Method of inkjet printing onto aligners
AssigneeAlign Technology, Inc.
InventorMichael Christopher Cole
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided herein are methods of obtaining good photocured-ink adhesion to low surface energy materials. The methods have greatly improved adhesion of photocured ink on low surface energy materials, including those that are subjected to high humidity or wet environments. The methods take into account the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the materials and the onset for the glass transition temperature, including ink applied to an exposed surface of the material at an elevated temperature that is close to the Tg of the material. The ink is allowed to sit briefly or soak, such as for more than 1 second, before the ink is cured. The ink may be photocured. Furthermore, the methods do not require solvents or surface treatment, including plasma or corona treatments, to obtain good ink adhesion.
Claims24
A method comprising:
- obtaining an orthodontic appliance having a material characterized by a glass transition temperature;
- bringing the material of the orthodontic appliance to a specified temperature;
- applying a formulation to a region of the material while the material is within a range of the specified temperature;
- maintaining the applied formulation and the region of the material at the specified temperature for a soak time;
- and
- curing the applied formulation to the material using electromagnetic radiation after the soak time to obtain a printed orthodontic device.
A method comprising:
- obtaining an orthodontic appliance having a material characterized by a glass transition temperature, the material comprising one or more of:
- polyolefin, polyester, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, poly lactic acid, polyurethane, epoxide polymer, polyether, poly(vinyl chloride), polysiloxane, polycarbonate, polyamide, poly acrylonitrile, polybutadiene, poly(cycloolefin), and co-polymer;
- bringing the material of the orthodontic appliance to a specified temperature within 20° C. of the glass transition temperature of the material;
- printing, with an inkjet printer, a formulation to a region of the material while the material is within a range of the specified temperature;
- maintaining the printed formulation and the region of the material at the specified temperature for a soak time, the soak time being a function of a difference between the specified temperature and the glass transition temperature of the material;
- and
- curing the printed formulation to the material using electromagnetic radiation after the soak time to obtain a printed orthodontic device.
A printed orthodontic appliance formed by a method comprising:
- obtaining an orthodontic appliance having a material characterized by a glass transition temperature;
- bringing the material of the orthodontic appliance to a specified temperature;
- applying a formulation to a region of the material while the material is within a range of the specified temperature;
- maintaining the applied formulation and the region of the material at the specified temperature for a soak time;
- and
- curing the applied formulation to the material using electromagnetic radiation after the soak time to obtain the printed orthodontic appliance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.