Patents Represented by Attorney James D. Christoff

Find this attorney in the Justia Lawyer Directory

  • Dual chamber dispensing cartridge refilling device
    Patent number: 5988230
    Abstract: A device for consolidating compositions contained in partially filled dual chamber dispensing cartridges includes a body having a pair of passages, and first and second couplers for connecting the body to first and second dual chamber dispensing cartridges. Once the device is connected to two cartridges, an applicator is connected to one of the cartridges and is used to expel any remaining compositions in such cartridge to chambers of the other cartridge. The contents of several partially empty cartridges can be consolidated in this manner so that a subsequent dispensing operation need not be interrupted to replace cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Black, Frederick J. Turk, Bruce R. Broyles, Darin J. Meyertholen, John W. Dubbe, James D. Christoff
  • Mandibular repositioning device
    Patent number: 5980247
    Abstract: A device for repositioning the mandibular jaw relative to the maxilliary jaw during orthodontic treatment has two links connected together by a pivot. Each link is also pivotally connected to one of the patient's jaws at a position remote from the pivot. As the jaws are closed, the links urge the relative positions of the jaws to certain orientations as determined by the practitioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: James D. Cleary
  • Indirect bonding method and adhesive for orthodontic treatment
    Patent number: 5971754
    Abstract: A method of indirect bonding used in orthodontic treatment includes the steps of placing a first component of an adhesive on base structure of an orthodontic appliance and a second component of the adhesive on portions of a patient's tooth. The appliance is connected to a transfer tray, and the transfer tray is placed over the tooth such that the first component and the second component contact each other and react to provide a bond for securing the appliance to the tooth. The bond has sufficient strength within two minutes and preferably within 1.5 minutes of the time that the first component contacts the second component to enable removal of the tray from the tooth without significantly changing the position of the appliance on the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventors: Anoop Sondhi, Darrell S. James, Jerold S. Horn
  • Method and apparatus for covering cargo
    Patent number: 5964236
    Abstract: Cargo is covered by use of a tarp and a frame that extends over the tarp. A number of cords are connected to the tarp and a plurality of couplers interconnect the cords to the frame. The couplers releasably connect the tarp to the frame so that the tarp can be dropped onto the cargo once the frame is moved into a position over the cargo by, for example, a forklift. Preferably, the cords include free terminal end sections that can be pulled from ground level to disconnect the cords from the frame when desired, so that walking across the cargo can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventor: Lanny R. Berke
  • Telescoping, intra-oral force module
    Patent number: 5964588
    Abstract: An intra-oral device for applying a force to the mandibular and maxillary dental arches includes a first member and a second member slidably received in the first member. A spring extends around the second member for urging the second member and the first member in directions away from each other. A third member is slidably received in the second member and preferably is detachable from the second member before installation of the device in the oral cavity in order to cut, bend or make other alterations of its shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: James D. Cleary
  • Dental air-water syringe with water purifying device
    Patent number: 5908296
    Abstract: A dental air-water syringe includes a handle and a tip as well as a device for purifying water flowing through the tip. In one embodiment of the invention, the water purifying device is contained within a housing of the tip and optionally includes a number of iodide beads disposed along the length of the housing. In another embodiment of the invention, the device is detachably connected to the tip, and the tip and the device have outer diameters that are approximately equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Cary A. Kipke, Raymond M. Gleason
  • Orthodontic force module
    Patent number: 5897313
    Abstract: A force module useful in moving individual malpositioned teeth or entire dental arches during orthodontic therapy includes an elongated body with couplings at each end of the body for connection to selected orthodontic appliances. In certain embodiments, the body has an enlarged middle section to reduce likelihood of fracture. In other embodiments, the body has a recurve portion. Optionally, the module includes couplings that have a sleeve portion for receiving end sections of the body and an arm portion connected to each sleeve portion, and the arm portions extend at an obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: James D. Cleary, Russell A. Jordan
  • Pouch for orthodontic appliance
    Patent number: 5836444
    Abstract: A pouch especially adapted for packaging small articles such as orthodontic appliances includes a pair of sheets that are joined together. In one embodiment, one sheet of the pouch extends beyond the other sheet in order to provide additional space for text or other information. In another embodiment, the pouch includes a tamper evident indicator and a recloseable section so that the pouch can be reused. In another embodiment, a line of perforations extends across the pouch and across an orthodontic archwire packaged in the pouch, so that the archwire can be grasped with a tool when the package is opened along the perforations without directly contacting the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Hoevel, Bruce E. Chester, Gregory D. Crowe
  • Carrier for supporting orthodontic brackets
    Patent number: 5827058
    Abstract: An orthodontic assembly includes one or more orthodontic brackets that are releasably received in a tubular carrier. The carrier has arms with outer end sections that are spaced apart from each other to present a channel therebetween. The outer end sections of the arms are received in occlusal and gingival recesses of each bracket in order to support the bracket in suspended relation. The carrier is particularly useful for holding brackets during a manufacturing operation or during transport of the brackets from manufacturing operation to another. The carrier is also useful for supporting brackets in a package for shipment to the end user, especially when the brackets are precoated with a layer of adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: John S. Kelly, Russell A. Jordan, Randall E. Adam
  • Assembly for retaining optical components
    Patent number: 5822137
    Abstract: An assembly useful for retaining optical components such as lenses, optical filters and the like includes a block having a cavity and a pair of retainers received in the cavity. In certain embodiments, the cavity is cylindrical and each retainer has a semi-cylindrical configuration. Each retainer preferably includes integrally molded deformable ribs that shift the optical components when the retainers are closed to a position such that the optical axis of each component is collinear with the central axis of the optical chamber and the retainer cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Nagel A. Abul-Haj, Roxanne E. Abul-Haj, Thomas G. Hacker
  • Packaged photocurable composition
    Patent number: 5785178
    Abstract: A packaged composition includes a vial having wall portions defining a chamber and a photocurable material in the chamber. The wall portions transmit less than about 1.0% of actinic radiation, and at least one of the wall portions transmits light having wavelengths in at least part of the visible spectrum. In certain embodiments of the invention, the wall portions are flexible and the photocurable material is dispensed from the chamber through an outlet when the wall portions are squeezed together. In other embodiments of the invention, an element is floating in the photocurable material in the chamber to facilitate determination of the amount of photocurable material remaining in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: James R. Kvitrud, Thomas W. Martin, Steven E. Shimota
  • Dental impression tray with improved adhesion to impression material
    Patent number: 5772432
    Abstract: A dental impression tray has a receptacle for receiving a quantity of dental impression material, and the receptacle is coated with an adhesive for enhancing the bond between the impression material and the tray. The adhesive is applied to the tray body at least sixteen hours before the impression material is placed in the receptacle. Advance coating of the adhesive onto the tray body provides a higher bond strength between the impression material and the tray than would otherwise be observed. Precoating of the tray by the manufacturer represents a time savings for the dental practitioner and also reduces the amount of volatilized solvent emitted from the adhesive that might otherwise be emitted in the dental office.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Russell A. Jordan, James F. Forbes
  • Hand-held applicator with force limiting clutch
    Patent number: 5755362
    Abstract: An applicator has a ratchet mechanism for dispensing material from a single or multiple barrel container. The ratchet mechanism includes a clutch that substantially prevents movement of a plunger of the applicator whenever a resistance to plunger movement is greater than a certain value. As a consequence, bursting of the container, or damage to components of the applicator, is substantially avoided. A resilient, integral pawl hinders unintentional rearward movement of the plunger and provides for a compact construction especially suitable for use in dispensing dental material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Alex Rodriguez, Jr., James E. Nash, Thomas W. Martin
  • Aesthetic orthodontic band and attachment assembly
    Patent number: 5753884
    Abstract: An orthodontic assembly that includes a band and an attachment has one or more spot welds to secure the band to the attachment. The spot welds are characterized by the lack of any outer surface weld deformation that is circular in shape, or that is visible to the naked eye when viewed at a distance of twenty-four inches. Apparatus for welding the attachment to the band includes a subframe that is swingable in an arc to follow the inner contour of the band in order to provide automated welding on mesial and distal sides of the attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Thorsten G. Hilgenfeldt, Allen B. Amundson, Nicholine M. Sandoval, Fantu W. Leka, Robert C. Manemann, Casey A. Campbell
  • Die for extruding one or more fluid streams
    Patent number: 5750159
    Abstract: A die for use in extrusion or coating processes includes an insert that is releasably received in a chamber of a die housing, and the insert has one or more flow-controlling peripheral surfaces that extend in an arc about its central axis. In one embodiment of the invention, the insert has ribs that separate the chamber into distinct parts for passage of two or more different fluid streams. In another embodiment, the insert is movable in an arc about its central axis from a first position wherein fluid is discharged through an outlet passageway, and to a second position wherein the flow of fluid through the outlet passageway is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Delmore, Gary W. Maier
  • Orthodontic appliance with asymmetric bonding structure
    Patent number: 5746594
    Abstract: An orthodontic appliance such as a bracket has bonding structure that provides a greater bond strength to the tooth in regions beneath an occlusal edge portion of the base in comparison to regions beneath at least one of a mesial edge portion, distal edge portion and occlusal edge portion of the base. The weaker bond strengths beneath the mesial edge portion, the distal edge portion and/or the gingival edge portion facilitate removal of the appliance by the orthodontist when desired. The higher bond strength beneath the occlusal edge portion is sufficient to securely retain the appliance on the tooth and safely resist the forces normally encountered during orthodontic treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Russell A. Jordan, James D. Hansen
  • Applicator for dispensing material from a dual chamber cartridge
    Patent number: 5743436
    Abstract: A dispensing applicator includes a body with a handle, a pivotable lever and a front holder with a receptacle that is adapted to removably receive a dual chamber cartridge. In certain embodiments, the majority of the cartridge contents are expelled during a single stroke of the lever, an advantage when used for single patient use in dental or medical fields. In other embodiments, the holder is rotatably connected to the body so that the holder and the cartridge can be moved as needed in an arc in order to vary the orientation of the cartridge relative to the applicator handle. The rotatable connection enables the cartridge to be moved to any one of a number of different orientations as may be desired to provide optimum maneuverability of the applicator in use and to enhance the operator's vision of the application site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Malcolm W. Wilcox, Thomas W. Martin, Roger J. Carufel
  • Cartridge dispenser
    Patent number: D398988
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: James E. Nash
  • Fiber tip applicator
    Patent number: D403768
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Phillip Mark, Robert W. Petrich, Bruce R. Broyles, Robert N. Rawson
  • Blade-type golf putter head
    Patent number: D408878
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Richard L. Patten