Patent FR2233028A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5393486A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for making orthodontic appliance having textured bonding surface
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1993-12-09
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Granted: 1995-02-28
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Expires: 2013-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A method of making an orthodontic appliance such as a bracket includes the step of forming a preform of molding material while a portion of the molding material is in contact with a textured portion of a web. The web is subsequently degraded by a thermal or solvent degrading process to leave a witness impression on the underside of the preform. The web optionally serves as a conveyor to move the preform from one processing area to another, and optionally has the appearance of a woven material such that the resulting appliance resembles a mesh base appliance having undercut regions.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert P. Eckert
- 👤 Evangelos G. Georgakis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:40
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22C; B22C7/00; B22C7/02; A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/12; A61C7/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of making an orthodontic appliance preform comprising the steps of: moving a web having a textured portion toward a cavity of orthodontic appliance preform forming tooling; introducing a quantity of molding material into the cavity of the tooling; forming the preform with the molding material in the cavity while a portion of the molding material is in contact with the textured portion of the web; and degrading the textured portion of the web to remove the textured portion and thereby impart a textured surface on the preform.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of making an orthodontic appliance preform comprising the steps of: moving a web having a textured portion toward a cavity of orthodontic appliance preform forming tooling; introducing a quantity of molding material into the cavity of the tooling; forming the preform with the molding material in the cavity while a portion of the molding material is in contact with the textured portion of the web; and degrading the textured portion of the web to remove the textured portion and thereby impart a textured surface on the preform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, including the step of moving the preform away from the cavity before said step of degrading the textured portion of the web.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the textured portion of the web includes apertures, whereby said step of degrading the textured portion of the web exposes undercuts on the textured surface of the preform.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said web is a mesh made of polymeric material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the molding material includes a binder, and wherein said step of degrading the textured portion of the web includes the step of heating the preform to thermally degrade the textured portion of the web and to debind the preform.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the molding material includes a curable polymer, and wherein said step of heating the preform includes the step of curing the polymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of forming the preform includes a first step of forming tiewing portions and an archwire slot of the preform and a second step of forming a textured base surface by contacting the molding material with the textured portion of the web.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of forming the preform includes the step of press molding or injection molding the preform.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, including the step of cutting the portion of the web in contact with the preform from remaining portions of the web before said step of heating the preform to thermally degrade the textured portion of the web.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of forming a preform of the appliance includes the step of moving one or more core pulls in the cavity to make grooves, slots or other shapes in the preform.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 including the steps of cutting the web into a plurality of textured portions each contacting a respective preform, and placing the cut portions of the web with the preforms onto a tray for heating.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of forming the preform includes the step of partially forming the preform before the molding material is in contact with the textured portion of the web.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of degrading the textured portion of the web includes the step of volatilizing the textured portion of the web.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of degrading the textured portion of the web includes the step of dissolving the textured portion of the web.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of degrading the textured portion of the web includes the step of softening the textured portion of the web.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of moving the web includes the step of moving the web adjacent a rotary table carrying at least a portion of the forming tooling.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, including the step of cutting the web as the forming tooling is closed to form the preform.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-02-27 | 1998-08-29 | 1999-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-02-27 | 2002-08-29 | 2003-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-02-27 | 2006-08-29 | 2007-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |