Abstract:
A storage and multi-positional display apparatus, particularly suited to dental equipment and materials, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cover having individual rigid segments which are hinged together, with a storage tray secured to one of the segments. The apparatus can be transformed from a storage position wherein the segments are folded to form an enclosure surrounding the tray and protecting its contents, into one of many angled display positions wherein the tray is exposed. The angled positions mount the tray at an angular orientation best suited to the particular user performing a particular dental procedure, while the cover and tray provide for aseptic conditions and minimized cross-contamination of the dental equipment and material.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention generally relates to storage and display devices and, more particularly, the invention relates to devices adapted to store and display dental equipment and materials. 
     2. Description of the Related Technology 
     In many industries, it is desirable to store equipment and supplies related to a given task within a single package or toolbox for convenient access when the task needs to be performed. It is advantageous if the tools and equipment are provided in an organized fashion enabling the operator to quickly and repeatedly find the desired implement or supply. Various storage trays, holsters, tool belts, easels, and tool boxes have therefore been developed to service individual industries. 
     With particular reference to the field of dentistry, specific tools, chemicals, and composites are designed for particular dental maintenance and restoration procedures. When the procedures are to be performed, the tools and materials need to be accurately and readily grasped by the operator. Moreover, it is important that the equipment and supplies remain aseptic and not be subjected to cross-contamination in the process. When the procedure is completed, it is desirable to store the equipment and materials in an organized and centralized fashion to allow for quick retrieval for subsequent procedures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention, a storage and multi-positional display apparatus is provided which includes a cover having a plurality of hinged segments, and a storage tray secured to one of the hinged segments. The storage tray is adapted to store dental equipment and materials and the cover is foldable from a storage position surrounding the storage tray, to at least one display position exposing the storage tray for ready access to the dental equipment. The cover may include a top, a first side, a bottom, a bottom extension, a second side, and an attachment flap allowing the cover to be foldable into multiple display positions, including vertical, horizontal, and angled with respect to the surface on which the apparatus is set. 
     These and other aspects and features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a dental equipment storage and multi-positional display apparatus according to the invention, shown in a closed position; 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the dental equipment and material storage and multi-positional display apparatus of FIG. 1, shown in a display position; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the storage and multi-positional display apparatus of FIG. 1, shown in a closed trapezoidal position; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 in a first display position; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 in a second display position; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a dental equipment and material storage and multi-positional display apparatus according to the invention in a third display position; and 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view through a portion of the cover. 
    
    
     While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and are described below in detail. However, there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, and with specific reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a dental equipment and material storage and multi-positional display apparatus according to the invention is generally depicted by reference numeral  20 . The dental equipment and material storage and display apparatus  20  is depicted in FIG. 1 in a closed or storage position, and in FIG. 2 in a display or easel position at one of the various angles obtainable with the invention. In the stored position of FIG. 1, the contents of the apparatus  20  are completely enclosed, and protected from contamination during transportation or storage, whereas in the display position depicted in FIG. 2, the contents of the apparatus are readily displayed and easily selected and obtained by a user with minimized risk of cross-contamination. As used herein, the term “display” is therefore intended to not only convey that the contents of the apparatus are viewable, but that the contents can also be easily and quickly selected and accessed for use by the practitioner. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the invention is described with respect to dental equipment and material, it is to be understood that the invention can be employed with similar efficacy to other fields, including, but not limited to, art, construction, medicine, practically any type of presentation, and the like. 
     The storage and display apparatus  20  includes a cover  22  to which a storage tray  24  is secured. The cover  22  preferably includes a plurality of individual, substantially rigid, segments  26  connected by hinges  28 . In the preferred embodiment, six segments  26  are provided including a top  30 , a first side  32 , a bottom  34 , a bottom extension  36 , a second side  38 , and a connection flap  40 . 
     The connection flap  40  is depicted having a curved edge  41 , but it is to be understood that a variety of other shapes including, but not limited to, straight edges are possible. In the closed position, shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the bottom  34  and the bottom extension  36  cooperate to form a single planar side of the apparatus  20 , and the top  30  and connection flap  40  cooperate to form an opposed side of the apparatus  20 . The first and second sides  32  and  38  form two additional sides of the apparatus  20 , but are non-parallel to each other. As described in further detail below, the storage tray  24  includes first and second walls  42  and  44  which form the remaining sides of the six sided apparatus  20  to completely enclose the contents of the tray  24  when the apparatus  20  is closed. The resulting shape of the apparatus, as shown best in FIG. 3, is trapezoidal. This shape is of particular significance with respect to the alternative embodiment described later herein with respect to FIG. 6 in that it prevents sliding of top  30  relative to flap  40 . 
     The connection flap  40  can be connected to the top  30  in a variety of ways, with the preferred embodiment using opposed strips  46  of hook and loop fasteners, a preferred embodiment using VELCRO® brand hook and loop fasteners, extending from the top  30  and connection flap  40 . A number of other fastening devices could be employed. For example, in the alternative embodiment of FIG. 6, a band  48  of material extends from the top  30  and defines a longitudinal opening  49 . The opening  49  is slightly smaller in cross-sectional area than the connection flap  40  such that the connection flap  40  frictionally engages the band  48  to secure the connection flap  40  to the top  30  when the apparatus  20  is in the closed position. 
     The cover  22  is preferably manufactured from a flexible material such as plastic, and as shown in FIG. 7 is provided in the form of a tube or sleeve  50 . To provide each segment  26  with rigid support, individual rigid inserts  52  are positioned within the sleeve  50 . First and second opposed surfaces  54  and  56  of the sleeve  50  are then heat sealed between adjacent inserts  52  to form the hinges  28  and completely seal each rigid insert  52  inside the sleeve  52 . During the heat sealing process, a source of heat is directed against the surfaces  54  and  56  to melt the plastic sleeve  50  sufficiently to form a bond. The inserts  52  can be provided in the form of many rigid, or substantially rigid, materials including chipboard, cardboard, and the like. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the storage tray  24  includes a substantially rectangular base  58  having a top  60 , a front  62 , a bottom  64 , a back  66 , and the first and second side walls  42  and  44 . The side walls  42  and  44  are preferably formed from base portions  67  which extend beyond the base  58 , and wedges  68  extending from the base portions  67 . The wedges  68  are sized sufficiently long and high to completely close two sides of the apparatus  20 . The tray  24  further includes a plurality of compartments  69  sized and shaped to frictionally receive a variety of instruments and materials, with the preferred embodiment including syringes  70  for dispensing dental materials, as well as bottles or vials  72  of additional compounds. The tray  24  is preferably manufactured from plastic through a thermoforming process, vacuum forming process, or injection molding process. Since both the storage tray  24  and the sleeve  50  of the cover  22  are preferably manufactured from plastic, the tray  24  can be heat sealed to the cover  22 . In the preferred embodiment, the tray  24  is heat sealed to the cover  22  proximate the bottom segment  34  of the cover  22 . The base portions  67  are preferably not heat sealed to the sleeve  50  to enable the individual segments  26  to be folded into the various positions depicted in FIGS. 3 through 6. 
     In operation, FIGS. 3 through 6 depict some of the positions into which the storage and display apparatus  20  can be transformed. The four positions depicted are only illustrative of the invention, and are not exclusive. With specific reference to FIG. 3, the storage and display apparatus  20  can be folded into a storage position by wrapping the cover  22  around the storage tray  24 , and connecting the connection flap  40  to the top  30  with the fastening strips  46 . The segments  26  of the cover  22  cooperate with the side walls  42  and  44  of each tray  24  to completely enclose the syringes  70  and bottles  72  stored within the tray  24 . More specifically, in the closed configuration of FIG. 3, the cover  22  forms a trapezoid in cross-section with top  30  being parallel to a bottom  34  and bottom extension  36 , the first side  32  being non-parallel to the second side  38 , and the connection flap  40  being parallel to and in engagement with the top  30 . The strips  46  of hook and loop fasteners are hidden from view when the cover  22  is in a closed position. 
     FIG. 4 depicts the storage and display apparatus  20  after being transformed into a first display or easel position wherein the tray  24  is positioned approximately 45° from horizontal. To reach such a configuration, the connection flap  40  is first detached from the top  30 , and then folded approximately 270° with respect to the first side  32  about a hinge  28 . In addition, the bottom extension is folded approximately 180° with respect to the bottom  34 , with the second side  38  remaining spaced approximately 90° from the bottom extension  36 . The connection flap  40  is folded approximately 225° with respect to the second side  38  and reattached to the top  30  using the fastening strips  46 . The unique positioning of the fastening strips  46  and reversibility of the flap  40  facilitate this process. The apparatus  20  can then be set upon a suitable work surface, counter top, or the like with the top  30  serving as a horizontal base. 
     FIG. 5 depicts a second display position wherein the tray  24  is positioned approximately 30° from horizontal. To reach this position from the position depicted in FIG. 4, the second side  38  is folded parallel to the connection flap  40 . In so doing the second side  38  pivots about the hinge  28  and the bottom extension  38  is folded approximately 90° to be orthogonally disposed relative to the bottom  34 . A variety of angles can be obtained other than the 45° and 30° angles depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5 by slight movement of the various segments  26 . For example, the angle of display will necessarily vary depending on the amount of overlap between the fastener strips  46 . Additionally, the apparatus  20  can be opened with the bottom  34  remaining horizontal to thus display tray  24  horizontally as well. 
     The configurations shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 show that segments  36  and  38  can be completely folded away from the syringes  70  making the handles  71  of the syringes  70  easier to grip and remove from the tray  24 . Moreover, the syringes  70  can be more easily returned, and the segments  36  and  38  can be aseptically cleaned without touching or otherwise contaminating the other segments or the other syringes  70 . 
     FIG. 6 depicts an alternative embodiment of the storage and display apparatus  20  in a substantially elevated display position. The substantially elevated display position can be reached from the position depicted in FIG.  4  through the use of a locking sleeve  78 . The locking sleeve  78  is preferably made from a substantially rigid material, such as plastic, in the form of a continuous loop. Alternatively, a spring clip (not shown) or other type of mechanical support could be used. The locking sleeve frictionally engages the cover  22  and is slidable between the bottom extension  36  and the second side  38 . Accordingly, from the position depicted in FIG. 4, the bottom extension  36  and the second side  38  are folded about the hinge  28  into a parallel configuration. The locking sleeve  78  is then slid over the hinge  28  such that the locking sleeve  78  partially engages the bottom extension  36  and the second side  38 . The locking sleeve  78  prohibits pivotal motion about the hinge  28 . Moreover, the parallel bottom extension  36  and second side  38  support the bottom  36  and tray  24  at a greater, substantially vertical, angle. 
     From the foregoing, it will be seen that the storage and display apparatus  20  can be transformed into a plurality of angular displays best suited to the particular user, and to the particular procedure being performed. Moreover, through the use of individual compartments  68  and a cover  22  which can be folded completely away from the top of the tray  24 , the syringes  70  and bottles  72  can remain organized, and aseptic, with minimized risk of cross-contamination. When the procedure is completed, the apparatus  20  can be closed for storage, handling, and transportation until subsequent procedures are to be performed.