US3815115A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for preparing dental cements and cavity-filling composition
Assignee: Japan Kinoko Research Center Foundation
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Filing: 1972-10-30
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Granted: 1974-06-04
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Expires: 1992-10-30
Abstract
Abstract A method of and apparatus for preparing dental cements or cavity-filling compositions (amalgams) where at least two components are combined by vibration, in which a change in the physical properties of the composition within a capsule or receptacle containing measured quantities of the two components to be combined, is continuously monitored and, when a predetermined degree of change is ascertained, a warning signal is generated or further mixing is terminated. The physical property which is continuously monitored may be the viscosity or reflective or transmissive properties of the composition with respect to an incident beam of radiation.
Inventors
- 👤 K Inque
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K6/00; A61K6/15; A61C; A61C5/00; A61C5/60; A61C5/68; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S366/00; Y10S366/602; Y10S425/00; Y10S425/011; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49567
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of making a settable composition having a predetermined physical property by intimately mixing predetermined quantities of at least two components whereby the characteristics of the composition change until said predetermined property is reached, said method comprising the steps of: a. mixing said predetermined components for a period sufficient to blend them together to constitute said composition; b. continuously and automatically monitoring said change in the characteristics of said composition during the mixing of said components; and c. generating an electrical signal upon detection of the development of said physical property.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of making a settable composition having a predetermined physical property by intimately mixing predetermined quantities of at least two components whereby the characteristics of the composition change until said predetermined property is reached, said method comprising the steps of: a. mixing said predetermined components for a period sufficient to blend them together to constitute said composition; b. continuously and automatically monitoring said change in the characteristics of said composition during the mixing of said components; and c. generating an electrical signal upon detection of the development of said physical property.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of automatically terminating the mixing of said components upon the generation of said signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method defined in claim 2, further comprising the step of delaying for a selected predetermined period the termination of the mixing of said components subsequent to the generation of said signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of producing an operator-alerting warning with said signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method deFined in claim 1 wherein said predetermined quantities of said two components are introduced into a capsule and said components are mixed in step (a) by vibrating said capsule upon a vibratile arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
89 words
The method defined in claim 5 wherein the characteristic monitored in step (b) is the viscosity of said composition, said method further comprising the step of generating an output signal representing a fundamental characteristic of vibration imparted to said arm from an external source and at least one harmonic of a frequency characteristic of the viscosity of said composition; electronically filtering the last-mentioned signal to produce an electrical output characteristic of the viscosity of said composition and generating said electrical signal upon said electrical output attaining a predetermined value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method defined in claim 5 wherein said physical property is the optical opacity of said composition, said method further comprising the steps of: directing a beam of radiation into said capsule; detecting the optical intensity of said beam upon its passage through said capsule; and generating said electrical signal upon the detected intensity attaining a predetermined threshold value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method defined in claim 5 wherein said physical property is the light reflectivity of said composition, said method further comprising the steps of: training a beam of light upon said composition in said capsule; intercepting reflected light from said composition in said capsule; generating an electrical output representing the intensity of the reflected light; and producing said electrical signal upon said output attaining a predetermined threshold value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein said composition is a dental cement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein said composition is a dental amalgam for the filling of tooth cavities.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for preparing a dental composition comprising: a receptacle for selected predetermined quantities of at least two components adapted to be blended together to form a settable composition and characterized by the development of a predetermined physical property during blending; agitating means engageable with said receptacle for blending said components together therein to form said composition and induce physical change within said receptacle; a sensor responsive to progressive physical change in said composition within said receptacle; and circuit means connected to said sensor for generating and electrical signal upon the attainment of said predetermined physical property as detected by said sensor.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for preparing a dental composition comprising: a receptacle for selected predetermined quantities of at least two components adapted to be blended together to form a settable composition and characterized by the development of a predetermined physical property during blending; agitating means engageable with said receptacle for blending said components together therein to form said composition and induce physical change within said receptacle; a sensor responsive to progressive physical change in said composition within said receptacle; and circuit means connected to said sensor for generating and electrical signal upon the attainment of said predetermined physical property as detected by said sensor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus defined in claim 11, further comprising means responsive to said signal for terminating the blending of said components within said receptacle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus defined in claim 11, further comprising operator-alerting means controlled by said signal for indicating the attainment of said predetermined physical property.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
85 words
The apparatus defined in claim 11 where in said physical property is an optical property of said composition, said apparatus including means for directing a beam of light into said receptacle containing said composition, said sensor intercepting light from said composition, said circuit means including a discriminator monitoring the output of said sensor with respect to a predetermined threshold value, and means for generating said electrical signal connected to said discriminator means for producing said electrical signal upon said output attaining said predetermined threshold value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus defined in claim 14 wherein said means for directing said beam into said receptacle and said sensor are disposed on opposite sides of said receptacle and said optical property is the light transmissivity of said composition.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus defined in claim 14 wherein said sensor intercepts light reflected from said composition in said receptacle and said optical property is the light reflectivity of Said composition.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus defined in claim 11 wherein said physical property is the viscosity of said composition, said means engageable with said receptacle including a vibratile member and means for vibrating said member, said sensor being disposed in the region of said member for producing an output representing vibrational characteristics imparted to said member by said composition in said receptacle, said circuit means including a discriminator responsive to a component of said output constituting a function of the viscosity of said composition.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus defined in claim 11, further comprising timer means connected to said circuit means for delaying the generation of said electrical signal for a predetermined selected period following attainment of said predetermined property.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus defined in claim 11 wherein said receptacle is a capsule, said agitating means including a vibratable arm receiving said capsule, and means for oscillating said arm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus defined in claim 19, further comprising means for generating a warning signal in response to said electrical signal and means energized by said electrical signal for deactivating said means for oscillating said arm.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-03 | 1977-12-03 | 1978-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-03 | 1981-12-03 | 1982-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-03 | 1985-12-03 | 1986-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |