Abstract: An orthodontic attachment device connects an intra-oral appliance to other orthodontic components in the oral cavity. The attachment device is particularly useful for telescoping-type interarch appliances that tend to reposition one dental arch relative to the other dental arch. The attachment device includes a first section that is non-rotatably connected to an archwire, and a second section that has an opening. The opening of the second section pivotally receives a coupler of the interarch appliance.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket has tiewings with cavities for receiving an attachment, such as a hook or a ligating latch. Optionally, the bracket is made in two or more sections or bodies that preferably have cross-sectional configurations similar to each other when viewed in directions perpendicular to the archwire slot. When the bodies are assembled to each other, tiewing portions of each section are located adjacent each other to present a single tiewing.

Abstract: Inkjet printing apparatus includes a drum, a print head for directing radiation curable ink toward a substrate on the drum, and a curing device for directing radiation toward the ink that is received on the substrate. The curing device is selectively operable to direct radiation toward a certain portion of the ink received on the substrate only after that certain portion has moved with the substrate and the drum through an arc that is at least 360 degrees. In this manner, the ink on the substrate has sufficient time to spread and level and the resultant image is of high quality.

Abstract: A dental brush has a plurality of bristles and is adapted to connect to a dental handpiece. As the brush is rotated, outer portions of the bristles shift and present an overall tapered configuration with a narrowed outer tip when the bristles come into contact with dental structure. The tapered configuration is particularly useful for finishing and polishing recesses in the patient's tooth structure such as interproximal areas, grooves located next to cusps of the teeth and recesses that may be present in dental restorations.

Abstract: Inkjet printing apparatus includes a print head for directing radiation curable ink toward a substrate and a curing device for directing radiation toward ink received on the substrate. The apparatus includes a computer for determining desired dwell times for the ink based on characteristics of the substrate and the ink. A control device connected to the computer varies the dwell time in accordance with the desired dwell time as determined by the computer.

Abstract: Inkjet printing apparatus includes a print head for directing radiation curable ink onto a substrate and a curing device for directing radiation along a path toward ink received on the substrate. The apparatus includes a shield and a mechanism for selectively moving the shield into and out of the path of radiation. Control of movement of the shield enables the intensity of radiation received on the substrate to be varied to ensure that the substrate does not overheat during a curing operation.

Abstract: A container for a composition made of multiple components includes an outer housing having a chamber and an inner housing having a compartment. The inner housing includes a frangible wall portion that, when ruptured, enables the components to contact each other for mixing. Advantageously, the inner housing can be manufactured separately from the outer housing, and the housings can be assembled during a subsequent operation. In certain embodiments, the inner housing is slidable relative to the outer housing from a first position to a second position, and during the sliding movement a puncturing tool located within the container breaks the frangible wall portion and causes the components to contact each other.

Abstract: An adhesively mountable image using a non-tacky reusable adhesive surface is provided. The image carrier is removable from the adhesive carrier, and a subsequent image carrier may be releasably bound to the same adhesive carrier. Kits for this system are also provided.

Abstract: Steered vacuum-assisted laminating apparatus and methods of using the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a vacuum-assisted laminator for applying large format films to substrates where lamination pressure is generated at least partially by a vacuum drawn in a vacuum cavity. The apparatus also includes a steering system to control the vertical position the laminator and a vehicle to move the laminator along the substrate in a desired direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of displaying an image on a display device having first and second sides, said image including a light restricting silhouette pattern having a plurality of first transparent or translucent areas, and at least one design layer having at least one color, said at least one design layer being visible from one side of said display device and substantially less visible from the other side, said image being substantially transparent or translucent as viewed from the other side, comprising the steps: 1) providing at least a definition of said design layer to a computer, 2) generating a computerized version of said design layer with,he computer, 3) outputting the computerized version of said design layer to said display device, the computerized version of said design layer being modified to subdivide said design layer into a plurality of second discrete transparent or translucent areas and other areas; and 4) displaying said modified design layer and said silhouette pattern with

Abstract: An adhesively mountable image using a highly tacky reusable adhesive surface is provided. The image carrier is removable from the adhesive carrier, and a subsequent image carrier may be releasably bound to the same adhesive carrier. Kits for this system are also provided.

Abstract: A mill blank assembly for making a dental prosthesis includes a milling section and a support section. The support section is adapted to fit in a chuck or collet of a milling machine. One of the milling section and the support section includes a projection that extends into a recess of the other, in order to enhance the strength of the bond between the milling section and the support section. As a result, the completed assembly is less likely to fracture or become disassembled during the milling process.

Abstract: An adhesively mountable image using a reusable adhesive surface is provided. The image carrier is removable from the adhesive carrier, and a subsequent image carrier may be releasably bound to the same adhesive carrier. Kits for this system are also provided.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance includes a base with an outer surface, as well as at least one passageway extending through the base. An element is received in each passageway and is made of a material that transmits actinic radiation. The element serves as a window to facilitate the curing of light-curable orthodontic adhesive beneath the appliance base, while simultaneously preventing movement of the adhesive through the passageway. Optionally, one or more optical fibers are provided to facilitate curing of the adhesive.

Abstract: A hand instrument for debonding orthodontic brackets has a shield that extends around the bracket during a debonding procedure. In certain embodiments, the shield is connected to a vacuum source for carrying away any loose fragments or sections. In another embodiment, the debonding tool has at least one resilient surface for engagement with sides of the bracket to facilitate the application of uniform pressure on the bracket. Additional embodiments include a shield having at least one resilient outer edge for contact with the tooth surface.

Abstract: A vacuum-assisted lamination apparatus and methods of using the same to laminate a film to a substrate or two or more continuous webs together are disclosed. The apparatus includes a series of rolls and a partial vacuum source to provide pressure on a film or films.

Abstract: A decorative sheet (10) comprising: (a) a light-transmitting covering film (12) which comprises a vinyl chloride resin; (b) a light-transmitting bonding composite layer (14) which is adhered to the back of said covering film and (c) a metal layer (16) which is adhered to the back of said bonding composite layer, wherein said bonding composite layer comprises the first resin layer (18) adhered to said covering film, and the second resin layer (20) adhered to said metal layer (16), said first resin layer (18) comprises a saturated polyester or a aminoethylated resin, and said second resin layer (20) comprises (i) a polyester having a siloxane bond in a molecule or (ii) a polyurethane resin having a siloxane bond in a molecule and a polyester unit.

Abstract: Methods and systems for curing radiation-curable inks printed on substrates using inkjet printheads are disclosed. The methods and systems include radiation sources that are either integral with a printer or that can be added to an existing printer. In either case, the radiation source preferably moves independently of the printhead to provide the desired electromagnetic curing energy to the printed ink. The radiation source and the printhead may be mounted separately and move independently such that the mass of the printhead is not significantly increased.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for curing photocurable dental materials involve a solid state light emitter and a source of electrical current connected to the light emitter. The source of electrical current provides a current to the light emitter that is sufficient to reduce the lifetime of the light emitter to less than 10 hours. The intensity of light from the light emitter is substantially increased and the apparatus can be conveniently disposed of after use on a single patient. A light guide that includes two conical optical surfaces collects light from the solid state light emitter and optionally directs the light to a third optical surface which has the shape of an elongated, curved tube.

Abstract: A thermal printing apparatus 41 that can transfer a colorant from a moving ribbon 66 onto printable areas 140a, 140b of a thermal print receptive sheeting 46. The apparatus 41 includes a thermal print head 44, a transport, a mechanism that can move the thermal print head 44 in a second direction x, a ribbon travel mechanism that is capable of supporting a ribbon 66, and a mechanism that allows colorant to be transferred to a thermal print receptive sheeting 46 while the ribbon travel mechanism is in operation and while the thermal print head 44 is moving in the second direction x. The ribbon 66 and the thermal print head 44 are in motion while the indicia is being printed on the thermal print receptive sheeting. The thermal print head 44 is elongate, has a length L of at least one centimeter, and extends substantially in a first direction y.