APPARATUS FOR MAKING DENTAL APPLIANCES

Abstract

An apparatus for making dental splints has a model plate forming a plurality of model-placement areas each having an upper face adapted to support a respective dental model and a lower face. Each area is formed with an opening between the respective faces, and respective conduits are connected to the lower faces of the areas at the openings. A rack for holding a thermoshapable film is movable between a position spaced from the plate and a position over the plate with the film engaging an outer edge of the plate all around the placement areas atop the plate over the models thereon. A pump or the like generates a subatmospheric pressure and applies it via the conduits to the placement areas to draw the film down over the models.

Claims

1. An apparatus for making dental splints, the apparatus comprising: a model plate forming a plurality of model-placement areas each having an upper face adapted to support a respective dental model and a lower face, each of the areas being formed with an opening between the respective faces; respective conduits connected to the lower faces of the areas at the openings; a rack for holding a thermoshapable film and movable between a position spaced from the plate and a position over the plate with the film engaging an outer edge of the plate all around the placement areas atop the plate over the models thereon; and means for generating a subatmospheric pressure and applying it via the conduits to the placement areas to draw the film down over the models.

2. The splint-making apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conduits extend between the means and the areas are all of substantially same length and flow cross section so as to equally depressurize the areas under the film.

3. The splint-making apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rack has a lower frame part; an upper frame part fittable with the lower frame part; a hinge between the parts for pivoting of same together into a closed position gripping the film and an open position for releasing the film; and a guide into which the upper and lower parts can fit in the closed position.

4. The splint-making apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the guide includes strips for pressing down the parts when fitted therein.

5. The splint-making apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the strips are elastically compressible.

6. The splint-making apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a heater above the plate for softening the film.

7. The splint-making apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the areas are ordered in rows an columns.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0023] The above and other objects, features, and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of part of the apparatus;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of further elements of this invention; and

[0026] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of more elements of the invention.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The details shown in the drawing are components of an apparatus for making parts intended for dental purposes, in particular mouth-worn splints for dentate upper or lower jaws, by thermoshaping. A model is usually placed into the apparatus and a thermoshapable film is placed on the model. This thermoshapable film is deep-drawn by a vacuum generator to form a splint, the thermoshapable film being preferably heated in order to facilitate and accelerate the thermoshaping process.

[0028] The apparatus has a model plate 1 forming an array of model placement areas 2. Each model placement area 2 has a connection to a vacuum generator 3 (see FIG. 2) on its underside opposite the upper face that is supports a respective model. The vacuum generator 3 is connected to the model placement areas by a manifold 4 and additional elements, each model placement area having connection slots 5 that open out on the upper face. A rack for a roll of thermoshapable film is provided above the model plate 1 and covers all of the model placement areas 2. This can be moved into a handling position in which it is at a spacing from the model placement areas 2, as well as into a working position in which it can be lowered onto the models located in the model placement areas 2 and rests in an airtight manner at least against the outer edge of the model plate 1. In particular, the vacuum generator 3 is connected to the connecting channels or slots 5 via the manifold 4 and additional conduits including a supply line 7 and respective hoses 6 having the same length and the same cross section or diameter. This ensures that when the vacuum generator 3 is started up, each connection fitting 8 can exert suction in the same way and with the same power through the slots 5 of the model placement areas 2 on the thermoshapable film above it.

[0029] The actual rack for the thermoshapable film is formed by a film cassette 10 (FIG. 3) having has a frame-like upper part 11 and a frame-like lower part 12. The upper part 11 is connected to the lower part 12 via a hinge 13, so that the upper part can be moved relative to the lower part into a handling position as shown in FIG. 3. In this position, a thermoshapable film can be placed without constraint between the upper part and part 11 and 12. The upper part 11 can then be pivoted down onto the lower part 12, so that the thermoshapable film is clamped between these parts 11 and 12. The clamping takes place at the outer edges of the upper part and lower part 11, 12.

[0030] In this so-called intermediate position, the film cassette can be pushed into an insertion part 14 of the overall cassette construction, for which purpose the insertion part has an insertion guide 15 on one side and a stop 16 on the rear side that limits the insertion depth of the parts 11 and 12 into the cassette 10.

[0031] In a working position, the upper part 11 together with the thermoshapable film and the lower part 12 are held in the insertion part 14 in a planar and taut state. In the inserted position, the insertion parts 11 and 12 of the cassette are held in the U-section guide 15 on the upper part 11, whereby the elements are held with the necessary tension even in the event of different material thicknesses of the film. Unillustrated pressure distribution bars 18 are provided on the guide 15. The pressure distribution strips 18 are preferably arranged so as to be resiliently flexible transverse to the direction of insertion.

[0032] In an inherently known manner, such an apparatus also has a heat source 17 for heating the thermoshapable film located in the desired position, it being preferred for a plurality of heat sources, especially preferably one heat source, to be arranged above each model placement area 2.

[0033] As can be seen in FIG. 1 in particular, the model placement areas 2 are arranged and formed on the model plate 1 in a plurality, here three rows and columns.

[0034] The invention makes it possible in a simple manner to manufacture multiple splints simultaneously through deep drawing on a plurality of models. Upon conclusion of the thermoshaping process, the cassette 10 can be removed and handled together with the thermoshapable film and models located thereon, it being possible for the thermoshapable film to be removed and the splints separated from the film together with model.

[0035] The invention is not limited to the embodiment, but rather can be varied in many respects within the framework of the disclosure.

[0036] All of the novel individual and combined features disclosed in the description and/or drawing are regarded as being essential to the invention.