Method for packaging dental components, especially artificial teeth

Description

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for packaging dental components, in particular artificial teeth. A packaging system that can be produced using this method is also disclosed.

[0002] The field of dental technology, and thus especially the work of dental technicians, is regularly characterized by the handling of a wide range of dental components, which are often relatively small and generally require very careful handling. Since many of these dental components are also high-quality and precisely manufactured products, there is a constant need in the field of technology for high-performance packaging for such dental components that enables safe storage and transport of the dental components while simultaneously being adapted to the specific application requirements of dental technology that arise in practice.

[0003] The requirements placed on packaging for dental components are particularly well understood using the example of artificial teeth. Traditionally, artificial teeth are usually marketed in units of six or eight artificial teeth on plastic strips, to which the artificial teeth are fixed with wax or other adhesives, which can be used, for example, in the form of adhesive tape. This arrangement is intended not only to ensure the correct assembly of the artificial teeth placed on the market together, but also to ensure good accessibility to the artificial teeth so that the specialist can, for example, inspect, remove, test, and then reattach them to the strip.

[0004] Although this traditional form of handling artificial teeth meets the needs of the specialist in terms of easy accessibility of the dental components, it is regularly perceived as disadvantageous in various aspects, particularly when handling the dental components outside the controlled environment of a dental laboratory, for example during storage or shipping of industrially manufactured dental components by the manufacturer.

[0005] Fixation with wax or other adhesives always results in contamination of the contact surfaces of the artificial teeth and regularly requires cleaning the dental component before further processing. This represents an additional work step that reduces the time and cost efficiency of many procedures and, due to the mostly manual nature of the process, complicates the automation and digitalization of workflows.

[0006] Furthermore, very long and / or inadequate storage can lead to permanent contamination of the dental components by the adhesive, which is also referred to as "melting" of the tooth into the carrier material and is associated with the risk of undesirable discoloration of the dental component. Furthermore, many of the adhesives used in practice are subject to an aging process, which can lead to a deterioration in the bond strength, particularly with regular removal and repositioning of the dental components on the plastic bar. In the worst case, this aging process and / or the general accumulation of dust and dirt on exposed adhesive surfaces can cause the dental components to fall off the plastic bar, which could result in, for example, loss or damage of some of the dental components.

[0007] In addition to the adverse effects of the adhesives required in conventional packaging systems, the packaging systems known from the state of the art are often also perceived as disadvantageous in that the dental components are usually largely exposed on the plastic strips and are not, or only minimally, protected by the packaging systems against environmental influences and, in particular, mechanical stress. This increases the risk of damage to the dental components.

[0008] Against the background of increasing awareness in the field of technology of the need for sustainable management, many of the packaging systems known from the state of the art are also perceived as disadvantageous in that they usually have a relatively high material requirement and at the end of their lifespan often result in mixed waste, which, for example, includes residues of the adhesive in addition to the plastic of the plastic strip and which can therefore only be recycled with relatively high expenditure.

[0009] Packaging systems for other parts and components from the dental sector are disclosed, for example, in US 5199567 A, DE 8217131 U1 and JP 2012050478 A.

[0010] The primary object of the present invention was to eliminate or at least mitigate the disadvantages of the prior art described above.

[0011] In particular, the object of the present invention was to provide a method for packaging dental components, in particular artificial teeth, and a packaging system based thereon, which enables time- and cost-efficient packaging of dental components, taking into account the specific industry requirements when handling dental components.

[0012] In this respect, it was an object of the present invention that the packaging system producible using the specified method should enable reliable simultaneous packaging or fixation of multiple dental components, in particular artificial teeth assembled for the front or side region, thus enabling safe storage and easy transport without the risk of loss of dental components. It was desirable that the packaging system producible using the specified method should also protect the dental components packaged therein as effectively as possible against environmental influences and mechanical stress.

[0013] An important objective of the present invention was to ensure that the dental components packaged in the specified packaging system should be as easily accessible from the outside as possible. One requirement was that the dental components should be easily and reversibly removed from the packaging system and reinserted therein without damage. In particular, it was desirable that the skilled person should be able to obtain the most authentic visual color impression possible from the dental components arranged in the specified packaging system.

[0014] It was a further object of the present invention that the safe packaging of the dental components in the packaging system to be specified should be ensured even after long storage, ideally even under unfavorable storage conditions.

[0015] Furthermore, it was an object of the present invention that the packaging system to be specified should minimize the risk of contamination or unwanted discoloration of the dental components packaged therein, whereby in particular undesired contamination with wax or other adhesive substances should be avoided.

[0016] It was a further object of the present invention that the specified method for producing the packaging system should require the lowest possible resource requirements. Furthermore, it was desirable that the specified packaging system should be particularly easy to recycle at the end of its service life, with the desirability of generating no or at least only minimal amounts of mixed waste.

[0017] The inventors of the present invention have now found that the objects described above can be achieved if dental components are packaged in a packaging process using thermoforming, as defined in the claims, wherein the dental components are placed on a three-dimensional carrier element in such a way that they protrude beyond its edge on at least one side, so that an enclosing region is formed around which a flat plastic semi-finished product can be formed during the thermoforming in order to achieve a form-fitting enclosure of the dental component on at least one side of the dental component, so that the dental component is packaged in a shaped plastic structure after removal of the carrier element, from which it can be removed reversibly and non-destructively.

[0018] With the method according to the invention it is possible, for example, to place an assembled set of artificial teeth with the labial / buccal side facing downwards into the support surface of a three-dimensional carrier element, which is designed as a negative mold, and to enclose the upper and lower areas of the teeth, which protrude beyond the side edge of the support surface, with a plastic film in the course of a thermoforming process. This plastic film is applied in a hot, stretchable form and is joined around the artificial teeth lying on the support surface using vacuum or overpressure, so that the thermoformed plastic film also partially encloses the teeth labially / buccally after cooling and stabilizes them in the packaging system, so that the artificial teeth can be removed from the thermoform together with the solidified plastic structure and separated from the carrier element.

[0019] In a packaging system manufactured in this way, the artificial teeth are exposed from the side where the support element was previously arranged and are unhindered and visible to the expert. Advantageously, the reversible and non-destructive removal of the artificial teeth from the packaging system is possible, requiring only a mostly slight, essentially non-permanent deformation of the plastic structure. Since the artificial teeth are held purely retentively, at least when encased on both sides labially / buccally, no contamination or discoloration due to adhesives occurs. The retentive fixation of the artificial teeth ensures secure fixation of the artificial teeth even during long storage periods and at elevated temperatures.

[0020] By partially enclosing the artificial teeth with a plastic structure, they are also shielded from numerous environmental influences, whereby the plastic structure also offers advantageous protection against mechanical stress in view of the reliable fit of the artificial teeth.

[0021] The packaging system produced using the specified process is characterized by a relatively low overall material requirement, whereby in particular the packaging system can be made from single-variety plastics and / or adhesives can be omitted, which can prevent the generation of mixed waste and ensure that the recyclability of corresponding plastic structures is particularly high.

[0022] The above-mentioned objects are thus achieved by the subject matter of the invention as defined in the claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention emerge from the subclaims and the following statements.

[0023] Such embodiments, which are designated as preferred below, are combined in particularly preferred embodiments with features of other embodiments designated as preferred. Combinations of two or more of the embodiments designated as particularly preferred below are therefore very particularly preferred. Likewise preferred are embodiments in which a feature of one embodiment designated as preferred to any extent is combined with one or more further features of other embodiments designated as preferred to any extent. Features of preferred packaging systems result from the features of preferred methods.

[0024] The invention relates to a method for packaging dental components, comprising the method steps: a) producing or providing a dental component, b) arranging the dental component with a support side on a support surface of a three-dimensional carrier element, wherein the arrangement is carried out such that the dental component protrudes beyond the edge of the support surface to form a surrounding area on at least one side, c) producing or providing a flat plastic semi-finished product comprising a thermoplastic, d) forming the flat plastic semi-finished product in a thermoforming process for the form-fitting enclosing of the dental component in a plastic structure, wherein the forming is carried out such that the dental component is surrounded by the plastic structure in the surrounding area on the support side of the dental component, and e) separating the dental component, which is partially surrounded by the plastic structure, from the carrier element to obtain a packaging system,wherein the packaging system comprises the dental component packaged in the plastic structure.

[0025] The method according to the invention is used for packaging dental components, whereby a packaging system is produced which comprises the packaged dental component.

[0026] For those skilled in the field of dental technology, the term "dental component" is clear. In accordance with the expert's understanding, the term encompasses components intended for use in the human mouth, in particular the typical types of dental prostheses, such as inlays, crowns, bridges, implants, or veneers, as well as partial or full dentures and corresponding artificial teeth. Furthermore, the term "dental components" also encompasses sub-elements of these components intended for use in the mouth, as well as the initial components used in their manufacture, such as milling blocks.

[0027] According to the inventors' assessment, the method according to the invention is particularly suitable for packaging milling blocks from which more complex dental components can be obtained using subtractive manufacturing processes, as well as dental prostheses, artificial teeth, and other dental molded bodies, which can be produced, for example, subtractively from milling blocks or additively using 3D printing or similar processes, and which are in particular dental prosthesis components, such as inlays, crowns, bridges, implants, or veneers. Thus, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dental component is selected from the group consisting of milling blocks, dental prostheses, artificial teeth, and dental molded bodies, in particular subtractively or additively manufactured dental molded bodies.

[0028] According to the inventors' assessment, the method according to the invention demonstrates its advantages particularly in the packaging of artificial teeth, whose packaging and handling are particularly demanding in practice and which demonstrates particularly pronounced advantages over the solutions known from the prior art. For essentially all embodiments, a method according to the invention is particularly preferred, wherein the dental component is selected from the group consisting of artificial teeth.

[0029] The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for packaging dental components in an industrial manufacturing context. Accordingly, the method according to the invention is particularly advantageous for packaging industrially manufactured dental components, in particular dental components manufactured within the scope of a large-scale manufacturing process. Accordingly, a method according to the invention is particularly preferred, wherein the dental component is selected from the group consisting of industrially manufactured artificial teeth, which the person skilled in the art also refers to as so-called prefabricated artificial teeth in this context.

[0030] In its simplest embodiment, the method according to the invention serves to package only one dental component. In accordance with the expert's understanding, the method according to the invention is carried out accordingly for one or more dental components. However, the person skilled in the art understands that particularly efficient process controls can be achieved if several dental components are packaged together simultaneously using the method according to the invention, so that a packaging system is obtained which comprises several dental components. The simultaneous packaging of two or more dental components is advantageous because it enables the packaging of larger quantities of dental components in a time-efficient manner. In addition, this procedure regularly results in particularly resource-saving processes.In particular, it is possible to efficiently package two or more dental components, which are intended, for example, for the same patient, together using the method according to the invention. This aspect is particularly important when packaging artificial teeth. Artificial teeth are regularly intended to be arranged in a combination of several matching artificial teeth, which is particularly efficiently possible with the method according to the invention. Packaging systems that comprise six or eight artificial teeth are particularly relevant in practice, as this corresponds to the usual number of artificial teeth for the anterior and posterior regions, respectively.A method according to the invention is therefore preferred, wherein the method is carried out simultaneously for two or more, preferably four or more, particularly preferably six or more, very particularly preferably eight or more, in particular preferably six or eight, dental components, wherein the packaging system comprises two or more, preferably four or more, particularly preferably six or more, very particularly preferably eight or more, in particular preferably six or eight, dental components packaged in the plastic structure.

[0031] In the method according to the invention, in method step a), the dental component to be packaged is first produced, for example by subtractive manufacturing from a milling block or by means of additive manufacturing, or provided, for example in the context of assembling a number of six or eight previously manufactured artificial teeth.

[0032] In method step b), the one or more dental components are placed on the support surface of a three-dimensional carrier element. For the purposes of the present invention, the side of the dental components that faces toward the three-dimensional carrier element is referred to as the support side for the purpose of clear identification. This support side is partially shielded by the underlying carrier element in the subsequent thermoforming process, so that it cannot be completely surrounded by the plastic structure. Accordingly, in the manufactured packaging system, the part of the support side of the dental components that comes into contact with the support surface of the carrier element after the dental components have been arranged on the carrier element is not surrounded by the plastic structure obtained by thermoforming, but remains exposed.Since, in the case of artificial teeth, unobstructed inspection of the tooth areas that will be particularly easily visible from the outside when inserted in the mouth is particularly important for the skilled person, the inventors propose that, in the case of artificial teeth, the support side should be formed by the labial or buccal side of the artificial teeth, so that these are partially exposed in the resulting packaging system. Accordingly, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the dental component is an artificial tooth, wherein the support side is the labial / buccal side of the artificial tooth.

[0033] The purpose of the three-dimensional support element is to ensure that the dental components resting thereon, which protrude beyond the edge of the receiving surface on at least one side, are elevated relative to the surrounding base in such a way that they can be enclosed with the plastic from below during the subsequent thermoforming process, i.e. from the support side, or in the case of artificial teeth, in particular from the labial or buccal side. Those skilled in the art will understand that, depending on the semi-finished plastic products used, it can be difficult to also encompass the dental components from below during typical thermoforming processes if there is insufficient space between the support side and the surrounding base. Accordingly, the inventors propose that a certain minimum height difference be set through the structural design of the three-dimensional support element and the surrounding base areas.In this respect, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the support surface in method step d) is elevated relative to the surrounding substrate, wherein the height difference is preferably 2 mm or more, particularly preferably 5 mm or more, very particularly preferably 10 mm or more.

[0034] It can be seen as an advantage of the method according to the invention that only very low requirements are placed on the specific design of the three-dimensional carrier element, so that it can be formed, for example, from a variety of possible materials, and the choice of material can largely be based on availability.

[0035] With regard to the structural design of the three-dimensional support element, the inventors consider two configurations to be particularly advantageous. Firstly, the three-dimensional support element can be designed as a separate support block, which, for example, can be inserted into the mold of the device used for thermoforming if the method according to the invention is to be used. This is particularly advantageous if the existing thermoforming devices are to be used for other purposes in addition to the method according to the invention, so that the use of the separate support element allows for advantageous conversion.The inventors consider an alternative to this configuration, particularly suitable for large-scale and industrial processes, to be an embodiment in which the three-dimensional support element is formed directly by a raised support structure in the base surface of the thermoform, so that the corresponding thermoform is specifically designed for carrying out the method according to the invention and can be obtained in one piece in a particularly robust embodiment. Thus, for certain applications, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the three-dimensional support element is a separate support block, preferably made of plastic, metal, zirconium oxide, ceramic, or dental plaster. Alternatively, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the three-dimensional support element is formed by a raised support structure of a thermoform.

[0036] To promote precise arrangement of the dental components on the support element and, in particular, secure the dental components on the support element during the forming step, the inventors propose that the support surface be provided with a macroscopic surface structure that supports the arrangement of the dental components. This is particularly advantageous when the method according to the invention is intended to package at least partially identical dental components in numerous successive versions, such as in the case of the packaging of artificial teeth, where in practice, a combination of six or eight artificial teeth is usually produced, each of which is similar at least in terms of its basic shape.Against this background, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the support surface comprises a macroscopic surface structure with one or more receiving locations for receiving dental components, wherein the number of receiving locations preferably corresponds to the number of dental components packaged simultaneously in the method.

[0037] In the inventors' estimation, it is conceivable in principle, at least in the simplest embodiment of the method according to the invention, for the dental component(s) to protrude beyond the receiving surface at only one end and thus be thermoformed with plastic at only one point. Depending on the embodiment of the method according to the invention, in particular depending on the size of the enclosing area, the inventors believe that in many cases, this will result in designs of the packaging system in which at least partially adhesive attachment is still necessary for practical suitability.In such embodiments, it may be appropriate to additionally fix the components packaged in the plastic structure, which are only positively enclosed by the plastic structure on one side in the surrounding area on the support side, with wax or another adhesive to prevent them from accidentally falling out. Despite a partially adhesive attachment, the method according to the invention is considered advantageous even in this simple embodiment in that the one-sided enclosure of the dental components in the plastic structure provides a certain degree of protection against environmental influences and mechanical stress, and moreover, the need for adhesives can be reduced compared to the solutions known from the prior art.

[0038] However, given the objective of eliminating the use of adhesives as much as possible, the inventors consider it preferable for essentially all embodiments if the dental components are at least enclosed on both sides by the plastic structure, so that exclusively retentive fixation is possible. This can be achieved if the dental components protrude beyond the support surface on two sides and, accordingly, two surrounding areas are formed, which can be enclosed by the plastic material during thermoforming, so that after removal of the three-dimensional carrier element, the dental components are surrounded on all sides by the plastic structure in a form-fitting manner on opposite sides, for example, at the top and bottom.Accordingly, a method according to the invention is particularly preferred, wherein the arrangement is carried out such that the dental component protrudes beyond the edge of the support surface, forming a first surrounding region on a first side and a second surrounding region on a second side, preferably on two opposite sides. In this case, the forming is carried out such that the dental components are positively surrounded by the plastic structure in the first surrounding region and in the second surrounding region on the support side of the dental components.

[0039] In process step c), the material is now prepared that will be wrapped around the dental components in the subsequent thermoforming step. One advantage of the process according to the invention is that it is very flexible with regard to the materials that can be used, so that, in principle, all flat plastic semi-finished products known from the prior art as plastic semi-finished products for thermoforming processes can be used. In accordance with expert understanding, flat plastic semi-finished products are plastic films or plastic sheets, although the transition between films and sheets is ultimately blurred.With a view to implementing the method according to the invention in the most resource-efficient way possible, the inventors propose that the average thickness of the flat plastic semi-finished products should not be chosen too high in order to minimize material requirements and also to keep the temperatures required for thermoforming as low as possible. Accordingly, the inventors consider flat plastic semi-finished products that can be referred to as films to be preferred. Therefore, a method according to the invention is preferred in which the flat plastic semi-finished product is a plastic film.

[0040] In an advantageous embodiment, the inventors propose that colored or printed semi-finished plastic products can also be used to obtain particularly visually appealing packaging systems and / or to implement necessary markings. Accordingly, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the flat semi-finished plastic product is a colored and / or printed semi-finished plastic product, particularly preferably a printed semi-finished plastic product.

[0041] As explained above, the method according to the invention can be advantageously carried out with typical flat plastic semi-finished products, which the person skilled in the art knows as starting materials for thermoforming processes. Even if it is conceivable in principle for further components, such as fillers, to be added to corresponding plastic semi-finished products, in practice such flat plastic semi-finished products usually consist predominantly or almost entirely of thermoplastics, which is also expedient for the method according to the invention. Accordingly, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the flat plastic semi-finished product consists of 90% or more, preferably 95% or more, particularly preferably 98% or more, and most preferably essentially entirely, of the thermoplastic, based on the mass of the plastic semi-finished product.An example is a process according to the invention, wherein the thermoplastic plastic is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyesters, polyolefins, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers and mixtures of these plastics, preferably selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, butadiene-styrene copolymers and mixtures of these plastics.

[0042] In the course of developing the process according to the invention, the inventors recognized that particularly sustainable packaging systems can advantageously be obtained when bio-based or biodegradable thermoplastics are used as the thermoplastic material, with particular preference being given to thermoplastics that are both bio-based and biodegradable. Corresponding materials are known to those skilled in the art and are commercially available as bio-based thermoplastics or biodegradable thermoplastics.Accordingly, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the thermoplastic is selected from the group consisting of bio-based thermoplastics and biodegradable thermoplastics, preferably selected from the group consisting of bio-based polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene furanoate, polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate and mixtures of these plastics.

[0043] In process step d) of the method according to the invention, the flat plastic semi-finished product is formed in a thermoforming process to form-fit the dental components arranged on the three-dimensional support element. Within the scope of the present invention, the term "form-fit" is to be understood, in accordance with the expert understanding, as "at least partially form-fit." In any case, a configuration in the sense of "predominantly form-fit" is preferred, and very particularly preferred is in the sense of "essentially completely form-fit."The person skilled in the art understands that in practice the method according to the invention will regularly result in a substantially complete form fit on the side of the dental components facing away from the support side and in the surrounding areas, but that, for example, small deviations from a perfect form fit due to production and / or deviations from a perfect form fit deliberately created by additional measures may occur.

[0044] The basic concept of thermoforming processes is well known to those skilled in the art based on their general technical knowledge, and suitable devices for carrying out the thermoforming process are commercially available from various suppliers. The concept of thermoforming, which is sometimes referred to by those skilled in the art as hot forming or, due to its superficial similarity to the corresponding metal processing process, as deep drawing, is based on the fact that the flat plastic semi-finished product used is made malleable by increasing the temperature and is then applied to the dental component. To achieve the most form-fitting enclosure possible, positive and / or negative pressures are usually used.In accordance with expert understanding, a negative pressure is usually generated on the side of the flat plastic semi-finished product on which the object to be enclosed is arranged, which is optionally combined with an applied positive pressure on the other side of the flat plastic semi-finished product, so that the moldable plastic mass adapts as closely as possible to the underlying structure. It can be seen as an advantage of the method according to the invention that it can be carried out using typical thermoforming processes and commercially available thermoforming devices.Accordingly, a method according to the invention is also relevant for substantially all embodiments, wherein method step d) is carried out using a thermoforming device, and / or wherein the carrier element with the dental component arranged on the support surface is arranged in a thermoform in method step d) or wherein the carrier element is formed in method step d) by a raised carrier structure of a thermoform, wherein the thermoform preferably comprises one or more fluid outlets, wherein the one or more fluid outlets are particularly preferably connected in a fluid-conducting manner to a pump arrangement.A method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the forming is promoted or effected by a negative pressure prevailing on one side of the flat plastic semi-finished product and / or an overpressure prevailing on one side of the flat plastic semi-finished product, preferably by a negative pressure prevailing on one side of the flat plastic semi-finished product and an overpressure prevailing on the other side of the flat plastic semi-finished product.

[0045] In practice, the optimal temperature for the thermoforming process will generally depend on the type of thermoplastic and the selected thickness of the flat plastic semi-finished product. However, the inventors have succeeded in identifying optimized temperature ranges with which, when using conventional thicknesses of flat plastic semi-finished products, in particular in the range of 0.4 to 1.2 mm, preferably in the range of 0.5 to 0.8 mm, and for the commonly used thermoplastics, in particular for polyesters, preferably for copolyesters, the process according to the invention can be used to obtain packaging systems with particularly advantageous handling properties. A process according to the invention is preferred in which the flat plastic semi-finished product has a temperature in the range of 100 to 200 °C, preferably in the range of 140 to 200 °C, particularly preferably in the range of 160 to 200 °C, during forming.

[0046] In process step e), the plastic structure with the dental component packaged therein is separated from the carrier element, which can then, for example, be used again as a carrier element in the process according to the invention. Since part of the surface of the support side of the dental components was covered by the three-dimensional carrier element during thermoforming and accordingly could not be encompassed in process step d), this part of the packaged dental components is exposed in the packaging system after removal of the carrier element. The inventors consider it advantageous if the carrier element is so firmly connected to the inserted thermoform that separation can be achieved by removing the thermoformed plastic structure together with the dental components from the thermoform.Accordingly, a method according to the invention is preferred, wherein the separation in method step e) is carried out by releasing the plastic structure from a thermoform.

