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:
Feb. 03, 2004
Filed:
Jul. 09, 2001
William J. Swanson, St. Paul, MN (US);
Minea A. Popa, Roseville, MN (US);
Patrick W. Turley, Eden Prairie, MN (US);
William R. Priedeman, Jr., Long Lake, MN (US);
Paul E. Hopkins, Savage, MN (US);
Steve Brose, Belle Plaine, MN (US);
Stratasys, Inc., Eden Prairie, MN (US);
Abstract
Disclosed are an apparatus and method for three-dimensional deposition modeling, which shield a supply of modeling filament fed through a deposition modeling machine from exposure to environmental moisture. Dry gas under pressure is supplied to a filament path leading from a material supply to a liquifier, creating an active moisture barrier along the filament path. In a preferred embodiment, an entrance of the filament path is configured to seal to an exit orifice of a cassette containing the material supply, and an exit of the filament path is vented to release exhaust gas.