Dental appliance case

Abstract

A dental appliance case for receiving a dental appliance is provided. In some embodiments, the case may include a power source, a sound device, an occupancy sensor, and a processing unit. The sound device may be configured to create an audible alert sound. The occupancy sensor may be operable to detect the presence of a dental appliance. The processing unit may be in electrical communication with the power source, occupancy sensor, and the sound device. The processing unit may be operable to operate the sound device to create an audible alert in response to an electronic communication from the occupancy sensor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dental appliance case, the case comprising:
 a. a power source;   b. an alert device configured to create an alert, wherein the alert device is selected from the group consisting of a sound device, a vibration device, and a light emitting device;   c. an occupancy sensor, wherein the occupancy sensor is operable to detect the presence of a dental appliance; and   d. a processing unit in electrical communication with the power source, occupancy sensor, and the alert device, wherein the processing unit is operable to operate the alert device to create an alert in response to an electronic communication from the occupancy sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit operates the alert device after a dental appliance is detected for a period of time. 
     
     
         3 . The case of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid sensor, wherein the lid sensor is operable to detect if the lid is open. 
     
     
         4 . The case of  claim 2 , wherein the processing unit operates the alert device after the lid has not been opened for a period of time. 
     
     
         5 . The case of  claim 1 , further comprising a second alert device, wherein the second alert device is selected from the group consisting of a sound device, a vibration device, and a light emitting device. 
     
     
         6 . The case of  claim 5 , wherein the processing unit operates the second alert device after a dental appliance is detected for a period of time. 
     
     
         7 . The case of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid and a base, wherein the base and lid are operable to be temporarily aligned and brought together to contain the power source, alert device, occupancy sensor, and processing unit. 
     
     
         8 . The case of  claim 7 , wherein the lid and base form a cavity between the lid and base when temporarily aligned and brought together that is able to receive a dental appliance. 
     
     
         9 . The case of  claim 1 , further comprising a wireless charging receiver in electrical communication with the power source. 
     
     
         10 . A dental appliance case for receiving a dental appliance, the case comprising:
 a. a lid;   b. a base, wherein the base and lid are operable to be temporarily aligned and brought together, forming a cavity between the lid and base that is able to receive a dental appliance;   c. a power source;   d. an occupancy sensor, wherein the occupancy sensor is operable to detect the presence of a dental appliance in the cavity;   e. a communication array, wherein the communication array is operable to send and receive wireless communications; and   f. a processing unit in electrical communication with the power source, occupancy sensor, and the communication array, wherein the processing unit is operable to operate the communication array to send wireless communications describing the presence of a dental appliance in the cavity.   
     
     
         11 . The case of  claim 10 , wherein the processing unit operates the communication array after a dental appliance is detected in the cavity for a period of time. 
     
     
         12 . The case of  claim 10 , further comprising an alert device operable to create an alert, wherein the alert device is selected from the group consisting of a sound device, a vibration device, and a light emitting device. 
     
     
         13 . The case of  claim 12 , wherein the processing unit operates the alert device after a dental appliance is detected in the cavity for a period of time. 
     
     
         14 . The case of  claim 12 , wherein the processing unit operates the alert device after a wireless communication is received by the communications array. 
     
     
         15 . The case of  claim 12 , further comprising a lid sensor, wherein the lid sensor is operable to detect if the lid is open. 
     
     
         16 . The case of  claim 15 , wherein the processing unit operates the communications array after the lid has not been opened for a period of time. 
     
     
         17 . The case of  claim 15 , wherein the processing unit operates the alert device after the lid has not been opened for a period of time. 
     
     
         18 . The case of  claim 10 , further comprising a second alert device, wherein the second alert device is selected from the group consisting of a sound device, a vibration device, and a light emitting device. 
     
     
         19 . The case of  claim 18 , wherein the processing unit operates the second alert device after a dental appliance is detected in the cavity for a period of time. 
     
     
         20 . The case of  claim 10 , further comprising a wireless charging receiver in electrical communication with the power source.