NZ292639A - Compartmented tray with disposable overlying liner conforming to tray, typically for dental work - Google Patents

Description

New Zealand No. 292639 International No. PCT/NZ95/00082 TO BE ENTERED AFTER ACCEPTANCE AND PUBLICATION Priority dates 05 09 1994, Complete Specification Filed 05 09 1995 Classification (6) A61B19/02, B65D1/34,36,38, B65D25/16 Publication date 26 August 1998 Journal No 1431 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Title of Invention: Tray and disposable liner therefor Name, address and nationality of applicant(s) as in international application form: STEPHEN GILBERT DUNCAN, a New Zealand citizen of 11 Lynwood Avenue, Maori Hill, Dunedin, New Zealand 1 TRAY AND DISPOSABLE LINER THEREFOR TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a tray and disposable liner. The invention relates particularly 5 to the types of tray employed by dental professionals to hold the various instruments, equipment and chemical compounds used during dental procedures BACKGROUND ART Dental work requires a dental professional to have both hands free when treating a 10 patient. As a result, an apparatus is required to hold the variety of instruments such as mirrors, picks and scrapers in addition to absorbent pads and the various chemical compounds which are used during dental treatment. The apparatus preferably also provides a surface or surfaces for mixing solutions. The apparatus is usually in the form of a tray which must be capable of holding the various instruments and equipment in such a way that the dental professional can 15 readily select them for use as required.

To prevent cross-infection during dental procedures all items used in the mouth must have been sterilised or be disposable and where possible this should include all surfaces contacted by these items prior to or during their use. To clean and sterilise large items or surfaces such as dental trays between each patient is not cost effective and is often impossible 20 In an attempt to eliminate the time and expense spent sterilising and cleaning trays between treatments, various disposable dental trays have been devised. However, as the essential function of a dental tray is to provide support for dental instruments and equipment, it must be constructed to be relatively rigid. Therefore, these so called disposable trays are usually constructed of relatively thick material, which is usually a moulded plastics material, to 25 provide reinforcing and strength. Due to the relatively solid construction of these trays, they are not particularly disposable in nature. They cannot always be easily destroyed or discarded, and as they incorporate a substantial amount of plastics material they may be relatively expensive, particularly as they are only intended for a single use. Also, because of their thick construction they can create packing and storage problems for a dental professional who may 30 wish to purchase several hundred at one time An example of a prior art disposable dental tray is given by US Patent 4,852,738. That tray has an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments separated by raised portions and a lower surface which is substantially complementary to the upper surface The compartments are adapted to receive a plurality of dental instruments and accessories. 35 A similar type of disposable dental tray is disclosed in French Patent Publication 2,646,770. However, in this case the tray forms part of a pack which includes dental instruments in the tray and a plastics film sealed over the tray to maintain sterility of the upper # surface of the tray and the instruments until the film is removed for use of the tray and instruments.

To avoid having to dispose of the tray after a single use, tray and liner combinations have been devised where it is the liner that is disposed of after a single use. The advantage of thi s 5 is that the liner may use less material in its manufacture and be less expensive than the tray. Prior art tray and liner combinations comprise a flat-bottomed tray having upstanding peripheral walls and a liner having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments separated by raised portions and a lower surface which is substantially complementary to the upper surface. The liner fits within the tray; being supported by the bottom and the walls of 10 the tray. However, because the tray is flat-bottomed, the raised portions of the liner receive no direct support from the tray. That means that if the liner is not sufficiently strong, these raised portions of the liner can be deformed or crushed when the tray and liner are being used. The liner can be made thicker and stronger to reduce or prevent this problem but then the liner uses more material in its construction which adds to its cost and means greater waste of 15 material. The aforementioned French Patent Publication 2,646,770 also discloses this type of tray and liner combination. In addition, this type of tray and liner is available in the United States from Henry Schein, Inc.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 20 It is an object of the present invention to provide a tray and disposable liner which will avoid the difficulties outlined above and/or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice. The present invention avoids the need for extensive cleaning and sterilisation between dental treatments by providing a dental tray with a thin disposable liner The construction of the preferred liner is such that it can easily be discarded and is also cheaper and therefore more 25 disposable in nature than the tray In a first aspect, the present invention consists in an apparatus comprising a substantially rigid tray and a separate substantially semi-rigid and liquid impervious disposable liner therefor, the tray having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments completely separated from each other by one or more raised portions, and the liner having an upper surface 30 having a plurality of recessed compartments separated by one or more raised portions substantially corresponding to the compartments and raised portions of the tray, and a lower surface substantially complementary to the upper surfaces of the tray and the liner whereby the lower surface of the liner can be separably nested on the upper surface of the tray in a substantially complementary fit. - - , Or r'Z 2rJ «. 'f( I"-- f j In a second aspect, the present invention consists in an apparatus comprising a substantially rigid tray and a separate substantially semi-rigid and liquid impervious disposable liner therefor, the tray having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments completely separated from each other by one or more raised portions, and 5 the liner having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments separated by one or more raised portions substantially corresponding to the compartments and raised portions of the tray, and a lower surface substantially complementary to the upper surfaces of the tray and the liner whereby the lower surface of the liner can be separably nested on , the upper surface of the tray in a substantially complementary fit, wherein at least one of 10 the recessed compartments in each of the tray and the liner has instrument supporting means for supporting elongated instruments in a position raised above a floor of the compartment, the instrument supporting means comprising two spaced apart ridges from the floor, each ridge having a series of indentations along its length whereby an elongated instrument can be placed across both ridges, in an indentation in each ridge, to be supported thereby. 15 In another aspect, the present invention consists in an apparatus comprising a substantially rigid tray and a separate substantially semi-rigid and liquid impervious disposable liner therefor, the tray having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments completely separated from each other by one or more raised portions, and the liner having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments separated by 20 one or more raised portions substantially corresponding to the compartments and raised portions of the tray, and a lower surface substantially complementary to the upper surfaces of the tray and the liner whereby the lower surface of the liner can be separably nested on the upper surface of the tray in a substantially complementary fit, wherein the liner has recess means to support dental burs in a generally upright manner from the upper surface 25 of the liner.

In a further aspect, the present invention consists in an apparatus comprising a substantially rigid tray and a separate substantially semi-rigid and liquid impervious disposable liner therefor, the tray having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments completely separated from each other by one or more raised portions, said 30 compartments comprising at least one elongated compartment capable of receiving at least one elongated dental or surgical instrument within the compartment, and at least one other compartment which is not capable of receiving a said elongated instrument but which is adapted for containing liquid or solid compounds or for receiving wastes,.; and the liner 2 a r:.3 - r « ' " t having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments separated by one or more raised portions substantially corresponding to the compartments and raised portions of the tray, and a lower surface substantially complementary to the upper surfaces of the tray and the liner whereby the lower surface of the liner can be separably nested on the 5 upper surface of the tray in a substantially complementary fit with the liner completely covering the upper surface of the tray.

The present invention also consists in a liner for use with a separate, substantially rigid tray having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments completely separated from each other by one or more raised portions, the liner having an upper surface 10 having a plurality of recessed compartments separated by one or more raised portions substantially corresponding to the compartments and raised portions of the tray, and a lower surface substantially complementary to the upper surfaces of the tray and the liner whereby the lower surface of the liner can be separably nested on the upper surface of the tray in a substantially complementary fit, said liner being substantially semi-rigid, liquid 15 impervious and disposable.

In a still further aspect, the present invention consists in a liner for use with a separate, substantially rigid tray having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments completely separated from each other by one or more raised portions, the liner having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments separated by one 20 or more raised portions substantially corresponding to the compartments and raised portions of the tray, and a lower surface substantially complementary to the upper surfaces of the tray and the liner whereby the lower surface of the liner can be separably nested on the upper surface of the tray in a substantially complementary fit, wherein at least one of the recessed compartments of the liner has instrument supporting means for supporting 25 elongated instruments in a position raised above a floor of the compartment, the instrument supporting means comprising two spaced apart ridges raised from the floor, each ridge having a series of indentations along its length whereby an elongated instrument can be placed across both ridges, in an indentation in each ridge, to be supported thereby, said liner being substantially semi-rigid, liquid impervious and disposable. 30 In another aspect, the present invention consists in a liner for use with a separate, substantially rigid tray having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments completely separated from each other by one or more raised portions, the liner having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments separated by one or more raised L j "| n n >• " " j 1 2 * j--! portions substantially corresponding to the compartments and raised portions of the tray, and a lower surface substantially complementary to the upper surfaces of the tray and the liner whereby the lower surface of the liner can be separably nested on the upper surface of the tray in a substantially complementary fit, wherein the liner has recess means to support dental burs in a generally upright manner from the upper surface of the liner, said liner being substantially semi-rigid, liquid impervious and disposable.

In a still further aspect, the present invention consists in a liner for use with a separate substantially rigid tray, the tray having an upper surface of predetermined size and shape having a plurality of recessed compartments completely separated from each other by one or more raised portions, said compartments comprising at least one elongated compartment capable of receiving at least one elongated dental or surgical instrument within the compartment, and at least one other compartment which is not capable of receiving a said elongated instrument but which is adapted for containing liquid or solid compounds or for receiving wastes; the liner having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments separated by one or more raised portions substantially corresponding to the compartments and raised portions of the tray, and a lower surface substantially complementary to the upper surfaces of the tray and the liner whereby the lower surface of the liner can be separably nested on the upper surface of the tray in a substantially complementary fit with the liner completely covering the upper surface of the tray, said liner being substantially semi-rigid, liquid impervious and disposable.

MI KB Both the tray and the liner are preferably made of a plastics material, an opaque, preferably white, plastics material such as polystyrene being preferred for the tray and a liquid-impervious, transparent plastics material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) being preferred for the liner.

The tray will usually be thicker than the liner, for exampljfhaving a thickness of up to about 3 mm whereas the tray has a thickness of up to about 200 microns.

The complementary fit between the lower surface of die liner and the upper surface of the tray is preferably a substantially frictionless fit to facilitate easy nesting of the liner on the tray and easy removal of the liner from the tray.

The preferred liners are nestable together iof stacking in packs of liners for sale or storage. The preferred trays are similarly nestabWtogether for stacking in packs of trays and therefore have their bottom surfaces shaped Substantially complementary to their upper surfaces.

The liner may be provided with a ^fd which may be a separate lid or an integrally hinged lid.

Preferably the recessed compartments of the upper surface of the liner, which substantially correspond to the recessed compartments of the upper surface of the tray, are shaped to be suitable for holding dental instruments and equipment and, optionally, for storing and mixing solid and liquid/compounds used during dental procedures. The recessed compartments may comprise^a plurality of substantially rectangular recessed compartments and/or a plurality of substantially semi-spherical recessed compartments. "Semi-spherical" includes but is not limbed to hemispherical. Preferably there is at least one substantially rectangular recessed/compartment and at least one substantially semi-spherical recessed compartment, ancLmore preferably at least two of each.

Preferably^there is at least one substantially rectangular compartment which has instrument supporting means for supporting elongated instruments m a position raised above the bottonyof the compartment. The supporting means may comprise two spaced apart ridges, each having a series of indentations along its length whereby an elongated instrument can be/laced across both ridges, in an indentation m each ridge, to be supported thereby.

The recessed compartments will usually occupy a substantial part of the upper surface oMhe tray and liner and the raised portions between the compartments generally comprise ridges. The preferred liner has means to support dental burs m a generally upright manner. This is preferably provided by at least one of the ridges between the recessed compartments of the liner having a plurality of recesses to support dental burs. These recesses may be staggered on each side of the ridge to ease retrieval of dental-burs when '' w"'- 1 • f < VJt t , supported thereby. G.~ rU ;! 2 2:::3 j: Both the tray and the liner are preferably made of a plastics material, an opaque, preferably white, plastics material such as polystyrene being preferred for the tray and a liquid-impervious, transparent plastics material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) being preferred for the liner.

The tray will usually be thicker than the liner, for example having a thickness of up to about 3 mm whereas the liner has a thickness of up to about 200 microns, and preferably from 100 microns to 200 microns.

The complementary fit between the lower surface of the liner and the upper surface of the tray is preferably a substantially frictionless fit to facilitate easy nesting of the liner on the tray and easy removal of the liner from the tray.

The preferred liners are nestable together for stacking in packs of liners for sale or storage. The preferred trays are similarly nestable together for stacking in packs of trays and therefore have their bottom surfaces shaped substantially complementary to their upper surfaces.

The liner may be provided with a lid which may be a separate lid or an integrally 15 hinged lid.

Preferably the recessed compartments of the upper surface of the liner, which substantially correspond to the recessed compartments of the upper surface of the tray, are shaped to be suitable for holding dental instruments and equipment and, optionally, for storing and mixing solid and liquid compounds used during dental procedures The recessed 20 compartments may comprise a plurality of substantially rectangular recessed compartments and/or a plurality of substantially semi-spherical recessed compartments. "'Semi-spherical" includes but is not limited to hemispherical. Preferably there is at least one substantially rectangular recessed compartment and at least one substantially semi-spherical recessed compartment, and more preferably at least two of each.

Preferably there is at least one substantially rectangular compartment which has instrument supporting means for supporting elongated instruments in a position raised above the bottom of the compartment. The supporting means may comprise two spaced apart ridges, each having a series of indentations along its length whereby an elongated instrument can be placed across both ridges, in an indentation in each ridge, to be supported thereby. 30 The recessed compartments will usually occupy a substantial part of the upper surface of the tray and liner and the raised portions between the compartments generally comprise ridges. The preferred liner has recess means to support dental burs in a generally upright manner. This is preferably provided by at least one of the ridges between the recessed compartments of the liner having a plurality of recesses to support dental burs. These 35 recesses may be staggered on each side of the ridge to ease retrieval of dental burs when supported thereby.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples, wherein: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred form of tray and disposable liner, the 5 liner being shown raised clear of the tray; Figure 2 shows a top plan view of the liner; Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the liner (being a cross-section on III-III of Figure 2) nested upon the tray which is also shown in cross-section; Figure 4 shows a detailed cross-section of the liner (being a cross-section on A-A of 10 Figure 2); Figure 5 shows a perspective view of another preferred form of tray and disposable liner, the liner being shown slightly raised above the tray; and Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a tray and liner similar to that shown in Figure 5 except that the liner has a lid hinged at one side thereof.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Some preferred forms of the tray and disposable liner will now be described with reference to the embodiments shown m the drawings. Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a dental tray 10 with a disposable liner 11. As illustrated, the liner 11 20 is designed to fit directly on top of the tray 10 and in this way is used to support dental equipment and materials during dental procedures. The liner 11 can then be replaced after each treatment. A typical tray and liner may each have a length of about 323 mm and a width of about 235 mm.

