US5326259A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Marked orthodonic aid and method of manufacturing
Assignee: Dentaurum GmbH and Co KG
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Filing: 1993-04-16
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Granted: 1994-07-05
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Expires: 2013-04-16
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
2026-11-08 22:30
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: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
44 words
An orthodontic aid comprising a metallic body having an outer surface with indicia consisting essentially of a remelt structure of the same material as said metallic body, the remelt structure of the marking area indicia having a predetermined thickness providing a permanent wear characteristic.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
44 words
An orthodontic aid comprising a metallic body having an outer surface with indicia consisting essentially of a remelt structure of the same material as said metallic body, the remelt structure of the marking area indicia having a predetermined thickness providing a permanent wear characteristic.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The metallic orthodontic air according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined thickness of said remelt structure is at least about 0.5 μm to provide said permanent wear characteristic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The metallic orthodontic aid according to claim 2 wherein said remelt structure has a rougher surface than said outer surface.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of producing identifying indicia on an orthodontic aid, comprising the steps of providing a preformed metallic orthodontic body having an outer surface, and remelting a portion of said outer surface to form indicia having a predetermined thickness measured from said outer surface to provide a permanent marking on said body.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of producing identifying indicia on an orthodontic aid, comprising the steps of providing a preformed metallic orthodontic body having an outer surface, and remelting a portion of said outer surface to form indicia having a predetermined thickness measured from said outer surface to provide a permanent marking on said body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein said remelting step consists essentially of heating said orthodontic body under ambient atmospheric conditions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein said remelting is performed to a thickness of at least 0.5 μm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein said remelting step is performed by a laser which heats the surface of the orthodontic body above its melting temperature for a sufficient time to effect said remelting to said thickness.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
In an orthodontic appliance having a metallic body with an outer surface having indicia, the improvement wherein said indicia consists essentially of a remelt structure formed in said surface to a predetermined thickness for providing a permanent marking on the orthodontic appliance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
In an orthodontic appliance having a metallic body with an outer surface having indicia, the improvement wherein said indicia consists essentially of a remelt structure formed in said surface to a predetermined thickness for providing a permanent marking on the orthodontic appliance.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The orthodontic appliance according to claim 8, wherein said predetermined thickness is at least about 0.5 μm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The orthodontic appliance according to claim 8 wherein said outer surface of said body is smooth and said remelt structure is rough.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
In a method of marking a metallic orthodontic appliance, wherein a pre-formed metallic body having a smooth outer surface is provided, the improvement comprising the steps of locally heating said outer surface to remelt the metallic body to a predetermined thickness, and advancing said local heating relative to said surface to remelt in the form of a legible marking the outer surface of the body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
In a method of marking a metallic orthodontic appliance, wherein a pre-formed metallic body having a smooth outer surface is provided, the improvement comprising the steps of locally heating said outer surface to remelt the metallic body to a predetermined thickness, and advancing said local heating relative to said surface to remelt in the form of a legible marking the outer surface of the body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein said local heating is performed for a time sufficient to remelt said body to a thickness of at least about 0.5 μm and to effect a surface finish which is rougher than the surface finish of the body.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 12 wherein said local heating is effected by means of a laser beam.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
59 words
A metallic orthodontic aid comprising a metallic body having an outer surface and a marking on the outer surface, the marking comprising a remelt structure made of the same material as the outer surface, and the remelt structure of the marking having a wear characteristic which is substantially the same as that of the remainder of the outer surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
A metallic orthodontic aid comprising a metallic body having an outer surface and a marking on the outer surface, the marking comprising a remelt structure made of the same material as the outer surface, and the remelt structure of the marking having a wear characteristic which is substantially the same as that of the remainder of the outer surface.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of producing an optically visible surface marking 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 as a marking 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 21
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of producing an optically visible surface marking 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 as a marking 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.
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) | 1997-07-04 | 1998-01-03 | 1998-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-04 | 2002-01-03 | 2002-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-04 | 2006-01-03 | 2006-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |