Patent US5238402A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5238402A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Marked orthodontic aid and method of manufacturing
Assignee: Dentaurum GmbH and Co KG
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Filing: 1988-07-29
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Granted: 1993-08-24
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Expires: 2008-07-29
Abstract
Abstract In order to so improve a metallic orthodontic aid having an optically visible marking area that the marking is easy to apply and is also visible up to a definable number of recycling process cycles, it is proposed that the marking area be a surface of an additionally produced layer with a remelt structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Friedrich-Wilhelm Rohlcke
- 👤 Friedrich Sernetz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/12; A61B; A61B90/00; A61B90/90; A61B90/94; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49567; Y10T29/49568
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A metallic orthodontic aid comprising a metallic body having an outer surface and a marking area on the outer surface, the marking area comprising a remelt structure made of the same material as said outer surface, the remelt structure of the marking area having a wear characteristic which is substantially the same as that of the remainder of the outer surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A metallic orthodontic aid comprising a metallic body having an outer surface and a marking area on the outer surface, the marking area comprising a remelt structure made of the same material as said outer surface, the remelt structure of the marking area having a wear characteristic which is substantially the same as that of the remainder of the outer surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
Metallic orthodontic aid according to claim 1, characterized in that the layer with a remelt structure (28, 30) is formed from the material of the orthodontic aid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Metallic orthodontic aid according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the layer with a remelt structure (28, 30) is roughened at the surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
Metallic orthodontic aid according to claim 1 characterized in that the layer with a remelt structure (28, 30) comprises reaction products of the material with an ambient medium present during its manufacture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
Metallic orthodontic aid according to claim 1 characterized in that the layer with a remelt structure (28, 30) exhibits a constant thickness (d).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
Metallic orthodontic aid according to claim 1 characterized in that the layer with a remelt structure (30') exhibits a variable thickness (d 1, d 2).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
Metallic orthodontic aid according to claim 6, characterized in that the layer with a remelt structure (30') exhibits a step-wise varying thickness (d 1, d 2).
Claim 9
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of producing an optically visible surface marking area on a metallic orthodontic aid, the method comprising the steps of providing a metallic orthodontic aid having an outer surface, treating a portion of the outer surface to produce a remelt structure in a marking area on the outer surface, the treating step providing a remelt structure having a wear characteristic which is substantially the same as that of the remainder of the outer surface.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of producing an optically visible surface marking area on a metallic orthodontic aid, the method comprising the steps of providing a metallic orthodontic aid having an outer surface, treating a portion of the outer surface to produce a remelt structure in a marking area on the outer surface, the treating step providing a remelt structure having a wear characteristic which is substantially the same as that of the remainder of the outer surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the layer with a remelt structure is produced by surface melting of the aid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
Method according to claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the layer with a remelt structure is produced by melting which differs in intensity from point to point.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
Method according to claim 8 characterized in that the layer with a remelt structure is produced by a laser beam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
Method according to claim 8 characterized in that the layer with a remelt structure is produced by an electron beam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
Method according to claim 8 characterized in that the layer with a remelt structure is produced by a microplasma.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
Method according to claim 8 characterized in that the layer with a remelt structure is produced in the presence of a medium which reacts with the metal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
Method according to claim 8 characterized in that the layer with a remelt structure is produced with a constant thickness.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
Method according to claim 8 characterized in that the layer with a remelt structure is produced with varying thickness.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
Method according to claim 16, characterized in that the layer with a remelt structure is produced with a thickness which varies step-wise in cross-section.
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) | 1996-08-23 | 1997-02-22 | 1997-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-23 | 2001-02-22 | 2001-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-23 | 2005-02-22 | 2005-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |