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:
Nov. 10, 2009
Filed:
Sep. 17, 2007
Charles R. Sperry, Leeds, MA (US);
Dennis F. Mcnamara, Jr., Charlestown, NH (US);
Suzanne M. Scott, Springfield, VT (US);
Charles W. Hull, Santa Clarita, CA (US);
Jouni Partanen, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Mehdi Mojdeh, Valencia, CA (US);
William J. Pappas, San Luis Obispo, CA (US);
Richard O. Gregory, Ii, Rock Hill, SC (US);
Charles R. Sperry, Leeds, MA (US);
Dennis F. McNamara, Jr., Charlestown, NH (US);
Suzanne M. Scott, Springfield, VT (US);
Charles W. Hull, Santa Clarita, CA (US);
Jouni Partanen, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Mehdi Mojdeh, Valencia, CA (US);
William J. Pappas, San Luis Obispo, CA (US);
Richard O. Gregory, II, Rock Hill, SC (US);
3D Systems, Inc., Rock Hill, SC (US);
Abstract
A solid imaging apparatus is provided that includes a replaceable cartridge containing a source of build material and an extendable and retractable flexible transport film for transporting the build material layer-by-layer from the cartridge to the surface of a build in an image plane. An operator using the device needs merely to remove a spent cartridge and replace it with a fresh cartridge to continue solid imaging virtually uninterrupted. The apparatus also includes the capability of withdrawing and inserting an imager without the operator having to perform a separate alignment step. A brush attached to the transport film and forming part of the cartridge provides for intra-layer removal of excess uncured build material. If desired, the apparatus can produce a fully reacted build. A high intensity UV source cures the build between layers. An injection molded build pad is designed to hold a build in an inverted position for improving the build. The invention also provides for tilting the build elevator to reduce air entrainment and for releasing the build from the image plane.