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:
May. 11, 2004
Filed:
Dec. 14, 2001
Applicant:
Inventors:
Oliver L. Puttler, La Crescenta, CA (US);
John A. Verdouw, Ontario, CA (US);
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
A61C 3/00 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
A61C 3/00 ;
Abstract
An appliance used in orthodontic treatment includes a retaining groove that is located directly adjacent a base of the appliance. The retaining groove is useful for keeping a wire segment or other item in place and in contact with a body of the appliance so that the item does not detach from the appliance during the course of treatment. The retaining groove is particularly useful for keeping tieback loops and other items having a thread-like configuration in a captive, compact and snug relationship with the appliance.