The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Jan. 03, 2023

Filed:

Nov. 14, 2019
Applicant:

Xerox Corporation, Norwalk, CT (US);

Inventors:

Jeffrey J Bradway, Rochester, NY (US);

Linn C Hoover, Webster, NY (US);

Erwin Ruiz, Rochester, NY (US);

Paul M Fromm, Rochester, NY (US);

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation, Norwalk, CT (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B25J 15/00 (2006.01); B25J 15/12 (2006.01); B41J 3/407 (2006.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B25B 11/00 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B41J 3/40731 (2020.08); B25J 15/0023 (2013.01); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B41J 3/4073 (2013.01); B41J 3/40733 (2020.08); B25B 11/005 (2013.01);
Abstract

A universal object holding mechanism for holding three-dimensional objects for printing thereon uses multiple conformable balls mounted within a pattern of holes in a two part back plate. The multiple conformable balls are pressed into an object, which in turn, is pressed against a datum surface that represents desired spacing away from print heads. Vacuum is applied to the multiple conformable balls which grip the object. The multiple conformable balls are filled with particulates that cause the multiple conformable balls to become rigid when the vacuum is applied. This contributes to keeping the object from moving when it is being moved past a print head.


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