| abstract |
A package for an adhesive precoated dental appliance (28) such as an orthodontic bracket includes a container (22) having a well (24) and a flange (26, 426), and a cover (32, 132, 242, 342, 432) that extends over an opening of the well. A pressure sensitive adhesive (34, 133, 333, 434) releasably connects the cover (32, 132, 242, 342, 432) to the flange (26, 426) along a first region, and a hermetic seal (36) extends between the cover (32, 132, 242, 342, 432) and the flange (26, 426) along a second region that is located between the first region and the opening of the well. The hermetic seal (36) cooperates with the pressure sensitive adhesive (34, 133, 333, 434) to provide a reliable, easily openable package. The hermetic seal (36) also prevents volatile components of adhesive (30) on the dental appliance (28) from contacting the pressure sensitive adhesive (34, 133, 333, 434) and thereby decreases loss of the volatile components from within the package in order to extend the expected shelf life of the adhesive precoated appliance (28). |