The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 24, 2026
Filed:
Jul. 26, 2023
Align Technology, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);
Avi Kopelman, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Jeeyoung Choi, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Align Technology, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
Methods for fabricating layered appliances are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes generating a digital model of a polymeric shell including a plurality of tooth-receiving cavities shaped to receive and reposition a patient's teeth from a first arrangement toward a second arrangement. The polymeric shell can include an interior layer having a first stiffness, and an exterior layer having a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness. The exterior layer can include a discontinuity formed therein. The method can further include transmitting the digital model to a fabrication system configured to fabricate the polymeric shell based on the digital model.