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.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 30, 1997
Filed:
Jun. 05, 1995
Thomas A Almquist, San Gabriel, CA (US);
Dennis R Smalley, Baldwin Park, CA (US);
3D Systems, Inc., Valencia, CA (US);
Abstract
Apparatus for and related methods of forming three-dimensional objects out of a building material, which is normally solid, but which is flowable when heated. In one embodiment, a support material is used to fill in portions of layers which are not to be solidified as part of the object, thus providing support to otherwise unsupported portions of other layers. Advantageously, the support material is also normally solid and flowable when heated, and has a lower melting point than the building material enabling the support material to later be removed without damaging the object. In an alternative embodiment this support material can be used to build a support such as a web support, or the like, for supporting an object surface from a second surface. In another alternative embodiment, such an apparatus is combined with a conventional stereolithographic apparatus to provide means for forming an object out of conventional stereolithographic materials, but utilizing a normally solid but thermally-flowable support material to provide support to the object, either on a layer-by layer basis, or by building supports such as web supports.