[0047] Depending on the design of the thermoforming process, the resulting plastic structure can subsequently be cut to reduce the space required and / or to adapt the contour, which in particular improves handling during storage and transport and minimizes the space required. A method according to the invention is preferred for this purpose, additionally comprising the method step: f) separating a partial region of the packaging system, wherein the partial region comprises the dental component packaged in a part of the plastic structure, wherein the separation is preferably carried out by a separation process, preferably by cutting or punching.

[0048] According to the inventors, a further advantage is that markings, such as trademarks or instructions for use, can be particularly easily applied to the resulting plastic structure. For this purpose, a method according to the invention is preferred, additionally comprising the method step: g) applying a marking to the packaging system, in particular the plastic structure, or to a sub-region of the packaging system, wherein the marking is preferably applied using a method selected from the group consisting of laser engraving methods and printing methods, particularly preferably selected from the group consisting of laser engraving methods and 3D printing methods.

[0049] In addition or as an alternative to the marking described above, a label can be applied to the back of the packaging systems. This label can, for example, contain additional information about the packaged dental components, but can also function as a contrasting surface against whose background the dental components can be particularly well evaluated with regard to their optical properties, which is considered particularly advantageous in the packaging of artificial teeth. Accordingly, a method according to the invention is preferred, additionally comprising the method step: h) applying a label, in particular made of paper or cardboard, to the side of the packaging system formed entirely by the plastic structure.

[0050] The skilled person will understand that the invention also relates to a corresponding packaging system (not claimed) that can be obtained using the method according to the invention. Thus, a packaging system is also disclosed, preferably produced or producible using the method according to the invention for packaging dental components, comprising: i) a plastic structure with at least one receiving recess, and ii) at least one dental component, wherein the dental component is arranged with an insertion side in the receiving recess in a form-fitting manner, wherein the dental component arranged in the receiving recess is covered in a form-fitting manner by the plastic structure in at least one surrounding area on a presentation side opposite the insertion side, wherein the packaging system is designed such that the dental component can be removed from the receiving recess and reinserted into the receiving recess reversibly and non-destructively using an at least partially reversible deformation of the plastic structure.

[0051] The packaging system comprises a plastic structure with at least one receiving recess, which - as disclosed above - can be obtained by forming a flat plastic semi-finished product around a dental component arranged on a three-dimensional carrier element. In addition, the packaging system comprises the dental component packaged in the plastic structure, which immediately after the process is arranged in a form-fitting manner in the receiving recess and is covered by the plastic structure on at least one side in the surrounding area, including on the surface. The side of the dental component which is completely covered by the plastic structure in this state is referred to herein as the insert side. The opposite side is only partially covered by the plastic structure, with the dental component being exposed at the point that was covered by the three-dimensional carrier element during thermoforming.Against this background, the side of the dental component pointing in this direction is also referred to as the presentation side, whereby the person skilled in the art understands that the presentation side of the dental component in the packaging system according to the invention corresponds to the support side of the dental component in the method according to the invention.

[0052] This design enables the packaging system to reversibly and non-destructively remove the dental components from the receiving recess and then reinsert them into the receiving recess, thereby re-fixing them in the plastic structure. The packaging system is configured to allow the removal or insertion of the dental components to occur in such a way that the plastic structure is at least partially reversibly deformed. The necessity of such deformation during removal or insertion of the dental component arises from the form-fitting coverage of the presentation side by the plastic structure in the surrounding areas.

[0053] The specific design of the plastic structure, as obtained through the thermoforming process, and the use of a thermoplastic material to form the plastic structure mean that this deformation of the plastic structure is also at least partially reversible. Those skilled in the art understand that the deformation is preferably predominantly, particularly preferably essentially completely, reversible, so that the plastic structure imprinted through thermoforming remains essentially unchanged even after repeated removal of the dental components.

[0054] However, the skilled person understands that mechanical deformation of a thin thermoplastic material can always be associated with at least small irreversible components of the deformation, at least at the molecular level, although, according to the inventors' assessment, these components are unlikely to be noticeable in practice. The at least partially reversible deformation is achieved in particular by the structural design of the plastic structure, which was produced from a comparatively thin, flat plastic semi-finished product, and optionally by the use of thermoplastic elastomers as the thermoplastic material.

[0055] The dental components can be removed from the packaging systems, for example, manually or using a removal tool, such as tweezers, whereby it is particularly possible that the plastic structure is deformed manually and / or the dental component is levered out of the receiving recesses using a tool.

[0056] Preferred packaging systems are produced using preferred methods according to the invention.

[0057] Accordingly, a packaging system is preferred, wherein the packaging system comprises two or more, preferably four or more, particularly preferably six or more, very particularly preferably eight or more, particularly preferably six to eight, dental components, and wherein the plastic structure comprises two or more, preferably four or more, particularly preferably six or more, very particularly preferably eight or more, particularly preferably six to eight, receiving recesses, wherein the packaging system preferably comprises a receiving recess for each dental component.

[0058] Additionally or alternatively, a packaging system is also preferred, wherein the dental component is selected from the group consisting of milling blocks, dental prostheses and artificial teeth, preferably selected from the group consisting of artificial teeth.

[0059] Additionally or alternatively, a packaging system is also preferred, wherein the dental component is an artificial tooth, wherein the presentation side is the labial / buccal side of the artificial tooth.

[0060] Additionally or alternatively, a packaging system is also preferred, wherein the dental component arranged in the receiving recess is covered by the plastic structure at least in a first surrounding area and a second surrounding area on a presentation side opposite the insertion side.

[0061] Additionally or alternatively, a packaging system is preferred, wherein the plastic structure consists of 90% or more, preferably 95% or more, particularly preferably 98% or more, most particularly preferably substantially completely, of the thermoplastic material, based on the mass of the plastic structure.

[0062] Additionally or alternatively, a packaging system is also preferred, wherein the packaging system comprises a marking, preferably a printing or engraving, and / or a label applied to the side formed entirely by the plastic structure.

[0063] Additionally or alternatively, a packaging system is also preferred, wherein the packaging system does not comprise any means for the material-locking connection of the dental component to the plastic structure, in particular no adhesives or waxes.

[0064] In light of the above, a particularly preferred method according to the invention is disclosed below, which, in the eyes of the inventors, is particularly advantageous in combination with other preferred features. A particularly preferred method according to the invention comprises the following method steps: aa) producing or providing six or more artificial teeth, preferably six or eight artificial teeth, bb) arranging the artificial teeth with a support side on a support surface of a three-dimensional carrier element, wherein the support side is preferably the labial / buccal side of the artificial teeth, wherein the arrangement is carried out such that the artificial teeth each protrude beyond the edge of the support surface, forming a first surrounding region on a first side and a second surrounding region on a second side, cc) producing or providing a flat plastic semi-finished product comprising a thermoplastic, dd) forming the flat plastic semi-finished product in a thermoforming process for the form-fitting enclosing of the artificial teeth in a plastic structure, wherein the forming is carried out such thatthat the artificial teeth are surrounded by the plastic structure in a form-fitting manner in the first surrounding area and in the second surrounding area on the support side of the artificial teeth, and ee) separating the artificial teeth partially surrounded by the plastic structure from the carrier element to obtain a packaging system, wherein the packaging system comprises six or more, most preferably eight or more, artificial teeth packaged in the plastic structure.

[0065] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained and described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of the process steps of the process according to the invention in a preferred embodiment; Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a three-dimensional carrier element arranged in a thermoform; Fig. 3 shows the arrangement of the Fig. 2with dental components arranged thereon; Fig. 4 the arrangement of the Fig. 3 which was coated with a plastic structure by means of thermoforming; and Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a packaging system which, starting from the arrangement of the Fig. 4 was received.

[0066] Fig.1 shows a highly simplified schematic representation of the method according to the invention for packaging dental components 10.

[0067] In Fig. 1a ) shows how a dental component 10, abstracted as a box, is arranged with the support side 12 on the support surface 14 of a three-dimensional support element 16, which rises above the surrounding floor surface. The resulting arrangement is shown in Fig. 1b ), wherein the surrounding areas 18a, 18b are identified, which result from the fact that the dental component 10 protrudes on two sides beyond the edge of the support surface 14. In Fig. 1c) it is now indicated how a flat plastic semi-finished product 20 is provided, whereas Fig. 1d ) shows the state that results after forming this flat plastic semi-finished product 20. In Figure 1d ) it can be clearly seen how the previously flat plastic semi-finished product 20 now fits as a plastic structure 22 essentially completely in a form-fitting manner around the dental component 10 and around the side surfaces of the three-dimensional carrier element 16.

[0068] After the plastic structure 22 formed by thermoforming has solidified, the resulting packaging system 24 can be obtained by lifting the plastic structure 22 together with the dental component 10 embedded therein from the carrier element 16. Fig. 1e) the partially exposed presentation side 30 and the opposite insertion side 28, with which the dental component 10 lies in the receiving recess 26 produced by the process, are identified. Fig. 1f ) schematically visualizes the removal of the dental component 10 from the receiving recess 26 created in the plastic structure 22, wherein the schematic representation shows that the deformation of the plastic structure 22 required for removal is essentially completely reversible, so that the dental component 10 was removed reversibly and non-destructively from the receiving recess 26 and can be reinserted into the receiving recess 26 if necessary.

[0069] The Fig. 2 to 5visualize the implementation of the method according to the invention in a particularly preferred embodiment using a practical example, wherein the figures represent abstracted graphical implementations of real photos taken during the inventors' experiments.

