Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for increasing the bond strength between a ceramic and a bonding agent such as acrylic resin, the method comprising the steps of: applying a glass-like material coating to the ceramic, said glass-like material coating having particles of powdered glass-like material therein and having a pre-selected content of silica in said particles; firing said glass-like material coating to a temperature sufficient to melt said particles; cooling said glass-like material coating to harden same; and etching said glass-like material coating to remove said silica whereby to increase the surface area of said coating for increasing the area for receiving said acrylic resin; and silanating said etched glass-like material coating with an organofunctional silane adhesion promoter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for increasing the bond strength between a ceramic and a bonding agent such as acrylic resin, the method comprising the steps of: applying a glass-like material coating to the ceramic, said glass-like material coating having particles of powdered glass-like material therein and having a pre-selected content of silica in said particles; firing said glass-like material coating to a temperature sufficient to melt said particles; cooling said glass-like material coating to harden same; and etching said glass-like material coating to remove said silica whereby to increase the surface area of said coating for increasing the area for receiving said acrylic resin; and silanating said etched glass-like material coating with an organofunctional silane adhesion promoter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said ceramic is taken from the group consisting of polycrystalline alumina and sapphire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method recited in claim 2 wherein said ceramic is in a single crystalline form.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method recited in claim 2 wherein said ceramic is in a polycrystalline form.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said particles comprise entirely silica and are at least 100 microns in size.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said ceramic is formed into the shape of an orthodontic appliance and said bonding agent is used as a bonding interface between said appliance and the surface of a tooth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said glass-like material is taken from the group consisting of glass and glassy ceramics.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said acid is hydrofluoric acid.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for increasing the bond strength between a ceramic orthodontic appliance and the surface of a tooth where an acrylic resin is employed as the bonding agent; the method comprising the step of coating the bonding surface of said appliance with a glass-like frit containing between 10 and 30% by weight particles of alumina of at least 100 microns for increasing the surface area of said bonding surface.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for increasing the bond strength between a ceramic orthodontic appliance and the surface of a tooth where an acrylic resin is employed as the bonding agent; the method comprising the step of coating the bonding surface of said appliance with a glass-like frit containing between 10 and 30% by weight particles of alumina of at least 100 microns for increasing the surface area of said bonding surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 9 wherein said ceramic is taken from the group consisting of alumina and sapphire.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for increasing the bond strength between a ceramic and a bonding agent such as acrylic resin, the method comprising the steps of: melting a glass-like material coating on the ceramic and allowing said coating to cool until it is in a hardened state; and silanating said coating with an organofunctional silane adhesion promoter.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for increasing the bond strength between a ceramic and a bonding agent such as acrylic resin, the method comprising the steps of: melting a glass-like material coating on the ceramic and allowing said coating to cool until it is in a hardened state; and silanating said coating with an organofunctional silane adhesion promoter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method recited in claim 11 wherein said ceramic is polycrystalline alumina.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for increasing the bond strength between a ceramic and a bonding agent such as acrylic resin; the method comprising the steps of: applying a glass-lke material coating to the ceramic; firing said glass-like material coating until it melts; cooling said glass-like material coating to harden same; and silanating said glass-like material coating with an organofunctional silane adhesion promoter.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for increasing the bond strength between a ceramic and a bonding agent such as acrylic resin; the method comprising the steps of: applying a glass-lke material coating to the ceramic; firing said glass-like material coating until it melts; cooling said glass-like material coating to harden same; and silanating said glass-like material coating with an organofunctional silane adhesion promoter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method recited in claim 13 wherein said ceramic is polycrystalline alumina.