Dental packaging and method for providing dental materials from the packaging.

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing dental material, comprising a compartment formed by first and second interconnected layers, and a well adjacent to this compartment in the first layer. The second layer partially overlaps the well. The apparatus includes a compartment for housing an applicator and a compliant mechanism in the compartment for articulating the apparatus along a fold. The apparatus is useful for the convenient use of dental material and may be relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for providing dental materials. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a kit that enable a dental composition to be stored within the apparatus and provided to a user in a convenient manner. The present disclosure further relates to a method of providing a dental composition from such an apparatus or kit.

Background Art

[0002] Various packages for containing and storing liquid and semi - liquid dental components and dental compositions have been proposed over the years. Examples of commonly used packages include cartridges, syringes or blister packages. Such packages are typically designed to provide a composition that can be easily dispensed, a composition that can be easily mixed, or to provide components individually for later mixing. There are also various single - use packages for providing an amount of composition suitable for a single treatment.

[0003] For example, U.S. Patent No. 6,105,761 discloses an apparatus for storing and dispensing a substance, including a container formed by two sheets interconnected by heat sealing. The sheets form a compartment for receiving a liquid and a pocket for receiving a brush. In the region between the compartment and the pocket, the connection between the sheets is released by pressure applied to the compartment to push the liquid from the compartment into the pocket and wet the tip of the brush disposed therein, including a predefined rupture zone.

[0004] German Patent No. 10009622 discloses a device for storing and dispensing a substance, which includes a container formed of two sheets interconnected by heat sealing and cooperating to form a compartment for receiving a liquid and a pocket for receiving a brush. The device is designed so that the liquid stored in the compartment can be pushed into the pocket and then pushed out onto a film sheet, where the liquid can be mixed.

[0005] European Patent No. 2231058 features an apparatus for providing dental material, comprising compartments formed by first and second interconnected layers, and wells adjacent to the compartments in the first layer. The second layer at least partially overlaps the wells. The apparatus further includes a pocket for housing an applicator.

[0006] Examples of certain dental or orthodontic products marketed by 3M Company, headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, include 3M® Adper® Prompt® L-Pop Adhesive, 3M® Transbond® L-Pop Adhesive, 3M® Clinpro L-Pop Blister, 3M® Unitek® Transbond® and Transbond® Plus Self Etching Primer, 3M® L-Pop Prime and Bond Adhesive, 3M® Adper® L-Pop Easy Bond Self-Etch Adhesive, 3M® L-Pop Single Bond Universal Adhesive, 3M® L-Pop Scotchbond® Universal and Universal® Plus Adhesive Unit Doses.

[0007] There is still a need for packaging that can be used to provide dental compositions for different applications. In particular, suitable packaging for providing relatively small quantities of compositions is desired. Furthermore, there is a need for packaging that can be used in healthcare fields such as dentistry, while meeting relevant hygiene requirements. There is also a general need for packaging that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and use. [Overview of the initiative]

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus for providing dental materials. This apparatus is It includes a compartment containing dental material and a well adjacent to the compartment, with a retractable seal placed between them. The material further includes a pocket for housing an applicator, the pocket including a receptacle partially enclosed by a cover, the cover including at least one compliant mechanism, each compliant mechanism being a hinge, notch, pivot, fold, scoreline, weakened section, line of concentrated stress, fragile section, perforation, bendable element, thinner section, section with lower strength coefficient, or a given slot, void or gap.

[0009] Preferably, the openable seal is adapted to form a path for guiding material from the compartment into the well when opened. The openable seal is typically formed by interconnected layers adapted to separate when at least one component of dental material is pressed between the layers in the area of ​​the seal.

[0010] In one embodiment, the device includes an open pocket for accommodating an applicator. The applicator may be a brush, sponge, spatula, swab, or any other applicator suitable for applying dental materials or components of dental materials.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the first and second layers are made of a multilayer film. In some embodiments, the first and second layers include a polymer layer and a metal layer (e.g., aluminum or steel). In other embodiments, the first and second layers are each polymer layers. In certain embodiments, the first and second layers are made of a multilayer film having a polyethylene outer layer. At least one of the first and second layers may include a multilayer foil containing an aluminum layer. Thus, the material can generally be inexpensive but can provide a relatively impermeable barrier.

[0012] In another embodiment, the apparatus of the Disclosure contains dental restorative materials, dental primers, dental cavity liners, dental cements, endodontic materials, dental varnishes, tooth desensitizers, tooth coatings, orthodontic adhesives, orthodontic primers, or orthodontic cements, or at least one of these components. The apparatus of the Disclosure may be used to store and dispense any number of liquid or semi-liquid compositions, such as seasonings, oils, or skincare compositions.

[0013] In another specific embodiment, the device may include a gripping area. The user can conveniently hold the device in the gripping area during use, for example, while mixing ingredients in a well or while removing ingredients from a well. The gripping area may be formed by extensions of one or both of the first and second layers. For example, a tab or flap may be formed by the layers of the device. The gripping area may be structured, for example, by a linear ridge structure.

[0014] The second aspect relates to a method for providing dental materials. The method is: A step of providing an apparatus, the apparatus comprising a compartment containing dental material and a well in fluid communication with the compartment, between which a first openable seal is positioned, the apparatus further comprising a pocket for housing an applicator, the pocket comprising a receptacle partially enclosed by a cover, the cover comprising at least one compliant mechanism, and The steps include: 1. In a compliant mechanism, 2. In a step, 3. In a step, 4. In a step, 5. In a step, 6. In a step, 7. In a step, 8. In a step, 9. In a step, 10. In a step, 10. In a step, 11. In a step, 11. In a step, 12 A step of opening the first openable seal, The process includes the step of compressing a compartment to distribute dental material onto a substrate.

[0015] In another embodiment, a method for providing dental materials is: A step of providing an apparatus, the apparatus comprising a compartment containing dental material and a well in fluid communication with the compartment, between which a first openable seal is positioned, the apparatus further comprising a pocket for housing an applicator, the pocket comprising a receptacle partially enclosed by a cover, the cover comprising at least one compliant mechanism, A step of opening the first openable seal, The process includes the step of compressing a compartment to distribute dental material into a well.

[0016] The method may include using a transparent area to evaluate the mixing quality of a mixture of components stored in the apparatus. The method may also include comparing the color of the mixture from the components stored in the apparatus to a reference color area on the apparatus.

[0017] The method of this disclosure may also include a step of mixing components in a well. The components may be transferred into the well with or without prior mixing in a compartment. In both cases, the user may mix the components to a desired degree or further mix them. The method may also include adding components from a source other than the apparatus, so that the user may mix the added components with the transferred composition in the well.

[0018] A third aspect of this disclosure relates to a kit of components. The kit includes an apparatus according to any embodiment of this disclosure and separate dental products selected from crowns, bridges, restoratives, implants, adhesives, instruments, sealants, toothpastes, mouthwashes, orthodontic brackets, and bands. The kit may further include instructions for using the apparatus of any embodiment of this disclosure in accordance with the method of any embodiment of this disclosure. Preferably, the kit includes multiple apparatuses according to any embodiment of this disclosure. The multiple apparatuses may each contain components exhibiting different properties, and as a result, a range of dental products may be provided within the kit. For example, the kit may include multiple apparatuses containing components of different shades.

[0019] The apparatus of this disclosure is advantageous in that it facilitates the variable preparation of materials provided by the apparatus for different applications, and a multitude of options for easily distributing these materials. Therefore, the apparatus can be used for a variety of different applications. The apparatus more preferably allows the user to adapt the composition and the method of distributing the composition according to personal preference. In addition, the apparatus is generally inexpensive to manufacture. Another advantage is that the apparatus is generally easy to use, for example, allowing for one-handed operation. Furthermore, the apparatus is advantageous in that it provides a relatively long shelf life for the contained materials.

[0020] In this application, terms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” are not intended to refer only to singular entities, but to include a general class for which specific examples may be used for illustrative purposes. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are used interchangeably with the term “at least one.” The phrases “at least one of” and “including at least one of” following a list refer to any one of the items in the list, and any combination of two or more items in the list.

[0021] As used herein, the term "or" is generally used in its ordinary sense, including "and / or," unless the content explicitly indicates otherwise. The term "and / or" means one or all of the enumerated elements, or any combination of two or more of the enumerated elements.

[0022] Furthermore, in this specification, all numbers are assumed to be modified by the term “about,” preferably by the term “exactly.” When used herein in relation to a measured quantity, the term “about” refers to the variation of the measured quantity that would be expected by a person skilled in the art who performs the measurement and exercises a level of care commensurate with the purpose of the measurement and the precision of the measuring instrument used. Also herein, an enumeration of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers contained within that range, as well as the endpoints (for example, 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, etc.).

[0023] When used herein as a modifier for a characteristic or attribute, the term “generally” means, unless otherwise specifically defined, that the characteristic or attribute is readily recognizable to a person skilled in the art, but does not require absolute precision or perfect agreement (e.g., within + / - 20% for quantifiable characteristics). The term “substantially” means, unless otherwise specifically defined, a high degree of approximation (e.g., within + / - 10% for quantifiable characteristics), but again, does not require absolute precision or perfect agreement. Terms such as “same,” “equal,” “uniform,” “constant,” and “strictly” are understood to mean within the range of normal tolerances or measurement errors applicable to a particular situation, rather than requiring absolute precision or perfect agreement.

[0024] The above summary of this disclosure is not intended to describe each embodiment or all practices disclosed herein. The following description more specifically illustrates exemplary embodiments. Guidance is provided in several places throughout this application through lists of examples, and these examples can be used in various combinations. In each example, the enumerated list serves only as a representative group and should not be construed as an exclusive list.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a plan view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] It is a bottom view of the apparatus of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is an end view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the base and cover of an embodiment of an apparatus including a plurality of layers. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of the apparatus in use according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view showing the use of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8A] It is a photograph of different stages of the use of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8B] It is a photograph of different stages of the use of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8C] It is a photograph of different stages of the use of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8D] It is a photograph of different stages of the use of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] It is a photograph of the use of a prior art apparatus lacking the compliant mechanism of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] It is a perspective side view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11A] It is a bottom view of an apparatus according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11B] It is a bottom view of an apparatus according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] <The figures identified above illustrate some embodiments of this disclosure, but other embodiments are also intended, as referred to in the modes for carrying out the invention. In all cases, this disclosure presents the invention representatively and not as an limitation. Many other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art and should be understood to be within the scope and spirit of the principles of the invention.

[0027] Detailed description of the drawing Figure 1 is a top view of apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 2 is a bottom view thereof. Apparatus 1 includes a compartment 7 for containing dental material (typically a fluid dental composition), a well 3 for receiving the material, and preferably an applicator 11 held in a pocket 10. The applicator 11 may generally be used to help release the seal between the compartment and the well, to mix the material or component in the compartment, to pick up the material from the well, to stir the material in the well, and / or to evaluate the properties of the material, such as its viscosity.

[0028] The apparatus may have two or more compartments for storing two or more materials, each. However, for clarity, Figure 1 shows an apparatus with only one compartment as an example.

[0029] The material stored in the apparatus may be transferred from compartment 7 to well 3 for further processing or use, or it may be dispensed directly from the compartment onto a desired surface. Since the well is partially covered and otherwise open, the user can observe the properties of the components in the well. Well 3 may be stored in a separate compartment of the apparatus (not shown in Figure 1) or can be used to receive further components that can be obtained from another source, such as a bottle. The material received in well 3 can be mixed to form a composition, for example, by using an applicator 11. Alternatively, the material may be used without intentional prior mixing. In the latter case, the components may be transferred from the compartment of the apparatus into the well, but generally remain unmixed. Thus, the well may contain zones that can receive initial components. However, the components may fuse, blend, or mix in areas that are in contact with each other. Zones of such blended components may consist of components in different proportions. In this case, an applicator may be used to pick up material from any zone. For example, if the apparatus contains components of different shades, various shades may be obtained from those different zones.

[0030] The fluid composition, preferably the fluid dental or orthodontic composition 80, is housed in compartment 7 (see Figure 6). Examples of the fluid dental composition 80 include adhesives, fluid composites, cements, liners, sealants, caries indicators, desensitizers, and caries-stopping solutions. Examples of the fluid orthodontic composition include adhesives, etching agents, primers, and attachment composites.

[0031] A dentist, orthodontist, dental hygienist, or any other professional assisting a dentist / orthodontist / hygienist (i.e., practitioner) may use the apparatus of this disclosure to specifically prepare dental materials according to the specific circumstances of a patient's mouth. The apparatus may allow the use of components, for example, as mixtures of components in different mixing ratios in their initial compositions when stored in the apparatus, or in combination with components added from sources other than the apparatus. The practitioner may prepare the dental material in a color similar to, for example, the color of the natural tooth being treated. The practitioner may also control the viscosity of the material. For example, the practitioner may use the material at a lower viscosity for smaller restorative or preparatory work where the material is useful for flowing into cracks and openings, and at a higher viscosity for applications such as filling larger cavities.

[0032] Figures 1 and 2 show apparatus 1 of the present disclosure. Some details shown in Figures 1 and 2 are further shown in Figure 3, which is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus in Figure 1 along line 3-3. Further details are shown in Figure 4, which is the opposite end of the cross-sectional view of apparatus 1 in Figure 1. Apparatus 1 has a base 2 (corresponding to the “first layer”) on which a ridge 4 and a well 3 (similarly in the form of a ridge) are arranged. The base 2 has a spread that is partially identical to that of a cover 6 (corresponding to the “second layer”). The cover 6 fully spans the ridge 4 to form a compartment 7, but only partially spans the well 3. The cover 6 ends with an edge 12 that forms a partial ledge over the well 3. The well 3 is left partially open, for example, so that it is visible and accessible to a user. The base 2 of apparatus 1 may have one or more further ridges to form two or more compartments, as described above. The first compartment 7 is formed by a portion of the base 2 having a first concave surface 16 and a portion of the cover 6 having a substantially flat surface 17 opposite the first concave surface 16. Similarly, the well 3 is formed by a portion of the base 2 having a second concave surface 18. Each concave surface 16, 17 is shown with respect to a side view along a horizontal axis A extending along the length of the apparatus 1. However, the description of the base and cover as “concave” or “convex” does not rule out the possibility that the layers change their curvature characteristics, particularly in the edge zones. The raised portion 4 (and therefore the compartment 7) is positioned along a longitudinal axis 5 substantially parallel to the length dimension “L” of the apparatus 1.

[0033] Compartments 7 and wells 3 are preferably formed to be rounded (e.g., circular or elliptical), but may be angular where appropriate (e.g., square, rectangular or triangular with rounded or sharp edges). The volume of the first compartment is typically in the range of 0.01 mL to about 3 mL, more specifically about 0.03 mL to about 1.5 mL.

[0034] The apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 further has a pocket 10 for housing an applicator 11. In this example, the pocket 10 is formed by a receptacle 13 on the base 2, the receptacle 13 is surrounded by a cover 6. The pocket may also be formed by, for example, simply providing an area where the base 2 and the cover 6 are generally not connected so that an applicator can be inserted, in which case the disconnected area is displaced to form the pocket. Alternatively, the pocket may be formed by forming a receptacle on the cover, or on both the cover and the base. The receptacle 13 is spaced apart from the compartment 7 and the well 3 along the width dimension "W" of the apparatus 1 and is positioned along an axis 15 substantially parallel to the raised axis 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the length of the receptacle is equal to or greater than the combined diameter of the well 3 and the length of the compartment 7, but this is not strictly necessary.

[0035] As best shown in Figure 5, the applicator 11 includes an applicator head 20 attached to the end of a handle 22. The handle 22 may include an optional grip support 23. The applicator 11 may further include an elongated neck 24 connecting the head 20 to the handle 22. The neck 24 may include a taper that decreases as it approaches the head 20 from the handle 22. At least the head 20 and typically a portion of the handle 22 are held within a pocket receptacle 13. The receptacle 13 is typically closed or sealed at one end 14.

[0036] The base 2 and cover 6 are interconnected by, for example, heat-sealing, cold-sealing, or ultrasonic welding, so that compartment 7 is sealed (preferably airtight) in its initial state. Thus, the apparatus 1 may be suitable for storing materials for relatively long periods of time to seal the material in compartment 7 against environmental conditions such as air or moisture that could cause material changes. The interconnection can generally include an indirect interconnection, meaning there is something between the base and the cover. For example, the base 2 and cover 6 may be interconnected with a primer, binder, adhesive, or other suitable material.

[0037] An exemplary sealing region 8 is shown by a dotted line in Figure 1. The sealing region 8 preferably provides a permanent seal, and the passage region 9 preferably provides a retractable seal. The terms “permanent” and “retractable” preferably refer to the bond strength between the base 2 and the cover 6. Preferably, the retractable seal (passage region 9) is adapted to be opened by applying pressure to the compartment, while the permanent seal (sealing region 8) remains sealed. The pressure is typically in the range of 5N to 70N, preferably in the range of 9N to 50N. The sealing region 8 and the passage region 9 preferably work together to provide an hermetically sealed compartment 7. The retractable seal more preferably allows the compartment 7 to be opened for use of the device.

[0038] Various approaches exist to provide a seal that is permanent in one area and openable in another. Preferably, such a differentiated seal (permanent / openable) is provided by sealing the base and cover using different sealing parameters. For example, the base 2 and cover 6 may be made of layers of material that can be heat-sealed together. To provide a permanent seal, the layers may be heat-sealed at a higher sealing temperature and / or a longer sealing time compared to, for example, an openable seal. This results in the area heat-sealed for a longer time and / or at a higher temperature obtaining a higher bond strength than the area heat-sealed for a shorter time and / or at a lower temperature. However, the base 2 and cover 6 in the different sealing areas may be interconnected using different types of adhesives that form different adhesive strengths with one or both of the interconnected parts. Different adhesive types may have different tackiness properties, so that the adhesive used for the openable seal breaks when a certain force is applied, while the other adhesive withstands that force. Alternatively, the connection of the first base 2 to the second layer 6 may be performed, for example, by a cold seal and / or ultrasonic welding using a sonotrode.

[0039] The base 2 and cover 6 may generally consist of flexible sheet-like material layers. Each layer may be a single, monolithic layer or a multilayer including multiple sub-layers. Each of the base 2 and cover 6 is preferably a laminated foil, which is typically made from both a plastic layer and a metal foil. These two are sealed to each other in a peelable manner. Recessed ridges and wells may be deep-drawn into the material layer used for the base 2 and therefore may be flexible or deformable. The layers may form a diffusion or permeation barrier between the compartment and the environment to prevent components of the stored components from escaping through the layer by permeation, for example. This may allow for the storage of components containing rather volatile components (such as some solvents) over relatively long periods of time. In other embodiments, the base 2 and cover 6 are cold-formed to provide the design described above. For example, cold forming may include placing layers 2 and 6 containing metal foil in a die, and compressing the two layers together into what is formed by the die while the metal in the die is below room temperature or the recrystallization temperature of the metal foil, thereby forming a desired shape or structure within the layers.

[0040] Figure 5 shows a typical sealing portion of apparatus 1 having a base 2 and a cover 6, each containing sublayers of multiple materials. As shown, both the base 2 and the cover 6 have three sublayers. The cover 6 has an upper layer 46, and the base 2 has a bottom layer 56. Both layers 46 and 56 may be made of transparent material. Examples of materials suitable for the transparent material of layers 46 and 56 include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVA), acrylonitrile, COC (cyclic olefin copolymer), and PVDF (polyvinyl fluoride). The cover 6 includes a foil layer 48 adjacent to the uppermost layer 46. The base 2 has a foil layer 58. The intermediate foil layers 48 and 58 are metal foils, preferably aluminum. The cover 6 may include a film or seal layer 50, while the base 2 also includes a film or seal layer 60. Examples of suitable films or sealing layers 50 and 52 include polymer films and / or adhesive films. Examples of suitable sealing layers include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVA).

[0041] The multilayer structure in Figure 5 can be achieved by lamination, calendering, and lamination of various layers, including single layers, and, where appropriate, by vapor deposition of a metal such as aluminum. Depending on the application area and desired deformability, layers 2 and 6 may be stretched or unstretched before operation of apparatus 1. The layers may be selected from plastic layers, metal foils, and ceramic sheets. Suitable plastic layers include, for example, PE, PP, PET, PA, PBT, PVC, EVA, and PVDF. Suitable metal foils include, for example, aluminum (Al), tin (Sn), gold (Au), silver (Ag), and iron (Fe)-based materials such as steel. Suitable ceramic sheets should be understood to mean, for example, layers containing SiOx or AlOx.

[0042] Figure 6 shows the apparatus as it is typically used to transfer components stored in compartment 7 to well 3. The raised section 4 is compressed by the user so that sufficient pressure is generated within compartment 7 to release a seal that can be opened by separating the base 2 and cover 6 in the passage area 9 (shown in Figure 1). The passage area 9 is confined by the seal area 8, and as a result, the base 2 and cover 6, when separated, form a flow channel 9' between compartment 7 and the well. Further deformation of the raised section 4 can push the composition 80 from compartment 7 through the flow channel 9' into well 3. The user may first mix or knead the composition before releasing the seal. For example, the user can deform the raised section in different areas without applying force to release the seal, thereby agitating the composition in compartment 7. This may be advantageous when used with components that tend to separate during storage.

[0043] Figure 7 illustrates the potential uses of the applicator 11. As shown, the applicator can be used to agitate the material in the well, for example, to mix a component stored in the apparatus, supplied in this example from a bottle (as shown), but which may be stored in another compartment of the apparatus (not shown). By agitating the material in the well, the user can also evaluate the properties of the material, such as viscosity, color, or mixing quality.

[0044] Returning to Figures 2 and 4, the device 1 may also be used to dispense dental material (e.g., fluid composition 80) directly from compartment 7 without needing to remain in well 3. For this purpose, the receptacle 13 includes a compliant mechanism 30 that establishes a hinge or articulation axis 31. The compliant mechanism 30 is located in a portion near the edge 12 of the cover 6 and has the same extent as the well 3 and a small portion of the passage area 9. The articulation axis 31 established by the compliant mechanism 30 is substantially parallel to the edge 12 of the cover 6 overhanging well 3 and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 15 of the receptacle 13. The compliant mechanism 30 allows and facilitates bending of the device around the articulation axis 31 to expose the passage area 9 and, in some embodiments, breaks an openable seal that separates compartment 7 from well 3 to create a functional flow path 9'. When the channel 9' is opened, the device 1 can be operated, typically by finger pressure on compartment 7, to distribute the dental composition onto a target surface (e.g., a glove or a tooth).

[0045] A suitable compliant mechanism for achieving articulated jointing of base 2 and cover 6 includes hinges, notches, pivots, folds, scorelines, weakened sections, lines of concentrated stress, fragile sections, perforations, bendable elements, thinner sections, sections with lower strength coefficients, or predetermined slots, voids, or gaps. In the illustrated embodiments and certain currently preferred embodiments, the compliant mechanism is a notch or fold. The notch or fold has a substantially V-shaped or U-shaped cross-section, with the apex of the V-shape or U-shape forming the bottom 32 of the notch or fold. The depth of the notch or fold is not critical, but is typically shallow enough to allow the applicator 11 to be held in the pocket 10 after the compliant mechanism has been formed in cover 6. An exemplary notch or fold is 5 to 50%, preferably 10 to 30%, of the height of the applicator receptacle 13 (measured from the outer surface 13a of the cover). As a further advantage, the notch or fold can help hold the applicator 11 in the pocket by applying slight pressure to the handle 20.

[0046] In the currently preferred embodiment, the compliant mechanism 30 is confined to the area of ​​the receptacle 13, in that no structural features defining the compliant mechanism are found elsewhere on the base 2 or cover 6. Surprisingly, despite the limited footprint, the compliant mechanism 30 located only on the receptacle 13 is sufficient to reduce the beam strength of the base 2 and cover 6 and to allow the entire device 1 to bend / fold around the articulation axis 31. In other words, the device 1 can be bent or otherwise articulated over all or substantially the entire width dimension W, while the fold line remains substantially parallel to the cover edge 12. To further aid the articulation of the device 1, the cover 6 and base 2 may not be sealed or otherwise connected in areas parallel to or adjacent to the articulation axis 31.

[0047] Figures 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d illustrate the apparatus 1 at different stages of use while utilizing the compliant mechanism. Figure 8a shows the initial stage of the apparatus 1 with the applicator detached from the receptacle 13 and slightly bent around the articular axis 31. Figure 8b shows further bending of the apparatus 1 around the articular axis 31, provided by the compliant mechanism 30. As previously referenced, this bend forms a fold 38 across the width W of the apparatus 1, substantially parallel to the articular axis and / or the edge 12 of the cover 6. As the apparatus is further bent, as shown in Figure 8c, the well 3 is displaced from the passage region 9 and rotates near the upper surface 2a of the base 2. In some embodiments, this additional bend opens the sealing region 8, although this is not strictly necessary. With well 3 realigned, the user can operate compartment 7 to open or further open the channel 9' and distribute the composition 80 onto the target surface 90, in this case onto a medical glove (Figure 8d). Optionally (but not shown here), the user can completely remove the portion of the device containing the wells along the fold 38.

[0048] The overlapping edge 12 with well 3 may also be raised to help prevent composition 80 from flowing onto cover 6 and / or base 2. The overlapping edge 12 may further provide a spatula-like blade for scraping off excess material from the target surface 90 or for any subsequent surface on which composition 80 is placed.

[0049] In the absence of a compliant mechanism and defined articulated axes, devices otherwise fabricated according to this disclosure tend to bend along folds that cut through the passage area at an acute or obtuse angle with respect to the long axis of the device. This tendency is illustrated in the photograph in Figure 9. As shown in device 1 at the top of the photograph, the base 2 and receptacle lack any compliant mechanism. An attempt to fold such device 1 at the receptacle 13 results in a fold 38 that intersects compartment 7 and crosses the passage area at an obtuse angle with respect to the device axis. A fold that is not substantially perpendicular to the compartment axis 5 can make the formation of a flow path more difficult and may hinder the distribution of the composition within compartment 7.

[0050] The apparatus of the present disclosure may include two or more compliant mechanisms to help distribute the composition within the compartment and hold the applicator in the pocket. One such exemplary apparatus is shown in a side view in Figure 10. Apparatus 100 has a base 102 on which a protrusion 104 and a well 103 (similarly in the form of a protrusion) are arranged. Apparatus 100 further has a pocket 110 for housing an applicator 111. In this example, the pocket 110 is formed by a receptacle 113 in the base 102, and the receptacle 113 is surrounded by a cover 106. Considerations of the elements of apparatus 1 are applied mutatis mutandis to the corresponding elements of apparatus 100, which are described in detail above.

[0051] The receptacle 113 includes a first compliant mechanism 130 and a second compliant mechanism 134. The first and second compliant mechanisms may be of the same form (e.g., both notches or folds) or they may be different. The first compliant mechanism 130 is positioned adjacent to the edge 112 of the cover 106 and defines a first articular axis. Similar to the articular axis 31, the first articular axis is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 114 of the receptacle 113 and substantially parallel to the cover edge 112. The first compliant mechanism 130 is primarily used to fold the device 100 in a manner similar to that shown in Figures 8a to 8d.

[0052] The second compliant mechanism 133 is located on the cover 106 closer to the closed end 114 of the receptacle 113. The second compliant mechanism 133 forms a second articular axis substantially parallel to the first articular axis. The second articular axis extends through compartment 107. When the applicator 111 is housed in the pocket 110, the compliant mechanism forms a projection that engages with the applicator head 122 where the applicator head 122 transitions to the handle 120. The engagement of the compliant mechanism 133 with the applicator 111 prevents accidental removal of the applicator 111 from the pocket 110 and allows the user to manipulate the compartment to squeeze out the dental composition through the passage area 109.

[0053] Figures 11a and 11b show a modified example of the apparatus 100 including a third compliant mechanism 135. The third compliant mechanism 135 may be the same form as either or both of the first compliant mechanism 130 or the second compliant mechanism 133, or it may be completely different. In the currently preferred embodiment shown, the first, second, and third compliant mechanisms 130, 133, and 135 are notches or folds, respectively. The third compliant mechanism 135 can be used to form a stop for the applicator head 122 (Figure 11a), so that the applicator 111 does not break the end portion 115 of the receptacle 113, or can provide additional leverage on the applicator neck 124 (Figure 11b). Regardless of its position on the cover, the articular axis of the third compliant mechanism 135 is substantially parallel to the articular axis 131 and typically intersects a portion of compartment 107.

[0054] The apparatus of this disclosure may be formed to have a transparent area. Such a transparent area may allow the user to see the contents of the apparatus. Thus, the user may use the transparent area to evaluate, for example, the mixing quality of the contents. The base may be opaque, in which case the contents of the apparatus may be evaluated with the base as a background. The base may also be configured to provide a specific background behind one or both of the transparent areas of the cover. The base may further be transparent in at least the area behind the transparent areas of the cover. Thus, the contents of the apparatus may be evaluated using transmitted light.

[0055] Two embodiments illustrate how a transparent area may be incorporated into the apparatus of the present disclosure. In some cases, the transparent area and the cover may be obtained from separate parts having different properties. The cover may be made from a foil containing an opaque aluminum layer. The area may be removed from the foil and then re-closed by the transparent area. For example, the transparent area may circumferentially overlap the removal area, and the overlapping areas may be heat-sealed to each other. Alternatively, the transparent area may be part of the cover. For example, the cover may be color-printed or coated with aluminum, and the printing or coating may be recessed to form the transparent area. The apparatus of the present disclosure may have, for example, a color reference area representing a particular hue. Thus, a user can control the hue of the material by mixing components of different hues and comparing the color of the reference area with the color of the mixture.

[0056] The apparatus of this disclosure may be used with various applicators such as brushes, spatulas, and swabs.

