Abstract: A charger/dispenser for orthodontic O-ring ligator structure including a body, friction retaining structure formed in the body for retaining, frictionally and releasably such a ligator structure in a condition with each ligator in the ligator structure having a substantially fully exposed annular face, and hemostat-jaw guide structure formed in the body effective to guide the gripping beaks in the jaw of a hemostat into a limit-defined removing position relative to such a ligator wherein a jaw can fully grip the ligator without occluding the open center therein.

Abstract: A presenting/dispensing system for chain-interconnected, cut-separable orthodontic/medical devices, organized into groups having a pre-selected number of patient-usable units, including a container constructed for housing such devices, and presenting/dispensing aperture substructure formed therein to allow for presenting such devices and dispensing a desired number of the same in an indexed manner. The system also includes check structure associated with the presenting/dispensing aperture substructure, which check structure is changeable, as a result of dispensing action, to a first condition that accommodates dispensing of such devices, and to a second condition, upon termination of such action, that resists slipping back of a chain of devices into the container.

Abstract: A presenting/dispensing system for orthodontic/medical devices is described, which devices are formed homogeneously in an elongate elastomeric chain, with each device taking the form of an elongate carrier body with a central, elongate finger portion to which is integrally joined a small supply tools, such as O-ring ligators or others. The body is formed in a T-shaped configuration with the finger portion being joined at one of its ends to bar-like handle/positioner/indexing structure.

Abstract: A dispenser/separator for contamination-free dispensing of a supply of cut-separable medical devices is disclosed which includes anti-contamination structure for enclosing the supply. The anti-contamination structure includes an exit port for allowing the supply to be pulled therethrough in a first direction to expose a device. Also disclosed is a cutter for separating such an exposed device from the supply by pulling the supply against the cutter in a second direction that is at an oblique angle relative to the first direction. In the preferred embodiment, the exit port takes the form of a resistance control aperture, and the cutter takes the form of a stationary knife blade that is positioned adjacent the aperture.

Abstract: An anatomical head-worn device is provided in the form of a bill cap, also known as a baseball cap. The cap includes one or more tension-device anchors for accommodating the attachment of orthodontic tension-applying devices used to direct tension force to selected parts of the head and mouth. The orthodontic forces are reacted against the head via the cap. The cap, when fitted snugly on the head, serves as a stable force base for applying forces in different directions on each side of the head. In one embodiment, tension-device anchors are mounted on the sides of the dome of the cap. In another embodiment, a downwardly-depending arm is supported on the bill of the cap. The arm extends in front of the face, and provides an anchor point for the application of protractive orthodontic foces.

Abstract: The invented anti-contamination orthodontic device dispenser includes a container for housing orthodontic devices, an aperture in the container through with the devices are dispensed, and a guide structure which directs the devices to the aperture for dispensing. The dispenser is gravity and friction controlled so that when one device is dispensed, the next device is presented and ready for dispensing. The container and guide structure are constructed so that the devices are stacked on top of each other and touching because of gravity. Each device has a tooth on its upper surface and ridges on its lower surface. When a device is dispensed, its tooth contacts the ridges on the device immediately above it creating friction which positions the next device for dispensing. The invented dispenser is particularly effective for dispensing orthodontic O-rings mounted on a carrier or stick.

Abstract: An orthodontic traction-hook device which is adapted for selective, removable attachment to posts in an orthodontic bracket. The device includes spaced, interconnected legs that are releasably engageable with such posts, and a projection operatively joined to such legs for receiving an orthodontic, traction-applying instrumentality, such as a conventional orthodontic elastomer unit.

Abstract: An oral-seal-forming pressure-applying orthodontic screen seatable within a person's mouth adjacent labial gum structure in the upper and lower arches. A rim portion defines a working screen area, and supports an elastomeric web portion which spans the screen area. The web portion is stretchable to act against protruding teeth with a tooth-position-correcting force when the screen is seated within a mouth.

Abstract: A positive-separation, orthodontic, face-bow/mouth-bow mechanism, wherein a spring device effects sure separation of a disengageable face-bow and mouth-bow under circumstances when, during normal usage, compression transmission through these devices relaxes.

Abstract: An applicator tool for dispensing and clamping individual loops in an orthodontic loop chain which is composed of a series of elastomeric loops connected by breakaway isthmuses. The tool includes a pair of loop-gripping tips adapted for clamping an end loop in the chain in a manner permitting the clamped loop to be placed on an orthodontic tooth appliance, to secure an archwire thereto. A constriction zone formed in the tool, adjacent the loop-gripping tips, functions to restrain the chain at positions where successive end loops are placed for clamping between the tool tips. The chain is advanced in the tool, in a loop-by-loop manner, by exerting a force on the chain in a downstream direction, to pull a restrained chain loop through the constriction zone by reversible loop elongation. The force required to advance the chain by one loop is less than that required to break an isthmus in the chain.

Abstract: Elastomeric, orthodontic, tension-applying apparatus, and a method for molding the same to yield a device characterized by highly uniform eleasticity properties. In the final molded product, plural endless loops are interconnected, in a chain-like fashion, by integral tensioning structure, with each loop joined to the side of an elongated carrier prong through an individual isthmus. These isthmuses result, during the molding process, from individual flow-gating which is provided for each loop, and such gating is key to ultimate elasticity uniformity.

Abstract: A credit-card-adhering transaction record for use with credit cards and an imprinting device having a defined region for receiving a card on a support surface, and a pressure platen manipulatable relative to the surface. The transaction record includes a plural-detachable-sheet recording booklet including a customer-return sheet. A stretch of the customer-return sheet is directly placeable on the support surface so that it has an expanse extending over a portion of a card received in the defined region of the support surface. An exposable pressure-responsive adhesive film distributed over the expanse of the sheet-captures and releasably retains the credit card following an imprinting operation.

Abstract: An applicator tool for use in attaching elastomeric orthodontic loops to orthodontic tooth appliances. The tool includes a pair of pivotal clamping arms having a pair of loop-gripping tips for clamping a loop in a manner permitting attachment of the clamped loop to a tooth appliance. One of the arms has a tapered end portion for holding a stack of such loops for sliding of successive end loops in the stack in a downstream direction. A loop-feed claw mounted on the other arm is adapted first to climb over, and then to engage the upstream side of, an end loop in the loop stack, when the arms are opened, and to place the engaged loop in a position for operative clamping, when the arms are closed.

Abstract: A rigid grommet-like end-connector device for use with an end of one or more elastomeric, orthodontic, tension-applying chains of the kind having a string of plural, endless, stretchable loops. The device is primarily useful in intermaxillary-type orthodontic applications, where long-term uninterrupted usage is desired, and where it is important to provide a solid wear-resistant attaching structure for the ends of the force-applying elastomer unit. The proposed device significantly expands the utility of currently available orthodontic chains of the type generally mentioned, by permitting plural strands of these chains to be connected in parallel, so-to-speak, both to amplify force-transmission capabilities, and to enhance longevity of effective performance life.

Abstract: An orthodontic tooth-rotation-effecting wedge. The wedge is made of a mouth-fluid-resistant elastomeric material. It includes a relatively thin web having a pair of openings for releasably fitting over and encircling a pair of conventional bracket posts, and a bulge, or enlargement, joined to one side of the web. The bulge is for deflecting an arch wire from the path which, in the absence of installation of the wedge, it would normally tend to follow past a bracket. A pair of spaced mounds is formed on one side of the enlargement. These mounds are adapted to straddle an arch wire to prevent twisting of the wedge out of place.

Abstract: An elasticized stabilizer for temporarily immobilizing a tooth-to-tooth retainer wire as commonly applied in orthodontia. The stabilizer comprises an elongated filament with modifications or enlargements on each end. When the filament is stretched and placed between two adjacent teeth, the retainer wire is urged toward the teeth and held in position during installation.

Abstract: Safety-release tension-applying mechanism for use between an orthodontic facebow and a headstrap and the like therefor. The mechanism includes a pair of releaseably interengageable portions which, while engaged, are smoothly elastically shiftable relative to one another throughout a preselected tension range. These portions automatically release on the tension transmitted through the mechanism exceeding a predetermined maximum tension level.

Abstract: A molded unitary elastomeric orthodontic product which takes the form of a digitally manipulatable dispensing tool, placeable adjacent and within a person's mouth, and joined integrally yet severably with this tool a plurality of dispensable orthodontic intraoral tension-applying devices.