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:
Aug. 28, 2007
Filed:
Oct. 21, 2003
Roman Wrosz, Poway, CA (US);
James C. Culp, Pleasanton, CA (US);
Craig E. Farren, Livermore, CA (US);
Roman Wrosz, Poway, CA (US);
James C. Culp, Pleasanton, CA (US);
Craig E. Farren, Livermore, CA (US);
Align Technology, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for manufacturing dental aligners. The system includes a workpiece introduction system having at least one workpiece preparation chamber. The system further has a mold manipulation system, having a mold introduction chamber, where a series of different molds may be introduced one after the other; a mold preparation chamber; a workpiece operation chamber; and a mold manipulator to move the mold between the mold introduction chamber, the mold preparation chamber, and the workpiece operation chamber; and a workpiece manipulator to move the workpiece between the workpiece preparation chamber and the workpiece operation chamber. In operation, the method includes steps of inserting a first workpiece into a workpiece preparation chamber; preparing the first workpiece for processing by subjecting the first workpiece to at least one preparation process; moving the first workpiece into a workpiece operation chamber; moving a first mold into a mold preparation chamber; preparing the first mold for processing by subjecting the first mold to at least one preparation process; moving the first mold into the workpiece operation chamber; moving the first mold and the first workpiece into cooperative engagement; subjecting the first workpiece to a vacuum on the side of the first workpiece facing the first mold; and repeating the above steps for a second workpiece and a second different mold.