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:
Jan. 06, 2004
Filed:
Dec. 21, 2001
Hans Perret, München, DE;
Berhard-Franz Graf, Schondorf, DE;
Ulli Christian Sagmeister, Postmünster, DE;
EOS GmbH Optical Systems, Planegg, DE;
Abstract
An apparatus for delivering powder onto a plane surface ( ) of a device for creating a three-dimensional part in a layer-by-layer fashion, in particular of a laser sintering machine, is provided. It comprises a covering means ( ) which can be moved back and forth in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction by means of a drive between a lateral first position and a second position located on the opposite side. In at least one of the positions it can be filled with powder. In order to simplify the apparatus and improve its operation, the covering means ( ) comprises a slit ( ) extending across the entire width and open at its top and its bottom as well as smoothening elements ( ) at the ends opposite of the surface. A store container ( ) is provided above the covering means ( ), the volume of said store container at each location across the entire width being at least equal to the volume of the slit cavity located underneath.