper can be angled anywhere between 5° to 50° relative to a longitudinal axis of the well 31.
Each well 31 includes a brush head bore 35 extending from the tapered portion 34 to or adjacent to the closed end 32. In this embodiment, the brush head bore 35 is configured to have a minimum diameter corresponding to a diameter that is larger than the diameter of a dental brush head (not illustrated). Furthermore, the brush head bore 35 is configured to have a length so as to retain the brush head therein. It will be appreciated that the brush head bore 35 engages with the brush head (not illustrated) so as to form a partial or substantially atmospheric and light seal between the brush head bore 35 and the brush head (not illustrated).
The closed end 33 of the wells 31 includes a reservoir 36 that is configured for receiving material applied to the bristles of a dental brush head and inserted therein, or contends to be applied to the brush upon insertion into the well 31. The reservoir 36 shown in Figs. 8 and 9 is substantially hemispherical, however, it can alternatively be flat, conical or V-shaped. Furthermore, the reservoir can include a reservoir bore extending coaxially with the brush head bore 35.
The holding device 30 further includes a drain board 37 disposed about the tapered open end 32 of each well 31. The drain board 37 preferably has a diameter not less than the diameter of the tapered open end 32. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the drain board 37 has a diameter that is at least 2mm greater than the diameter of the tapered open end 32. The drain board 37 is inclined at an angle relative to an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the brush head bore 35 by an angle of between 5° to 50°.
A drain board Hp 38 is disposed around a circumference of the drain board 37. The drain board lip 38 extends upwardly a distance of 0.5mm to 3 mm and is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the brush head bore 35.
It can be shown that the preferred embodiment of Fig. 9 is similar to the embodiment of Fig. 8 except that the drain board 37 and lip 38 are not included.
Referring now to Fig. 13 there is shown a dental well holding device 40 including a bulbous portion 41 extending a pre-determined depth of between 10mm to 30mm. The bulbous portion 41 has an upper diameter of between 10mm and 30mm.
The dental well holding device 40 includes a nipple 42 disposed in a bottom of the bulbous portion 41. The nipple extends a depth of between lmm to 9mm and it has a diameter of between 2mm to 9mm. In this way, a preferred liquid depth can be facilitated to provide for relatively easier wetting of the brush with a liquid.
It will be appreciated that the holding device 40 is configured to cause liquids disposed therein to collect in or about the nipple 42. The nipple is most preferably configured to have a holding capacity of between ImI to 5ml. Further, the holding device 40 is configured to receive crowns, in-lays, teeth, or other like-sized dental objects. It will be appreciated that a brush holder disposed adjacent a holding device 40 allows the operator/practitioner to identify a brush and holder as associated with each other. This prevents any confusion as to the contents of which well are required and by using which brush. In this way, a plurality of brushes can be used with different materials that are respectively disposed in wells or holders adjacent brush holders so as so associate each brush and well/holder.
Turning to Fig. 14, there is shown a dental well 50 configured for containing a dental instrument (not illustrated). The dental well 50 includes a longitudinally extending substantially straight bore 51. The bore 51 extends between a tapered opening 52 and a closed end 53. Closed end 53 includes a ledge 54 disposed thereabout and the ledge extends inwardly a pre-determined distance.
A nipple 55 is disposed a pre-determined depth into the closed end 53 intermediate the ledge 54. It can be seen in Fig. 14 that the drainage nipple 55 is V-shaped, however, it will be appreciated that it could be conical or hemispherical.
The dental well 50 is configured to receive dental instruments including local anaesthetic needle caps, bonding resin packaging or part thereof and the nipple allows any fluids to drain to the bottom.
The tapered opening 52 is tapered by an angle of 45° relative to the longitudinal axis of the straight bore 51. The nipple 54 has a diameter of between 5.2mm to 1mm and, in the case (not illustrated) where the nipple is substantially hemispherical, a nipple radius of curvature equal to or less than 0.6mm is provided.
It can therefore be seen that the ledge 54 acts as a stop on a local anaesthetic cap, for example, and the nipple can be used to drain bonding resins, or other dental fluids.
Turning now to Figs. 10 to 12, there is shown another preferred embodiment of a dental implement holder 60. The holder 60 includes an elongated slot 61 extending a pre-determined length between first and second ends 62 and 63. The slot 61 extends a width greater than the width of a dental implement to be received and the slot extends a pre-<Ietermined slot depth between an open end 64 and a closed end 65.
The slot 61 includes a first ramped portion 62 extending across the slot 61 from the first end 62 of the slot length downwardly a pre-determined depth at an angle of between 5° and 15° relative to the slot depth. The first ramped portion 66 terminates at a substantially flat step 67 extending a pre-determined length toward the slot second end 63.
A second ramped portion 68 extends from the first flat step 67 and terminates at a second flat step 69 at the closed end 65. The second flat step 69 extends to the slot length second end 63. The slot 61 is configured to support a dental implement handle 70 shown dotted in Fig. 10. The dental implement handle 70 can be a dental brush handle, cotton tip handle or the like.
It can be seen from the views of Figs. 10 to 12 that the first end 63 of the slot 61 includes a V-portion 71. The V-portion extends across the slot width and is configured such that the tip of the V-portion is disposed approximately halfway along
the slot width. It will be appreciated that the V-poition 71 locates the handle there towards when in use and maintains the implement in a substantially square alignment.
It will be appreciated that the brush head can include a bore for receiving bristles therein, or can include a formwork on which to provide a flocked tip. So far as a flocked tip extends from the brush head, the knife edge portion of the brush head does not need to be employed. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the brush head can be integral with the handle and is configured to simply retain bristles or a flocked tip.
It will be appreciated that the dental instrument holding device and dental wells can advantageously be nested with adjacent devices or wells due to the tapered nature of the holding devices. As such, the nestabϋity of the devices or wells permits stacking so that shipping costs are minimised.
The foregoing describes only preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.
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