Patents by Inventor Wolfgang Plank

Wolfgang Plank 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: 6767109
    Abstract: A light hardening device is provided and includes a light source having a plurality of LEDs supplied by an electrical energy source, and a cooling device arranged upstream of the light source and operable to cool the light hardening device. The LED arrangement is disposed on a rear surface of a cooling body and the light hardening device has a connection in the manner of a halogen glow lamp. Also, a light source is provided having a plurality of LEDs, a cooling body on which the LEDs are mounted, and a connector element and an overall exterior geometry, each of which corresponds to the respective connector element and overall exterior geometry of a conventional reflecting halogen glow lamp having a rated voltage of 12 volts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Plank, Gottfried Rohner, Thomas Stahl
  • Patent number: 6741410
    Abstract: A light resolution element for a light guiding apparatus is provided that is connectable in optical communication with the light guiding apparatus for guiding and re-orienting light emitted thereto from the light guiding apparatus such that light exiting the light resolution element irradiates a dental restoration piece in a manner which effects complete hardening of the piece. The light resolution element includes a prismatic body operable to guide and re-orient a light beam passed thereto from the light guiding apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Plank, Thomas Stahl, Andreas Rathke
  • Publication number: 20040053191
    Abstract: A light hardening apparatus for hardening light hardenable material includes a printed circuit having a carrier layer comprised of isolating material. The printed circuit is bendable and has conductor paths extending thereon or therethrough at spacings from one another. The apparatus includes a cooling body and a light source having a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) chips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Plank
  • Patent number: 6695614
    Abstract: A light beam hardening apparatus is provided for hardening a material, such as dental material, exposed to light emitted by the light beam hardening apparatus. The light beam hardening apparatus includes a semi-conductor light emitting source operable to emit light in the visible light spectral range of a light strength of at least 200 mW/cm2, a base receptacle for supporting the semi-conductor light emitting source, and a heat conducting connection for conducting heat from the semi-conductor light emitting source to the base receptacle. The semi-conductor light emitting source includes a plurality of light emitting chips or light emitting diodes (LED). The base receptacle includes a plurality of cradles each for supporting therein a respective one of the light emitting chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Plank
  • Publication number: 20030113685
    Abstract: A dental apparatus for hardening dental restoration components is provided that includes a control device controllable via a wireless communications unit and operable to exchange data with a communications unit. The control device is programmable to configure the control device to control a polymerization cycle and is connected with the communications unit with which the control unit exchanges data for changing the programming of the control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Plank, Thomas Stahl
  • Publication number: 20030091955
    Abstract: A light hardening device is provided for hardening a light hardenable mass applied for dental purposes that has a first light emitting diode for emitting light at a range of intensities corresponding to a set of wavelengths which at most only partially overlap a range of light sensitivities of a photo initiator comprised in the mass. The light hardening device also includes a second light emitting diode for emitting light at a range of intensities corresponding to a set of wavelengths which overlap the set of photo initiator light sensitivities to a relatively greater extent than the partial overlap of the range of first light emitting diode intensities with the range of photo initiator light sensitivities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Peter Burtscher, Wolfgang Plank, Gottfried Rohner
  • Publication number: 20020186558
    Abstract: A light hardening device is provided and includes a light source having a plurality of LEDs supplied by an electrical energy source, and a cooling device arranged upstream of the light source and operable to cool the light hardening device. The LED arrangement is disposed on a rear surface of a cooling body and the light hardening device has a connection in the manner of a halogen glow lamp. Also, a light source is provided having a plurality of LEDs, a cooling body on which the LEDs are mounted, and a connector element and an overall exterior geometry, each of which corresponds to the respective connector element and overall exterior geometry of a conventional reflecting halogen glow lamp having a rated voltage of 12 volts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Plank, Gottfried Rohner, Thomas Stahl
  • Publication number: 20020177098
    Abstract: A light hardening apparatus particularly suitable for effecting the hardening of dental restoration material is provided and includes two semiconductor light sources cooperable with a light-guiding element for guiding the light from the semiconductor light source to the dental restoration material to effect the hardening thereof. The two semiconductor light sources have an emission spectrum with at least two maximums of which one of the maximums lies at approximately 420 nm and the other maximum lies at approximately 470 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Plank, Peter Burtscher, Gottfried Rohner
  • Publication number: 20020176251
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus for dental purposes having plurality of light sources supported on semi-conductor bases, which are mounted on a substrate is provided. The lighting apparatus includes a reflective over surface encircling the light sources which reflects visible light. The lighting apparatus may be deployed in a light hardening device as a light source unit with the emitted light beams being conducted, in particular, by a prismatic body, to a light guiding conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Plank, Gottfried Rohner
  • Publication number: 20020172918
    Abstract: A light hardening apparatus for effecting the photopolymerization of a light hardenable dental restoration material is provided and includes a plurality of light sources supported on semi-conductor bases, which are mounted on a substrate. The light sources are arranged in at least two light source groups such that one group of light sources is disposed for irradiating a region of the dental restoration material and another group of light sources is arranged for irradiating a different region of the dental restoration material. The two groups of light sources are controllable to irradiate their respective associated regions of the dental restoration material independently of one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Peter Burtscher, Wolfgang Plank, Gottfried Rohner
  • Publication number: 20020171950
    Abstract: A light resolution element for a light guiding apparatus is provided that is connectable in optical communication with the light guiding apparatus for guiding and re-orienting light emitted thereto from the light guiding apparatus such that light exiting the light resolution element irradiates a dental restoration piece in a manner which effects complete hardening of the piece. The light resolution element includes a prismatic body operable to guide and re-orient a light beam passed thereto from the light guiding apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Plank, Thomas Stahl, Andreas Rathke
  • Publication number: 20020102513
    Abstract: A light beam hardening apparatus is provided for hardening a material, such as dental material, exposed to light emitted by the light beam hardening apparatus. The light beam hardening apparatus includes a semi-conductor light emitting source operable to emit light in the visible light spectral range of a light strength of at least 200 mW/cm2, a base receptacle for supporting the semi-conductor light emitting source, and a heat conducting connection for conducting heat from the semi-conductor light emitting source to the base receptacle. The semi-conductor light emitting source includes a plurality of light emitting chips or light emitting diodes (LED). The base receptacle includes a plurality of cradles each for supporting therein a respective one of the light emitting chips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Plank
  • Patent number: 5655865
    Abstract: An attachment arrangement for securing components or construction parts to an attachment rail (32) with a slot-like opening (34). The attachment arrangement includes a spring element (27) for improved handling which is deflectable both in the axial and radial directions. An axially elastic region (28) of the spring element (27) provides an axial prestress between a base member (21) and an intermediate member (29) whereby spontaneous detachment of the attachment arrangement by turning the base member (21) through 90 degrees relative to the attachment rail (32) is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengeschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Plank, Kurt Waibl
  • Patent number: 5577860
    Abstract: An attachment device including a cover plate (3) and a fastening element (10) is used for securing a structural component (1) to a solid foundation unit (12). The structural component (1) has an opening (2) formed of a round bore with two symmetrically arranged widening sections (7) located diametrically opposite one another and extending outwardly from the round bore. The cover plate (3) has projections (6) which extend into the widening sections (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wolfgang Plank