[0057] The patents, patent documents, and patent applications referenced herein are incorporated in whole by reference as if each were individually incorporated by reference. While specific embodiments of the Disclosure have been shown and described herein, it should be understood that these embodiments are merely examples of many possible specific configurations that can be devised in application of the principles of the Disclosure. Those skilled in the art can devise numerous other configurations in accordance with these principles without departing from the spirit and scope of the Disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the Disclosure should not be limited to the structures described in this application, but only to the structures described by the language of the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. Apparatus for providing dental material, comprising a compartment containing the dental material and a well adjacent to the compartment, between which an openable seal is disposed, the apparatus further comprising a pocket for housing an applicator, the pocket comprising a receptacle partially enclosed by a cover, the cover comprising at least one compliant mechanism, each compliant mechanism being a hinge, notch, pivot, fold, scoreline, weakened portion, line of concentrated stress, fragile portion, perforation, bendable element, thinner portion, portion having a lower strength coefficient, or a predetermined slot, void or gap.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each compliant mechanism is a notch or a fold.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising the applicator held in the pocket.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the compartment is formed by interconnected first and second layers, the second layer defining the cover and including an end edge that extends over a portion of the well and forms a portion of the pocket.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first layer comprises a polymer layer, a metal layer, or a combination thereof, and the second layer comprises a polymer layer, a metal layer, or a combination thereof.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first layer comprises a polymer layer having the same extent as the metal layer, and the second layer comprises a polymer layer having the same extent as the metal layer.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the metal layer comprises aluminum.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first compliant mechanism among the one or more compliant mechanisms is limited to the cover.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first compliant mechanism is located in a section of the cover having the same extent as a portion of the well.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fold of the compliant mechanism is elongated and its axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the applicator receptacle.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover includes a terminal edge that protrudes from a portion of the well, and the first compliant mechanism is positioned parallel to the terminal edge.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a flow path between the compartment and the well, which is formed when the first seal is opened.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first compliant mechanism is located in a section of the cover having the same extent as a portion of the flow path.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the at least one compliant mechanism includes a first compliant mechanism and a second compliant mechanism, both of which are limited to a pocket cover.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the second compliant mechanism is located in part of the cover.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising the applicator in the pocket, wherein the second compliant mechanism in the cover forms a projection that engages with the surface of the applicator.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pocket extends along a first longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis of the compartment.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the openable seal is formed of interconnected layers adapted to separate when at least one component of the dental material is pressed between the layers in the area of ​​the seal.

19. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, comprising at least one component from among dental restorative materials, dental primers, dental cavity liners, dental cements, endodontic materials, dental varnishes, tooth desensitizers, tooth coatings, orthodontic adhesives, orthodontic primers, or orthodontic cements.

20. A method for providing dental materials, A step of providing an apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes a compartment containing the dental material and a well in fluid communication with the compartment, between which a first openable seal is disposed; the apparatus further includes a pocket for housing an applicator, the pocket includes a receptacle partially enclosed by a cover, the cover includes at least one compliant mechanism; The compliant mechanism includes the step of causing the device to move jointly, The steps include opening the first openable seal, A method comprising the step of compressing the compartment in order to distribute the dental material onto a substrate.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the well is connected to the compartment via a channel formed when the first openable seal is opened, and compressing the compartment distributes the dental material through the channel.

22. The method according to any one of claims 20 or 21, wherein the opening of the first openable seal is caused by articulating the device.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the section is formed by interconnected first and second sheet-like layers.

24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising using a portion of the second layer to spread at least a portion of the dental material onto the substrate.

25. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein the openable seal is formed by interconnected layers adapted to separate when at least one component of the dental material is pressed between the layers in the area of ​​the seal.

26. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein the first compliant mechanism among the one or more compliant mechanisms is limited to the cover.

27. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 26, wherein the apparatus further comprises a second compliant mechanism located on a portion of the cover.

28. The method according to claim 28, wherein an applicator is further provided in the pocket, and the second compliant mechanism in the cover forms a projection that engages with the surface of the applicator.

29. A method for providing dental materials, A step of providing an apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes a compartment containing the dental material and a well in fluid communication with the compartment, between which a first openable seal is disposed; the apparatus further includes a pocket for housing an applicator, the pocket includes a receptacle partially enclosed by a cover, the cover includes at least one compliant mechanism; The steps include opening the first openable seal, A method comprising the step of compressing the compartment in order to distribute the dental material into the well.

30. The method according to claim 29, further comprising separating the well from the apparatus.

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