Abstract:
A dental mixing pad dispenser is disclosed. The dental mixing pad dispenser has an upper portion, a lower portion, and a front portion. The upper portion and the lower portion come in contact with each other at a seam. The front portion also has an opening, whereby the upper portion is moveable from a closed position to an open position and back to the closed position. The dental mixing pad dispenser also has a roll of dental mixing pad material installed inside. The dental mixing pad material is configured into sheets which are wound around a center of the roll. The sheets of dental mixing pad material are positioned to be dispensed out of an opening in the dispenser.

Description:
COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0001]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a device for use in the dental examination and procedure process and more specifically to a dental mixing pad dispenser. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    During dental procedures, various compounds may be mixed together. For example, epoxy used to hold dental crowns in place on an existing tooth or other type of structure. The epoxy may come in two separate containers and in order to activate the epoxy, the two compounds must be mixed together. Other types of compounds that may be used during dental procedures may include, but are not limited to, temporary cement, permanent cement, standard impression material, and the like. The dental materials, such as epoxy, typically come in two parts, a catalyst and a base that may be mixed together on a mixing pad. The mixing pad is typically supplied with the dental materials. 
         [0006]    Dental assistants may have different methods and materials to facilitate the mixing of these dental compounds. Small disposable plastic bowls may be utilized. In other applications, disposable mixing pads or dental mixing sheets may be used. These mixing sheets may be layered upon one another and attached with some type of adhesive. These sheets are of a predetermined size and are dispensed one at a time by grasping the sheet and separating it from the stack and pulling it away. 
         [0007]    One disadvantage of these disposable sheets is that the sheet itself is fixed in size. Should the dental assistant require a larger mixing area, multiple sheets must be pulled out and affixed together to create the larger mixing surface. Another drawback of the prior art mixing pad is that the pad is typically stored out in the open. Although the mixing pads may not need to be completely sterile, contamination of the pad surface may be experienced because they are not housed or contained in any type of container. 
         [0008]    One drawback of the present dental disposable sheets is that the design of the mixing pad may create a cross-contamination between patients. The prior art mixing pads may be layers of dental pad material compressed on a cardboard base and attached on the sides with adhesive. The whole prior art mixing pads including the bottom, sides, and top are touched with duty gloves, if the top sheet is used to mix dental materials on and then torn off after use. The bottom and sides of the dental material are touched multiple times until the dental pad material is used completely. Utilizing the present invention, dental assistants may significantly decrease the risk of cross contamination. The present invention addresses these limitations of the prior art, and discloses a dental mixing sheet dispenser that allows the dental assistant the ability to dispense a mixing sheet that may be variable in length while protecting the integrity of the surface of the mixing sheet. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A dental mixing pad dispenser is disclosed. The dental mixing pad dispenser has an upper portion, a lower portion, and a front portion. The upper portion and the lower portion come in contact with each other at a seam. The front portion also has an opening, whereby the upper portion is moveable from a closed position to an open position and back to the closed position. The dental mixing pad dispenser also has a roll of dental mixing pad material installed inside. The dental mixing pad material is configured into sheets which are wound around a center of the roll. The sheets of dental mixing pad material are positioned to be dispensed out of an opening in the dispenser. 
         [0010]    A dental mixing pad dispenser is disclosed. The dental mixing pad dispenser has an upper portion, a lower portion, and a front portion. The upper portion and the lower portion come into contact with each other at a seam. The front portion also has an opening, whereby the upper portion is moveable from a closed position to an open position and back to the closed position. The dental mixing pad dispenser also has a roll of dental mixing pad material installed therein. The dental mixing pad material is configured into sheets which are wound around a center of the roll. The roll of dental mixing pad material also has a spool opening wherein a spool may be inserted into the spool opening, the spool further comprising tabs which, when installed on the roll of the dental material, support the roll of dental pad material when the roll is installed in the dental mixing pad dispenser. The sheets of dental mixing pad material are positioned to be dispensed out of the opening in the dispenser. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  displays a dental mixing sheet dispenser in a closed position in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  displays the dental sheet dispenser of  FIG. 1  in an open position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  displays an exploded view of the mixing sheet dispenser. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  displays dental mixing sheet dispenser in an open position in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  displays a roll of dental mixing sheets in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  displays the dental mixing sheet dispenser of  FIG. 1  without a cutting blade. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  displays the dental mixing sheet dispenser of  FIG. 4  without a cutting blade. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings. This detailed description defines the meaning of the terms used herein and specifically describes embodiments in order for those skilled in the art to practice the invention. 
         [0019]    The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or as more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or as more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. 
         [0020]    Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, and “an embodiment” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation. 
         [0021]    The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” means any of the following: “A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive. 
         [0022]    The drawings featured in the figures are for the purpose of illustrating certain convenient embodiments of the present invention, and are not to be considered as limitation thereto. Term “means” preceding a present participle of an operation indicates a desired function for which there is one or more embodiments, i.e., one or more methods, devices, or apparatuses for achieving the desired function and that one skilled in the art could select from these or their equivalent in view of the disclosure herein and use of the term “means” is not intended to be limiting. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  displays a side perspective view of a dental mixing sheet dispenser  100  in a closed position in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser  100  has an upper portion  102  and a lower portion  104 . The upper portion  102  and the lower portion  104  join together at a seam  108 . The dispenser  100  also has an opening  106  positioned at a front portion  110  of the dispenser  100 . As is described in greater detail in subsequent sections, the upper portion  102  may move towards the rear of the dispenser  100  by tapping the upper portion  102 . Tapping the upper portion  102  causes the upper portion  102  to slide along the seam  108  away from the front portion  110 . 
         [0024]    One advantage of the present invention is that only slight pressure, such as a light tap, is necessary to move the dispenser  100  from the closed position to the open position. In addition, the dispenser is designed such that it may be moved from the open position to the closed position with a tap as well. Keeping the dental pad material isolated from the typical dental office environment may be important to keep the material from becoming cross contaminated. Cross contamination of the prior art dental pads may occur from liquids, such as water, being reflected out of a patient&#39;s mouth. Other cross contamination may occur if a dental assistant does not wear gloves or does not change gloves between patients and touches the entire prior art pad. Even if a dental assistant does not change their gloves regularly, the risk of cross contamination with the present invention may be limited to the exposed dental pad material as opposed to the entire pad of the prior art material. 
         [0025]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the seam  108  may be oriented at an angle other than ninety degrees with respect to upper portion  102 . Orienting the seam at an angle less than ninety degrees with respect to upper portion  102  may facilitate the movement of the upper portion  102  away from the front portion  110 . Other embodiments may orient the seam  108  at ninety degrees with respect to upper portion  102  depending on how the upper portion  102  moves with respect to the lower portion  104 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  shows the dispenser  100  with the upper portion  102  in an open position. In the open position, the upper portion  102  may move to a predetermined location with respect to the front portion  110 . As mentioned previously, the upper portion  102  may move from the closed position to the open position by tapping the upper portion  102 . In addition, while in the open position, the upper portion  102  may be separated from the lower portion  104  by applying additional pressure to the upper portion  102  away from the front portion  110 . The upper portion  102  may need to be separated from the lower portion  104  in order to access a roll of dental pad material  210  when the roll needs to be replaced. 
         [0027]    As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the roll of dental pad material  210  may consist of multiple sheets  202  of dental mixing pad material. As those skilled in the art may appreciate, the dental mixing pad material may be similar to 3M™ ESPE™ dental materials. Alternatively, the dental mixing pad material may be composed of polyethylene material similar to the mixing pad material offered by Gennex Corporation. Some of the mixing pad material may be glazed or plastic coated on one side and have a mat coating on the other side. The inventive concepts of the present invention apply to any type of dental mixing pad material that may be rolled and dispensed with the dispensers described herein. 
         [0028]    When the roll  210  is installed in the dispenser  100 , the sheets  202  may be separated from the roll  210  and routed under a guide  208  and out the opening  106 . The guide  208  may consist of a dowel or other type of rod that extends across the dispenser and may be parallel to the front portion  110 . The guide  208  may be inserted into a guide slot  212 . When a new roll  210  is installed in the dispenser  100 , the guide  208  may need to be removed and reinserted into the guide slot  212  allowing the new sheets  202  to be routed under the guide  208 . Also shown in  FIG. 2  is a blade  204 . The blade is positioned in the opening  106  and the sheets  202  may be routed over the blade  204 . In this configuration, the dental hygienist or assistant may tear off a section of the sheet  202  using the blade  204  to cut the sheet  202  to the appropriate length. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  displays an exploded view of the dispenser  100  with the upper portion  102  separated from the lower portion  104  granting access to the roll  210 . A spool  360  may be inserted into a spool opening  250  on the roll  210 . The spool  360  has tabs  352  which may be positioned in spool guides  318  which are on the dispenser  100 . The tabs  352  allow the roll  210  to rotate when it is positioned within the dispenser  100 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the tabs may also guide the roll  210  in and out of the dispenser  100  when the roll  210  is removed and replaced. 
         [0030]    The blade  204  may be held permanently in place by rivets  308 . Alternatively, should the blade need to be removed periodically, screws may be used instead of rivets  308 . A blade cover (not shown) may also be installed over the blade  204  during the initial installation of the roll  210  into the dispenser  100  to protect the user from cutting themselves. The blade cover may also provide protection during the manufacturing of the dispenser  100 . 
         [0031]    The upper portion  102  may have tracks (also not shown for ease of illustration) to allow the upper portion  102  to slide back away from the front  112 . Wheels  306  attached on posts  310  and affixed with screws  304  may fit inside of the tracks. When the upper portion moves from the closed position to the open position, the upper portion  102  moves on the wheels  306 . The upper portion  102  may be designed with “cuts” which allow the upper portion  102  to slide past the wheels  306  and ultimately be removed. The upper portion  102  may need to be removed in order to install a new roll  210 . 
         [0032]    In one exemplary embodiment, magnets  302  may be positioned on the upper portion  102  and lower portion  104  to allow the upper portion to be secured into place in either the open or closed position. As mentioned previously, the present invention may be designed to allow a minimum amount of pressure to be employed to open and close the dispenser  100 . To facilitate this movement, the magnetic attraction between the magnets  302  may be designed accordingly. 
         [0033]    In an alternate embodiment, springs may be used to slide the upper portion  102  backwards into the open position. In this embodiment, the springs may be mounted on the front  110  of the dispenser  100  as well as the upper portion. The compression force of the spring may be determined by the amount of force necessary to close the dispenser  100 . Weaker springs allow the upper portion  102  to slide back to the closed position with just a simple amount of pressure applied to the upper portion  102 . In the embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , with the seam  108  being less than perpendicular, a force may be applied directly to the upper portion  102  in a downward direction to close the dispenser  100 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  displays a dispenser  400  in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser  400  has an upper portion  402  and a lower portion  404 . The upper portion  402  moves into an open position by rotating around a pivot point  420 . In between the upper portion  402  and lower portion  404  is a seam  407 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the seam  407  may be perpendicular to the upper portion  402 . Dental pad sheets  202  housed on a roll  210  may be dispensed through an opening  406  positioned between the upper portion  402  and lower portion  404 . The sheets  202  may be positioned under a guide  408  and over a blade  414 . 
         [0035]    A spring  430  or set of springs may be positioned in the seam  407  to provide the opening force which causes the upper portion to pivot around pivot point  420 . The springs may be affixed to the lower portion  404  but not to the upper portion. This allows the upper portion to be rotated around about 180 degrees to allow the roll of dental pad material to be replaced. 
         [0036]    Facilitating the locking into place of the upper portion  402  when in the closed position are magnets  460 . The magnets  460  may be positioned on the front  412  of the dispenser  400 . As those skilled in the art appreciate, the magnets  460  may be spring loaded such that when depressed, the magnets  460  engage. When depressed again, the magnets  460  disengage. Thus, when in the closed position, a light tap on the upper portion  402  causes the magnets  460  to disengage and the spring to push the upper portion  402  in an upward direction allowing access to the material  202 . Once the sufficient amount of dental pad material  202  has been dispensed, the dental assistant simply taps the upper portion  402  once more moving the upper portion  402  into the closed position. The downward pressure placed against the upper portion  402  may also be sufficient to activate the magnets  460  to engage and secure the upper portion  402  into the closed position. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  displays a roll  500  of dental pad sheets  502  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The dental pad sheets  502  have adhesive on an underside  506 . In one exemplary embodiment, the adhesive may be applied to the entire underside  506 . In an alternative embodiment, the adhesive may be applied to the middle of the underside  506 . In yet another alternate embodiment, two lines of adhesive may be applied to the underside  506 . The adhesive facilitates the rolling of the dental pad material  502  on to the roll  500  and keeps the roll  500  from unrolling. 
         [0038]    The roll  500  has perforations  504  that traverse the width of the sheet  502 . The perforations  504  allow the sheet  502  to be separated into predetermined lengths should the dispenser  200  or  400  not have blade  204  or  404  (as shown in previous figures). These types of dispensers  600  and  700  are displayed in  FIGS. 6 and 7  respectively. Roll  500  has a spool opening  550  which allows a spool (not shown) to be inserted. In one embodiment, the thickness of the material  502  may be about 0.005 inches thick. 
         [0039]    In another exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the roll  500  may be about four inches wide. This includes about a one inch diameter spool opening  550  with the roll about three inches in diameter. In another exemplary embodiment, one side of the material  502  may be waterproof. Alternatively, the material may be waterproof on both sides. For purposes of illustration, “waterproof” may be defined as nonabsorbent with any liquid coming into contact with the side of the sheet  502  that is waterproof. In order to achieve the waterproof characteristic, the sheet  502  may be plastic coated on one or both sides. In one exemplary embodiment polyurethane may be used. As mentioned previously, one side of the material  502  may also be coated with a light adhesive in various locations. 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  displays a dispenser  600  in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , dispenser  600  has an upper portion  602 , lower portion  604 , and front portion  611 . The upper portion  602  and the lower portion  604  join together at a seam  618 . The dispenser  600  also has an opening  606  positioned at a front portion  611  of the dispenser  600 . The upper portion  602  may move towards the rear of the dispenser  600  by tapping the upper portion  602 . Tapping the upper portion  602  causes the upper portion  602  to slide along the seam  618  away from the front portion  611 . 
         [0041]    The opening  606  is of sufficient width to allow sheets of dental pad material  502  ( FIG. 5 ) to be passed through. The roll  500  of dental mixing pad material is positioned within the dispenser  600 . The sheets  502  originate from the roll  500  and are routed under a guide  608 , and out the opening  606 . The guide  608  is positioned in a guide groove  612 . 
         [0042]    In one exemplary embodiment, the position of the guide  608  in relation to the front portion  611  may be about one cm. When determining a particular distance separating the guide  608  and the front portion  611 , the amount of space required for a user to grasp the sheet  502  may be taken into consideration. The perforations  504  ( FIG. 5 ) in the sheets  502  allow the dental assistant to separate the sheets  502  into a various lengths as required. 
         [0043]      FIG. 7  displays a dispenser  700  in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , dispenser  700  has an upper portion  702  and a lower portion  704 . The upper portion  702  and the lower portion  704  join together at a seam  718 . The dispenser  700  also has an opening  706  positioned at a front portion  712  of the dispenser  700 . The upper portion  702  may be rotated upwards, pivoting at pivot point  720  which is positioned at the rear of the dispenser  700  by tapping the upper portion  702 . 
         [0044]    The opening  706  is of sufficient width to allow the sheets  502  ( FIG. 5 ) to pass through. The roll  500  ( FIG. 5 ) of material is positioned within the dispenser  700 . The sheets  502  that originate from the roll  500  are routed under a guide  708 , and out the opening  706 . The guide  708  is positioned in a guide groove  714 . 
         [0045]    In one exemplary embodiment, the position of the guide  708  in relation to the front portion  712  may be about one cm. When determining a particular distance separating the guide  708  and the front portion  712 , the amount of space required for a user to grasp the sheet  522  may be taken into consideration. The perforations  504  in the sheets  502  allow the dental assistant to separate the sheets  502  into a various lengths as required.