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:
Mar. 08, 2016
Filed:
May. 09, 2014
Satoshi Kitaoka, Kanagawa, JP;
Satoshi Kitaoka, Kanagawa, JP;
RICOH COMPANY, LTD., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A three-dimensional object fabrication method and apparatus to fabricate a three-dimensional object from a foamed material are provided. The method includes applying a solvent to dissolve the foamed material; dissolving and contracting the foamed material; and molding a three-dimensional object. The solvent is applied to a surface of the foamed material, thereby dissolving and contracting of the foamed material in a depth direction, or otherwise, the solvent is applied to an interior portion of the foamed material, thereby releasing air contained inside the foamed material and starting contraction of the foamed material itself. The method further includes adjusting an amount of the solvent depending on a thickness of the three-dimensional object, filling in a recess or a concavity formed in the foamed material with a molding material; solidifying the molding material as a mold; and transferring a shape of the recess or the concavity to the molding material.