The tray 10 has an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments 12 25 separated by raised portions 13. The tray 10 should be constructed to be substantially rigid and a moulded, substantially rigid plastics material is most suitable. In a preferred form, the tray 10 is made of an opaque plastics material which, when the lmer is made of transparent material, as is preferred, provides a contrasting background for instruments 22 such as the one shown when placed on the liner-fitted tray, enabling a user to readily select instruments 30 as required. As the tray 10 must provide support for the liner 11 and ultimately for the instruments 22 and equipment which are being used, it must be constructed of a plastics material of a nature and thickness which provides the necessary rigidity. The tray is preferably constructed of polystyrene and is preferably up to about 3 mm in thickness, being most preferably in the range from about 2 mm to about 3 mm. This relatively rigid 35 construction enables the tray 10 to be reused many times before it needs to be replaced.

The liner 11 also has an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments 12 , ' » i K separated by raised portions 13. These substantially correspond with the1 compartments and raised portions of the upper surface of the tray. In the drawings like parts of the tray and the liner are generally given like numbering. The shape of the lower surface of the liner is substantially complementary to that of the upper surface of the liner 11 and therefore that lower surface is also substantially complementary to the upper surface of the tray 10. This 5 enables the liner to nest on the tray, the recessed compartments of the liner fitting within the substantially corresponding recessed compartments of the tray as shown in Figure 3. To facilitate this nesting, the walls 30 of the recessed compartments of the liner and of the tray are angled inwardly, for example by 10-15°, towards the bottoms 31 of the compartments. This feature is also shown in Figure 3. An advantage of this feature is that it allows a 10 plurality of liners to be nested together for packing, whether in lots for sale or for storage. If the walls of the compartments should be substantially vertical then the compartments of the liner need to be made a little smaller than those of the tray in order to fit within them and allow the liner to nest on the tray. A disadvantage of that particular arrangement is that a plurality of liners by themselves cannot be nested together.

As the tray 10 provides its structural framework and support, the liner 11 can be constructed of a very lightweight, disposable material. The function of the liner 11 is to hold dental instruments 22 and equipment and preferably chemical compounds too and therefore it should be constructed of an impervious material to prevent leakage through to the tray when nested on the tray 10. It is preferable that although the liner is constructed of a thin material, 20 it is semi-rigid in nature to better facilitate nesting on the tray. For the liner 11 to possess th e necessary properties, it is ideally constructed of a plastics material, this preferably being a transparent plastics material and preferably also being a recyclable material. A preferred plastics material is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and the preferred liner has a thickness of up to about 200 microns, most preferably a thickness in the range from about 100 microns 25 to about 200 microns. The liner 11 provides a protective plastics "film" over the reusable tray during dental treatment and due to its thm, lightweight construction it can be easily crushed or broken up when removed from the tray and it is therefore easily disposed of after use. As each liner 11 is only made of a small amount of material, wastage of plastics resources is kept to a minimum. The preferred construction of the liners 11 also enables them 30 to be packaged and stored in large quantities, saving space and making for ease of handling. Lightweight, low volume construction also reduces the cost of each lmer 11.

As already explained, both the tray 10 and liner 11 have substantially corresponding recessed compartments 12 m their upper surfaces. These compartments 12 enable the liner 11 to be firmly nested on top of the tray 10 when in use. Raised portions 13, which make up 35 the rest of the upper surface of both the tray 10 and liner 11 keep the liner 11 firmly in place V i and prevent it from sliding in relation to the tray 10. iThe recessed compartments 12 are shaped to be suitable for the intended use of the tray 10 and liner 11. While the preferred us e is for supporting dental equipment, the compartments 12 could be adapted to hold surgical instruments, equipment used in general medical treatments or equipment used in veterinary treatment, food preparation or simple laboratory experiments. Basically, the shape and configuration of the compartments 12 could be adapted for specific use of equipment for any 5 procedure where cross-infection or cross-contamination is to be prevented.

In the preferred embodiment which is a dental tray 10 and liner 11, the recessed compartments 12 are shaped to be suitable for holding dental instruments 22 and other equipment. The recessed compartments 12 can comprise several substantially rectangular compartments 14 which can receive dental instruments 22 and other equipment, for example 10 absorbent materials such as cotton wool which are used during dental procedures. At least one of the rectangular compartments 15 preferably includes as part of the upper surface of the tray and liner, a means for supporting elongated dental instruments 22. This can be in the form of two raised parallel ridges 16 which divide the compartment. Each of these raised ridges 16 can have a series of indentations 17 along its length to hold dental instruments 22 15 above the bottom 31 of the compartment 15. This enables a dental professional to easily select and pick up instruments, for example, elongated instruments such as mirrors, picks and scrapers from the tray 10 and liner 11 and then replace them after use during dental treatment. Other rectangular shaped recessed compartments of various sizes 18 can be provided for other dental equipment and materials used during treatments.

The upper surface of the tray 10 and liner 11 can also have several semi-spherical compartments 19 in which solid and liquid dental compounds can be placed during dental treatment. A dental professional may place materials such as filling compounds and cleaning solutions in these compartments 19, which would enable them to be easily mixed and administered during treatment.

Figure 2 shows a top plan view of the configuration of the recessed compartments 12 of the upper surface of the liner 11 which substantially corresponds to the upper surface configuration of the tray 10. The figure indicates that in this preferred embodiment the recessed compartments 12 occupy most of the upper surface of the tray 10 and liner 11 and that the raised portions between the compartments comprise ridges 20 and 25. Preferably, 30 as shown in Figure 4, at least one of the ridges 25 of the liner includes several small r ecesses 23 to locate and support dental burs 24 m a generally upright manner. As shown in Figure 2, these recesses 23 can be staggered on either side of the ridge 25, to ease retrieval of the burs 24 by a dental professional when required during treatment. Alternatively the recesses for dental burs could be in the form of holes or cavities in a substantially flat portion in the upper surface of the liner. - > , v,,,.. ! Or iv L •: To enable a dental professional to replace each lmer 11 with a new clean liner after each treatment, the tray 10 and liner 11 are of a complementary fit as lllustrated'in Figure 3. This figure shows the liner 11 placed on top of the tray 10 as it would be when in use for holding dental instruments and equipment. While a firm, complementary fit is preferably provided so that the liner 11 does not move in relation to the tray, the liner 11 preferably does not grip the tray 10 and so is easily fitted on the tray and then is easily lifted off after use. The 5 disposable liner 11 can then be discarded along with any dental compounds or waste left over after the treatment.

Although the tray 10 is constructed so as to be reusable, it will eventually deteriorate and need to be disposed of. Therefore, to minimise waste and reduce cost, the bottom surface 21 of the tray 10 can be substantially complementary to its upper surface as shown in Figure 10 3, instead of having a flat base. This feature allows the preferred trays to be nested together, for example, for packing in lots for sale or for storage.

Another embodiment of dental tray 10 and liner 11 is shown in Figure 5. This is a smaller tray and liner, for example, having a length of about 250 mm and a width of about 120 mm The tray and liner are provided with two substantially semi-spherical recessed 15 compartments 19 and two substantially rectangular recessed compartments, 12 and 15, the compartment 15 being much larger than the compartment 12. The compartment 15 has two spaced parallel ridges 16, each having a series of indentations 17 along its length whereby elongated dental instruments can be supported above the bottom of the compartment. It is possible for a tray and lmer to have only substantially rectangular recesses or only 20 substantially semi-spherical recesses but it is preferred that there be at least one substantially rectangular recess and at least one substantially semi-spherical recess, and more preferably at least two of each. The tray and the liner may have recessed compartments of other shapes.

Figure 6 shows a modified tray and liner 11 of the type shown in Figure 5, the modification comprising a lid 26 for the liner. The lid may be made separate from the liner 25 but it is preferred that it be made integral with the liner, being joined at 27 by a plastic hinge along an edge of each of the lid and the liner. The lid may have a peripheral flange 28 which frictionally grips a corresponding peripheral flange 29 of the liner when the lid is closed in order to hold the lid closed. Alternatively the flanges 28 and 29 may have one or more matching and inter-engaging projections and recesses to achieve this.

The walls 30 or ridges 20 between adjacent compartments need not, or need not all, extend the full height of the tray and liner. It is possible for one or more of them to extend up only part way. In this case the shortened wall or ridge may optionally be utilised as a means for supporting a dental instrument above the bottoms 31 of the adjacent compartments. Alternatively, the shortened wall or ridge may make access to adjacent compartments easier.

For example, the tray and lmer of Figure 1 may each have a height of about 25 mm and the •) shortened wall may extend up only about 3-5 mm. Again with reference to Figure 1 and by way of example, the walls between the corner one of the compahfnentsj 14 and the (adjacent I r - /' 11 compartment 18 and optionally between that compartment 18 and the adjacent compartment 15 may be shorter walls where the raised portions between those respective pairings of compartments do not extend the full height of the tray and of the liner.

Both the tray and the liner can be cut or stamped from sheets of plastics material in 5 which the shapes of the tray and the liner are moulded, for example, by a vacuum moulding operation.

While the disposable liner is preferably constructed of a plastics material, other disposable materials could be used. Alternatives include treated paper or card which would be liquid impervious and therefore function as suitable dental tray liners.

The tray can also be constructed of other plastics materials, such as polyethylene, or of a non-plastics material. The tray may be constructed of any material which is capable of providing support for the disposable liner and the equipment to be held on it. Possible materials include metal and wood.

While it is considered that the invention is particularly useful for dental treatment, it is not confined to this use. The present invention has application to any procedure whereby implements and equipment are used and there is a need to avoid cross-infection. Other possible uses include surgical procedures, general medical treatment, veterinary treatment, food preparation and even general laboratory procedures whereby cross-contamination rather than cross-infection is the problem to be avoided. mw. .L i 1 i uu . _ Ui r.t. i 2 c • . r 1 ' i ~-J !• r 12

Claims (55)

CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus comprising a substantially rigid tray and a separate substantially 5 semi-rigid and liquid impervious disposable liner therefor, the tray having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments completely separated from each other by one or more raised portions, and the liner having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments separated by one or more raised portions substantially corresponding to the compartments and raised portions of the tray, and a lower surface substantially 10 complementary to the upper surfaces of the tray and the liner whereby the lower surface of the liner can be separably nested on the upper surface of the tray in a substantially complementary fit.

2. An apparatus comprising a substantially rigid tray and a separate substantially 15 semi-rigid and liquid impervious disposable liner therefor, the tray having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments completely separated from each other by one or more raised portions, and the liner having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments separated by one or more raised portions substantially corresponding to the compartments and raised portions of the tray, and a lower surface substantially 20 complementary to the upper surfaces of the tray and the liner whereby the lower surface of the liner can be separably nested on the upper surface of the tray in a substantially complementary fit, wherein at least one of the recessed compartments in each of the tray and the liner has instrument supporting means for supporting elongated instruments in a position raised above a floor of the compartment, the instrument supporting means comprising two 25 spaced apart ridges raised from the floor, each ridge having a series of indentations along its length whereby an elongated instrument can be placed across both ridges, in an indentation in each ridge, to be supported thereby.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the plurality of recessed compartments 30 in each of the tray and the liner comprises a plurality of substantially rectangular recessed compartments, at least one of which has said instrument supporting means.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the plurality of recessed compartments in each of the tray and the liner comprises at least one substantially rectangular recessed 35 compartment and at least one substantially semi-spherical recessed compartment, and at least one substantially rectangular recessed compartment has said instrument supporting means. Or !\i L ■I 2 2 3 j

5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2-4 wherein the liner has recess means to support dental burs in a generally upright manner from the upper surface of the liner. 5

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein at least one raised portion between adjacent recessed compartments has a plurality of recesses providing said recess means to support dental burs.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the recesses are staggered on opposite 10 sides of the at least one raised portion to ease retrieval of dental burs when supported thereby.

8. An apparatus comprising a substantially rigid tray and a separate substantially semi-rigid and liquid impervious disposable liner therefor, the tray having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments completely separated from each other by one or 15 more raised portions, and the liner having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments separated by one or more raised portions substantially corresponding to the compartments and raised portions of the tray, and a lower surface substantially complementary to the upper surfaces of the tray and the liner whereby the lower surface of the liner can be separably nested on the upper surface of the tray in a substantially 20 complementary fit, wherein the liner has recess means to support dental burs in a generally upright manner from the upper surface of the liner.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the plurality of recessed compartments in each of the tray and the liner comprises a plurality of substantially rectangular recessed 25 compartments.

10. An apparatus accordmg to claim 8 wherein the plurality of recessed compartments in each of the tray and the liner comprises at least one substantially rectangular recessed compartment and at least one substantially semi-spherical recessed compartment. 30

11. An apparatus according to claim 9 or 10 wherein at least one substantially rectangular compartment in each of the tray and the liner has instrument supporting means for supporting elongated instruments in a position raised above a floor of the compartment, said supporting means comprising two spaced apart ridges raised from the floor, each ridge having 35 a series of indentations along its length whereby an elongated instrument can be placed across ' 1 *— »I 'l UlllJu | both ridges, in an indentation m each ridge, to be supported therebyUr ivz. f 2' ^ i - « ^ jj L & ^to - J jJ r l'

12. An apparatus according to any one of claims 8-11 wherein at least one raised portion between adjacent recessed compartments has a plurality of recesses providing said recess means to support dental burs. 5

13. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the recesses are staggered on opposite sides of the at least one raised portion to ease retrieval of dental burs when supported thereby.

14. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the liner 10 completely covers the upper surface of the tray when the liner is nested on the tray.

15. An apparatus comprismg a substantially rigid tray and a separate substantially semi-rigid and liquid impervious disposable liner therefor, the tray having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments completely separated from each other by one or 15 more raised portions, said compartments comprising at least one elongated compartment capable of receiving at least one elongated dental or surgical instrument within the compartment, and at least one other compartment which is not capable of receiving a said elongated instrument but which is adapted for containing liquid or solid compounds or for receiving wastes, and the liner having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed 20 compartments separated by one or more raised portions substantially corresponding to the compartments and raised portions of the tray, and a lower surface substantially complementary to the upper surfaces of the tray and the liner whereby the lower surface of the liner can be separably nested on the upper surface of the tray m a substantially complementary fit with the liner completely covering the upper surface of the tray. 25

16. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the plurality of recessed compartments in each of the tray and the liner comprises a plurality of substantially rectangular recessed compartments. 30

17. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the plurality of recessed compartments in each of the tray and the lmer comprises at least one substantially rectangular recessed compartment and at least one substantially semi-spherical recessed compartment.

18. An apparatus according to claim 16 or 17 wherein at least one substantially 35 rectangular compartment in each of the tray and the liner has instrument supporting means for supporting elongated instruments in a position raised above a floor of (the compartment, said supporting means comprising two spaced apart ridges raised from t|ie;floor-, each ridgejhaving 15 a series of indentations along its length whereby an elongated instrument can be placed across both ridges, in an indentation in each ridge, to be supported thereby.

19. An apparatus according to any one of claims 15-18 wherein the liner has recess 5 means to support dental burs in a generally upright manner.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein at least one raised portion between adjacent recessed compartments has a plurality of recesses providing said recess means to support dental burs. 10

21. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the recesses are staggered on opposite sides of the at least one raised portion to ease retrieval of dental burs when supported thereby. 15

22. An apparatus according to any one of claims 14-21 wherein each of the tray and the liner has a peripheral edge and the peripheral edge of the liner overlaps that of the tray when the liner is nested on the tray.

23. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the 20 complementary fit between the lower surface of the liner and the upper surface of the tray is a substantially frictionless fit to facilitate easy nesting of the liner on the tray and easy removal of the liner from the tray.

24. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the tray has 25 a lower surface which is substantially complementary to the upper surface of the tray.

25. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each of the tray and the liner is made of a plastics material and the tray has a thickness in the range from about 2 mm to about 3 mm and the liner has a thickness in the range from about 100 micro ns 30 to about 200 microns.

26. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein there is a plurality of raised portions between adjacent compartments and at least one raised portion between adjacent compartments does not extend the full height of the tray nor of the liner. 35

27. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the liner is i LjJ i iWi__ | provided with a lid. u

28. An apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the lid is hinged to the liner.

29. A liner for use with a separate, substantially rigid tray having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments completely separated from each other by one or 5 more raised portions, the liner having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments separated by one or more raised portions substantially corresponding to the compartments and raised portions of the tray, and a lower surface substantially complementary to the upper surfaces of the tray and the liner whereby the lower surface of the liner can be separably nested on the upper surface of the tray in a substantially 10 complementary fit, said liner bemg substantially semi-rigid, liquid impervious and disposable.

30. A liner for use with a separate, substantially rigid tray having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments completely separated from each other by one or more raised portions, the liner having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed 15 compartments separated by one or more raised portions substantially corresponding to the compartments and raised portions of the tray, and a lower surface substantially complementary to the upper surfaces of the tray and the liner whereby the lower surface of the liner can be separably nested on the upper surface of the tray in a substantially complementary fit, wherein at least one of the recessed compartments of the liner has 20 instrument supporting means for supporting elongated instruments in a position raised above a floor of the compartment, the instrument supporting means comprising two spaced apart ridges raised from the floor, each ridge having a series of indentations along its length whereby an elongated instrument can be placed across both ridges, in an mdentation in each ridge, to be supported thereby, said liner being substantially semi-rigid, liquid impervious and 25 disposable.

31. A liner according to claim 30 wherein the plurality of recessed compartments of the liner comprises a plurality of substantially rectangular recessed compartments. 30

32. A liner according to claim 30 wherein the plurality of recessed compartments of the liner comprises at least one substantially rectangular recessed compartment and at least one substantially semi-spherical recessed compartment.

