US5759032A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for applying pressure to photocurable materials during polymerization
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-07-24
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Granted: 1998-06-02
•
Expires: 2016-07-24
Abstract
Abstract A dental curing accessory that fits on the light emitting tip of a curing light and is pressed against a photocurable material and its immediate underlying structure such as a tooth, appliance, or dental structure while the photocurable material is polymerizing. The present invention is a partially hollow tubular body having a receiving portion which fits onto the curing light tip, and also has a light permitting contact portion which contacts the photocurable material transferring pressure from the device to the photocuring site. Pressure delivered to the photocuring site through the present invention promotes intimate contact between a photocurable material and a structure to which the photocurable material is bonded or attached to, providing a stronger bond, reducing voids in the photocurable material, contouring the photocurable material against the structure resulting in a more even surfaced product requiring less finishing work, and substantially preventing the formation of an oxygen inhibited layer. The present invention may also include a reflective material positioned on or positioned within the tubular body wall for reducing the amount of light escaping from the tubular body, or alternatively, the tubular body may be made of a reflective material which does not permit an appreciable amount of light to escape the device.
Inventors
- 👤 William B. Bartel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C19/00; A61C19/003; A61C19/004; A61C5/00; A61C5/50; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S385/00; Y10S385/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A device comprising: a partially hollow tubular body having a hollow upper receiving portion joined to a lower contact portion, said lower contact portion having an outer end and an axial region; wherein said receiving portion fits on the light emitting end of a curing light, wherein said axial region is occupied with a light permitting material that allows a photocurably effective amount of light to pass through, and wherein said outer end is supple.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A device comprising: a partially hollow tubular body having a hollow upper receiving portion joined to a lower contact portion, said lower contact portion having an outer end and an axial region; wherein said receiving portion fits on the light emitting end of a curing light, wherein said axial region is occupied with a light permitting material that allows a photocurably effective amount of light to pass through, and wherein said outer end is supple.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of said tubular body is made of a reflective material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device according to claim 2, wherein said reflective material is an opaque plastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said device further includes means for preventing a significant amount of curing light emissions from escaping said device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device according to claim 4, wherein said means is a reflective material positioned on at least said contact portion less said outer end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device according to claim 5, wherein said reflective material is selected from the group consisting of an opaque substance, a metallic substance, and a light reflecting substance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device according to claim 5, wherein said reflective material is a reflective band.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device according to claim 5, wherein said reflective material is a reflective coating.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein the shape of said outer end is selected from the group consisting of flat, convex, concave, and wedge-like.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 9, wherein said device further includes means for preventing a significant amount of curing light emissions from escaping said device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device according to claim 10, wherein said means is a reflective material positioned on at least said contact portion less said outer end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device according to claim 11, wherein said reflective material is selected from the group consisting of an opaque substance, a metallic substance, and a light reflecting substance.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device according to claim 11, wherein said reflective material is a reflective band.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device according to claim 11, wherein said reflective material is a reflective coating.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device according to claim 9, wherein at least a part of said tubular body is made of a reflective material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device according to claim 15, wherein said reflective material is an opaque plastic.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
68 words
A device comprising: a tube; and a light permitting filler, said filler occupying the lower portion of said tube thereby comprising an axial region of said device, wherein said axial region has a supple outer end, and wherein the shape of said outer end is substantially shaped like that selected from the group consisting of a convex shape, a concave shape, a flat shape, and a wedge-like shape.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
68 words
A device comprising: a tube; and a light permitting filler, said filler occupying the lower portion of said tube thereby comprising an axial region of said device, wherein said axial region has a supple outer end, and wherein the shape of said outer end is substantially shaped like that selected from the group consisting of a convex shape, a concave shape, a flat shape, and a wedge-like shape.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 17, further including a reflective material positioned on said tube so as to substantially cover said axial region.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
78 words
A device comprising an integral unit made of a supple, light permitting substance formed into a tubular body having a hollow receiving portion which fits on the tip of a curing light, and a contact portion having an outer end for pressing against a photocurable material, and wherein the shape of said outer end is substantially shaped like that selected from the group consisting of a convex shape, a concave shape, a flat shape, and a wedge-like shape.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
78 words
A device comprising an integral unit made of a supple, light permitting substance formed into a tubular body having a hollow receiving portion which fits on the tip of a curing light, and a contact portion having an outer end for pressing against a photocurable material, and wherein the shape of said outer end is substantially shaped like that selected from the group consisting of a convex shape, a concave shape, a flat shape, and a wedge-like shape.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 20, further including a reflective material positioned around said contact portion so as to make a photocurably effective amount of light available for photocuring.
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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) | 2001-06-01 | 2001-12-01 | 2002-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-01 | 2005-12-01 | 2006-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-01 | 2009-12-01 | 2010-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |