Patents Assigned to 3M ESPE AG
  • Patent number: 6890134
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing endodontic instruments are provided. Methods relate to milling a blank with a cutting process to shape the instrument. Instruments so produced are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: 3M ESPE AG
    Inventors: Ingo Wagner, Michael Knee, Andreas Nitsch
  • Patent number: 6875016
    Abstract: A dental impression tray comprises a trough for receiving dental impression material and at least one retainer on at least a portion of an inner surface of the trough. The retainer comprises a plurality of anchoring elements, each of which comprises a first end, a second end, and an arc between the first and second ends. The first and second ends of the anchoring elements are connected to the inner surface of the trough, and the arcs project from the inner surface of the trough. The loop material of a hook and loop mechanical fastener is a particularly useful retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignees: 3M ESPE, AG, 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Paul A. Burgio, Ingo W. Wagner
  • Patent number: 6867246
    Abstract: N-alkyl aziridine block copolymers of the general structure (1), wherein R1 represents H, C1-C12 alkyl, C2-C12 alkenyl, C2-C12 alkinyl, C7-C15 aralkyl C7-C15 aralkyl, or C3-C12 cycloalkyl and these groups can be substituted with C1 or F partially, completely or in a mixed manner and/or may contain 0 to 5 heteroatoms selected from O, N, S; R2 represents a group selected from R1 and/or R4; R3 represents SiR13 or SiR12R4, wherein R4 represents a group of the general formula (2), wherein A represents an (n+1) radical saturated, unsaturated or aromatic, linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon group that may contain 0 to 5 heteroatoms selected from O, N, S and that comprises 1 to 18 carbon atoms; B is selected from O, S, NR1; D is selected from C(O)O, C(O)NR1, C(O), C(S)NR1, CH2; E represents a diradical saturated or unsaturated, linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon group that may contain 0 to 5 heteroatoms selected from O, N, S, and that comprises 0 to 18 carbon atoms; Q represents and ?, ?-radical polyether chai
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Espe AG
    Inventors: Reinhold Nowak, Joachim Zech, Peter Bissinger, Erich Wanek, Gunther Eckhardt, Guenther Lechner
  • Patent number: 6854349
    Abstract: A device is provided which determines the end of the processsing time for hardening masses, in particular dental molding masses. The device comprises a display unit and a sensor unit which record the change in at least one of the rheological properties of the mass. A method that can be used with such a device is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: 3M ESPE AG
    Inventors: Gerd Brandhorst, Hermann Nirschl, Mark Peuker, Ingo Wagner
  • Patent number: 6852795
    Abstract: The invention relates to monomers according to the formulae: as well as curable materials containing these monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: 3M ESPE AG
    Inventors: Peter Bissinger, Gunther Eckhardt, Wolfgang Weinmann
  • Patent number: 6852822
    Abstract: The invention provides processes for making low viscosity condensates, condensates per se, and processes for making polymers from these condensates. The invention also encompasses the polymer products of these processes, especially articles for dental use. The condensates per se of the invention are of hydrolyzable silanes. The condensates can contain one or more elements selected from the group consisting of B, AI, P, Sn, Pb, the transition metals, the lanthanides and the actinides. Processes of the invention for making polymers from the condensates optionally include use of compounds that can be polymerized ionically or by radical reactions in addition to the hydrolyzable silanes. Curing of the polymers is optionally performed by photochemical, thermal or by redox-induction methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: 3M ESPE AG
    Inventors: Peter Bissigner, Oswald Gasser, Rainer Guggenberger, Wolfgang Soglowek
  • Patent number: 6852775
    Abstract: The invention relates to polymerizable dental compositions which contain (a) 10 to 98.999 wt.-% of at least one bi- or higher-functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer, (b) 0 to 88.999 wt.-% of at least one monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomer, (c) 0 to 5 wt.-% of an accelerator, (d) 0.001 to 5 wt.-% of a redox initiator system which can trigger the radical polymerisation and (e) 0 to 88.999 wt.-% fillers, thixotropic auxiliaries, retarders and other auxiliaries (f) 1 to 30 wt.-% of a customary plasticizer and are characterized in that the redox initiator system comprises (i) a barbituric acid derivative and/or a malonyl sulfamide and (ii) an organic peroxide, selected from the group of the mono- or multifunctional carboxylic acid peroxyesters, and the constituents (a) to (f) are present in two pastes spatially separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: 3M ESPE AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Soglowek, Keith O'Connell
  • Patent number: 6837399
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dynamic mixer, comprising a housing (10) and an inner body (11) which can be rotated about a common axis in relation to each other and which form a mixing chamber (12); a back shut-off element (20) which delimits the mixing chamber (12) and which has inlet openings (21) for guiding in the components to be mixed, a front outlet (24) for delivering the mixture and a drive element (17) which is located on the rotatable part of the mixer. The inner body (11) is connected to the shut-off element (20) and forms the stator of the mixer, while the housing (10) is provided with the drive (17) and forms the rotor of the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: 3M ESPE AG
    Inventors: Ingo Wagner, Hermann Nirschl
  • Patent number: 6835271
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of adhesive systems which are radically polymerizable and contain 1-30 wt.-% of a reactive solvent with a pKS value less than or equal to that of acetone and are used for the attachment of materials which are only or also cationically polymerizable to hard tissue containing water. The adhesive systems contain at least one component i) which is capable of starting a radical reaction and one component ii) which contains radically polymerizable monomers which are acid-functional or contain groups which can form acids and optionally customary additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Espe AG
    Inventors: Thomas Luchterhandt, Hendrik M Grupp, Rainer Guggenberger
  • Patent number: 6833425
    Abstract: The invention relates to fillers for plastics formulations based on polyurethane and the use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: 3M ESPE AG
    Inventors: Reinhold Hecht, Bernd Gangnus, Günther Lechner
  • Patent number: 6779656
    Abstract: The invention relates to polymerizable preparations which contain: (a) 3 to 80 wt. % of an epoxy or of a mixture of epoxies of general formula (I), whereby n and m, independent of one another, represent 0, 1, 2 or 3, and n+m ranges from 2 to 6, and whereby the molar mass of the epoxy or the average molar mass of the mixture of epoxies ranges from 250 to 1000 g/mol; (b) 0 to 80 wt. % of an epoxy or of a mixture of epoxies that differ from (a); (c) 3 to 85 wt. % of fillers; (d) 0.001 to 25 wt. % of initiators, retarders and/or accelerators, and; (e) 0 to 25 wt. % of auxiliary agents, whereby the specified percentages refer to the total weight of the preparation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Espe AG
    Inventors: Thomas Klettke, Wolfgang Weinmann
  • Patent number: 6769912
    Abstract: In a device for the automatic production of dental replacement parts, a blank 13 is fitted in a substantially plate-shaped carrier body 10 which is so dimensioned that the blank 13 does not exceed the carrier body 10 in any direction. The carrier body 10 serves not only for holding the blank 13 in the working machine but also for protecting it during its automatic handling in magazines or the like. The carrier body 10 is provided with a bar code 20 which relates to the material and dimensions of the blank 13 and may identify data according to which the blank 13 is to be worked The bar code 20 is adapted to be changed by the working machine so as to prevent the carrier body 10 from being reused with the same or a different blank 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: 3M ESPE AG
    Inventors: Martin Beuschel, Erich Huber, Erich Sendelbach, Olaf Schäfer
  • Patent number: 6767935
    Abstract: The invention relates to the utilization of an adhesive system containing at least one component i) which is capable of initiating cationic polymerization and is selected from unsaturated carbonic acids and their anhydrides or acid chlorides, unsaturated phosphoric acids and their esters, unsaturated phosphonic acids and their esters, unsaturated sulfonic acids and their esters, and strong inorganic acids, and at least one component, ii) that can undergo cationic polymerisation for the hardening of radical or cationic or radical and cationically curable materials on laminated fabric which contains water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: 3M ESPE AG
    Inventors: Thomas Luchterhandt, Rainer Guggenberger, Hendrik M. Grupp
  • Patent number: 6752989
    Abstract: The invention concerns surface treatment agents for hard tissue, including at least one enzyme and an agent inhibiting the enzyme activity, whereby the surface treatment agent remains on the hard tissue during the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: 3M ESPE AG
    Inventors: Ingo Häberlein, Thomas Luchterhandt, Reinhold Hecht, Oliver Frey
  • Patent number: 6724522
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light wave converter assembly, comprising a light guide and a light wave converter, comprising a converter substance, which converts a part of the incident light into light of a longer wavelength, whereby the converted light is guided together with the unconverted light through the light guide to an exit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: 3M ESPE AG
    Inventor: Martin Hartung
  • Patent number: 6719834
    Abstract: The invention relates to a single-component or multiple-component polyelectrolyte cement containing at least two reaction partners: (a) at least one metal-cation-releasing compound and (b) one or more polyelectrolytes capable of being converted into a solid state, wherein at least one of the polyelectrolytes is at least partially water soluble, and wherein at least a part of the reaction partner (a) and/or (b) is coated with an organic surface-coating agent. In one preferred embodiment, at least one part of the formulation constituents of the cement is present in granulated form, wherein at least a part of the reaction partner (b) serves as an essential granulation agent. The polyelectrolyte cement is particularly stable in storage and can be easily mixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: 3M ESPE AG
    Inventors: Peter Braun, Jürgen Glaser, Hermann Nirschl, Klaus-Peter Stefan
  • Patent number: 6715645
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing capsule, especially for producing dental materials. The inventive capsule is provided with a cartridge which is closed on one end thereof by means of a piston. A hemispherical cavity is configured in the piston. Said cavity forms an additional chamber and is closed in relation to the main chamber of the cartridge by means of a separating device. A body that is present in the main chamber in the initial state serves for supporting the mixing process and for chopping through the separating device at the beginning of the mixing process in such a way that the main chamber and the additional chamber form a coherent mixing chamber. The body enters the hemispherical additional chamber and acts as a displacing body at the end of the output process. The mixing capsule is provided with a coding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: 3M ESPE AG
    Inventors: Marc Peuker, Michael Sick, Klaus-Peter Stefan, Gabriele Hager, Angela Stenger, Gunther Eckhardt
  • Patent number: 6713421
    Abstract: The invention relates to blanks comprising zirconium oxide-based ceramic with an addition of 0.1 to 0.50 wt.-% of at least one of the oxides of the elements aluminium, gallium, germanium, indium and their use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: 3M ESPE AG
    Inventors: Holger Hauptmann, Robert Schnagl, Sybille Frank
  • Patent number: 6709694
    Abstract: The invention relates to the coloring of ceramics by means of ionic or complex-containing solutions. Solutions preferred for this contain defined concentrations of at least one of the salts or complexes of the rare earth elements or the elements of the subgroups. The invention also relates to a kit, which comprises at least one stock bottle with such a coloring solution, a receptacle for the coloring as well as optionally a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: 3M ESPE AG
    Inventors: Daniel Suttor, Holger Hauptmann, Robert Schnagl, Sybille Frank
  • Patent number: 6677393
    Abstract: The invention relates to silicone-based addition-crosslinking impression material, containing (a) organopolysiloxanes with at least two unsaturated groups in the molecule, (b) organohydrogen polysiloxanes with at least three Si—H groups in the molecule, (c) optionally, organopolysiloxanes without reactive groups, (d) platinum catalyst, (e) optionally, hydrophilizing agent, (f) filler, (g) optionally, further customary additives, auxiliaries and dyes, characterized in that it contains, as component (h), polyalkylene oxide and/or its derivatives with an average molar mass of Mw>1000 at the rate of 0.001 to 1.0 wt.-% relative to the total mass of the cured material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: 3M ESPE AG
    Inventors: Joachim Zech, Erich Wanek