Removably secured, flush-mounted panel system and cabinet including the same

Abstract

A panel system is provided that may be used to access underlying apparatus, such as utility lines underlying a dental or medical cabinet. The panel system may connect to a frame via, for example, a magnetic element. The panels may include substantially planar or smooth outwardly facing surfaces that may be readily cleaned, sanitized, or disinfected to provide an aseptic surface. The frame may be a support member on, for example, a cabinet, a cart, or a storage devices used in a dental or medical office.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to panels that may be removably secured to a surface or frame, and more particularly, to a panel system that provides access to devices stored thereunder while providing a substantially planar surface.BACKGROUND[0002]Various cabinet arrangements are used in dental offices. Some of this cabinetry contains various dental hand pieces (i.e., pneumatic or electric), syringes, pulp testers and like instrumentation used by the dentist in performing operations within the patient's oral cavity. Other cabinetry may contain other apparatus, such as Bunsen burners, amalgam mixing machines, vacuum apparatus, and the like used by the dentist in performing services associated with the practice of dentistry. Many of these dental apparatus and instruments require some sort of utility supply, either electricity, hot or cold water, gas, or vacuum lines.[0003]The connection of the various utility service lines has been somewhat problematic using...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]One aspect of the invention includes a panel system that may be used to provide access to an underlying apparatus, such as a utility supply line. The panel system may include a frame and a magnetic panel removably secured thereto. The magnetic panel may have a plurality of magnets disposed thereon or embedded therein, and may be removably secured to a metal frame. Alternatively, the magnets may be disposed on or embedded within the frame, and the panel may include a metal that may be removably secured to the frame via the magnets. For example, the magnetic panel may be received and removably secured within a recessed region in the frame. An exposed surface of the magnetic panel may be substantially coplanar with exposed surfaces of the frame so the panel system may be easily cleaned, disinfected, or sterilized. The panel system may additionally provide a support for an overlying structure, such as a cabinet, and may be attached to a surface thereof.

[0009]In a further aspect, the panel system includes flexible, magnetic strips disposed on or in a panel. The magnetic strips enable the panels to be removably secured to a frame while providing a substantially flush outwardly facing surface. Because the panel system provides a substantially flush surface, the panel system may be easily cleaned, disinfected, or sanitized.

Problems solved by technology

The connection of the various utility service lines has been somewhat problematic using conventional cabinet arrangements.

In these types of cabinets, sufficient internal space may not be available to easily adjust the appropriate utility service connections.

Conventional cabinets may also be difficult to move in order to service underlying utility lines.

The dental cabinet, however, is especially difficult to disinfect due to the various types of exposed fasteners used to secure the paneling covering utility supplies.

Furthermore, in order to completely disinfect the cabinet, it may be necessary to disinfect utility supply lines.

Consequently, this procedure is not only time consuming, but it is also relatively difficult to achieve complete disinfection of the dental cabinet.

However, these cabinets are often relatively heavy and lack supports for easy movement, which may make the cabinet awkward or difficult to move.

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