Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Apparatus for Coating Dental Tape
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application is a Continuation-In-Part claiming the benefit of the
earlier filing dates of United States patent application 12/183,680, filed
July 31, 2008,
which also claims the benefit of the earlier filing date of United States
patent application
61/085,345, filed July 31, 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This present invention relates to an apparatus for evenly and uniformly
coating
dental tape.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Dental floss has been in use for more than 100 years for removing plaque and
entrapped food particles from between teeth, as well as providing a clean
feeling in the
mouth. The reduction of bacteria in the mouth is important because bacteria
can cause
cavities and gum disease. Dental flossing has been shown to remove bacteria in
the
interproximal as well as in the subgingival regions of the mouth.
The original floss consisted of tWisted silk placed in a jar. Since then, many
improvements have been made to dental floss to make flossing more convenient
and less
problematic. Most improvements have been aimed at solving the negative aspects
of
flossing. These include reducing fraying and breakage, providing easier
insertion
between teeth and providing a softer, more gum and hand friendly floss. Nylon,
a high
tenacity fray-resistant yarn, was first used to replace the silk, providing
more fray
resistance. The addition of wax to twisted multifilament yarn helped anchor
fibers
together, while providing a lubricious coating for easier insertion. Low
friction
monofilament PTFE yarn coated with wax provides good ease of insertion,
depending
upon the thickness and lack of twists or folds, as well as improved fray
resistance.
Unfortunately, PTFE monofilaments do not clean well, nor do they easily remove
food
particles from the space between teeth due to the low coefficient of friction
of PTFE.
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Further improvements to flosses were made by providing monofilament tapes
made of elastomeric materials which neck down when passing into the
interdental space
and then expand upon relieving tension. Monofilament dental tapes made of
elastomeric
materials have been found to be difficult to process. One problem encountered
with
elastomeric dental tape products of the type described is called
"telescoping." In a roll of
dental tape or bobbin of dental tape which suffers from telescoping,
successive layers of
the tape wound upon the core are displaced axially. Thus, the bobbin of tape
takes on a
generally conical shape rather than the cylindrical shape of a tape product
not suffering
from telescoping. A bobbin of dental tape suffering from a severe case of
telescoping
often cannot be mounted on or into a dispenser.
Telescoping may be the result of the elastomeric properties of the material
comprising the dental tape. Bobbins of elastomeric tape formed under high
tension from
supply rolls are more likely to suffer telescoping since the increased tension
increases the
stress on the bobbin. High tension during the bobbin forming process generally
stems
from high tape tension during the supply roll forming process. High tension
during the
supply roll forming process can result from non-uniformities in the velocity
or tension
(i.e, accelerations and decelerations) on the tape as it is being processed or
from
additional tape processing such as from the coating process. During the
coating process
the tape is typically stretched and relaxed as it moves through coating
apparatuses, thus
further contributing to increased tension. Without being limited by theory,
the present
inventers have discovered that by lowering the tension at which the supply
rolls are
formed, the tension is proportionately lowered during the bobbin forming
process.
There is a continuing need for coated monofilament tapes that do not have
telescoping issues, as well as methods of processing these dental tapes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This present invention relates to an apparatus for evenly and uniformly
coating
tape.
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In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a coating die, comprising:
a.
a base b. an entrance block having a length attached to the base, the entrance
block comprising:
i. a slot for orienting an elastomeric tape such that upon entering the slot
the tape is oriented in a
vertical orientation, the tape having an upper portion and a lower portion,
the slot extending
across the length of the entrance block, the slot having a first side and a
second side, the first
side being opposite and parallel with the second side for maintaining the
vertical orientation of
the tape; and ii. at least two passage bores having an inlet for receiving a
coating composition
and an outlet in fluid communication with the slot for delivering the coating
composition to the
tape as the tape moves through the slot, the at least two passage bores
comprising: a. a first
passage bore extending through the first side of the slot and oriented
upwardly and toward or
horizontally level with and toward the sides of the tape and; b. a second
passage bore extending
through the second side of the slot and oriented upwardly and toward or
horizontally level with
and toward the sides of the tape; c. at least two rollers positioned to
receive coated tape from the
slot of the entrance block; and d. an exit block having a length attached to
the base, the exit
block comprising a slot positioned to receive the coated tape from the rollers
and to uniformly
spread the coating onto the tape.
In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a coating die,
comprising: a. a longitudinally extending entrance slot for receiving and
orienting an
elastomeric tape in a vertical orientation; the entrance slot having a first
side and a second side,
the first side being opposite and parallel with the second side maintaining
the vertical
orientation of the tape; b. at least two passage bores having an inlet for
receiving a coating
composition and an outlet in fluid communication with the entrance slot for
delivering the
coating material to the tape as the tape moves through the entrance slot, the
at least two passage
bores comprising: i. a first passage bore extending through the first side of
the entrance slot and
oriented upwardly and toward or horizontally level with and toward the sides
of the tape while
the tape is vertically orientated and; ii. a second passage bore extending
through the second side
of the entrance slot and oriented upwardly and toward or horizontally level
with and toward the
sides of the tape while the tape is vertically orientated; c. at least two
rollers positioned to
receive coated tape from the entrance slot; and d. an exit slot positioned to
receive the coated
tape from the rollers and to uniformly spread the coating onto the tape.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of the manufacturing line
for unwinding, coating and rewinding the dental tape of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of the rewind mechanism
of
the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a roller coating die according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a roller coating die according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing movement of a monofilament tape through
entrance and exit blocks and rollers of a roller coating die according to an
exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a roller coating die according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a roller coating die according to the
exemplary
embodiment of FIG. 6 along the plane 7-7.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a roller assembly of a coating die
according to
the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6 along the plane 8-8.
FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of a coating die according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a top plan view of an entrance block of a coating die according to
an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a right side elevational view of an entrance block of a coating die
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of an entrance block of a coating die according
to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
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FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of an entrance block of a coating die
according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an entrance block pool and coating bores
of a
coating die according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10 along the plane
14-14.
FIG. 15 is a top plan view of an exit block of a coating die according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a right side elevational view of an exit block of a coating die
according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a bottom plan view of an exit block of a coating die according to
an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a rear elevational view of an exit block of a coating die according
to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a 3 dimentional schematic illustration of one embodiment of coated
roll of dental tape showing the helix angle 0 formed by the strands of dental
tape and the
plane r0 perpendicular to the spool's longitudinal axis z.
FIG. 20 is a 2 dimentional schematic illustration of one embodiment of coated
roll of dental tape showing the helix angle 0 formed by the strands of dental
tape and side
r of plane r0 and the spacing between the individual strands of dental tape in
each layer
of dental tape.
FIG. 21 is a perspetive view of a bobbin spool core.
FIG. 22a is right side elevational view of a tape bobbin with tape wound
around
the bobbin spool core.
FIG. 22b is a front elevational view of a tape bobbin with tape wound around
the
bobbin spool core showing the bobbin spool core width relative to the bobbin
tape width.
FIG. 23a right side elevational view of a tape bobbin movably positioned
within a
dispenser (phantom lined).
FIG. 23b is a front elevational view of a tape bobbin movably positioned
within a
dispenser (phantom lined) depicting the relative bobbin spool core, bobbin
tape and
dispenser widths.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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Dental tapes of the present invention are in the form of a single
monofilament. As
used herein, the terms "tape", "yarn" and floss are interchangeable. The tapes
may be, for
example, circular or rectangular in cross-section with a smooth surface. A
monofilament
tape in rectangular form typically has a width ranging from about 1.0 mm to
2.0 mm, a
thickness ranging from about 0.03 mm to about 0.09 mm, and a denier ranging
from
about 600 to about 1800. In a specific example, a rectangular monofilament
substrate has
a width of about 1.8 mm, a thickness of about 0.05 mm, and a denier of about
940.
Alternatively, the monofilament dental tape of the present invention maybe a
high
surface area tape or have a substantially higher surface area than the tapes
with smooth or
non-textured surfaces discussed above. A high surface area tape or a tape of a
substantially higher surface area is defined as a tape in which the surface
area is 15% (or
about 15%), or optionally 20% (or about 20%), or optionally 25% (or about 25%)
greater
than the surface area of a flat, smooth or non-textured tape of equivalent
surface
dimensions of length, width and height. By "non-textured", it is meant that
the surface
has no raised and depressed areas that (1) are capable of being felt by a
human hand
and/or (2) form contours that are discernible by a human eye without
magnification. For
example, a millimeter of monofilament tape A of 1.8 mm wide and 0.05 mm thick
has a
surface area of 3.7 mm2. A millimeter of tape B of the present invention would
have the
same monofilament tape dimensions of 1.8 mm wide and 0.05 mm thick, but also
has
surface protrusions and/or indentations (e.g., ribs) such that tape B has a
higher surface
area than tape A. If there are 11 ribs added onto each side of tape A and each
rib is 0.04
mm high and 0.04 mm wide, the surface area of the new tape (i.e., tape B) is
increased to
5.46 mm2 or 48%. These tapes have the capacity to anchor a surface coating
that may be
required to provide the dental tape with functions other than those of
interdental cleaning,
such as flavoring, bactericide, abrasive, sensate, sialagogue, coloring,
aromatizing,
therapeutical, etc., in relation to the same characteristics of smooth
monofilament tapes.
In one embodiment, dental tapes may comprise a core body having a first
external
face and a second external face opposite the first external face, wherein at
least one of the
first and second external faces comprises a plurality of indentations
protruding into the
core body of the dental tape. The indentations may be provided in from about
5% to
about 95% of the total area of the at least one of the first and second
external faces, and
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may have a depth within the core body, in relation to the at least one of the
first and
second external faces comprising the plurality of indentations, corresponding
to from
about 0.1% to about 50% of the thickness of the core body, taken transversally
to the at
least one of the first and second external faces comprising the plurality of
indentations.
Tapes such as these are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 12/026,839.
In another embodiment, monofilament dental tapes according to the present
invention may comprise a core body having first and second opposing cleaning
surfaces,
where at least one of the cleaning surfaces comprise a plurality of ribs
disposed along the
length thereof. As used herein, the term "rib" means a structural element
integral with
and protruding from the core body of the dental tape, which element has a
configuration
and dimension effective to provide for removal of plaque and/or food debris
from
=
interdental spaces of a mammal. Ribs may protrude substantially
perpendicularly from
the core body of the dental tape or at an angle. Tapes such as these are
disclosed in U.S.
Patent Application No. 11/937,025.
In certain embodiments, the tape is made using an elastomeric material.
Elastomeric materials provide a high degree of compressibility when extruded
in the
cross-sectional configurations of this invention, allowing it to slip through
the tight
spaces between teeth, Once in the cavity between teeth and into the
interdental space, the
tape substantially recovers from compression, providing cleaning surfaces that
act as
scrapers to remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth.
Elastomeric
materials that may be used to form the multi-ribbed monofilament dental tape
of the
present invention include, but are not limited to polyamide-polyether block
copolymers
sold under the tradename PEBAX (Ato Chimie, Hauts-de-Seine France), such as
PEBAX
7033, 5533 MX1205, 4033, 3533, and 2533; polyester-polyether block
copolymers and polyester-polyester block copolymers sold under the tradename
HYTREL (E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Wilmington, DE), such as HYTREL 7246,
5556, and 4056; aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers sold under the
tradename TECOFLEX (Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc., Cleveland OH); aromatic
thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers sold under the tradename PELLETHANE (Dow
Chemical Co., Midland, MI); and thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer sold under
the name
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MULTI-FLEX (Dow Chemical Co., Midland, MI). A more detailed discussion
regarding
such elastomeric materials and their use in manufacturing dental tape can be
found in
U.S. 6,591,844 to Barlow et al. filed 8/23/2001 and U.S. 6,029,678 to Tsao et
al. filed
1/21/1998.
The dental tape of the invention may also be made from a substrate referred to
as
a pseudo-monofilament yarn. Pseudo-monofilament tapes are made by extruding
bicomponent fibers typically having a core of one polymer and a sheath of a
different
polymer, then either partially or totally melting the sheaths of the fibers to
bond or fuse
the fibers, resulting in a monofilament appearance and feel.
In preferred embodiments of the present invention, coatings can be placed on
the
first and/or second cleaning surface of the dental tape. Coating compositions
for use in
the present invention must reliably adhere to the surface of elastomeric
monofilament
dental tape as well as non-elastomeric tapes, whether the tape is a
monofilament or
pseudo-monofilament yarn. By "reliably" as used herein is meant that the
coating
composition must have sufficient adherence to keep about 95%, optionally about
90%,
optionally about 85% of the coating on the surface of the tape during coating,
winding,
shipping and unwinding of the tape. By "pseudo-monofilament" is meant tapes
made by
extruding multi- and/or bi-component fibers typically comprising a core of one
polymer
and a sheath of a different polymer and, then, either partially or totally
melting the
sheaths of the fibers to bond and/or fuse the fibers resulting in a
monofilament
appearance and/or feel.
Suitable insoluble coatings include, but are not limited to, microcrystalline
wax,
beeswax, paraffin waxes, low molecular weight polyethylenes, silicone oils,
essential
oils, and mineral oil. Typically, the insoluble wax coatings have melting
temperatures
ranging from about 25 C to about 100 C, optionally from about 35 C to about 80
C.
The waxes may be combined with water insoluble colorants that are FD&C
approved for
use in the mouth. Suitable colorants include, but are not limited to,
synthetically derived
colorants such as FD&C Blue #1 Lake, FD&C Blue #2 Lake, FD&C Red #40 Lake,
Erythrosin Lake, Amaranth Lake, Ponceau 4R Lake, Carmoisosine Lake, Carmine
Lake
and colorants generated by converting a naturally derived dye to an aluminum
or calcium
based salt. Natural colorants such as titanium dioxide and the like may also
be used.
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The coating composition applied to the dental tape may be a soluble coating,
i.e.,
the coating is such that it tends to dissolve or disperse in saliva present in
the oral cavity.
Such soluble coatings include soluble waxes or the like, which include, but
are not
limited to, low molecular weight polyethylene glycols ("PEGs"), such as PEG
1000 and
PEG 1450. Combinations of higher molecular weight PEGs and lower molecular
weight
PEGs, such as a mixture of PEG 3350 and PEG 1000 may be used. Blends of liquid
PEG's with high molecular weight PEG's may also be used.
Other coatings include meltable surfactants such as Polyoxamer 407;
sialagogues;
olfactory stimulants; sensates; essential oils; actives, such as fluoride;
cetyl pyridinim
chloride (CPC); tetra sodium pyrophosphate; whitening agents such as calcium
peroxide,
hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide and other peroxide compounds capable of
generating hydrogen peroxide in-situ; antimicrobials; anti-virals and mixtures
thereof
Such ingredients may be employed as solids, liquids, particles, gels, or the
like,
and may be encapsulated in conventional polymeric materials by conventional
encapsulation techniques to form encapsulated materials having a polymeric
shell and a
core comprising the ingredient in one of the noted forms, as the case may be.
Such
ingredients also may be applied directly to the dental tapes of the present
invention
without the need for a coating carrier, where appropriate.
A coating comprising an insoluble wax may be applied, wherein the coating
contains encapsulated components such as spray dried flavors, essential oils,
or other
ingredients protected and released from soluble spheres within the insoluble
wax, or a
soluble coating may be applied directly to the yarn or over the insoluble
coating. The
soluble coating may contain ingredients that are placed directly in the wax or
through the
use of spray dried or other encapsulation technologies commonly practiced
within the art.
In certain embodiments, two insoluble coatings are applied to the fiber
substrate.
In these embodiments, the second coating composition should have a lower
melting point
than the first coating composition.
A soluble coating can be used by itself or as a second coating over an
insoluble
coating. One or both coatings can contain colorants, flavors, sweeteners,
abrasives, anti-
tartar agents, actives, such as fluoride salts, and like additives known in
the art.
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Additional components can be added to coatings for various benefits. These
include flavor systems, such as spray dried flavors, flavor enhancers, and
sweeteners,
such as sodium saccharin. The amount of flavor added typically ranges from 10
percent
to 25 percent, based on the total weight of the coating composition. The
amount of
sweetener typically ranges from 0.1 percent to 1 percent, based on the total
weight is of
the coating composition.
Other components can be added to coatings to assist in cleaning the teeth.
These
include actives including abrasives such as silica or di-calcium phosphate,
and anti-tartar
agents such as tetra-sodium-pyrophosphate. Where two coatings are used,
actives are
usually added in the second soluble coating to guarantee that a high
percentage of the
active will be released from the floss during use.
In formulating a coating, it is desirable to limit the amount of solid
additives in
the coating composition below about 30% by weight. Coating a dental tape with
a
coating composition having a solid additive content above this amount may
cause
difficulty in achieving uniformity of coating and reduce the ability of the
coating to
adhere to the tape surface. Coatings containing high amounts of solid
additives may tend
to flake off during processing and during use of the final product.
The dental tape coating may be anhydrous or hydrous. When the coating is
hydrous, the water is evaporated upon drying.
The coating may be applied as an add-on typically ranging from about 10
percent
to about 60 percent, optionally from about 20 percent to about 50 percent,
based on the
weight of the fiber substrate.
In certain embodiments, the dental tape is manufactured using equipment and
processes capable of doing the following:
1. Feeding monofilament tapes to the coating die at a controlled speed and
tension so as to avoid telescoping issues,
2. Pumping the coating composition in a uniform fashion into an application
die,
3. Uniformly and simultaneously applying the coating composition to both
sides of the dental tape, and
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4.
Providing a sufficient period of time during which the coating composition
is substantially undisturbed on the dental tape until it is solidified
intact.
By "uniform" or "substantially uniform," it is meant that, when manually
(without
the aid of measuring instrumentation) or visually (without the need for
magnifying
devices beyond corrective eyewear) inspected, the coating should have an even
(or
relatively [or, substantially] even) thickness and be free from (or
sufficiently [or
substantially] free from) defects (such as pinholes or voids) in the coated
area. The
above-mentioned process for manufacturing the monofilament dental tape of the
invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. In the first step, the coating composition
5, typically a
wax, is liquefied if necessary, as by heating, in a mix tank 40. A high sheer
mixer 42,
such as a Rotostat High Sheer Mixer Model #XPBL, made by Admix, can be used to
keep coating composition 5 homogeneous. Typically, a Rotosolver head blade is
used in
the high sheer mixer 42 and is operated at, e.g., 1700 rpm.
The coating composition is then allowed to flow from mix tank 40, via a first
pipe
44 into a positive displacement pump 46 which, when driven at a given speed,
delivers a
constant amount of coating, via a second pipe 48, to a coating die 50. The
positive
displacement pump can be a vane type positive displacement pumps, piston
pumps, or
similar type pumps. In certain embodiments, a Kerr piston pump, supplied by
Kerr Corp.
Sulfur Ok., is used. Piston pumps, generally, facilitate the evenness and
uniformity of
coatings where the coating composition 5 contains solid particulates such as
abrasives. In
certain embodiments, positive displacement pumps are used since the passage
bores,
pipes, channels or outlets used in such embodiments to deliver coating
composition 5 are
generally positioned or oriented such that the directional path or track of
the passage
bores, pipes, channels or outlets points upwardly and toward or horizontally
level with
and toward the position of the dental tape 10 to be coated such that gravity
has no effect
or minimal effect on the flow of the coating composition from mix tank 40 onto
the
dental tape 10.
In certain embodiments, the dental tape 10 is simultaneously fed and pulled
through the process by a combination of a powered unwinding system 20 and a
floss
rewinding system 70. The dental tape 10 is fed or unwound at a low tension
and, in
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certain embodiments, pulled perpendicularly from feed spool 22 across or
through
sensing arm assembly 30. Sensing arm assembly 30 is provided for monitoring
the
tension of the dental tape 10 as it enters coating die 50. In certain
embodiments, the
sensing arm assembly 30 has an arm 32, a pivot point 34, and rollers 36 over
which the
dental tape 10 passes. Sensing arm assembly 30 is used to maintain a
substantially
constant low feeding or unwinding tension on dental tape 10 by adjusting the
speed of
power unwinding system 20 as it is simultaneously fed and pulled into the
coating
process system. In certain embodiments, where the dental tape passes through
the
coating process at line speed rates greater than about 1000 feet per minute
(fpm), or
optionally from about 1500 fpm to about 2500 fpm, or optionally from about
2000 fpm,
the constant low unwinding tension is generally maintained at from about 50
grams-force
to about 60 grams-force for dental tape 10 having denier of about 400 to about
1200.
After coating, dental tape 10 is collected on a take-up spool 72. The speed at
which take-up spool 72 operates is controlled by an electronic controller
system. The
controller may be a computer, a programmable logic controller or similar
device. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a speed sensing roll 74 rides on surface of the
tape on
take-up spool 72. Speed sensing roll 74 generates a signal which is fed to an
electronic
controller, such as a Fenner M-drive. The controller controls the voltage of
motor 80
(shown in FIG. 2) which drives the speed of take-up spool 72. The use of the
signal
generated by speed sensing roll 74 in controlling the speed of take-up spool
72 helps to
maintain a constant speed or velocity of the dental tape 10 through the
coating process,
controlling and maintaining the tension on dental tape 10 to less than 250 or
(about 250)
grams-force. The electronic controller also controls the speed of positive
displacement
pump 46. Thus the velocity of dental tape 10 is maintained while a constant
amount of
coating composition 5 is pumped into the coating die 50.
In certain embodiments, not shown in FIG. 1, the coating die 50 contains at
least
two rollers around which dental tape 10 has at least some wrap. In certain
embodiments,
the number of rollers can range from 2, optionally 3, optionally 4 or greater
rollers, or
optionally 2 to 7 rollers or, optionally, from 3 to 5 rollers. Generally,
dental tape 10
wraps around the rollers at from about 90 to about 270 . The rollers assist
in applying
coating composition 5 to dental tape 10. Downstream of the rollers there is
typically a
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slot die region where coating composition 5 is smoothed onto the surface of
dental tape
10. In certain embodiments, the slot die is in the form of a groove having
parallel sides
or walls, the groove, optionally, having a radius at its bottom for guiding
the dental tape
into a slot. In certain embodiments, the slot is sized such that excess
coating is removed
from dental tape 10 as it passes through the die (as shown at FIG. 8) while,
at the same
time, minimizing any additional tension on dental tape 10 caused by the slot
die as the
tape 10 passes through the die. As will be apparent to those skilled in the
art, the
dimensions of the groove and slot will depend upon such factors as the denier
and type of
dental tape 10 and the amount of coating composition 5 being applied thereto.
In certain embodiments, a coating die useful in coating high surface area
dental
tapes may be used. Such coating dies are adapted to receive or orientate the
dental tape
10 such that the planar surface of the dental tape 10 is in a vertical
position (or oriented
such that the width dimension of dental tape 10 is perpendicular to horizontal
plane of the
coating die base) (as described in FIG. 5). Without being limited by theory,
it is believed
that such a vertical orientation better facilitates evenness and uniformity of
the coating
across the sides of the planar surface of the dental tape 10 than does
movement of a
horizontally oriented tape through the coating die.
One embodiment of a coating die useful in coating high surface area dental
tapes
is shown in FIGS. 3 to 18. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of roller coating die
110,
including roller die base 120 and cover plate 140. Uncoated dental tape 250
enters
coating die 110 such that the planar surface of the dental tape 250 is
vertically oriented or
oriented such that its width dimension of dental tape 250 is perpendicular to
roller die
base 120. Dental tape 250 traverses vertically along cover plate die slot 144
and roller
assemblies 200, and exits as vertically oriented, coated dental tape 252. FIG.
3 shows
three sections of cover plate slot 144. Slot 144a traverses from the die
entrance to
entrance block window 142. Slot 144b traverses from entrance block window 142
to
roller assemblies 200. Slot 144c traverses from roller assemblies 200 to the
die exit.
Optionally, heaters can be incorporated into or associated with the coating
dies of
the present invention. The heaters are used to provide temperatures sufficient
to keep the
coating composition, typically a waxy material, flowable or in a liquid state.
Such
temperatures typically range from 180 F to about 200 F. FIG. 3 shows an
exemplary
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embodiment of the present invention having two cartridge heaters 134, which
can be used
for heating the rollers and/or other components of coating die 50.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of roller coating die 110, showing more
details of roller die base 120 and cover plate 140. In addition to the three
sections of
cover plate slot 144 and cover plate window 142, five roller wheel windows
146, and
four cover plate attachment holes 152 are shown on cover plate 140. Cover
plate
attachment holes 152 align with roller die base attachment holes 132. Roller
die base
attachment holes 132 are threaded. Threaded handle 154 is used to hold
together roller
die base 120 and cover plate 140.
Roller die base 120 includes entrance block recess 122, roller assembly
recesses
126, exit block recess 128, roller die base attachment holes 132, and entrance
and exit
block attachment holes 136. FIG. 4 shows two sections of base slot 124. Base
slot 124a
traverses from entrance block recess 122 to roller assembly recesses 126. Slot
124b
traverses from roller assembly recesses 126 to exit block recess 128. Entrance
and exit
block attachment holes 136 are threaded.
FIG. 4 also shows entrance block 160, exit block 180, as well as five rollers
202.
Entrance block 160 and exit block 180 are positioned between roller die base
120 and
cover plate 140, and are used to guide uncoated dental tape 250 from the
entrance of
coating die 110 to roller assemblies 200, and coated dental tape 252 from
roller
assemblies 200 to the exit of coating die 110.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing details of how roller coating die 110
transforms uncoated dental tape 250 to coated dental tape 252. FIG. 5 shows
uncoated
dental tape 250 proceeding into entrance block 160 at a vertical orientation
and travelling
along and between the walls (or opposite sides) of entrance block slot 162.
Entrance
block slot 162 is sized wide enough to produce minimal tension on the
vertically
oriented, uncoated dental tape 250, but narrow enough that gravity does not
cause the
lower portion of the uncoated dental tape 250 to receive more coating than the
upper
portion of the uncoated tape 250. Coating travels vertically through base
passage hole
138 to entrance block pool 172, and splits into two coating bores (or
passages) 174. In
one embodiment, uncoated dental tape 250 is coated simultaneously on both
sides as it
passes coating bores 174. Coated dental tape 252 then passes around rollers
202 with at
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least some wrap while maintained in its vertical orientation. Generally,
coated dental
tape 252 wraps around the rollers at from 90 to 270 . Rollers 202 assist in
uniformly
applying coating composition to coated dental tape 252. Though FIG. 5 shows
five
rollers, it is understood that coated dental tape 252 may pass around as few
as one roller,
or as many as about twenty or more rollers. Downstream of rollers 202 is exit
block 180.
Coated dental tape 252 proceeds into exit block 180 still vertically oriented
and travels
along exit block slot 182 which aid in maintaining the vertical orientation of
dental tape
252. As mentioned above, the width 182a of exit block slot 182 is sized to
provide
coating composition 5 an additional opportunity to be smoothed onto the
surface of
coated dental tape 252 and also removes excess coating composition 5 while at
the same
time minimizing any additional tension caused by movement of dental tape 252
through
exit block 180.
Note that all slots discussed above, including cover plate slots (144a, 144b,
144c),
base slots (124a, 124b), entrance block slot 162, and exit block slot 182 may
be in the
form of a groove having parallel sides or walls, the groove optionally having
a radius at
its bottom. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the dimensions of
the groove
will depend upon such factors as the denier and type of uncoated dental tape
250 and the
amount of coating composition being applied thereto.
FIG. 6 is a top view of an embodiment of coating die 110 showing details of
the
cover plate 140 and the monofilament coating path. FIG. 6 shows uncoated
dental tape
250 proceeding into entrance block 160 where it is coated. Coated dental tape
252
proceeds around roller assemblies 200 to exit block 180 and out of a coating
die 110.
Entrance block 160 is partially hidden by cover plate 140, but is visible
through cover
plate window 142. Roller assemblies 200 can be seen through roller wheel
windows 146.
Exit block 180 is hidden by cover plate 140, but coated dental tape 252 is
visible through
cover plate slot 144c. FIG. 6 also shows threaded handle 154, which are used
to hold
cover plate 140 to roller die base 120, as well as alignment holes 156 to
align cover plate
140 to roller die base 120 prior to attaching the two.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the coat die 110 embodiment of FIG. 6
along
plane 7-7. FIG. 7 shows uncoated dental tape 250 proceeding into entrance
block 160.
Coating travels vertically from second pipe 48 (or coating dispensing pipe
receiving
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coating from displacement pump 46) through base hole 138 to entrance block
pool 172,
and splits into two coating bores 174 (FIG. 7 shows one of the two bores). In
one
embodiment, uncoated dental tape 250 is coated simultaneously on both sides as
it passes
coating bores 174. FIG. 7 also shows coated dental tape 252 travelling through
exit
block 180 and out of a coating die 110. Threaded handles 154, which are used
to hold
cover plate 140 to roller die base 120, as well as cartridge heaters 134,
which can be used
if needed to keep coating composition, in a liquid state, are also shown in
the figure.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 along plane 8-8.
FIG. 8 shows cover plate 140, roller die base 120, cartridge heaters 134, as
well as
detailed view of roller assembly 200. Roller assembly 200 includes roller 202
which
assist in uniformly applying coating composition to coated dental tape 252. In
certain
embodiments, one end of stub shaft 210 is disposed in center of roller 202,
and attached
to roller 202 by cap screw 204, flat washer 206, and lock washer 208. The
central portion
of stub shaft 210 is disposed in inner ring shield bearing 212. The opposing
end of stub
shaft 210 is disposed in bearing retainer 220, and attached to bearing
retainer 220 by cap
screw 204, flat washer 206, and lock washer 208. Bearing retainer 220 is
attached to
roller die base 120 by bearing retainer cap screw 222 and bearing retainer
lock washer
224. In one embodiment, three sets of cap screws 222 and lock washers 224 are
used to
attach bearing retainer 220 to roller die base 120. However, one skilled in
the art could
use more or less screws to attach the two, or other means of attachment known
in the art.
Finally, inner ring shield bearing 212 is kept approximately centered in
roller assembly
recess 126 and roller wheel window 146, by outer race spacer 214.
FIG. 9 is a bottom view of an embodiment of a roller coating die of the
present
invention. The FIG. 9 shows five roller assemblies 200, base hole 138,
cartridge heaters
134, and alignment holes 156 on roller die base 120. An 0-ring 139, is used to
prevent
leakage of coating composition between positive displacement pump and roller
die base
120. Alignment holes 156 are used to align cover plate 140 to roller die base
120 prior to
attaching the two.
FIGS. 10 through 14 show details of entrance block 160. The FIG. 10 shows
entrance block slot 162 and entrance block slot guide 164. Entrance block slot
guide 164
is a V-shaped or tapered cut in entrance block 160 to guide uncoated dental
tape 250 into
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entrance block slot 162. The entrance block slot 162 is sized at a width 162a
such that it
maintains the vertical orientation of uncoated dental tape 250 through the
entrance block
160, as well as facilitate coating as mentioned above, with little to no
additional tension
on the dental tape 250. Uncoated dental tape 250 travels along entrance block
slot 162 to
where it is coated. Coating travels vertically from entrance block pool 172
into two
coating bores 174. Uncoated dental tape 250 is coated simultaneously on both
sides as it
passes coating bores 174. FIGS. 10 to 12 show two optional entrance block
holes 166
which may be used to attach entrance block 160 to roller die base 120.
FIGS. 15 through 18 show details of exit block 180. FIG. 15 shows exit block
slot 182 and entrance block slot guide 184. Entrance block slot guide 184 is a
V-shaped
cut in exit block 180 to guide coated dental tape 252 into exit block slot
182. Exit block
slot 182 allows coating composition an additional opportunity to be smoothed
onto the
surface of coated dental tape 252. The width 182a of exit block slot 182 is
sized to
provide coating composition 5 an additional opportunity to be smoothed onto
the surface
of coated dental tape 252 and also removes excess coating composition 5 while
at the
same time minimizing any additional tension caused by movement of dental tape
252
through exit block 180. Coated dental tape 252 travels along exit block slot
182 until it
leaves roller coating die 110. FIGS. 15 to 17 show two optional exit block
holes 186
which may be used to attach exit block 180 to roller die base 120.
While illustrated as separate components, it will be readily understood by the
skilled artisan that entrance block 160 and exit block 180 (along with their
distinct
structural characteristics) can be integral with roller die base 120 and/or
cover plate 140
without changing the performance or function of coating die 110. Maintaining
entrance
block 160 and exit block 180 as separate components. however, provides the
convenience
of interchangeability. For example, separate entrance block 160 and exit block
180
components allow for the interchange of entrance block 160 and/or exit block
180 with
entrance and exit blocks of differing slot (162, 182) and slot guide (164 and
184) widths.
Coating composition 5 once applied to dental tape 10 must be solidified.
Solidification can be accomplished by having a cooling area 60. Cooling area
60 can be
an open area where coating 5 cools under ambient conditions. Alternatively,
cooling area
60 can be a chamber where refrigerated or room air is blown over dental tape
10 to
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increase the rate of cooling. In order to avoid undesirable discontinuities in
coating 5,
dental tape 10 should not contact any surfaces until coating 5 has solidified.
Once coating 5 is cooled sufficiently to prevent any disruption of the outer
surface, it is rewound on floss rewinding system 70. Rewinding system 70,
shown in
FIG. 2, has take-up spool 72 and speed sensing roll 74 as described before, as
well as a
drive motor 80, a series of timing belts (all labeled 84) and timing belt
pulleys (all labeled
82), and a traversing cam guide 76 disposed on a traverse barrel cam 86. For 6
pound
rolls or less, optionally 5 pounds or less, or optionally 4 pounds of less of
dental tape
rolled onto spool 72, the tension of the dental tape 10 is monitored using
conventional
tension measuring devices (such as Checkline, supplied by Electromatic
Equipment Co.,
Cedarhurst, NY) prior to rewinding and the speed adjusted accordingly such
that the
tension of the dental tape 10 during rewinding process is less than 300 (or
about 300)
grams-force, optionally less than 250, (or about 250) grams-force or
optionally from
about 190 grams-force to about 200 grams-force. Traversing cam guide 76 and
traverse
barrel cam 86 are disposed in a traversing cam guide housing 78 which has a
traversing
cam guide housing slot 79.
Rewinding system 70 is a traversing rewinder in that as take-up spool 72
rotates,
traversing cam guide 76 is traversed back and forth along its length (see FIG.
2). The
take-up spool 72 has a longitudinal axis z; a plane 1-0 which is perpendicular
to
longitudinal axis z. and a circumference C (equal to the product of the spool
core
diameter ds and 7r) as shown in FIG. 19. Rewinding system 70 functions as
follows:
spindle 81 of motor 80 rotates to drive timing belt pulley 82a, which, through
timing belt
84a, drives timing belt pulleys 82b and 82c. Timing belt pulley 82b drives
timing belt
pulley 82d, which, in turn, drives timing belt pulley 82e via timing belt 84b.
Timing belt
pulley 82e is disposed on the end of take-up spool 72, so as it rotates, take-
up spool 72
rotates. Timing belt pulley 82c, via timing belt 84c, drives timing belt
pulleys 82f and
82g. Timing belt pulley 82g drives timing belt pulley 82h via timing belt 84d.
Timing
belt pulley 82h is disposed on the end of traverse barrel cam 86, so as pulley
82h rotates,
traverse barrel cam 86 rotates. Traversing cam guide 76 is disposed on
traverse barrel
cam 86 such that when traverse barrel cam 86 rotates, traversing cam guide 76
traverses
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back and forth along its length. Suitable traversing rewinders can be readily
built or
purchased from companies such as Leesona Corporation.
In certain embodiments, the pulley sizes and traverse barrel cam are selected
for
the rewinding system as described below:
a.) the pulleys are selected (or adjusted) such that the product of the pulley
ratios or
Ratio A (which determines the traversing movement of traversing cam guide
(inches) per revolution of Spool 72 (inches)) is as follows:
Ratio A = P1/P2 X P3/P4 X Pz-I/Pz
Where Pi through Pz are the pulley sizes of the sequentially ordered pulleys
from
the pulley rotating the take-up spool 72 or Pi to the pulley rotating traverse
barrel
cam 86 or Pz used in association with
b.) the traverse barrel cam 86, which is selected such that the product of the
cam
advance (or, total length [end to end] traversed by traversing cam guide 76
divided by the turns of the traverse barrel cam 86 needed to achieve the total
traverse of traversing cam guide 76) and Ratio A when divided by the
circumference C of the core of take-up spool 72 (i.e., take-up spool 72
without
tape 10) produces a Ratio B, where
Ratio B = (cam advance X Ratio A) / Circumference C
and where Ratio B provides a helix angle 0 of from about 3.5 degrees to about
5
degrees, where the helix angle 0 is formed by a strand of dental tape and
plane r0
of the spool 72 which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis z of the spool
72 as
shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 and is determined by formula:
sin-1 (Helix Angle 0) = Ratio B
Without being limited by theory, it is believed that obtaining a helix angle 0
of
about 3.5 degrees to about 5.5 degrees provides take-up spool rolls 72 of
dental tape 10
such that:
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i) in any given layer of the dental tape, the strands of dental tape 10
forming that layer do not overlap, or, optionally, do not touch or,
optionally, have a space there between ts of up to 1/32 (or about 1/32)
of an inch and
ii.) the strands of dental tape 10 forming each layer of dental tape 10
overlap with the strands of dental tape 10 forming the preceding layer
of dental tape 10 to form intersection angles of about 7 to about 11
degrees (or twice the helix angle 0)
If it is desired to apply a second coating to dental tape 10, this may be done
by
locating another coating line and cooling chamber downstream of cooling area
60.
In certain embodiments, spool 72 dental tape 10 is then removed for later
processing into bobbins 90. Bobbins of tape as shown in FIGS. 22a and 22b are
formed
from dental tape 10 unwound from spool 72 onto bobbin spool cores 92 of
selected width
w, as shown in FIG. 21 and packaged into dispensers 95 of selected width wd
for use by
consumers as shown in FIGS. 23a and 23b. In certain embodiments, the bobbin
spool
cores 92 have an aspect ratio of greater than about 2:1, optionally about 3:1,
where the
aspect ratio is the ratio of bobbin spool diameter to width. The dental tape
10 winds from
spool 72 onto the bobbin spool cores 92 to form tape bobbins where the wound
tape
widths wb such that wound tape width wb exceeds the width of the bobbin spool
core w,
by no more that 10% (or about 10%), optionally, 5% (or about 5%), optionally
2.5% (or
about 2.5%), optionally 1% (or about 1%). Hence, the inventive rewinding
system 70
which produces helix angles 0 of from about 3.5 degrees to about 5.5 degrees
ensures that
the wound tape widths wb of the finished tape bobbins formed from spool 72 do
not
telescope so as to interfere with the packaging of the finished tape bobbin
into dispensers
95 specifically designed to movably accommodate bobbin spool cores 92 of
widths we.
More generally, the inventive rewinding system 70 permits the use of narrower
width
dispensers particularly in cases where the tape or floss is made of an
elastomeric material.
Several examples of the present invention are set forth below to further
illustrate
the nature of the invention and the manner of carrying it out. However, the
invention
should not be considered as being limited to the details thereof.
In the following Examples, the mentioned percentages are weight percentages.
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Example 1
Dental tape spool rolls were formed in accordance with the coating and winding
processes of the present invention and using the component sizes and/or type
described
below and summarized in Table I.
TABLE I
Component Type/Size
Pulley 82e 14 Teeth
Pulley 82d 17 Teeth
Pulley 82c 19 Teeth
Pulley 82f 14 Teeth
Pulley 82g 16 Teeth
Pulley 82h 20 Teeth
Traversing Cam 11.5 inches, 6
Guide Traverse turns end to
end cam
Ordering the above pulley sizes sequentially (e.g., 82e is connected to 82d
which
is connected 82c etc. as shown in FIG. 2) and determining the product of the
ratios of the
sizes of the sequentially ordered pulleys or Ratio A (as shown in I below)
Ratio A = P1/P2 X P3/P4 X Pz-i/Pz
Where P1 to Pz are the sizes of the pulleys sequentially ordered from spool 72
and to the
traverse barrel cam 86 of rewinding system 70, results in the following ratio:
Ratio A
= (Pulley 82e / Pulley 82d) X (Pulley 82c / Pulley 821) X (Pulley 82g / Pulley
82h)
= (14/17) X (19/14) X (16/20) = 0.8941
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A traverse barrel cam was selected to provide a traversing cam guide traverse
of
11.5 inches end to end for every 6 revolutions of spool 72. This results in a
cam advance
equal to the following:
Cam Advance = Cam Guide Traverse /6 Revolutions of Traverse Barrel Cam
= 11.5 /6
= 1.9166 inches per Traverse Barrel Cam revolution
Ratio A indicates that for each revolution of the spool 72, the traverse
barrel cam
86 travels 0.8941 of the spool revolution. This results in the following
travel distance for
the traversing cam guide 76 per revolution of spool 72:
Travel Distance of traversing cam guide per revolution of spool
= Cam Pulley Ratio X Cam Advance = 0.8941 X 1.9166
= 1.71 inches per spool revolution
The core diameter d of spool 72 was measured to be 6.21 inches, therefore, the
distance traveled by any point on the outer surface of the core of spool 72
after one
revolution of spool 72 or circumference C can be calculated as follows:
Circumference C = 6.21 inches X it = (6.21)3.1411 = 19.5 inches
The helix angle 0 (the angle formed by a strand of dental tape and plane r0 of
the
spool which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis z of the spool as shown
in FIG. 19)
formed by dental tape 10 as it is initially wound around the core of spool 72
can then be
calculated as follows:
Travel Distance of traversing cam guide per spool revolution / Circumference C
= 1.71 / 19.5
1.71 / 19.5 = 0.0876 = sin -1 0 (Helix Angle)
Where Helix Angle 0 = 5.03
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As will be understood by the skilled artisan, as the spool 72 roll grows, the
helix
angle decreases. For example, as one inch of dental tape is wound onto the
core of spool
72, helix angle 0 decreases. This is exemplified as follows:
The diameter of spool after adding one inch layer of tape = 6.21 inches + 2
inches (1
inch added layer results in diameter increasing by 2 inches) = 8.21 inches,
hence:
Circumference of Spool with Tape = diameter of spool with tape X TC =
(8.21)3.1411
= 25.7 inches
Travel distance of traversing cam guide per spool revolution / Circumference
of Spool
with Tape
= 1.71 / 25.7 inches = 0.066 = sin-1 0' (Helix Angle)
Where Helix Angle 0' = 3.8
Hence, as about an inch of material is wound around the spool, the helix angle
chances by about 1 (0¨ 0' = 5.03 - 3.8 = 1.5 ).
Using the above traverse barrel cam and pulley sizes, Rolls 1-7
(representative of
spool 72 in FIG. 1) were formed and, then, Rolls 1-7 were subsequently used to
form
separate tape bobbins (representative bobbins formed on bobbin spool 90 in
FIG. 1). The
parameters of the formed rolls and coating and rewinding process are
summarized in
Tables II and III.
TABLE II (Wax Coating Formulation)
Ingredient Amount
cyo
Microcrystaline Wax' 82%
Flavor 17%
Sodium Saccharin 1%
Multiwax-W445, supplied by Crompton Corp. Petrolia, Pa
23
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TABLE III
Process Parameters Roll 1 Roll 2 Roll 3 Roll 4 Roll 5 Roll 6
Roll 7
Line Speed (feet per 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600
min.)
Tape Tension prior 190 190 200 205 205 200 210
to rewinding on rolls
(grams-force)
Tank Temp F 200 200 200 200 200 200 200
Die Temp F 200 200 200 200 200 200 200
Tape (yam) Start Wt 3738 2907 3994 2998 2257 3804 2977
(grams).
Tape (yarn) Finish 2907 2079 2998 2257 1364 2977 2131
Wt (grams) .
Tape (yam) Wt. 831 828 996 741 893 827 846
(grams)
Coated Tape and 2578 2661 2704 2637 2654 2704 2630
Core (grams)
Core Tare (grams) 1398 1462 1309 1367 1357 1474 1370
Coated Tape Wt. 1180 1199 1395 1270 1297 1230 1260
(grams)
Wax Addedl (grams) 349 371 409 329 406 403 414
Wax Add-on %2 29.5 31.3 306 30.7 31.2 32.7 32.8
Wt. Roll3 (lbs.)t 2.60 2.65 2.94 2.35 2.86 2.71 2.77
'Wax Added = Tape Wt. ¨ Coated Tape Wt.
2Wax Add-on % = (Waxed Added! Coated Tape Wt.) (100)
3Wt. Roll = Coated Tape Wt. / 454 grams/lb.
The bobbins produced on bobbin spools of width 10.3mm and percent of bobbins
rejected
as exhibiting unsatisfactory telescoping are summarized in Table IV.
TABLE IV
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# Bobbin Produced 236 240 261 213 259 296 251
# Rejects' 0 0 0 8 1 0 0
Rejected bobbins rolls are bobbin rolls in which the width of the wound tape
on bobbin exceeded the
bobbin dispenser width of 11.2 mm.
Total Bobbins Produced = 1711
Total Rejects = 9
% Rejects = 0.5%
Example 2
Dental tape spool rolls are formed in accordance with the coating and winding
processes of the present invention and using the component sizes and/or type
described
below and summarized in Table V.
TABLE V
Component Type/Size
Pulley P1 14 Teeth
Pulley P2 14 Teeth
Pulley P3 15 Teeth
Pulley P4 19 Teeth
Pulley P5 17 Teeth
Pulley P6 20 Teeth
Traversing Cam 12 inches, 6
Guide Traverse turns end to
end cam
The above pulley sizes should be ordered sequentially (as illustrated FIG. 2,
where 82e (which would be P1) is connected to 82d (which would be P2) which is
connected 82c (which would be P3) etc.). The product of the ratios of the
sizes of the
sequentially ordered pulleys or Ratio A can be determined as shown in I below:
Ratio A = P1/P2 X P3/P4 X Pz-i/Pz
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Using the size values from Table results in the following Ratio A:
Ratio A = PI/P2 X P3/P4 X P5/P6) = (14/14) X (15/19) X (17/20) = 0.671
A traverse barrel cam can be selected to provide a traversing cam guide
traverse
of 12 inches end to end for every 6 revolutions of traverse barrel cam 86.
This results in
a cam advance equal to the following:
Cam Advance = Traversing Cam Guide Traverse / 6 Revolutions of Traverse Barrel
Cam
= 12 / 6 = 2 inches per Traverse Barrel Cam revolution
Ratio A indicates that for each revolution of the spool 72, the traverse
barrel cam
86 travels 0.671 of the spool revolution. This results in the following travel
distance for
the traversing cam guide 76 per revolution of spool 72:
Travel Distance of traversing cam guide per revolution of spool
= Cam Pulley Ratio X Cam Advance
= 0.671 X 2 = 1.342 inches per spool revolution
A core diameter cis of spool 72 of 5 inches can be selected such that the
distance
traveled by any point on the outer surface of the core of spool 72 after one
revolution of
spool 72 or circumference C can be calculated as follows:
Circumference C = 5 inches X It = (5)3.14 = 15.7 inches
The helix angle 0 (the angle formed by a strand of dental tape and plane r9 of
the
spool which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis z of the spool as shown
in FIG. 19)
which forms by dental tape 10 as it is initially wound around the core of
spool 72 can
then be calculated as follows:
Travel Distance of traversing cam guide per spool revolution / Circumference C
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= 1.342 / 15.7
1.342 / 15.7 = 0.0854 = sin"I 0 (Helix Angle)
Where Helix Angle 0= 4.90
As one inch of dental tape is wound onto the core of spool 72, helix angle 0
decreases. This can be calculated as follows:
The diameter of spool after 1 adding one inch layer of tape = 5 inches + 2
inches (1 inch
added layer results in diameter increasing by 2 inches) = 7 inches, hence:
Circumference of Spool with Tape = diameter of spool with tape X it = (7)3.14
= 21.98
inches
Travel distance of traversing cam guide per spool revolution / Circumference
of Spool
with Tape
= 1.342 / 21.98 inches = 0.061 = sin-1 0' (Helix Angle)
Where Helix Angle 0' = 3.5
Therefore, as about an inch of material is wound around the spool, the helix
angle
chances by about 1 (9 ¨ 0' = 4.9 - 3.5 = 1.4 ).
Using the above traverse barrel cam and pulley sizes, rolls (representative of
spool 72 in FIG. 1) can be formed, which rolls can subsequently be used to
form separate
tape bobbins. (representative bobbins formed on bobbin spool 90 in FIG. 1).
Example 3
Dental tape spool rolls are formed in accordance with the coating and winding
processes of the present invention and using the component sizes and/or type
described
below and summarized in Table VI.
TABLE VI
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Component Type/Size
Pulley P1 14 Teeth
Pulley P2 14 Teeth
Pulley P3 14 Teeth
Pulley P4 14 Teeth
Pulley P5 16 Teeth
Pulley P6 20 Teeth
Traversing Cam 12 inches, 5
Guide Traverse turns end to
end cam
The above pulley sizes should be ordered sequentially (as illustrated FIG. 2,
where 82e (which would be P1) is connected to 82d (which would be P2) which is
connected 82c (which would be P3) etc.). The product of the ratios of the
sizes of the
sequentially ordered pulleys or Ratio A can be determined as shown in I below:
Ratio A = PI/P2 X P3/P4 X Pz-I/Pz
Using the size values from Table results in the following Ratio A:
Ratio A = Pi/P2 X P3/P4 X P5/P6) = (14/14) X (14/14) X (16/20) = 0.80
A traverse barrel cam can be selected to provide a traversing cam guide
traverse
of 12 inches end to end for every 5 revolutions of traverse barrel cam 86.
This results in
a cam advance equal to the following:
Cam Advance
= Traversing Cam Guide Traverse / 5 Revolutions of Traverse Barrel Cam
= 12 / 5 = 2.4 inches per Traverse Barrel Cam revolution
Ratio A indicates that for each revolution of the spool 72, the traverse
barrel cam
86 travels 0.80 of the spool revolution. This results in the following travel
distance for
the traversing cam guide 76 per revolution of spool 72:
Travel Distance of traversing cam guide per revolution of spool
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MCP5169USCIP1
= Cam Pulley Ratio X Cam Advance
= 0.80 X 2.4 = 1.92 inches per spool revolution
A core diameter ds of spool 72 of 7 inches can be selected such that the
distance
traveled by any point on the outer surface of the core of spool 72 after one
revolution of
spool 72 or circumference C can be calculated as follows:
Circumference C = 5 inches X TE = (7)3.14 = 21.98 inches
The helix angle 0 (the angle formed by a strand of dental tape and plane of
the
spool np which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spool as shown
in FIG. 19)
which forms by dental tape 10 as it is initially wound around the core of
spool 72 can
then be calculated as follows:
Travel Distance of traversing cam guide per spool revolution / Circumference C
= 1.92/ 21.98
1.92/ 21.98 = 0.0873 = sin-1 0 (Helix Angle)
Where Helix Angle 0 = 5.01
As one inch of dental tape is wound onto the core of spool 72, helix angle 0
decreases. This can be calculated as follows:
The diameter of spool after 1 adding one inch layer of tape = 7 inches + 2
inches (1 inch
added layer results in diameter increasing by 2 inches) = 9 inches
Circumference of Spool with Tape = diameter of spool with tape X it = (9)3.14
= 28.26 inches
Travel distance of traversing cam guide per spool revolution / Circumference
of Spool
with Tape
= 1.92 / 28.26 inches = 0.068 = sin-1 0' (Helix Angle)
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Where Helix Angle 0' = 3.9
Therefore, as about an inch of material is wound around the spool, the helix
angle
chances by about 1 (0 ¨ 0' = 5.01 - 3.9 = 1.11 ).
Using the above traverse barrel cam and pulley sizes, rolls (representative of
spool 72 in FIG. 1) can be formed, which rolls can subsequently be used to
form separate
tape bobbins (representative bobbins formed on bobbin spool 90 in FIG. 1).
