Patents by Inventor Peter Kunkel

Peter Kunkel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7189344
    Abstract: A method for producing a synthetic material part such as, for example, a dental restorative part, is provided and includes spray applying with a spray device a material having at least a polymerizable synthetic material onto a base in succeeding layers. Each layer of the spray applied material is substantially continuously polymerized by the spray device and has a viscosity which permits working of the applied material in an unpolymerized condition thereof with the spray device. The method also includes hardening the one or more of the already applied layers prior to the application of subsequent layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Volker Rheinberger, Gerhard Zanghellini, Wolfgang Wachter, Peter Kunkel
  • Patent number: 6524103
    Abstract: A cartridge for receiving and dispensing a paste has a cartridge body having a front end with a lateral outlet opening for dispensing the paste material. The cartridge body has a longitudinal center axis and the outlet opening has a central axis inclined forwardly relatively to the longitudinal center axis. The outlet opening has a width measured in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis and an axial length measured in the direction of the longitudinal center axis. The width and the length are different, and the width is preferably greater than the axial length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Ivoclar AG
    Inventors: Siegbert Winkler, Peter Kunkel, Franz Hohenegger
  • Publication number: 20020127345
    Abstract: A method for producing a synthetic material part such as, for example, a dental restorative part, is provided and includes spray applying with a spray device a material having at least a polymerizable synthetic material onto a base in succeeding layers. Each layer of the spray applied material is substantially continuously polymerized by the spray device and has a viscosity which permits working of the applied material in an unpolymerized condition thereof with the spray device. The method also includes hardening the one or more of the already applied layers prior to the application of subsequent layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Volker Rheinberger, Gerhard Zanghellini, Wolfgang Wachter, Peter Kunkel
  • Patent number: 6102699
    Abstract: A syringe for dental material has a cylinder with a dispensing socket and an open end opposite the dispensing socket. A plunger is inserted through the open end into the cylinder and is guided in the cylinder. The plunger is made of a porous, sintered material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Ivoclar A.G.
    Inventors: Klaus Galehr, Peter Kunkel, Jurgen Mertins
  • Patent number: 6079978
    Abstract: A dental matrix for filling a lateral tooth cavity has a strip to be placed about a tooth. A wedge for applying pressure to a gap between adjacent teeth is provided. A joint connecting the wedge to the strip is provided. The wedge is moveable from a rest position into a working position by moving the wedge relative to the strip about the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Ivoclar AG
    Inventor: Peter Kunkel
  • Patent number: 5958468
    Abstract: A polymerization apparatus includes a first chamber and a second chamber and a flexible, radioparent diaphragm separating the first chamber from the second chamber. A radiation source emitting polymerization-inducing radiation into the first chamber is provided. The second chamber is adapted for receiving a model and a foil, positioned between the diaphragm and the model, to be subjected to the radiation of the radiation source. A device for generating a pressure differential between the first and the second chamber for deflecting the diaphragm toward the model to thereby deform the foil at the model is provided. An adjusting device for adjusting the distance between the model and the diaphragm is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: luoclar AG
    Inventors: Peter Kunkel, Jurgen Mertins, Eckart Walser
  • Patent number: 5871354
    Abstract: An applicator for highly viscous materials such as dental filling materials has a housing and a first and second jamming element positioned spaced from one another in a longitudinal direction in the housing. A coupling rod is connected to the second jamming element. A piston rod is supported in the housing. An actuating element is positioned at the housing and connected to the piston rod for moving the piston rod in a forward direction from an inactive position into a working position, and in a rearward direction from the working position into the inactive position. The first jamming element is jammed, when the actuating element actuates the piston rod in the forward direction, and is moved with the piston rod in the forward direction. The second jamming element is jammed by a spring force in the rearward direction so as to rest at the housing, when the actuating element actuates the piston rod in the forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Ivoclar AG
    Inventors: Peter Kunkel, Jurgen Mertins
  • Patent number: 5392904
    Abstract: A capsule for dental compositions has a mixing chamber for mixing a dental composition that contains a first component of the dental composition and has a bottom with an outlet opening for the dental composition. A piston is positioned in an initial position at an upper end of the mixing chamber. The piston has at least one recess and an inner chamber containing a second component of the dental composition. The inner chamber has a bottom in the form of a temporary seal. A plunger is positioned in an initial position at an upper end of the inner chamber of the piston. Upon depressing the plunger, the temporary seal is broken to introduce the second component into the mixing chamber. A manually removable U-shaped locking member has two legs and a connecting bar connecting the legs wherein the connecting bar is elongate in a direction pointing away from the legs to form a grip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Firma Ivoclar AG
    Inventors: Hans-Jorg Frick, Peter Kunkel