Method of manufacturing orthodontic appliance having reinforcing fiber preform
First Claim
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1. A method for making an orthodontic bracket comprising the steps of:
- forming a fiber preform having a central axis with an overall length at least generally equivalent to the mesial-distal length of the resultant bracket;
placing a quantity of polymeric material and the fiber preform in a cavity of a mold assembly in a position wherein the central axis of the preform is parallel to an axis of the mold cavity that corresponds to an axis extending between mesial and distal sides of the resultant bracket;
causing at least one filament of the preform to move along a reference plane generally perpendicular to the central axis and to an orientation at least partially about a lateral periphery of an archwire slot of the bracket as the mold assembly is closed; and
curing the polymeric material to make the bracket.
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Abstract
An orthodontic appliance such as a bracket is made of a polymeric material with reinforcing fiber structure embedded in the polymeric material. The reinforcing fiber structure includes relatively long filaments that extend about the perimeter of the bracket including the periphery of an archwire slot. In one embodiment, a method for making the bracket includes the steps of placing a tubular fiber preform in a mold assembly in an orientation aligned with a mesial-distal axis of the resultant bracket, and then closing the mold assembly in directions toward a central axis of the preform.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for making an orthodontic bracket comprising the steps of:
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forming a fiber preform having a central axis with an overall length at least generally equivalent to the mesial-distal length of the resultant bracket; placing a quantity of polymeric material and the fiber preform in a cavity of a mold assembly in a position wherein the central axis of the preform is parallel to an axis of the mold cavity that corresponds to an axis extending between mesial and distal sides of the resultant bracket; causing at least one filament of the preform to move along a reference plane generally perpendicular to the central axis and to an orientation at least partially about a lateral periphery of an archwire slot of the bracket as the mold assembly is closed; and curing the polymeric material to make the bracket. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification