Abstract: Techniques are described for automating the design of dental restoration appliances using neural networks. An example computing device receives transform information associated with a current dental anatomy of a dental restoration patient, provides the transform information associated with the current dental anatomy of the dental restoration patient as input to a neural network trained with transform information indicating placement of a dental appliance component with respect to one or more teeth of corresponding dental anatomies, the dental appliance being used for dental restoration treatment for the one or more teeth, and executes the neural network using the input to produce placement information for the dental appliance component with respect to the current dental anatomy of the dental restoration patient.

Abstract: A thermoformed clamshell package with a pair of closing flanges and a double-sided adhesive for joining the closing flanges to seal the package. The package includes a carrier flange that carries the double-sided adhesive prior to sealing and a sealing flange that is brought into contact with the double-sided adhesive to seal the package. The package may include a frangible portion in the flange region for gaining access to the contents of the package after it has been sealed without breaking the adhesive seal created by the double-sided adhesive. The carrier flange may include a channel for seating the double-sided adhesive and for denesting adjacent packages when nested together for shipping and/or storage. The package may include one or more display strips disposed in the flange region. The present invention also provides a method for packaging articles in a package with a tamper-evident seal, and a method for manufacturing a package with a tamper-evident seal.

Abstract: A blister package having an at least partially contoured blister flange and correspondingly contoured first and second backers. The first backer includes a first flange that is coextensive with at least a portion of the blister flange. The second backer includes a second flange that is coextensive with a different portion, for example, a smaller portion or in a different location, of the blister flange than the first flange. A compartment can be defined between the first and second backers. Additional backers can be provided for additional compartments or features. The first backer can include an access panel, and the second backer can include at least one support flap that supports the blister in a stand alone position. A related method includes securing the first backer flange to the blister flange, and securing the second backer flange to the first backer flange.

Abstract: A blister package having a shaped blister flange and a correspondingly shaped backing. The flange and backing are non-planar, thereby permitting the width of the blister pocket while maintaining the area of contact between the blister flange and backing. The blister package is manufactured by the general steps of (a) producing a blister with a shaped flange, (b) locating the blister in a correspondingly shaped die, (c) producing a backing with a layer of heat activated adhesive, (d) locating the backing over the blister, and (e) applying heat and pressure to the backing and blister with a correspondingly shaped heated press.

Abstract: A blister package having a shaped blister flange and a correspondingly shaped backing. The flange and backing are non-planar, thereby permitting the width of the blister pocket while maintaining the area of contact between the blister flange and backing. The blister package is manufactured by the general steps of (a) producing a blister with a shaped flange, (b) locating the blister in a correspondingly shaped die, (c) producing a backing with a layer of heat activated adhesive, (d) locating the backing over the blister, and (e) applying heat and pressure to the backing and blister with a correspondingly shaped heated press.

Abstract: A packaging system for holding CDs in overlapping relationship to provide a compact and attractive retail display. The system includes a windowed box and an insert for holding the CDs for display through the window. The insert is folded from a one-piece sheet to form a tent defining a plurality of parallel V-shaped slots in which CDs can be placed.