Patent ID: 7015423

Claim:
A heating device into which a conventional dispenser having a compule or ampule containing dental material can be inserted to elevate the temperature of the compule or ampule of dental material to above ambient temperature prior to dispensing the dental material from the compule or ampule for clinical use; said heating device comprising a base for housing a thermostat, a heating element electrically connected to the thermostat, a power connection for electrically connecting the thermostat to a source of power and a heating receptacle assembly removably mounted on the base, with said heating receptacle assembly comprising a heating tray composed of a conductive material and an upstanding section having a heating chamber therein extending from the heating tray for forming a heating vessel having cross sectional dimensions substantially conforming to the cross sectional dimensions of one end of said dispenser at which said a compule or ampule of dental material is located so as to raise the temperature of said compule or ampule to an elevated temperature and wherein said heating receptacle assembly is of sufficient mass to maintain the temperature of the dispenser at an elevated temperature for a reasonable time period after said assembly is removed from the base for dispensing dental material at an elevated temperature from said dispenser at a location distant from the location of the heating device.