Patents by Inventor Thomas S. Blake
Thomas S. Blake 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).
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Patent number: 6439966Abstract: A hand-holdable apparatus useful for abrading a surface is provided. The invention is particularly useful for dental applications using a stream of abrasive particles suspended in a gas stream to abrade the surface of a tooth. The apparatus of the invention may be modified to easily minimize “bleed down” of the gas/abrasive stream using a pinch valve and to remove worn flexible conduits for routine maintenance and autoclaving of the apparatus. The apparatus of the invention also provides a novel pick-up assembly for delivery of abrasive particles.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2001Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Danville Manufacturing Inc.Inventors: Craig R. Bruns, Mark S. Fernwood, Thomas S. Blake
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Publication number: 20020016137Abstract: A hand-holdable apparatus useful for abrading a surface is provided. The invention is particularly useful for dental applications using a stream of abrasive particles suspended in a gas stream to abrade the surface of a tooth. The apparatus of the invention may be modified to easily minimize “bleed down” of the gas/abrasive stream using a pinch valve and to remove worn flexible conduits for routine maintenance and autoclaving of the apparatus. The apparatus of the invention also provides a novel pick-up assembly for delivery of abrasive particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2001Publication date: February 7, 2002Inventors: Craig R. Bruns, Mark S. Fernwood, Thomas S. Blake
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Patent number: 6277003Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a pressurized stream of gas having particles suspended therein, is described. A double acting pinch valve suitable for use in the apparatus is also described. The apparatus finds particular utility in the dental industry.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2000Date of Patent: August 21, 2001Assignee: Danville EngineeringInventors: Mark S. Fernwood, Thomas S. Blake, Craig R. Bruns, Stephen L. Swihart
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Patent number: 6149509Abstract: A removable nozzle head for a miniature sandblaster used for medical or industrial applications is disclosed comprising a nozzle, a handpiece nozzle adapter, a nozzle locking ring where the nozzle and nozzle handpiece adapter each have corresponding first and second bore in fluid communication to allow delivery of independent supplies of a gas and an abrasive laden stream to a mixing chamber in the nozzle for delivery through a orifice tube to a surface to be abraded, cleaned or modified.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1998Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: Danville EngineeringInventors: Craig R. Bruns, Thomas S. Blake, Mark S. Fernwood
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Patent number: 5984677Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for an air abrasive unit such as those used in the dental field. This method and apparatus utilizes an internal vibrator motor with vibration transmitters which transmit the vibration throughout the abrasive jar. The abrasive pickup assembly uses pressure differentials to suck up abrasive through a screen which controls the flow rate and particle size of the abrasive flowing through the system. The system can utilize a photo-optical detection system to detect the abrasive level. Alternatively, a pressure/pulse detection system may be used to measure abrasive level. Dilution of the air/abrasive mixture and "air only" modes are possible with the present system. Depressurization and mere reductions of pressure can also be accommodated. The invention also includes a system for easily modifying the content of an air abrasive stream exiting the mixing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1998Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Danville EngineeringInventors: Mark S. Fernwood, Thomas S. Blake, Craig R. Bruns
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Patent number: 5984678Abstract: The present invention describes a novel composition and system for use for removal of organic and inorganic materials from a variety of substrates, including a tooth surface, without damage occurring to the substrate. The disclosed composition comprises a friable abrasive particle which when propelled by a gas stream at a surface for a time sufficient departs adequate energy to remove organic and inorganic materials from the surface without causing any significant ablation of the surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1998Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Danville EngineeringInventors: Craig R Bruns, Thomas S. Blake, Mark S Fernwood
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Patent number: 5810587Abstract: The present invention describes a novel composition and system for use for removal of organic and inorganic materials from a variety of substrates, including a tooth surface, without damage occurring to the substrate. The disclosed composition comprises a friable abrasive particle which when propelled by a gas stream at a surface for a time sufficient departs adequate energy to remove organic and inorganic materials from the surface without causing any significant ablation of the surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1996Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: Danville EngineeringInventors: Craig R. Bruns, Thomas S. Blake, Mark S. Fernwood
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Patent number: 5797749Abstract: An aqueous-based dental composition useful for desensitizing an exposed tooth surface in preparation for performing restorative work on the tooth surface. The composition comprises benzethonium chloride, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, water and optionally a small amount of a fluoride salt. The composition is used in the method of repairing a damaged tooth.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1997Date of Patent: August 25, 1998Assignee: Danville MaterialsInventors: Raymond L. Bertolotti, Thomas S. Blake
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Patent number: 5765759Abstract: A removable nozzle head for a minature sandblaster used for medical or industrial applications is disclosed comprising a nozzle, a handpiece nozzle adapter, a nozzle locking ring where the nozzle and nozzle handapiece adapter each have corresponding first and second bore in fluid communication to allow delivery of independent supplies of a gas and an abrasive laden stream to a mixing chamber in the nozzle for delivery through a orifice tube to a surface to be abraded, cleaned or modified.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1995Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Danville EngineeringInventors: Craig R. Bruns, Thomas S. Blake, Mark S. Fernwood
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Patent number: 5718581Abstract: A method and apparatus for an air abrasive unit such as those used in the dental field. This method and apparatus utilizes an internal vibrator motor with vibration transmitters which transmit the vibrations throughout the abrasive jar. The abrasive pickup assembly uses pressure differentials to suck up abrasive through a screen which controls the flow rate and particle size of the abrasive flowing through the system. This system can utilize a photo optical detection system to detect the abrasive level. Alternatively, a pressure/pulse detection system may be used to measure abrasive level. Dilution of the air/abrasive mixture and "air only" modes are possible with the present system. Depressurization and mere reductions of pressure can also be accommodated.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1995Date of Patent: February 17, 1998Assignee: Danville Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Fernwood, Thomas S. Blake, Craig R. Bruns
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Patent number: 5203698Abstract: The subject matter of the disclosed invention relates generally to dental cleaning processes and apparatus. A "wet foam sandblasting" system is described below in which a bubble foam laden with abrasive particles is propelled through a small nozzle by gas pressure. The system has very specific applications in the dental industry for 1) general cleaning of teeth such as removal of tobacco, tea and other stains; 2) for selectively abrading away carious enamel, 3) cleaning prosthodontic restorations, 4) abrading various tooth and restorative materials in preparation for bonding, and 5) periodontal pocket cleaning with osteophylic abrasives; 6) cleaning of occlusal pits and fissures for sealing. In addition, the system has numerous applications in cleaning and etching materials in the jewelry, semi-conductor, automotive and other industries.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 1991Date of Patent: April 20, 1993Inventors: Thomas S. Blake, Mark Fernwood
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Patent number: 4941298Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for abrading, etching, polishing and cleaning metallic or non-metallic surfaces that operates through mechanical sandblasting principles. The present invention is embodied in an apparatus for abrading, etching or polishing a surface with a jet stream containing a mixture of solid particles and a gaseous medium. The apparatus comprises a hollow tubular handle with a nozzle at one end for dispensing the mixture of a solid material and a gaseous medium, and a compressed air and pulverulent material receiving member at the other end of the handle. The nozzle section of the apparatus contains a mixing chamber where a vacuum is created by the flowing pressurized gaseous medium, the pressure gradient results in aspiration of the solid material which mixes with and becomes entrained in the gaseous medium flow and passes through the nozzle tip.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1988Date of Patent: July 17, 1990Inventors: Mark Fernwood, Thomas S. Blake
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Patent number: RE39714Abstract: A hand-holdable apparatus useful for abrading a surface is provided. The invention is particularly useful for dental applications using a stream of abrasive particles suspended in a gas stream to abrade the surface of a tooth. The apparatus of the invention may be modified to easily minimize “bleed down” of the gas/abrasive stream using a pinch valve and to remove worn flexible conduits for routine maintenance and autoclaving of the apparatus. The apparatus of the invention also provides a novel pick-up assembly for delivery of abrasive particles.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2004Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Danville Materials, Inc.Inventors: Craig R. Bruns, Mark S. Fernwood, Thomas S. Blake