STORAGE DEVICE AND METHOD OF STORING POWDER

Abstract

A storage device for powder used for treatment of a tooth, including a housing surrounding a storage volume, and a closable opening through which the storage volume is accessible, where the storage device has a tapered shape towards the opening, where within the storage volume a powder is accommodated, and the housing is made of a rigid material.

Claims

1. Storage device for powder used for treatment of a tooth, the storage device comprising: a housing surrounding a storage volume, and a closable opening through which the storage volume is accessible, wherein the storage device has a tapered shape towards the opening, wherein within the storage volume powder is accommodated, and wherein the housing is made of a rigid non-plastic material.

2. Storage device according to claim 1, wherein the rigid material is air tight and/or humidity tight.

3. Storage device according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a wall thickness of at least 0.05 mm.

4. Storage device according to claim 1, wherein the storage device has a cylindrical shape, wherein the opening is provided at one axial side of the cylindrical storage device, and wherein the opening is a circular opening and the diameter of the opening is in a range of 0.01 to 0.5 times the mean diameter of the cylindrical storage device.

5. Storage device according to claim 1, wherein the tapered shape is a at least a two staged tapered shape.

6. Storage device according to claim 1, wherein the rigid material is aluminum.

7. Storage device according to claim 1, wherein the opening has a spout such that the powder can be dispensed out of the storage device in a defined manner.

8. Storage device according to claim 1, wherein the storage device has a shape of a bottle.

9. Storage device according to claim 1, wherein the opening is covered by a sealing operculum.

10. Storage device according to claim 9, wherein the sealing opercula is made of aluminum.

11. Storage device according to claim 1, wherein the opening has a thread to which a dispensing device and/or a lid element can be screwed so as to releasably close the opening.

12. Storage device according to claim 1, wherein the storage device has collar surrounding the opening and protruding from the storage device.

13. Storage device according to claim 1, wherein the powder is a dental powder comprising sodium bicarbonate, glycine, calcium carbonate, aluminum trihydroxide, erythritol, hydroxylapatite, threhalose. or tagatose

14. Method of storing a powder used in treatment of tooth comprising: providing a storage device according to claim 1, having a rigid, non-plastic housing surrounding a storage volume, and an opening through which the storage volume is accessible and that can be closed by a lid element, filling the powder into the storage device, and closing the storage device in a hermetically manner.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of filling takes place under a predetermined humidity condition.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] In the drawings is:

[0052] FIG. 1 a sectional view of a storing device according to the present disclosure,

[0053] FIG. 2 perspective view of a storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,

[0054] FIG. 3 a sectional view of a storing device according to the present disclosure, and

[0055] FIG. 4 a sectional view of a storing device according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] FIG. 1 is a sectional view partly showing a storage device 1. Further, in FIG. 1 there are also depicted a dispensing cap 10 and a lid element 20 detached from the storage device. In the present embodiment the storage device 1 has the shape of a bottle and is made of aluminum. The storage device 1 is formed by a housing 2 surrounding a storage volume 3. The storage volume 3 accommodates powder (not depicted in the figures). An opening 4 is provided at an axial end of the storage device 1. In other words, the opening 4 is arranged such that it forms the lowest point of the storage device 1 if the storage device 1 is turned over.

[0057] Thus, the whole powder stored within the storage device 1 may be discharged. Further, the opening 4 has a collar 8 surrounding the opening 4 in a ring like manner and protruding away from the housing 2. Within the collar 8 an internal thread 7 is formed which is configured to be engaged with a corresponding external thread of the lid element 20 or of the dispensing cap 10. The housing 2 has a wall thickness of about 0.9 mm. Thus, a humidity tight housing 4 is provided that appropriately protects the powder within the storage volume 3 from being negatively influenced by humidity coming from the ambient air. The housing 2 has a tapered shape towards the opening 4. As a result, powder stored within the housing may be easily poured out of the opening 4 by inclining the storage device 1. Therefore, according to the present embodiment it is not necessary to deform the storage device in order to pour out the whole powder.

[0058] In a further, not depicted embodiment, the storage volume 3 includes ribs within the housing 4. The ribs are configured to guide the powder within the housing 2 in case the storage device 1 is inclined. As a result, the dispensing of the powder may be performed in a well controllable manner without the occurrence of powder flushes.

[0059] Further, in FIG. 1 there is shown the dispensing cap 10. The dispensing cap 10 is used to dispense powder out of the storage device 1 in a defined and regulated manner. That is, the dispensing cap 10 includes a powder passage for discharging powder and a ventilation passage for introducing air into the storage volume 3 during a dispensing process. The powder passage has a smaller cross section as compared to the opening 4. As a result, the powder can be dispensed in a regulable manner. Further, the dispensing cap includes an external thread that fits to the thread 7 of the collar 8. Hence, the dispensing cap 10 can be removably fixed to the storage device 10.

[0060] In addition, in FIG. 1 the lid element 20 for closing the opening 4 of the storage device 1 or the opening (i.e. the passages) of the dispensing cap 10 is depicted. That is, the lid element 20 has the same external thread as the dispensing cap 10 such that it can also be attached to the thread 8 of the collar 7.

[0061] Further, both the lid element 20 and the dispensing cap include a seal element, respectively. As a result, the storage device may be closed in a hermetically manner if the dispensing cap 10 and the lid element 20 or only the lid element 20 is attached to the storage device 1.

[0062] In FIG. 2 a perspective view of a further embodiment according to the present disclosure is shown. In the present embodiment the housing 2 has a different shape as compared to the previously described embodiment. That is, the housing 2 is tapered towards the opening 4 and towards a bottom of the storage device 1. In other words, the largest cross section of the storage volume is located at the half height of the storage device. In a further not depicted embodiment the largest cross section of the storage volume is located above the half height of the storage device if the storage device stands up right.

[0063] Further, in FIG. 2 the opening 4 is closed by a sealing operculum 6. In more detail, the storage device 1 depicted in FIG. 2 is sealed by means of the sealing operculum 6 directly after being filled with powder. As a result, the amount of vapor contacting the powder may be minimized. In the present embodiment, the sealing operculum 6 is attached to the opening 4 by means of an adhesive and/or application of heat. Thus, a sufficient sealing of the opening 4 is achieved. Further, sealing operculum 6 has a tear-off lip which allows an easy removement of the sealing operculum 6.

[0064] In FIG. 3 a sectional view of the storage device 1 according to a further embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the opening 4 is directly closed by the lid element 20. The lid element 20 includes the sealing means (i.e. a sealing ring) so as to hermetically seal the storage device 1. As a result, the powder stored within the storage volume 3 may be protected from humidity coming from the ambient air. Nevertheless, the storage device 1 may be occasionally used to dispense powder out of the storage volume. After the dispensing, the opening is closed again by the lid element 20 and the powder may be further stored without being deteriorated.

[0065] In FIG. 4 a sectional view of the storage device 1 according to a further embodiment is shown. The present embodiment differs from the above described embodiments in that the tapered shape towards the opening 4 is compounded of a first tapered portion 11 and a second tapered portion 12. The first tapered portion 11 is located adjacent to the opening 4.

[0066] The second tapered portion 12 is arranged directly adjacent to the first tapered portion 12. Both tapered portions 11, 12 have a curved shape in the cross section depicted in FIG. 4. As a result, between the first tapered portion 11 and the second tapered portion 12 an edge is located. In the present embodiment the curvature radius of the first tapered portion 11 and the second tapered portion 12 is the same. In a further not depicted embodiment the curvature radius of the first tapered portion 11 and the second tapered portion 12 differs. In this case, the curvature radius of the first tapered portion 11 is bigger as compared to that of the second tapered portion 12. As a result, the powder is discharged out of the storage device in a smooth and uniform manner.