Denture flask mould press and method of use

A press for removing hardened mould material from an adhered condition in a denture flask that has housing with at least two portions separably mated to each along a joinder line that is parallel to the ends of the denture flask, the press comprising:

• a frame, a threaded bore formed therethrough;
• a shaft, correspondingly threaded for, and received in, the bore, the shaft having a cap for engaging the mould material at one end thereof and a head, adapted for rotating the shaft, at a second end thereof;
• and
• means for restraining movement of one of the flask portions relative to an axis of travel of the shaft.

A method for removing hardened mould material from an adhered condition in a denture flask, the denture flask comprising a housing with two portions separably mated to each other along a joinder line that is parallel to the ends of the denture flask, the housing substantially filled with the hardened mould material, the method comprising the steps of:

• mounting the denture flask in a mould press, the joinder line positioned radially with respect to an axis of travel of a shaft threadingly mounted in the mould press and with a first flask portion restrained against movement along the axis of travel by engaging a flange on the mould press with a groove on the first flask portion, with at least a portion of the mould material at an end of the first flask portion available for contact with the shaft along the axis of travel, the availability being through an open end of the first flask portion or an aperture in the end of the first flask portion;
• advancing a capped end of the shaft towards the denture flask and the adhered mould material therein, breaking the adhesion of the mould material to the first flask portion;
• dismounting the denture flask from the mould press and removing the first flask portion from the hardened mould material;
• mounting the second flask portion in the mould press, with the second flask portion restrained against movement along the axis of travel and with at least a portion of the mould material at an end of the second flask portion available for contact along the axis of travel;
• advancing the capped end towards the second flask portion, breaking the adhesion of the mould material to the second flask portion;
• and
• dismounting the second flask portion from the mould press and removing the second flask portion from the hardened mould material.