Patent · US Expired

System and method for cleaning aligners

US6783604B2 · kind B2 · utility

87Cited by
22References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 28, 2001
Grant dateAug 31, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 17, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB08B3/044
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Apparatus for cleaning removable oral appliances, such as tooth repositioning aligners, comprise a base having a tray for holding the appliance in a bath of cleaning solution. A low-frequency driver is provided in the base for reciprocating the tray about a horizontal or vertical axis to wash the cleaning solution over the appliance. Usually, the apparatus will further comprise a cradle which is mounted to reciprocate about a horizontal axis within the base. The cradle defines a receptacle which removably receives the cleaning tray. The cleaning tray is preferably reciprocated at frequency in the range from 1 Hz to 10 Hz, usually in the range from 2 Hz to 5 Hz.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.