US5287435A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Three dimensional modeling
Assignee: Object Geometries Ltd
•
Filing: 1990-08-23
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Granted: 1994-02-15
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Expires: 2010-08-23
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model including apparatus for depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material in a selectable configuration and apparatus for curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer.
Inventors
- 👤 Nissan Cohen
- 👤 Gill Barequet
- 👤 Daniel Barnea
- 👤 Barry Ben-Ezra
- 👤 Yehoshua Dollberg
- 👤 Shalev Gilad
- 👤 Varda Herskowits
- 👤 Herbert Meininger
- 👤 Itzik Pomerantz
- 👤 Benjamin Sas
- 👤 Yehoshua Sheinman
- 👤 Mark Shlick
- 👤 Michael Wasserstein
- 👤 Nachshon Yeshurun
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:17
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C64/00; B29C64/40; B29C64/10; B29C64/106; B29C64/124; B29C64/129; B29C64/188; B33; B33Y; B33Y10/00; B33Y30/00; B33Y50/00; B33Y50/02; G; G05; G05B; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/49; G05B2219/49015
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: means for selective dispensing of a photopolymer materials, layer upon layer, in a pattern matter configuration; and means for radiation curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: means for selective dispensing of a photopolymer materials, layer upon layer, in a pattern matter configuration; and means for radiation curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 and also comprising means for applying a support material at certain locations of each layer which are not filled by photopolymer prior to deposition onto said layer of a succeeding layer of photopolymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 and also comprising machining means for leveling each layer prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
45 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising the steps of: selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer, in a pattern configuration; and radiation curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
45 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising the steps of: selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer, in a pattern configuration; and radiation curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 4 and also comprising the step of: applying a support material at certain locations of each layer which are not filled by photopolymer prior to deposition onto said layer of a succeeding layer of photopolymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 5 and also comprising the step of: mechanically leveling each layer prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: means for selective dispensing of a photopolymer material layer upon layer, in a pattern configuration; and means for radiation curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said means for curing includes means for initially curing said layer at interior locations thereof and subsequently curing said layer at peripheral locations thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: means for selective dispensing of a photopolymer material layer upon layer, in a pattern configuration; and means for radiation curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said means for curing includes means for initially curing said layer at interior locations thereof and subsequently curing said layer at peripheral locations thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 and wherein said means for initially curing comprises: means for applying a coarse, high power beam of ultraviolet illumination at regions away from edges thereof; and means for subsequently applying a well focussed, low power beam of laser radiation to regions of the layer adjacent the edges.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising the steps of: selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer in a pattern configuration; and radiation curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said step of radiation curing includes the steps of initially curing said layer at interior locations thereof and subsequently curing said layer at exterior locations thereof.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising the steps of: selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer in a pattern configuration; and radiation curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said step of radiation curing includes the steps of initially curing said layer at interior locations thereof and subsequently curing said layer at exterior locations thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 9 and wherein said step of initially curing comprises the steps of: applying a coarse, high power beam of ultraviolet illumination at regions away from edges of the layer; and subsequently applying a well focussed, low power beam of laser radiation to regions of the layer adjacent the edges.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: means for selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer; and means for curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof by exposing each layer of the photopolymer material through a mask defining a layered section of an object to be modeled, superimposed upon a grid pattern, and wherein the means for curing includes: computer means for generating a layer by layer raster pattern parallel to a first axis of each layer, and hardware plotter driver means receiving and decoding said raster pattern to define first grid lines along said first axis and adding thereto second grid lines along a second axis, thereby to define said grid pattern.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: means for selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer; and means for curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof by exposing each layer of the photopolymer material through a mask defining a layered section of an object to be modeled, superimposed upon a grid pattern, and wherein the means for curing includes: computer means for generating a layer by layer raster pattern parallel to a first axis of each layer, and hardware plotter driver means receiving and decoding said raster pattern to define first grid lines along said first axis and adding thereto second grid lines along a second axis, thereby to define said grid pattern.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus for producing a grid pattern comprising; computer means for selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer by layer in a raster pattern parallel to a first axis; and hardware plotter driver means receiving and decoding said raster pattern to define first grid lines along said first axis and adding thereto second grid lines along a second axis, thereby to define said grid pattern.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus for producing a grid pattern comprising; computer means for selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer by layer in a raster pattern parallel to a first axis; and hardware plotter driver means receiving and decoding said raster pattern to define first grid lines along said first axis and adding thereto second grid lines along a second axis, thereby to define said grid pattern.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising; selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer; and curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof by exposing each layer of the photopolymer material through a mask defining a layered section of an object to be modeled superimposed upon a grid comprising first grid lines, and wherein the step of curing includes the steps of: computer generating a layer by layer raster pattern parallel to a first axis of each layer, and receiving the raster pattern to define the first grid lines along the first axis and adding thereto second grid lines along a second axis, thereby to define a grid pattern.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising; selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer; and curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof by exposing each layer of the photopolymer material through a mask defining a layered section of an object to be modeled superimposed upon a grid comprising first grid lines, and wherein the step of curing includes the steps of: computer generating a layer by layer raster pattern parallel to a first axis of each layer, and receiving the raster pattern to define the first grid lines along the first axis and adding thereto second grid lines along a second axis, thereby to define a grid pattern.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 13 and wherein said grid pattern lies only interior of the model.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 14 and wherein said grid pattern is spaced from the exterior of the model by at least a predetermined thickness.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: means for selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer; means for exposing the photopolymer material to define selectable configuration; and means for curing the exposed portion of each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said means for exposing comprises means for directing illumination through a mask including a low resolution, programmable erasable portion associated with a high resolution non-erasable film portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: means for selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer; means for exposing the photopolymer material to define selectable configuration; and means for curing the exposed portion of each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said means for exposing comprises means for directing illumination through a mask including a low resolution, programmable erasable portion associated with a high resolution non-erasable film portion.