US4330271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Orthodontic-dispenser and tool combined with dispensed articles
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1981-01-12
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Granted: 1982-05-18
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Expires: 2001-01-12
Abstract
Abstract A patient-usable orthodontic device for carrying, dispensing and installing intraoral tension-applying devices of the type including a pair of spaced endless loops which are intended for catching onto spaced hooks secured to tooth bands or the like in a patient's mouth. The device includes a molded elastomer portion having a body, and a plurality of tension-applying devices severably joined to the body. Formed in the body is a projecting finger, the outer end of which carries a rigid catch designed to aid in the installation of a tension-applying device which has been severed from the body.
Inventors
- 👤 Roland M. Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/12; A61C7/28; A61C7/30; A61C7/303; A61C7/306
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
Orthodontic apparatus usable by a patient wearing orthodontic hardware of the type including a pair of spaced hook-like elements to place tension between such elements, said apparatus comprising: an elastomeric digitally manipulatable carrier portion including at least one elongated flexible projecting finger, a plurality of elastomeric intraoral orthodontic devices severably joined to and integral with the finger in said carrier portion, each device including at least a pair of operatively interconnected endless loops or the like, and a relatively rigid reverse-bend catch joined to and projecting axially from the outer end of said finger for receiving releasably a selected loop in a device severed from said carrier thus to enable maneuvering of the severed device, through maneuvering of said catch, adjacent and within a person's mouth to place one loop in the device in a caught relationship over one of such hook-like elements, and another loop in the device in a caught relationship over the other element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
Orthodontic apparatus usable by a patient wearing orthodontic hardware of the type including a pair of spaced hook-like elements to place tension between such elements, said apparatus comprising: an elastomeric digitally manipulatable carrier portion including at least one elongated flexible projecting finger, a plurality of elastomeric intraoral orthodontic devices severably joined to and integral with the finger in said carrier portion, each device including at least a pair of operatively interconnected endless loops or the like, and a relatively rigid reverse-bend catch joined to and projecting axially from the outer end of said finger for receiving releasably a selected loop in a device severed from said carrier thus to enable maneuvering of the severed device, through maneuvering of said catch, adjacent and within a person's mouth to place one loop in the device in a caught relationship over one of such hook-like elements, and another loop in the device in a caught relationship over the other element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
166 words
Orthodontic apparatus usable by a patient wearing orthodontic hardware of the type including a pair of spaced hook-like elements to place tension between such elements, said apparatus comprising an elastomeric digitally manipulatable carrier portion including an elongated outwardly projecting finger-like portion having inner and outer ends, a plurality of elongated elastomeric intraoral orthodontic devices severably joined to and integral with said finger-like portion, each device including at least a pair of operatively interconnected endless loops or the like, and a relatively rigid reverse-bend elongated catch joined to and projecting axially outwardly from the outer end of said finger-like portion for receiving releasably a selected loop in a device severed from said carrier, thus to enable maneuvering of the severed device, through maneuvering of said finger portion and said catch, adjacent and within a person's mouth to place one loop in the device in a caught relationship over one of such hook-like elements, and another loop in the device in a caught relationship over the other element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
166 words
Orthodontic apparatus usable by a patient wearing orthodontic hardware of the type including a pair of spaced hook-like elements to place tension between such elements, said apparatus comprising an elastomeric digitally manipulatable carrier portion including an elongated outwardly projecting finger-like portion having inner and outer ends, a plurality of elongated elastomeric intraoral orthodontic devices severably joined to and integral with said finger-like portion, each device including at least a pair of operatively interconnected endless loops or the like, and a relatively rigid reverse-bend elongated catch joined to and projecting axially outwardly from the outer end of said finger-like portion for receiving releasably a selected loop in a device severed from said carrier, thus to enable maneuvering of the severed device, through maneuvering of said finger portion and said catch, adjacent and within a person's mouth to place one loop in the device in a caught relationship over one of such hook-like elements, and another loop in the device in a caught relationship over the other element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1985-05-17 | 1985-11-16 | 1986-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-05-17 | 1989-11-16 | 1990-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-05-17 | 1993-11-16 | 1994-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |