A hand-holdable apparatus useful for abrading a surface is provided. The invention is particularly useful for dental applications using a stream of abrasive particles suspended in a gas stream to abrade the surface of a tooth. The apparatus of the invention may be modified to easily minimize “bleed down” of the gas/abrasive stream using a pinch valve and to remove worn flexible conduits for routine maintenance and autoclaving of the apparatus. The apparatus of the invention also provides a novel pick-up assembly for delivery of abrasive particles.
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0. 54. An apparatus for delivering a stream of a mixture of a gas and a powdered abrasive material to a surface, which apparatus comprises:
(a) a container-receiving member having attached a container for the powdered abrasive material;
(b) a discharge nozzle for directing the stream of the mixture of the gas/abrasive material against a surface;
(c) a first optionally flexible conduit having one end in fluid communication with the discharge nozzle and the other end in fluid communication with the container through the container-receiving member;
(d) a second flexible conduit for connecting one end to an external gas source and the other end to the container-receiving member for the abrasive material container;
(e) a manually-operated pinch valve for pinching the second flexible conduit to regulate the flow of the mixture of the gas/abrasive material to the discharge nozzle; and
(f) a housing for parts (a)-(e).
28. An apparatus for delivering a stream of a mixture of a gas and a powdered abrasive material to a surface, which apparatus comprises:
(a) a container-receiving member for detachably receiving a container for the powdered abrasive material;
(b) a discharge nozzle for directing the stream of the mixture of the gas/abrasive material against a surface;
(c) a first optionally flexible conduit having one end in fluid communication with the discharge nozzle and the other end in fluid communication with the container, when attached, through the container-receiving member;
(d) a second flexible conduit for connecting one end to an external gas source and the other end to the container-receiving member for the abrasive material container;
(e) a manually-operated pinch valve for pinching the second flexible conduit to regulate the flow of the mixture of the gas/abrasive material to the discharge nozzle; and
(f) a housing for parts (a)-(e).
0. 79. A process for abrading a surface by delivering a stream of a mixture of a pressurized gas and a powdered abrasive material to the surface, which process comprises
(A) connecting a source of pressurized gas to a hand-holdable apparatus that comprises
(a) a container-receiving member having attached a container containing a powdered abrasive material;
(b) a discharge nozzle for directing the stream of the mixture of the gas/abrasive material against the surface;
(c) a first optionally flexible conduit having one end in fluid communication with the discharge nozzle and the other end in fluid communication with the attached container through the container-receiving member;
(d) a second flexible conduit for connecting one end to an external gas source and the other end to the container-receiving member for the abrasive material container;
(e) a manually-operated pinch valve for pinching the second flexible conduit to regulate the flow of the mixture of the gas/abrasive material to the discharge nozzle; and
(f) a housing for parts (a)-(e),
(B) directing the discharge nozzle against a surface to be abraded, and
(C) actuating the pinch valve to allow a stream of pressurized gas/abrasive material to impinge upon the surface for a time sufficient to abrade the surface.
2. A process for abrading a surface by delivering a stream of a mixture of a pressurized gas and a powdered abrasive material to the surface, which process comprises
(A) connecting a source of pressurized gas to a hand-holdable apparatus that comprises
(a) a container-receiving member detachably attached to a container containing a powdered abrasive material;
(b) a discharge nozzle for directing the stream of the mixture of the gas/abrasive material against the surface;
(c) a first optionally flexible conduit having one end in fluid communication with the discharge nozzle and the other end in fluid communication with the attached container through the container-receiving member;
(d) a second flexible conduit for connecting one end to an external gas source and the other end to the container-receiving member for the abrasive material container;
(e) a manually-operated pinch valve for pinching the second flexible conduit to regulate the flow of the mixture of the gas/abrasive material to the discharge nozzle; and
(f) a housing for parts (a)-(e),
(B) directing the discharge nozzle against a surface to be abraded, and
(C) actuating the pinch valve to allow a stream of pressurized gas/abrasive material to impinge upon the surface for a time sufficient to abrade the surface.
0. 52. An apparatus for delivering a stream of a mixture of a gas and a powdered abrasive material to a surface, which apparatus comprises:
(a) a container-receiving member having attached a container for the powdered abrasive material;
(b) a discharge nozzle for directing the stream of the mixture of the gas/abrasive material against a surface;
(c) a first flexible conduit having one end in fluid communication with the discharge nozzle and the other end in fluid communication with the container through the container-receiving member, wherein the first conduit is removable and is releasably connected at each end of the conduit, and each end of the first flexible conduit has a collar that is snugly, releasably retained to align one end of the flexible conduit with the discharge nozzle and the other end of the flexible conduit with a line communicating with the container for the powdered abrasive material attached to the container-receiving member;
(d) a second optionally flexible conduit for connecting one end to an external gas source and the other end to the containing-receiving member for the abrasive material container;
(e) a manually-operated pinch valve located between the discharge nozzle and the container-receiving member for pinching the first flexible conduit to regulate the flow of the mixture of the gas/abrasive material to the discharge nozzle; and
(f) a housing for parts (a)-(e).
26. An apparatus for delivering a stream of a mixture of a gas and a powdered abrasive material to a surface, which apparatus comprises:
(a) a container-receiving member for detachably receiving a container for the powdered abrasive material;
(b) a discharge nozzle for directing the stream of the mixture of the gas/abrasive material against a surface;
(c) a first flexible conduit having one end in fluid communication with the discharge nozzle and the other end in fluid communication with the container, when attached, through the container-receiving member, wherein the first conduit is removable and is releasably connected at each end of the conduit, and each end of the first flexible conduit has a collar that is snugly, releasably retained to align one end of the flexible conduit with the discharge nozzle and the other end of the flexible conduit with a line communicating with the container for the powdered abrasive material attached to the container-receiving member;
(d) a second optionally flexible conduit for connecting one end to an external gas source and the other end to the container-receiving member for the abrasive material container;
(e) a manually-operated pinch valve located between the discharge nozzle and the container-receiving member for pinching the first flexible conduit to regulate the flow of the mixture of the gas/abrasive material to the discharge nozzle; and
(f) a housing for parts (a)-(e).
0. 78. A process for abrading a surface by delivering a stream of a mixture of a pressurized gas and a powdered abrasive material to the surface, which process comprises
(A) connecting a source of pressurized gas to a hand-holdable apparatus that comprises
(a) a container-receiving member having attached a container containing a powdered abrasive material;
(b) a discharge nozzle for directing the stream of the mixture of the gas/abrasive material against the surface;
(c) a first flexible conduit having one end in fluid communication with the discharge nozzle and the other end in fluid communication with the attached container through the container-receiving member, wherein the flexible conduit is removable, is releasably connected at each end of the conduit, and each end of the first flexible conduit has a collar that is snugly, releasably retained to align one end of the flexible conduit with the discharge nozzle and the other end of the flexible conduit with a line communicating with the container for the powdered abrasive material attached to the container-receiving member;
(d) a second optionally flexible conduit for connecting one end to an external gas source and the other end to the container-receiving member for the abrasive material container;
(e) a manually-operated pinch valve located between the discharge nozzle and the container-receiving member for pinching the first flexible conduit to regulate the flow of the mixture of the gas/abrasive material to the discharge nozzle; and
(f) a housing for parts (a)-(e),
(B) directing the discharge nozzle against a surface to be abraded, and
(C) actuating the pinch valve to allow a stream of pressurized gas/abrasive material to impinge upon the surface for a time sufficient to abrade the surface.
1. A process for abrading a surface by delivering a stream of a mixture of a pressurized gas and a powdered abrasive material to the surface, which process comprises
(A) connecting a source of pressurized gas to a hand-holdable apparatus that comprises
(a) a container-receiving member detachably attached to a container containing a powdered abrasive material;
(b) a discharge nozzle for directing the stream of the mixture of the gas/abrasive material against the surface;
(c) a first flexible conduit having one end in fluid communication with the discharge nozzle and the other end in fluid communication with the attached container through the container-receiving member, wherein the flexible conduit is removable, is releasably connected at each end of the conduit, and each end of the first flexible conduit has a collar that is snugly, releasably retained to align one end of the flexible conduit with the discharge nozzle and the other end of the flexible conduit with a line communicating with the container for the powdered abrasive material attached to the container-receiving member;
(d) a second optionally flexible conduit for connecting one end to an external gas source and the other end to the container-receiving member for the abrasive material container;
(e) a manually-operated pinch valve located between the discharge nozzle and the container-receiving member for pinching the first flexible conduit to regulate the flow of the mixture of the gas/abrasive material to the discharge nozzle; and
(f) a housing for parts (a)-(e),
(B) directing the discharge nozzle against a surface to be abraded, and
(C) actuating the pinch valve to allow a stream of pressurized gas/abrasive material to impinge upon the surface for a time sufficient to abrade the surface.
0. 58. A hand-holdable apparatus for delivering a stream of a gas and a powdered abrasive material to a surface, which apparatus comprises:
(a) an abrasive material pick-up assembly comprising (i) a container-receiving member having attached a container for the powdered abrasive material, (ii) two conduits, an inner conduit defined by a surrounding wall having a distal end away from the container-receiving member and proximal end connected to the container-receiving member and an outer conduit defined by an outer wall, having analogous distal and proximal ends, wherein an intermediate passage is defined by the inner conduit wall and the outer-conduit wall, (iii) a container for holding the powdered abrasive material, the container having an open end and a closed end, which container is attached to the container-receiving member through its open end and encloses the two conduits such that distal ends of the conduits are near the closed end of the container, (iv) a passageway through the wall of the inner conduit near its distal end, and (v) an optional passageway through the wall of the outer conduit near its distal end;
(b) a discharge nozzle for directing a stream of a pressurized gas/abrasive mixture from the container against a surface to abrade the surface;
(c) a gas delivery entry line for delivering a pressurized gas to the interior of the container through one of the conduits;
(d) an exit line communicating with the interior of the container and leading to the discharge nozzle;
(e) a pressure-actuated member that interrupts the flow of the gas/abrasive mixture from the container to the discharge nozzle, wherein when a pressurized gas is directed through the entry line into the inner conduit or intermediate passage, a pressure differential is created to draw the powdered abrasive material from the container out the exit line and to the nozzle.
32. A hand-holdable apparatus for delivering a stream of a gas and a powdered abrasive material to a surface, which apparatus comprises:
(a) an abrasive material pick-up assembly comprising (i) a container-receiving member for detachably receiving a container for the powdered abrasive material, (ii) two conduits, an inner conduit defined by a surrounding wall having a distal end away from the container-receiving member and proximal end connected to the container-receiving member and an outer conduit defined by an outer wall, having analogous distal and proximal ends, wherein an intermediate passage is defined by the inner conduit wall and the outer-conduit wall, (iii) a container for holding the powdered abrasive material, the container having an open end and a closed end, which container is detachably connected to the container-receiving member through its open end and encloses the two conduits such that distal ends of the conduits are near the closed end of the container, (iv) a passageway through the wall of the inner conduit near its distal end, and (v) an optional passageway through the wall of the outer conduit near its distal end;
(b) a discharge nozzle for directing a stream of a pressurized gas/abrasive mixture from the container against a surface to abrade the surface;
(c) a gas delivery entry line for delivering a pressurized gas to the interior of the container through one of the conduits;
(d) an exit line communicating with the interior of the container and leading to the discharge nozzle;
(e) a pressure-actuated member that interrupts the flow of the gas/abrasive mixture from the container to the discharge nozzle, wherein when a pressurized gas is directed through the entry line into the inner conduit or intermediate passage, a pressure differential is created to draw the powdered abrasive material from the container out the exit line and to the nozzle.
0. 83. A process for abrading a surface by delivering a stream of a mixture of a pressurized gas and a powdered abrasive material, which process comprises
(A) connecting a source of pressurized gas to a hand-holdable apparatus that comprises
(a) an abrasive material pick-up assembly comprising (i) a container-receiving member having attached a container for the powdered abrasive material, (ii) two conduits, an inner conduit defined by a surrounding wall having a distal end away from the container-receiving member and proximal connected to the container-receiving member and an outer conduit defined by an outer wall, having analogous distal and proximal ends, wherein an intermediate passage is defined by the inner conduit wall and the outer-conduit wall, (iii) an attached container for holding the powdered abrasive material, the container having an open end and a closed end, which container is attached to the container-receiving member through its open end and encloses the two conduits such that distal ends of the conduits are near the closed end of the container, (iv) a passageway through the wall of the inner conduit near its distal end, and (v) an optional passageway through the wall of the outer conduit near its distal end;
(b) a discharge nozzle for directing a stream of a pressurized gas/abrasive mixture from the container against a surface to abrade the surface;
(c) a pressurized gas delivery entry line for delivering a pressurized gas to the interior of the container through one of the conduits;
(d) an exit line communicating with the interior of the container and leading to the discharge nozzle;
(e) a pressure-actuated member that interrupts the flow of the gas/abrasive mixture from the container to the discharge nozzle, wherein when a pressurized gas is directed through the entry line into the inner conduit or intermediate passage, a pressure differential is created to force the powdered abrasive material from the container out the exit line and to the nozzle;
(B) directing a stream of gas/abrasive material from the discharge nozzle against a surface to be abraded, and
(C) allowing the pressurized gas to flow into the container to force the pressurized gas/abrasive material to impinge upon the surface for a time sufficient to abrade the surface.
6. A process for abrading a surface by delivering a stream of a mixture of a pressurized gas and a powdered abrasive material, which process comprises
(A) connecting a source of pressurized gas to a hand-holdable apparatus that comprises
(a) an abrasive material pick-up assembly comprising (i) a container-receiving member for detachably receiving a container for the powdered abrasive material, (ii) two conduits, an inner conduit defined by a surrounding wall having a distal end away from the container-receiving member and proximal connected to the container-receiving member and an outer conduit defined by an outer wall, having analogous distal and proximal ends, wherein an intermediate passage is defined by the inner conduit wall and the outer-conduit wall, (iii) a container for holding the powdered abrasive material, the container having an open end and a closed end, which container is detachably connected to the container-receiving member through its open end and encloses the two conduits such that distal ends of the conduits are near the closed end of the container, (iv) a passageway through the wall of the inner conduit near its distal end, and (v) an optional passageway through the wall of the outer conduit near its distal end;
(b) a discharge nozzle for directing a stream of a pressurized gas/abrasive mixture from the container against a surface to abrade the surface;
(c) a pressurized gas delivery entry line for delivering a pressurized gas to the interior of the container through one of the conduits;
(d) an exit line communicating with the interior of the container and leading to the discharge nozzle;
(e) a pressure-actuated member that interrupts the flow of the gas/abrasive mixture from the container to the discharge nozzle, wherein when a pressurized gas is directed through the entry line into the inner conduit or intermediate passage, a pressure differential is created to force the powdered abrasive material from the container out the exit line and to the nozzle;
(B) directing a stream of gas/abrasive material from the discharge nozzle against a surface to be abraded, and
(C) allowing the pressurized gas to flow into the container to force the pressurized gas/abrasive material to impinge upon the surface for a time sufficient to abrade the surface.
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This application claims the benefit of. U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/223,008, filed on Aug. 4, 2000.
This invention relates to a hand-holdable apparatus useful for abrading a surface, particularly the surface of a tooth using a stream of abrasive particles suspended in a gas stream. The invention is particularly useful for dental applications. The apparatus of the invention may be modified to easily minimize “bleed down” of the gas/abrasive stream using a pinch valve and to remove worn flexible conduits for routine maintenance of the apparatus. The apparatus of the invention also provides a novel pick-up assembly for delivery of abrasive particles.
A significant technology has developed relating to the use of small abrasive particles propelled by a compressed gas and directed against a surface to clean or abrade the surface. This gas/abrasion technique has developed to a significant degree for dental uses for doing pit and fissure work as well as for cutting enamel and dentin of teeth to repair cavities. In the dental field, the gas/abrasion technique has certain advantages over drilling with a high speed drill, e.g., less heat and pressure are generated. The early gas abrasive devices were cumbersome in that they required an abrasive particle container that was maintained separately from the nozzle means used to direct the stream of gas/abrasive particles against the surface of a tooth. See e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 2,696,049. Over the years devices were developed wherein the abrasive particles were contained in a holder that was associated with a nozzle as a hand-held unit. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,840. One of the problems with previous devices is that the control of the flow was done using a foot peddle, which did not give the user detailed control of the flow of the gas abrasive stream and often resulted in long bleed down times. We have now invented a hand holdable device having a flexible design allowing the user to regulate flow using a finger control and to minimize the bleed-down time when shutting off the gas/abrasive stream. The design also provides for the use of a pinch valve mechanism on a flexible line to regulate the flow of material. Preferably the flexible line is removable and thus making the hand holdable device autoclavable.
One aspect of this invention is an apparatus for delivering a stream of a mixture of a gas and a powdered abrasive material to a surface. The apparatus comprises:
Another aspect of this invention is a hand-holdable apparatus for delivering a stream of a gas and a powdered abrasive material to a surface. The apparatus comprises:
Another aspect of this invention is a process for abrading a surface by delivering a stream of a mixture of a pressurized gas and a powdered abrasive material to the surface. The process comprises:
Another aspect of this invention is a process for abrading a surface by delivering a stream of a mixture of a pressurized gas and a powdered abrasive material. The process comprises
One aspect of this invention is an apparatus for delivering a stream of a mixture of a gas and a powdered abrasive material to a surface. The apparatus is of a size that can easily be held in one hand and has a housing that includes:
Turning first to
Turning now to
The apparatus also includes a discharge nozzle 10 for directing the stream 2 of the mixture of the gas/abrasive material against the surface 3. The discharge nozzle can be of any design which is generally known in the art. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,759 (for a removable, rotatable nozzle), which is incorporated herein by reference.
The apparatus further includes a first optionally (but preferably) flexible conduit 12 having one end 14 in fluid communication with the discharge nozzle 10 and the other end 16 in fluid communication with the interior of container 6 when it is attached to the container receiving member 4. The first conduit 12 is preferably made of a flexible, material that is generally known in the art. This material may be, for example, a polyurethane, polypropylene, polyethylene, silicone, or other polymeric material that are readily available that can withstand repeated pinching by the pinch valve, if so positioned. A preferred material is a silicon hybrid thermoplastic elastomer called C-FLEX® from Consolidated Polymer Technologies Inc., Largo, Fla. The function of the first conduit 12 is to allow fluid communication between the discharge nozzle 10 and the interior of container 6 to lead the stream of material of pressurized gas and abrasive material to the discharge nozzle and out the apparatus against the surface.
The apparatus will also include a second conduit 18 that is optionally flexible for connecting one end 20 of conduit 18 to an external gas source 22 (which is pressurized) and the other end 24 to the attachment portion 26 for the abrasive material container 6. The function of this conduit is to provide a pathway for the pressurized gas from the external gas source to enter the interior of container 6.
The apparatus further comprises a manually-operated (preferably operated by finger pressure) pinch valve 28 for pinching either the first flexible conduit 12 or the second conduit 18 (when flexible) to regulate the flow of the mixture of gas/abrasive material to the discharge nozzle 10. In
The housing 30 is designed to have parts (a) through (e) within a unitary arrangement so that the apparatus can be held in the hand of the practitioner. For a dentist, this is particularly useful as they can direct the stream of gas/abrasive material to the surface of the tooth with great precision with the abrasive material contained in the container when attached to the container receiving means. The apparatus is of the size that is easily held in the hand and generally will be between about 6 inches to about 12 inches in length. It will weigh about 4 ounces to no more than a pound. The external gas source is generally available in dentists' offices at a pressure of about 30 to about 140 psi. The housing may be a light metal or plastic, and preferably is an injection molded plastic that is autoclavable. A particularly useful polymer is polyphenylsulfone called RADEL® R 500 available from Amoco Performance Products, Inc., Alpha Retta, Ga. Preferably, the material used for the housing will be characterized by being autoclavable. This characteristic is useful because a dentist can remove the conduit, sterilize the housing by autoclaving and reuse the housing. Alternatively, if the conduit (for example conduit 12) material is autoclavable, the housing, with the conduit in place, can be autoclaved.
A preferred aspect of the invention is the removability of the first flexible conduit 12 when the pinch valve 28 is located to pinch line 12 to regulate the flow of the gas/abrasive material. It is preferred to be removable because the pinch valve squeezing the conduit results in wear at the point of contact. The conduit can easily be removed when it wears. Thus, designing the housing and the positioning of the first conduit aids in the removability of the first flexible conduit 12. In this situation, each end 14, 16 of the flexible conduit 12 is designed so that it is removably connected for easy disengagement. Thus, in
Because the conduit 12 will be pressurized, the material used is characterized by having an appropriate combination of durometer rating and wall thickness. Generally, the pressure of the system will vary from about 30 pounds per square inch (psi) to about 140 psi. This range allows a dentist to use a lower pressure, e.g., about 30 psi, to do pit and fissure work and a higher pressure, e.g., about 140 psi for cutting enamel and dentin. The durometer rating of the flexible material and for conduit 12 (or other flexible conduits) may vary from a Shore A hardness rating of about 40 to about 90. The lower rating provides a more flexible conduit while the higher rating provides a firmer conduit. The wall thickness is an additional consideration for the material used for the conduit. Generally, for a system having a higher pressure rating, the wall thickness of the conduit will be greater than for a lower pressure rating. One of ordinary skill will recognize the need for balancing the thickness of the wall with the durometer rating to such a balance to handle the pressure without bursting, but still being pinchable by the pinch valve mechanism. Generally, a silicone hybrid tubing having a durometer rating of 70, an inner diameter of about 0.039-0.063 inch, and an outside diameter of about 0.110 to 0.135 inch is particularly useful. An inside diameter of about 0.046 inch and outside diameter of 0.125 is preferred.
As mentioned, the pinch valve may also be located to constrict the second flexible conduit 18 to regulate the flow of the gas/abrasive mixture. This can be seen in
The apparatus of
A compressed gas supply 22 can be found in most environments in which the abrading apparatus will operate, however where no supply exists a pressurized air, carbon dioxide or nitrogen bottle can be provided. In a dental environment, an operating pressure of 30 to 140 pounds per square inch should be supplied, (i.e. the standard pressure of a dentists air supply) however it can be appreciated that the apparatus will operate at a variety of air pressures. Pressurized air is supplied to the apparatus at an air supply port 22. This port can be designed to accommodate a variety of standard fittings such as snap fit, friction fit, or preferrable screw fit.
In addition to the air abrasion conduit 12, the apparatus may also include a water line (not shown) that parallels the conduit 12 and is operated by the same pinch valve. The line is positioned to provide a source of water to the nozzle in a manner that provides a fine mist or curtain flowing from the nozzle, preferably encircling the air/abrasive stream to minimize the distribution of the abrasive particles.
Turning now to
Preferably in this assembly, the exit line leading to the discharge nozzle is flexible, the pressure actuated valve is a pinch valve located between the discharge nozzle and the container receiving member 56 to restrict the flexible exit line 82 to regulate the flow of the gas/abrasive mixture. It is also preferred in this situation to have the flexible exit line removably connected at each end of the line, similar to
In a preferred embodiment, the conduits of the abrasive material pick-up assembly are positioned to be concentric relative to each other. The outer conduit wall 67 of the abrasive material pick-up assembly has its distal end 68 positioned so that a gap 90 exists between the bottom 66 of container 58 and the distal end 68 of the outer conduit 67. This gap is preferably about 0.035 inch to about 0.125 inch and is preferably about 0.095 inch. The passageway 72 through the distal end 64 wall of the inner conduit 62 has a diameter of about 0.015 to about 0.030 inch, preferably 0.022 inch. It is preferred that there are two passageways through the distal end of the inner conduit 62 wherein each passageway is located approximately 180° from the other. In addition, the inner conduit of the abrasive material pick-up assembly has a passageway 92 through the wall of the inner conduit near its proximal end 65. The passageway 92 near the proximal end of the inner conduit will have a diameter of about 0.025 to about 0.035 inch, preferably about 0.031 inch. While the gas flow into the container 58 will be such that it will force the abrasive particles out through the exit line 82, when the pressurized gas is directed into the inner conduit the gas/abrasive material mixture is directed out of the container 58 through the intermediate passageway 70 formed between the outer wall 63 of the inner conduit 62 and the inner wall 67 of the outer conduit onto the exit line 82 and to discharge nozzle. Alternatively, pressurized gas may be directed into the container 58 through the intermediate passage 70 formed between the outer wall 63 of the inner conduit 62 and the inner wall 67 of the outer conduit 66 and the gas/abrasive material is then directed out of the container 58 through the inner conduit 62.
Turning now to
Turning now to
In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus of the invention is provided with a bypass gas line. For example, in the embodiment of
All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
The invention now being fully described, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.
Blake, Thomas S., Bruns, Craig R., Fernwood, Mark S.
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Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Aug 27 2004 | Danville Materials, Inc. | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
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