公开(公告)号：US20250100298A1

公开(公告)日：2025-03-27

申请号：US18972334

申请日：2024-12-06

Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Michael Christopher Cole

IPC: B41J11/00 ,  A61C7/08 ,  B41J2/01 ,  B41J3/407 ,  B41M5/00 ,  B41M7/00 ,  C09D11/101 ,  C09D11/322

Abstract: Systems for printing ink onto three-dimensionally (3D) printed articles are provided. In some embodiments, a system includes a fabrication platform configured to fabricate a 3D printed article from a pre-polymer; an inkjet device configured to apply an ink to a portion of the 3D printed article; a heater configured to heat the portion of the 3D printed article and the applied ink to an elevated temperature; and an energy source configured to cure the applied ink after the portion of the 3D printed article with the applied ink has been maintained at the elevated temperature for a soak time.

公开(公告)号：US12257125B2

公开(公告)日：2025-03-25

申请号：US18526805

申请日：2023-12-01

Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Inventor： Sriram Venkatasanthanam ,  Ramin Heydarpour ,  John Y. Morton ,  Jun Sato ,  Michael Christopher Cole ,  Mehdi Mojdeh ,  Prashanth Vanchy ,  Natalia Lysaya Powers ,  Sibel Narin ,  Jeremy Riley

IPC: B32B7/12 ,  A61C7/08 ,  A61C13/00 ,  B32B7/06 ,  B32B27/20 ,  B32B38/00 ,  B41M5/00 ,  B44C3/02 ,  C09D11/101

Abstract: A method for forming dental appliance having an ornamental indicia carrier may include forming a polymeric shell, forming a first adhesive layer configured to be adhered to the polymeric shell, the first adhesive layer including a pressure sensitive adhesive layer, forming a first adhesion layer over the first adhesive layer, and applying a colorant between the first adhesion layer and the pressure sensitive adhesive layer.

公开(公告)号：US12208577B2

公开(公告)日：2025-01-28

申请号：US17963964

申请日：2022-10-11

Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Viswanath Meenakshisundaram ,  Peter Dorfinger ,  Umesh Upendra Choudhary ,  Michael Christopher Cole

IPC: B29C64/214 ,  A61C7/08 ,  A61C7/10 ,  B29C64/124 ,  B29C64/223 ,  B29C64/245 ,  B29C64/255 ,  B29C64/321 ,  B29C64/393 ,  B33Y30/00 ,  B33Y40/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B29L31/00 ,  B33Y80/00

Abstract: A system includes a partial enclosure configured to hold resin. The system further includes one or more structures configured to at least partially cover the resin. The one or more structures are configured to prevent evaporation of the resin. The system further includes a build platform configured to support an object that is being formed from layers of the resin. A first blade is configured to provide the layers of the resin to form the object on the build platform.

公开(公告)号：US12098227B2

公开(公告)日：2024-09-24

申请号：US17462884

申请日：2021-08-31

Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Peter Dorfinger ,  Michael Christopher Cole

IPC: C08F2/46 ,  A61C7/08 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y70/00 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  C08F2/50 ,  C08F220/30 ,  C08G61/04 ,  C08L33/14

CPC classification number: C08F220/303 ,  A61C7/08 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y70/00 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  C08L33/14

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, systems, devices, and kits for creating composite materials from a single resin, the composite materials having multiple continuous phases. The disclosure includes a process to three-dimensionally print objects (e.g., orthodontic appliances) with composite properties. In some aspects, the composite properties are formed from a single formulation with components that, when processed, have hard and soft continuous phases. In some aspects, the composite properties are formed by separately processing the hard phase components and the soft phase components. In some aspects, the composite materials and devices are three-dimensionally printed using the processed material.

公开(公告)号：US11839520B2

公开(公告)日：2023-12-12

申请号：US18045023

申请日：2022-10-07

Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Inventor： Sriram Venkatasanthanam ,  Ramin Heydarpour ,  John Y. Morton ,  Jun Sato ,  Michael Christopher Cole ,  Mehdi Mojdeh ,  Prashanth Vanchy ,  Natalia Lysaya Powers ,  Sibel Narin ,  Jeremy Riley

IPC: B32B7/12 ,  A61C7/08 ,  A61C13/00 ,  B32B7/06 ,  B32B27/20 ,  B32B38/00 ,  B41M5/00 ,  B44C3/02 ,  C09D11/101

CPC classification number: A61C7/08 ,  A61C13/0006 ,  B32B7/06 ,  B32B7/12 ,  B32B27/20 ,  B32B38/145 ,  B41M5/0064 ,  B41M5/0088 ,  B44C3/025 ,  C09D11/101 ,  A61C2201/002 ,  B32B2255/26 ,  B32B2307/408 ,  B32B2307/416 ,  B32B2307/514 ,  B32B2451/00 ,  B41M2205/38 ,  B41M2205/40

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ornamental indicia carrier and method of producing the same. In some embodiments, the ornamental indicia carrier comprises an ultraviolet light (“UV”) cured ink printed on a thin flexible film and combined with an adhesive layer. The ornamental indicia carrier is capable of enduring the conditions inside the mouth for an extended period of time and can be used in conjunction with a dental appliance.

公开(公告)号：US20230364855A1

公开(公告)日：2023-11-16

申请号：US18214437

申请日：2023-06-26

Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Mehdi Mojdeh ,  Michael Christopher Cole ,  Peter Dorfinger ,  Shiva P. Sambu

IPC: B29C64/118 ,  B29C64/188 ,  B29C64/209 ,  B29C64/232 ,  B29C64/245 ,  B29C64/295 ,  B29C64/307 ,  B29C64/264

CPC classification number: B29C64/118 ,  B29C64/188 ,  B29C64/209 ,  B29C64/232 ,  B29C64/245 ,  B29C64/295 ,  B29C64/307 ,  B29C64/264 ,  B33Y80/00

Abstract: A method of 3D printing comprises extruding one or more photo-curable materials from a nozzle to form a first layer that has a first shape specified by the one or more digital files, wherein the first shape corresponds to a first minimum line width that is based on, and narrower than, a diameter of the nozzle. The method further includes directing a light beam onto the first layer according to the one or more digital files to cure a portion of the first layer to create a first cured layer, wherein the first cured layer corresponds to a second shape of a first layer of a 3D printed orthodontic aligner, wherein the light beam has a beam diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the nozzle, and wherein the second shape has a second minimum line width that is smaller than the first minimum line width.

公开(公告)号：US11471253B2

公开(公告)日：2022-10-18

申请号：US17008295

申请日：2020-08-31

Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Inventor： Sriram Venkatasanthanam ,  Ramin Heydarpour ,  John Y. Morton ,  Jun Sato ,  Michael Christopher Cole ,  Mehdi Mojdeh ,  Prashanth Vanchy ,  Natalia Lysaya Powers ,  Sibel Narin ,  Jeremy Riley

IPC: B32B7/12 ,  A61C7/08 ,  A61C13/00 ,  B32B7/06 ,  B32B27/20 ,  B32B38/00 ,  B41M5/00 ,  B44C3/02 ,  C09D11/101

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ornamental indicia carrier and method of producing the same. In some embodiments, the ornamental indicia carrier comprises an ultraviolet light (“UV”) cured ink printed on a thin flexible film and combined with an adhesive layer. The ornamental indicia carrier is capable of enduring the conditions inside the mouth for an extended period of time and can be used in conjunction with a dental appliance.

公开(公告)号：US11434316B2

公开(公告)日：2022-09-06

申请号：US17034869

申请日：2020-09-28

Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Michael Christopher Cole

IPC: G03C3/00 ,  C08F2/46 ,  C08F2/50 ,  C08G61/04 ,  C08F220/18 ,  B33Y80/00 ,  B33Y70/00 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  C08F218/04 ,  C08F2/44 ,  C08F2/48 ,  B29C64/106 ,  A61C7/08 ,  C08F220/14 ,  G03F7/029 ,  G03F7/20 ,  B29K105/00

Abstract: Provided herein are processes for the generation of composite polymer materials utilizing a single resin. The processes utilize diffusion between a region undergoing a polymerization reaction preferentially polymerizing one monomer component and an unreactive region. Diffusion and subsequent/concurrent polymerization results in a higher concentration of the more reactive monomer component in the reacting region and a higher concentration of the less reactive monomer components in the unreactive region. The unreactive region may be later polymerized. In embodiments, photopolymerization is used and the regions are generated by a mask or other mechanism to pattern the light.

公开(公告)号：US12226280B2

公开(公告)日：2025-02-18

申请号：US17248355

申请日：2021-01-21

Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Inventor： Avi Kopelman ,  Chunhua Li ,  Michael Christopher Cole ,  Blaine Carter ,  Matthew Durban

IPC: A61C7/08 ,  A61C7/16 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y50/02 ,  B33Y80/00

Abstract: An appliance comprises a passive component and an active force generating component, in which the active force generating component is configured to react to a stimulus and generate tooth movement forces. In some embodiments, the passive component is configured to deflect when placed on one or more teeth and generate tooth movement forces, which are combined with tooth movement forces of the force generating component. In some embodiments, the passive component comprises a polymer which is less reactive to the stimulus than the force generating component. The force generating component can be configured to increase force to one or more teeth at an appropriate time.

公开(公告)号：US12202250B2

公开(公告)日：2025-01-21

申请号：US17855599

申请日：2022-06-30

Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Michael Christopher Cole

IPC: B41J11/00 ,  A61C7/08 ,  B41J2/01 ,  B41J3/407 ,  B41M5/00 ,  C09D11/101 ,  C09D11/322 ,  B41M7/00

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of obtaining good photocured-ink adhesion to low surface energy materials. The methods have greatly improved adhesion of photocured ink on low surface energy materials, including those that are subjected to high humidity or wet environments. The methods take into account the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the materials and the onset for the glass transition temperature, including ink applied to an exposed surface of the material at an elevated temperature that is close to the Tg of the material. The ink is allowed to sit briefly or soak, such as for more than 1 second, before the ink is cured. The ink may be photocured. Furthermore, the methods do not require solvents or surface treatment, including plasma or corona treatments, to obtain good ink adhesion.