Abstract: A nucleating beverage container, system, and method, for effervescent beverages, incorporating nucleating features or sites at different elevations about a cavity of the container, configured to cooperate to generate an enhanced amount of smaller bubbles that will rise within and accumulate on the surface of the beverage as a collar or head, designable to do so without reducing the carbonation of the beverage so as to degrade taste or go flat within a prescribed time, and which can limit thermal convection of the beverage within a lower region of the container, to reduce warming and degradation of quality of the last to be consumed portion of the beverage.

Abstract: A tilter for holding a container in a tilted position for receiving a beverage being dispensed from a dispensing system such as a beer faucet, which holds the container, such as a cup or mug, in an initial highly tilted orientation for receiving the dispensed beverage, and which progressively reduces the degree of tilt as the container fills. The tilter can operate in cooperation with the lever or other actuator of a dispenser to automatically be tilted to the initial highly tilted orientation when the actuator is operated to initially dispense, and to automatically operate the actuator to stop the dispensing of the beverage when a final reduced degree of tilt is reached and present the filled container for removal from the tilter.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for enhancing presentation of a beverage, particularly adapted for adding a longer lasting, creamy foamed head to a beer or other malt beverage, which enhancing can be done when the beverage is served or later, and separately of dispensing the beverage. The enhancement provided by the creamy foamed head can increase aroma, and customize or change flavor and appearance, including by the addition of design and/or marketing features, to increase perceived value. As another advantage, the apparatus of the invention can be provided in advance of the dispensing of the beverage, and separately, including in a disposable, hand held container.

Abstract: The beverage dispensing system includes a dispensing faucet defining a flow path, a valve head in the flow path movable between a closed position in sealed contact with a valve seat, and an open position. An actuator is manually movable to operate the faucet, and a biasing element is cooperable with the actuator and valve head such that an initial movement of the actuator will automatically cause sufficient energy to be stored or loaded in the biasing element for moving the valve head to the open position but without doing so. Occurrence of a subsequent predetermined event such as a further movement of the actuator will cause the stored energy to be automatically released to rapidly or nearly instantaneously move the valve head to the open position. As a result, no instruction or skill is required to operate the faucet to uniformly dispense pressurized beverages such as draught beer.

Abstract: The beverage dispensing system includes a dispensing faucet defining a flow path, a valve head in the flow path movable between a closed position in sealed contact with a valve seat, and an open position. An actuator is manually movable to operate the faucet, and a biasing element is cooperable with the actuator and valve head such that an initial movement of the actuator will automatically cause sufficient energy to be stored or loaded in the biasing element for moving the valve head to the open position but without doing so. Occurrence of a subsequent predetermined event such as a further movement of the actuator will cause the stored energy to be automatically released to rapidly or nearly instantaneously move the valve head to the open position. As a result, no instruction or skill is required to operate the faucet to uniformly dispense pressurized beverages such as draught beer.

Abstract: The beverage dispensing system includes a dispensing faucet defining a flow path, a valve head in the flow path movable between a closed position in sealed contact with a valve seat, and an open position. An actuator is manually movable to operate the faucet, and a biasing element is cooperable with the actuator and valve head such that an initial movement of the actuator will automatically cause sufficient energy to be stored or loaded in the biasing element for moving the valve head to the open position but without doing so. Occurrence of a subsequent predetermined event such as a further movement of the actuator will cause the stored energy to be automatically released to rapidly or nearly instantaneously move the valve head to the open position. As a result, no instruction or skill is required to operate the faucet to uniformly dispense pressurized beverages such as draught beer.

Abstract: A filter for holding a container in a tilted position for receiving a beverage being dispensed from a dispensing system such as a beer faucet, which holds the container, such as a cup or mug, in an initial highly tilted orientation for receiving the dispensed beverage, and which progressively reduces the degree of tilt as the container fills. The filter can operate in cooperation with the lever or other actuator of a dispenser to automatically be tilted to the initial highly tilted orientation when the actuator is operated to initially dispense, and to automatically operate the actuator to stop the dispensing of the beverage when a final reduced degree of tilt is reached and present the filled container for removal from the filter.

Abstract: The beverage dispensing system includes a dispensing faucet defining a flow path, a valve head in the flow path movable between a closed position in sealed contact with a valve seat, and an open position. An actuator is manually movable to operate the faucet, and a biasing element is cooperable with the actuator and valve head such that an initial movement of the actuator will automatically cause sufficient energy to be stored or loaded in the biasing element for moving the valve head to the open position but without doing so. Occurrence of a subsequent predetermined event such as a further movement of the actuator will cause the stored energy to be automatically released to rapidly or nearly instantaneously move the valve head to the open position. As a result, no instruction or skill is required to operate the faucet to uniformly dispense pressurized beverages such as draught beer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for making a computer model of a patient's jaws on the basis of digital information from computed tomography and non-radiographic digital imaging of the patient's teeth or dental casts of their teeth.

