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US 9,060,831 B2Granted
Device for producing a dental workpiece
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsSebastian Guggenmos, Michael A. Kraemer, Michael K. Schaaf, Stefan Hoescheler, Thomas Sprengart, Martin Goetzinger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention includes a support frame for producing a dental workpiece. The frame has a Z axis and comprising wall sections defining a hole that extends along the Z axis through the frame. At least one of the wall sections comprises an adhesive-directing surface extending along the Z axis in a non-parallel relationship. Such a configuration provides optimized methods for affixing a blank to the support frame and optimized properties of the blank after fixation to the support frame.
Claims24
A device, comprising:
- a support frame for producing a dental workpiece, the frame having a Z axis and comprising wall sections defining a through hole that extends along the Z axis through the frame, wherein at least one of the wall sections comprises an adhesive-directing surface having a generally convex cross-sectional shape, wherein the support frame has a T-shaped cross section supporting the convex surface near an adhesive deposition area;
- at least one spacer on the wall sections, wherein the spacer does not extend across the entire through hole in any direction;
- and
- a blank, wherein at least one of the wall sections forms a fixation wall for affixing the blank within the hole and positioned by the spacer, and wherein, when no adhesive is present, the blank can be accommodated in the hole in such a way that there is clearance between the blank and the fixation wall, wherein the width of the blank is smaller than the narrowest width of the through hole,
- wherein the blank has no direct contact with the support frame, and the blank is positioned near the adhesive deposition area for applying adhesive to the blank.
2 more elements
Method of affixing a blank within a support frame, comprising the steps of
- (i) positioning a blank within a through-hole of a support frame, the frame having a Z axis and comprising wall sections defining a through hole that extends along the Z axis through the frame, wherein at least one of the wall sections comprises an adhesive-directing surface having a generally convex cross-sectional shape, wherein the support frame has a T-shaped cross section supporting the convex surface near an adhesive deposition area, and at least one spacer is included on the wall sections, wherein the spacer does not extend across the entire through hole in any direction, wherein at least one of the wall sections forms a fixation wall for affixing the blank within the hole and positioned by the spacer, and wherein, when no adhesive is present, the blank can be accommodated in the hole in such a way that there is clearance between the blank and the fixation wall, wherein the width of the blank is smaller than the narrowest width of the through hole, wherein the blank has no direct contact with the support frame, and the blank is positioned near the adhesive deposition area for applying adhesive to the blank;
- (ii) dispensing adhesive on the adhesive-directing surface of the support frame and keeping the blank free of adhesive;
- and
- (iii) causing the adhesive to flow towards the blank and contact the blank.
1 more element
Method of affixing a blank at a fixation wall of a support frame, comprising the steps of:
- (i) placing adhesive on an adhesive-directing surface of the support frame as a generally non-flowable deposit, the frame having a Z axis and comprising wall sections defining a through hole that extends along the Z axis through the frame, wherein at least one of the wall sections comprises an adhesive-directing surface having a generally convex cross-sectional shape, wherein the support frame has a T-shaped cross section supporting the convex surface near an adhesive deposition area, and at least one spacer is included on the wall sections, wherein the spacer does not extend across the entire through hole in any direction;
- (ii) positioning a blank within the through-hole of the support frame, wherein at least one of the wall sections forms a fixation wall for affixing the blank within the hole and positioned by the spacer, and wherein, when no adhesive is present, the blank can be accommodated in the hole in such a way that there is clearance between the blank and the fixation wall, wherein the width of the blank is smaller than the narrowest width of the through hole, wherein the blank has no direct contact with the support frame, and the blank is positioned near the adhesive deposition area for applying adhesive to the blank;
- and
- (iii) causing the adhesive to flow towards the blank and contact the blank.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.