33. A liner according to any one of claims 30-32 wherem the liner has recess means 35 to support dental burs in a generally upright manner. " i Ci 1\.l. I; 9 t '• - |l £ £, « . j _ J I! 17

34. A liner according to claim 33 wherein at least one raised portion between adjacent recessed compartments of the liner has a plurality of recesses providing said recess means to support dental burs. 5

35. A liner according to claim 34 wherein the recesses are staggered on opposite sides of the at least one raised portion to ease retrieval of dental burs when supported thereby.

36. A liner for use with a separate, substantially rigid tray having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments completely separated from each other by one or 10 more raised portions, the liner having an upper surface havmg a plurality of recessed compartments separated by one or more raised portions substantially corresponding to the compartments and raised portions of the tray, and a lower surface substantially complementary to the upper surfaces of the tray and the liner whereby the lower surface of the liner can be separably nested on the upper surface of the tray in a substantially 15 complementajry fit, wherein the liner has recess means to support dental burs in a generally upright manner from the upper surface of the liner, said liner bemg substantially semi-rigid, liquid impervious and disposable.

37. A liner according to claim 36 wherein the plurality of recessed compartments of 20 the liner comprises a plurality of substantially rectangular recessed compartments.

38. A liner according to claim 36 wherein the plurality of recessed compartments of the liner comprises at least one substantially rectangular recessed compartment and at least one substantially semi-spherical recessed compartment. 25

39. A liner according to claim 37 or 38 wherein at least one substantially rectangular compartment of the lmer has instrument supporting means for supporting elongated instruments m a position raised above a floor of the compartment, said supporting means comprising two spaced apart ridges raised from the floor, each ridge having a series of 30 indentations along its length whereby an elongated instrument can be placed across both ridges, in an indentation m each ridge, to be supported thereby.

40. A liner according to any one of claims 36-39 wherein at least one raised portion between adjacent recessed compartments of the liner has a plurality of recesses providing said 35 recess means to support dental burs."' • - ., , J <' if > h 18

41. A liner according to claim 40 wherein the recesses are staggered on opposite sides of the at least one raised portion to ease retrieval of dental burs when supported thereby.

42. A liner for use with a separate substantially rigid tray; the tray having an upper 5 surface of predetermined size and shape having a plurality of recessed compartments completely separated from each other by one or more raised portions, said compartments comprising at least one elongated compartment capable of receiving at least one elongated dental or surgical instrument within the compartment, and at least one other compartment which is not capable of receiving a said elongated instrument but which is adapted for 10 containing liquid or solid compounds or for receiving wastes; the liner having an upper surface having a plurality of recessed compartments separated by one or more raised portions substantially corresponding to the compartments and raised portions of the tray, and a lower surface substantially complementary to the upper surfaces of the tray and the liner whereby the lower surface of the liner can be separably nested on the upper surface of the tray in a 15 substantially complementary fit with the liner completely covering the upper surface of the tray, said liner being substantially semi-rigid, liquid impervious and disposable.

43. A liner according to claim 42 wherein the liner has a peripheral edge configured to overlap a peripheral edge of the tray when the liner is nested on the tray. 20

44. A liner according to claim 42 or 43 wherein the plurality of recessed compartments of the liner comprises a plurality of substantially rectangular recessed compartments. 25

45. A liner according to claim 43 or 44 wherein the plurality of recessed compartments of the liner comprises at least one substantially rectangular recessed compartment and at least one substantially semi-spherical recessed compartment.

46. A liner according to claim 44 or 45 wherein at least one substantially rectangular 30 compartment of the liner has instrument supporting means for supporting elongated instruments in a position raised above a floor of the compartment, said supporting means comprising two spaced apart ridges raised from the floor, each ridge having a series of indentations along its length whereby an elongated instrument can be placed across both ridges, in an indentation m each ridge, to be supported thereby. 35 , ' ' ' ^ ^ * •« •* \ J.

47. A liner according to any one of claims 42-46 wherein the liner has recess means to support dental burs in a generally upright manner. 19

48. A liner according to claim 47 wherein at least one raised portion between adjacent recessed compartments of the liner has a plurality of recesses providing said recess means to support dental burs. 5

49. A liner according to claim 48 wherein the recesses are staggered on opposite sides of the at least one raised portion to ease retrieval of dental burs when supported thereby.

50. A liner according to any one of claims 29-49 wherein at least one raised portion between adjacent compartments of the lmer does not extend the full height of the liner. 10

51. A liner according to any one of claims 29-50 wherein the liner is provided with a lid.

52. A liner according to claim 51 wherein the lid is hinged to the liner. 15

53. A liner according to any one of claims 29-52 wherein the liner is made from a plastics material and the thickness of the liner is from about 100 microns to about 200 microns. 20

54. An apparatus comprising a tray and a disposable liner substantially as herem described with reference to any embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

55. A disposable liner substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. 25 gND Of CLMN®