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. 31, 2011
Filed:
Nov. 07, 2007
Applicant:
Jack Keith Hilliard, Lakeland, FL (US);
Inventor:
Jack Keith Hilliard, Lakeland, FL (US);
Assignee:
Other;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B23P 23/00 (2006.01); A61C 7/02 (2006.01); B29C 51/42 (2006.01); B29C 53/00 (2006.01); B29C 37/02 (2006.01); B29C 35/00 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
A robotic system for forming features in orthodontic aligners includes a control system, a platen for three-dimensional positioning of the aligner, a heating station for selectively heating a small region of the aligner, and a thermoforming station for manipulating the heated region to form a desired feature in the aligner. Optionally, a laser cutting and trimming station can also be included to trim excess material from the aligner or to cut features into the aligner. The control system can include a processor with CAD software to enable a user to design features for aligners.