Abstract: A method is set forth for making a computer model of patient's jaws on the basis of digital information. Digital data about the jaws, teeth, soft tissues and artificial teeth is joined in computer space to create aesthetic and functional plans for the removal of teeth, shaping of supporting bone and placement of dental implants. Artificial teeth and pre-manufactured prosthetic devices are made and attached to the dental implants at the time of surgery. The aesthetic and functional position of artificial teeth is determined prior to surgical removal of natural teeth and the ideal position of implants and the proper form of the remaining bone are determined prior to surgery. Surgical guides used to shape bone, record occlusal orientation and position dental implants are manufactured using computer milling or layered manufacturing.

Abstract: A method is set forth for making a computer model of patient's jaws, face, teeth and removable dentures on the basis of digital information. Three dimensional digital data about the soft tissues, artificial teeth, supporting bone and position of nerves is combined in a virtual computer model to create an aesthetic and functional plan for the creation of surgical drill guides and the creation of new dentures and teeth. A key component of this method, the accurate positioning of dental casts in a physical articulator, is simplified using three dimensional virtual and physical measurements and movements. Surgical guides used to position dental implants are manufactured using computer milling, layered manufacturing or conventional laboratory techniques with the aid of mechanical tools that reproduce the position of the dental cast or digitally produced replica in the same orientation to the virtual implant position.

Abstract: A method and system for making a dental prosthetic includes, for example, arranging a first virtual tooth image relative to a second virtual tooth image on a virtual denture set and locating a first actual prosthetic tooth relative to a second actual prosthetic tooth in a manner corresponding to the arranged first and second virtual images. The method also may include performing at least one Boolean operation to remove a portion of the first virtual tooth image and the second virtual tooth image and machining the first actual prosthetic tooth and the second actual prosthetic tooth to remove a portion correspond to material removed by the Boolean operation performed on the first and second virtual tooth images.

Abstract: A method is set forth for making a computer model of patient's jaws on the basis of digital information. Digital data about the jaws, teeth, soft tissues and artificial teeth is joined in computer space to create aesthetic and functional plans for the removal of teeth, shaping of supporting bone and placement of dental implants. Artificial teeth and pre-manufactured prosthetic devices are made and attached to the dental implants at the time of surgery. The aesthetic and functional position of artificial teeth is determined prior to surgical removal of natural teeth and the ideal position of implants and the proper form of the remaining bone are determined prior to surgery. Surgical guides used to shape bone, record occlusal orientation and position dental implants are manufactured using computer milling or layered manufacturing.

Abstract: A method is set forth for making a computer model of patient's jaws on the basis of digital information. Digital data about the jaws, teeth, soft tissues and artificial teeth is joined in computer space to create aesthetic and functional plans for the removal of teeth, shaping of supporting bone and placement of dental implants. Artificial teeth and pre-manufactured prosthetic devices are made and attached to the dental implants at the time of surgery. The aesthetic and functional position of artificial teeth is determined prior to surgical removal of natural teeth and the ideal position of implants and the proper form of the remaining bone are determined prior to surgery. Surgical guides used to shape bone, record occlusal orientation and position dental implants are manufactured using computer milling or layered manufacturing.

Abstract: A method of making a medical or dental part may comprise creating a first digital model, manufacturing an initial embodiment of the part based on the first digital model using a layered manufacturing process, creating a second digital model of the initial embodiment of the part, determining the difference between the second digital model and the first digital model, and machining the initial embodiment of the part to create a final embodiment of the part by removing an amount of material substantially representative of the difference. A computer readable medium for performing such method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making and aligning digital images from oral tissues, dental implants, healing components, and dental restorations to design and manufacture dental implant retained restorations. Image data about the space available for the planned restoration, orientation of dental implants or abutments and aesthetic contour and occlusion of the prosthesis are all integrated into a virtual three-dimensional model of the prosthesis that can be sent to the clinician or laboratory to validate design intent and to manufacture the prosthesis. The virtual model is used by either a conventional rapid prototyping machine to produce a castable pattern or a number controlled mill to machine the restoration.

Abstract: A method is set forth for making a computer model of patient's jaws on the basis of digital information. Digital data about the jaws, teeth, soft tissues and artificial teeth is joined in computer space to create aesthetic and functional plans for the removal of teeth, shaping of supporting bone and placement of dental implants. Artificial teeth and pre-manufactured prosthetic devices are made and attached to the dental implants at the time of surgery. The aesthetic and functional position of artificial teeth is determined prior to surgical removal of natural teeth and the ideal position of implants and the proper form of the remaining bone are determined prior to surgery. Surgical guides used to shape bone, record occlusal orientation and position dental implants are manufactured using computer milling or layered manufacturing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making and aligning digital images from oral tissues, dental implants, healing components, and dental restorations to design and manufacture dental implant retained restorations. Image data about the space available for the planned restoration, orientation of dental implants or abutments and aesthetic contour and occlusion of the prosthesis are all integrated into a virtual three-dimensional model of the prosthesis that can be sent to the clinician or laboratory to validate design intent and to manufacture the prosthesis. The virtual model is used by either a conventional rapid prototyping machine to produce a castable pattern or a number controlled mill to machine the restoration.

Abstract: Methods and systems for making a computer model of a patient's jaws on the basis of digital information from computed tomography and non-radiographic digital imaging of the patient's teeth or dental casts of their teeth.