[0070] Fig. 2schematically visualizes the view into the thermoform of a thermoforming device, the base surface of which is surrounded by a side wall with a circumferential edge and comprises four openings for applying a negative pressure, wherein a three-dimensional carrier element 16 is arranged centrally on the base surface, which is designed as a separate carrier element 16 and made of plastic. In the example shown, the carrier element 16 comprises six receiving locations on the receiving surface 14 for receiving a total of six artificial teeth, which in the example shown are front teeth that have been specifically assembled as a set for later use and are to be packaged together.

[0071] In Fig. 3Based on this, it is visualized how a total of six artificial front teeth are arranged as dental components 10 with the labial side facing downwards on the support surface 14 of the support element 16. The artificial teeth protrude beyond the edge of the support surface 14 on two opposite sides, i.e., top and bottom, wherein the dental components 10 arranged in this way each have a distance of approximately 5 millimeters from the surrounding base of the thermoform in the formed surrounding areas 18a, 18b.

[0072] The Fig. 3The arrangement shown was then encased in a plastic structure 22 using a thermoforming process. In the example shown, a plastic film with an average thickness of approximately 0.6 mm was used, which consisted essentially entirely of a copolyester (CAS: 261716-943). Thermoforming takes place at a temperature in the range of 160 to 200°C, thereby resulting in a packaging system 24 that has particularly good handling properties and, in particular, particularly good removal properties of the dental components 10.

[0073] The assembly obtained by thermoforming is in Fig. 4 shown, whereby the hatching indicates that the corresponding areas are different from the representation of the Fig. 3 are now coated with a plastic layer of the plastic structure 22.

[0074] Fig. 5Finally, shows the packaging system 24, which is based on the arrangement of the Fig. 4 can be obtained when the plastic structure 22 is lifted out of the thermoform, so that the carrier element remains in the thermoform. The view of the Fig. 5 is directed towards the presentation side of the artificial teeth, ie the side of the artificial teeth which is exposed, ie in the example shown the labial side. The packaging system 24 of the Fig. 5comprises six receiving recesses 26 in the plastic structure 22 and, as dental components 10, six corresponding artificial front teeth, each of which is arranged with its insertion side 28 in a form-fitting manner in the receiving recess 26 and is essentially completely covered by the plastic structure 22 in a form-fitting manner at the top and bottom in a surrounding area 18a, 18b, also on the presentation side 30 opposite the insertion side 28, so that they are fixed by the plastic structure 22. The artificial teeth can be removed reversibly and non-destructively from the respective receiving recesses 26 in the resulting packaging system 24 and, if necessary, reinserted into the receiving recesses 26, whereby an essentially complete reversible deformation of the plastic structure 22 occurs. List of reference symbols

[0075] 10Dental component 12Support side 14Support surface 16Three-dimensional support element 18a-bEnclosure area 20Flat-shaped plastic semi-finished product 22Plastic structure 24Packaging system 26Receiving recess 28Insertion side 30Presentation side

Claims

1. Method for packaging dental components (10), comprising the method steps: a) producing or providing a dental component (10), b) arranging the dental component (10) with a support side (12) on a support surface (14) of a three-dimensional carrier element (16), wherein the arrangement is carried out in such a manner that the dental component (10) projects beyond the edge of the support surface (14) on at least one side, forming a peripheral area (18a, 18b), c) producing or providing a sheet-like plastic semi-finished product (20) comprising a thermoplastic resin, d) forming the sheet-like plastic semi-finished product (20) in a thermoforming process for form closure of the dental component (10) in a plastic structure (22), wherein the forming is carried out in such a manner that the dental component (10) is surrounded in a form closure by the plastic structure (22) in the peripheral area (18a, 18b) on the support side (12) of the dental component (10), and e) separating the dental component (10) partially surrounded by the plastic structure (22) from the carrier element (16) to obtain a packaging system (24), wherein the packaging system (24) comprises the dental component (10) packaged in the plastic structure (22).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the dental component (10) is selected from the group consisting of milling blocks, dental prostheses, artificial teeth, and dental moldings.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the dental component (10) is an artificial tooth, wherein the support side (12) is the labial / buccal side of the artificial tooth.

4. Method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the method is performed simultaneously for two or more dental components (10), wherein the packaging system (24) comprises two or more packaged dental components (10).

5. Method according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the arrangement is such that the dental component (10) protrudes beyond the edge of the support surface (14) forming a first peripheral area (18a) on a first side and forming a second peripheral area (18b) on a second side.

6. Method according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the thermoplastic resin is selected from the group consisting of biobased thermoplastic resins and biodegradable thermoplastic resins.

7. Method according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sheet-like plastic semi-finished product (20) has a temperature in the region of 100 to 200 °C during forming.

8. Method according to any of claims 1 to 7, further comprising the method step: f) separating a partial area of the packaging system (24), wherein the partial area comprises the dental component (10) packaged in a portion of the plastic structure (22).

9. Method according to any of claims 1 to 8, further comprising the method step: g) applying a marking to the packaging system (24) or to a partial area of the packaging system (24).