US4978007A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Packaging curable materials
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1989-05-10
•
Granted: 1990-12-18
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Expires: 2009-05-10
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a packaged element containing (a) a substrate that transmits less than about 0.5% of actinic radiation and has at least one recess, (b) a cover that transmits less than about 0.5% of actinic radiation and transmits at least part of the visible light spectrum, (c) a structure for maintaining the cover in contact with the substrate such that the cover filters incident radiation entering the recess, and (d) an element located in the recess and having a substance thereon that is curable by exposure to the actinic radiation. Also disclosed is an article containing (a) a substrate having at least one recess with an interior surface, (b) an element having a tacky substance on a surface thereof, and (c) a structure for positioning the element inside the recess such that the tacky substance does not separate from the element upon removal from the recess.
Inventors
- 👤 Dwight W. Jacobs
- 👤 Gregory D. Crowe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C19/00; A61C19/02; A61C7/12; A61C2202/00; A61C2202/01; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S206/00; Y10S206/813
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A packaged element comprising: (a) a substrate that transmits less than about 0.5% of selective actinic radiation and having at least one recess, (b) a cover that transmits less than about 0.5% of the actinic radiation and transmits at least part of the visible light spectrum, (c) means for maintaining the cover in contact with the substrate such that the cover filters incident radiation entering the recess, and (d) an element located in the recess and having a substance thereon that is curable by exposure to the actinic radiation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A packaged element comprising: (a) a substrate that transmits less than about 0.5% of selective actinic radiation and having at least one recess, (b) a cover that transmits less than about 0.5% of the actinic radiation and transmits at least part of the visible light spectrum, (c) means for maintaining the cover in contact with the substrate such that the cover filters incident radiation entering the recess, and (d) an element located in the recess and having a substance thereon that is curable by exposure to the actinic radiation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The packaged element of claim 1 wherein the actinic radiation has a wavelength in the visible range.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The packaged element of claim 1 wherein the actinic radiation has a wavelength between about 300 and 800 nm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The packaged element of claim 1 wherein the actinic radiation has a wavelength between about 400 and 500 nm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The packaged element of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises an opaque rigid tray.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The packaged element of claim 1 wherein the cover comprises a flexible, polymeric film.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The packaged element of claim 1 wherein the means maintains the cover in releasable contact with the substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The packaged element of claim 1 wherein the means comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive sandwiched between the cover and the surface of the substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The packaged element of claim 1 wherein the substrate has more than one recess.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The packaged element of claim 9 wherein the cover has individual flaps, each of which covers a recess and is movable to permit access to the recess it covers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article comprising: (a) a substrate with at least one recess with an interior surface, (b) an orthodontic bracket having a tacky substance on an exterior surface thereof, and (c) a release coating, sandwiched between the tacky substance and the interior surface of the recess, for positioning the bracket inside the recess such that the tacky substance does not separate from the bracket upon removal of the bracket from the recess.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
An article comprising: (a) a substrate with at least one recess with an interior surface, (b) an orthodontic bracket having a tacky substance on an exterior surface thereof, and (c) a release coating, sandwiched between the tacky substance and the interior surface of the recess, for positioning the bracket inside the recess such that the tacky substance does not separate from the bracket upon removal of the bracket from the recess.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The article of claim 11 wherein the tacky substance is a paste that is curable upon exposure to selective actinic radiation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
The article of claim 12 wherein the substrate transmits less than about 0.5% of the actinic radiation and the article further comprises: (d) a cover that transmits less than about 0.5% of the actinic radiation, and (e) a means for maintaining the cover in contact with the substrate such that the cover filters incident radiation entering the recess.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The article of claim 13 wherein the means for maintaining the cover maintains the cover in releasable contact with the substrate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of claim 13 wherein the cover transmits at least part of the visible light spectrum.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The article of claim 11 the bracket in the recess is suspended such that the tacky substance does not contact the interior surface of the recess.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The article of claim 11 which further means comprises a seat in the recess that receives the bracket while restricting the tacky substance from contacting the interior surface of the recess.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of claim 17 wherein the seat comprises linearly-aligned groves on opposing sides of the recess.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The article of claim 17 wherein the tacky substance comprises a paste that is curable upon exposure to selective actinic radiation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
58 words
The article of claim 19 wherein the substrate transmits less than about 0.5% of the actinic radiation and the article further comprises: (d) a cover that transmits less than about 0.5% of the actinic radiation, and (e) a means for maintaining the cover in contact with the substrate such that the cover filters incident radiation entering the recess.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of claim 20 wherein the cover transmits at least part of the visible light spectrum.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of claim 20 wherein the means maintains the cover in releasable contact with the substrate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The article of claim 20 wherein the bracket further comprises a member that rests in the seat and is removably attached to the bracket.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article of claim 20 wherein the seat and cover cooperate to losely fix the bracket in the recess.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The article of claim 11 wherein the tacky substance is a paste that is curable upon exposure to selective actinic radiation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
58 words
The article of claim 25 wherein the substrate transmits less than about 0.5% of the actinic radiation and the article further comprises: (d) a cover that transmits less than about 0.5% of the actinic radiation, and (e) a means for maintaining the cover in contact with the substrate such that the cover filters incident radiation entering the recess.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of claim 26 wherein the cover transmits at least part of the visible light spectrum.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of claim 26 wherein the means maintains the cover in releasable contact with the substrate.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
The article of claim 28 wherein the substrate has more than one recess and wherein the cover has individual flaps, each of which covers a recess and is movable to permit access to the recess it covers.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The article of claim 26 wherein the cover has slits that permit access to the recess.
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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) | 1993-12-17 | 1994-06-18 | 1994-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-17 | 1998-06-18 | 1998-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-17 | 2002-06-18 | 2002-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |