Abstract: A rotary dental tool. The tool comprises a blank having a shaft portion and a head portion. A single layer of grit comprising diamond crystals extends from the blank at substantially uniform height, said grit covering a predetermined proportion of the surface area of the head portion. A bonding material substantially surrounds the diamond crystals, forming micro-channels between the diamond crystals. The diamond crystal size is substantially less than other rapid cutting tools yet outperforms other tools in cutting speed, durability and smoothness of finish. The micro-channels are believed to both cool the dental tool and facilitate debris removal during use.

Abstract: A rotary dental tool. The tool includes a blank having a shaft portion and a head portion. A single layer of diamond crystals extends from the blank at substantially uniform height, the diamond crystals covering a predetermined proportion of the surface area of the head portion. A bonding material substantially surrounds the diamond crystals, forming micro-channels between the diamond crystals. The diamond crystal size is substantially less than other rapid cutting tools yet out performs other tools in cutting speed, durability and smoothness of finish. The micro-channels are believed to both cool the dental tool and facilitate debris removal during use.

Abstract: A composite nozzle strip for hydroentangling of a fibrous mass is provided to lower nozzle erosion potential and increase operational efficiency. The composite nozzle strip comprises a substrate comprising a material of a first hardness having at least one aperture and at least one orifice element comprising a material of a second hardness greater than the first hardness and further defining an aperture of a second diameter less than the first diameter. The at least one orifice element is affixed to the substrate so that the aperture in the orifice element is aligned with the at least one aperture in the substrate for creation of a constricted water jet when subjected to pressurized water.

Abstract: The invention is a retractable magnetic sheet. A cylindrical rod is biased in a first rotational direction to retract the sheet which is mounted at a first edge to the rod. The sheet is magnetically-receptive, which means magnets can attach to it. The sheet is extended by pulling downwardly against the bias until the ratchet locks the cylindrical rod's position. Upon pulling downwardly again, the ratchet releases and the rod retracts, winding the sheet up.

Abstract: A composite sheet including a first polymer layer laminated to the first major surface of a ferromagnetic substrate having opposing first and second major surfaces. A second polymer layer is laminated to the second major surface of the substrate, sandwiching the substrate between the first and second polymer layers. The substrate is preferably steel having a thickness preferably between about 1 to 3 mils. A significant advantage of the composite sheet is the increase in the utility of the composite sheet due to the composite structure.

Abstract: A process of making brazed monolayer abrasive tools wherein the braze alloy and abrasive particles are applied to the tool form and the weight of each material is monitored after each application step to determine the weight of each of these materials which is applied to the tool form to more precisely control the bond height and diamond concentration in the finished tool product. The weight of each material applied to the tool is compared to a predetermined target weight after the individual steps of applying the material. If the amount of either material applied to the tool falls outside selected limits of the weight target, the tool assembly may be rejected at that stage of the process. Only tools which successfully pass the comparison step are further processed and introduced to the fusion for step braze bonding the alloy and abrasive particles to the tool. This permits the tool components from rejected tools to be recovered and recycled if desired.

Abstract: An improved method of making a monolayer abrasive tool using a relatively low melting point, soft filler metal alloy braze which possesses sufficiently high yield strength combined with a relatively high ductility and low elastic modulus to produce an exceptional bond between a monolayer of superabrasive particles and the tool substrate. The steps of the brazing process include applying a layer of the filler metal alloy including a an active metal in either pre-alloyed or as a mixture with the metal alloy and a monolayer of superabrasive crystals over the filler metal layer. This assembly is heated in a mon-oxidizing atmosphere such as a vacuum to melt the alloy and braze bond the superabrasive particles to the tool substrate. The alloy bond formed possess the properties of a ductility of at least 20 percent elongation, an elastic modulus of less than 15.times.10.sup.6 or less, and a yield strength preferably at least about 45,000 to 50,000 psi.

Abstract: A dental polishing applicator for use with a rotary dental handpiece and method of using the same which is characterized by a collet portion and a removably mounted, disposable single use tip portion. The cylindrical collet is adapted to be removably mounted to conventional dental handpieces and includes an opposing end adapted to removably receive a shaft portion of the applicator tip portion. Preferably the tip portion comprises a relatively very small cylindrical shaft provided with a conical polishing end which is designed to permit access to the more difficult to reach areas of tooth anatomy.

Abstract: A polishing composition carrying abrasive particles having a carrier vehicle comprising an organic liquid vehicle, such as glycerine, a mixture of gelling agents comprising an edible gum and a seaweed extract, and water in a ratio which forms a relatively viscous semi-gel or sol. The preferred gelling agent mixture is gum tragacanth and agar which provides the carrier vehicle with physical properties improving its ability to cling to the rotary applicators and the work surface during use as a polishing agent. The preferred compositions include greater than about 85 percent by weight of glycerine and less than about 10 percent by weight of water and exhibit Newtonian or near Newtonian flow characteristics and resists apparent melting at temperatures generated during use.

Abstract: A hand held abrasive dental instrument for use in cutting the proximal aspect of a tooth's surface to create an interproximal space between abutting tooth surfaces. The instrument features a thin circular disc shaped abrasive cutting member provided with a coating of abrasive material over one of the circular surfaces of the disc which is rotatably mounted between abutting handle portions. The handle portions serve to provide means for convenient grasping of the instrument by the user in a manner which permits facile manipulation of the cutting disc between abutting teeth. The handle portions are constructed to automatically lock the disc against rotation when grasped in the normal operational mode so that effective cutting can be accomplished. However, upon releasing the grasping pressure, the disc may be rotated to position an unused portion of the abrasive coating for operative use.

Abstract: An improved diamond abrasive tool and method of manufacture characterized by a direct brazing technique of diamond crystals to a substrate surface which requires no pre-conditioning of the surface of the diamond in order to obtain the necessary wetting thereof. The method employed utilizes readily available, very hard and durable brazing alloys which have been discovered to readily wet the diamond surface to obtain a final product wherein the minimum depth of the alloy bond tends to occur intermediate adjacent diamond crystals with outstanding retention of the crystals and greatly extended tool life.