SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING MASS-FABRICATED ITEMS WITH THREE-DIMENSIONAL CODES

• US 20100006640A1
• Filed: 09/18/2009
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Align Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Align Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Farren, Craig E., Shifman, Steven, Culp, James C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,905,408 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 13/0019 using three dimensional printing
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/00 Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/08 Mouthpiece-type retainers or positioners, e.g. for both the lower and upper arch arch-shaped medicament applicators for teeth or gums A61C19/063; mouthguards for protecting the teeth of sportsmen A63B71/085
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/121 by printing code marks applying code marks to labels B65C9/46; marking or coding completed packages B65B61/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 13/07 Transporting of cards between stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2019/06271 Relief-type marking

Abstract

In the processing of mass-produced items that include a three-dimensional code formed therein, a system is provided for automating certain post-manufacturing processing steps. The system includes a printing mechanism that applies ink to the three-dimensional code to form an optically-readable code; a code-reading mechanism that reads the optically readable code and transmits a signal indicative of the code to a database that may be employed for tracking the processed items; and a transport mechanism that moves the items from the printing mechanism to the code-reading mechanism. In one embodiment, the system also includes a liquid agent application mechanism that applies a liquid agent to the items after the optically-readable code is formed. The transport mechanism includes a plurality of pallets on which the items are placed for processing, and that is operable to move the pallets sequentially to the several processing mechanisms.

Claims

1. A system for transporting items, each of which incorporates item identification information encoded in a three-dimensional data matrix formed on the surface of the item, the system comprising:

a code-reading station including a code-reading mechanism operable to read the encoded item identification information and to transmit the encoded item identification information to a database;

a conveying mechanism including a plurality of pallets, each of which is identifiable by an RFID device configured to communicate pallet identification information to the database, wherein the pallet identification information includes mapping Information identifying a plurality of predefined item positions on each of the pallets; and

an unloading mechanism operable to take the items from the code-reading station and to place each of the items in a selected one of the predefined item positions on one of the pallets in accordance with the mapping information received from the database, whereby each of the items on each pallet is mapped to a single predefined item position on the pallet.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a printing mechanism operable to apply an ink medium to the three-dimensional data matrix to render the three-dimensional data matrix into an optically-readable code on the surface of the item, and wherein the code-reading mechanism is operable to read the optically readable code and to transmit a signal indicative of the optically-readable code to the database.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the printing mechanism comprises:

a ribbon or tape provided with the ink medium; and

a printing head operable to press the ribbon or tape against the three-dimensional data matrix of an item when the item is transported to the printing mechanism.

4. The system of claim 2, further comprising a liquid agent application mechanism operable to apply a liquid agent to each item after the printing mechanism has applied the ink medium.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the liquid agent application mechanism includes a spray head operable to spray the liquid agent onto the items.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the printing head is operable at a pressure that is maintained within a predetermined pressure range.

7. Apparatus for applying an optically-readable ink medium to a three-dimensional data matrix on the surface of an item, the mechanism comprising:

a printing head;

an inked foil bearing the ink medium;

an item transport mechanism operable to deliver the item to a printing position with respect to the printing head;

an ink medium transport mechanism operable to transport the inked foil between the printing head and an item in the printing position; and

an actuation mechanism operable to press the inked medium between the printing head and the item in the printing position so as to transfer the ink medium from the inked foil to the three-dimensional data matrix.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the inked foil is an inked ribbon or tape.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the item transport mechanism comprises:

a pallet having a surface configured to support the item;

a pallet transport mechanism operable to move the pallet so as place the item in alignment with the printing head.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises:

a pallet-lifting mechanism operable to lift the pallet so as to place the item in the printing position when the item is in alignment with the printing head; and

a printing head actuation mechanism operable to press the printing head against the item in the printing position with the inked foil between the printing head and the item.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the printing head is operable to apply a printing pressure against the inked foil and the item that is controllable within a predetermined pressure range.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, where the pallet lifting mechanism is operable to lower the pallet away from the printing head and the inked foil after the transfer of the ink medium to the three-dimensional data matrix, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a pressurized air mechanism operable to direct a jet of pressurized air onto the three-dimensional data matrix after the pallet is lowered away from the printing head and the inked foil.

13. A system for the automated processing of items, each of which incorporates information encoded in a three-dimensional data matrix formed on the surface of the item, the system comprising:

a movable pallet having a surface configured to support at least one of the items;

a printing mechanism operable to apply an ink medium to the three-dimensional data matrix of each item on the pallet to render the three-dimensional data matrix into an optically-readable code on the surface of each item on the pallet when the pallet is moved to the printing mechanism;

a liquid agent application mechanism operable to apply a liquid agent to each item on the pallet after the printing mechanism has applied the ink medium;

a code-reading mechanism operable to read the optically-readable code on each item on the pallet and to transmit a signal indicative of the optically-readable code to a database when the pallet is moved to the code-reading mechanism; and

a transport mechanism operable to move the pallet from the printing mechanism to the liquid agent application mechanism, and from the liquid agent application mechanism to the code-reading mechanism.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the liquid agent application mechanism includes a spray head operable to spray the liquid agent onto each item on the pallet.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the liquid agent application mechanism further comprises at least one control mechanism selected from a group consisting of a flow control mechanism operable to control the flow rate of the liquid agent through the spray head, and a pressure

control mechanism operable to control the pressure of the liquid agent delivered through the spray head.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the items are made of a curable polymer, and wherein the liquid agent includes a silicone mold release agent.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the transport mechanism is further operable to transport the pallet to an unloading apparatus that is operable to remove each item from the pallet, and wherein the system further comprises a cleaning mechanism operable to remove residual liquid agent from the pallet after all items have been removed from the pallet.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the cleaning mechanism comprises a blade that is movable across the surface of the pallet to remove the residual liquid agent.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the cleaning mechanism is actuated by at least one of electrical power and pneumatic power.