Dental instruments having a handle formed by two-shot molding
US7234939B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 17, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jun 26, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61C5/42
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A dental instrument having a two-shot molded handle and methods for making the same. The dental instrument includes a dental instrument shank of metal with a handle formed near the proximal end of the shank. The handle includes a first polymer formed over a portion of the shank, and a second polymer formed over at least a portion of the first polymer. The first polymer may be rigid so as to more firmly attach to the shank and better resist torsional and/or tensional slippage between the shank and handle during use, while the second polymer may be flexible so as to increase gripability and comfort during manual use of the instrument. The first and second polymers may be of different colors to provide contrast (e.g., to highlight characters formed in the first rigid polymer).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.