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising; selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer; exposing the photopolymer material to define a pattern configuration; and curing the exposed portion of each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said step of exposing comprises the step of directing illumination through a mask including a low resolution, programmable erasable portion associated with a high resolution non-erasable film portion.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising; selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer; exposing the photopolymer material to define a pattern configuration; and curing the exposed portion of each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said step of exposing comprises the step of directing illumination through a mask including a low resolution, programmable erasable portion associated with a high resolution non-erasable film portion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: means for depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material; means for radiation curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, wherein said means for depositing includes means for selectably forming a diagnostic layer; mean for analyzing the diagnostic layer; and means for removing the diagnostic layer before subsequent deposition of other layers.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: means for depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material; means for radiation curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, wherein said means for depositing includes means for selectably forming a diagnostic layer; mean for analyzing the diagnostic layer; and means for removing the diagnostic layer before subsequent deposition of other layers.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising the steps of; depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material; curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said step of depositing includes the step of selectably forming a diagnostic layer; analyzing the diagnostic layer; and removing the diagnostic layer before subsequent deposition of other layers.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising the steps of; depositing, layer upon layer, a photopolymer material; curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said step of depositing includes the step of selectably forming a diagnostic layer; analyzing the diagnostic layer; and removing the diagnostic layer before subsequent deposition of other layers.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising; means for selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer in a pattern configuration; means for curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer; and optical inspection means for visually inspecting each layer as said layer is formed.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising; means for selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer in a pattern configuration; means for curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer; and optical inspection means for visually inspecting each layer as said layer is formed.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 20 and also comprising: means for exposing the photopolymer material through a mask to define selectable configuration and wherein said optical inspection means comprises means for inspecting said mask.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
49 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer in a pattern configuration; curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer; and optically inspecting each layer as said layer is formed.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
49 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising: selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer in a pattern configuration; curing each photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer; and optically inspecting each layer as said layer is formed.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 22 and also comprising the step of: exposing the photopolymer material through a mask to define selectable configuration and wherein the optical inspection step comprises inspecting said mask.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising; means for selective dispensing a photopolymer material, layer upon layer in a pattern configuration; and means for radiation curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said means for radiation curing includes: means for initially partially curing the photopolymer layer to provide a partially cured photopolymer layer, means for removing uncured material from the partially cured photopolymer layer, and means for thereafter finally curing the photopolymer layer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising; means for selective dispensing a photopolymer material, layer upon layer in a pattern configuration; and means for radiation curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said means for radiation curing includes: means for initially partially curing the photopolymer layer to provide a partially cured photopolymer layer, means for removing uncured material from the partially cured photopolymer layer, and means for thereafter finally curing the photopolymer layer.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising the steps of; selective dispensing a photopolymer material, layer upon layer, in a pattern configuration; and radiation curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said step of radiation curing includes the steps of: initially partially curing the photopolymer layer to provide a partially cured photopolymer layer, removing uncured material from the partially cured photopolymer layer, and thereafter finally curing the photopolymer layer.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising the steps of; selective dispensing a photopolymer material, layer upon layer, in a pattern configuration; and radiation curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, and wherein said step of radiation curing includes the steps of: initially partially curing the photopolymer layer to provide a partially cured photopolymer layer, removing uncured material from the partially cured photopolymer layer, and thereafter finally curing the photopolymer layer.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising; means for selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer in a pattern configuration; means for radiation curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer; and means for providing a visually sensible indication on each layer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising; means for selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer in a pattern configuration; means for radiation curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer; and means for providing a visually sensible indication on each layer.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising the steps of: selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer in a pattern configuration; radiation curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer; and providing a visually sensible indication on each layer.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for producing a three-dimensional model comprising the steps of: selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer in a pattern configuration; radiation curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer; and providing a visually sensible indication on each layer.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising; means for selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer in a pattern configuration; means for radiation curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer; means for applying a support material at certain locations of each layer which are not filled by photopolymer prior to deposition onto said layer of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, wherein said support material is a solidifiable material; and cooling plate means arranged for planar engagement with the layer after application of said support material, for cooling and thus solidifying the solidifiable material.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising; means for selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer in a pattern configuration; means for radiation curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer; means for applying a support material at certain locations of each layer which are not filled by photopolymer prior to deposition onto said layer of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, wherein said support material is a solidifiable material; and cooling plate means arranged for planar engagement with the layer after application of said support material, for cooling and thus solidifying the solidifiable material.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 26 and wherein said solidifying plate means includes an outer, passive contact plate portion having a low thermal inertia and an inner, active plate portion having a high thermal inertia.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising; means for selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer in a pattern configuration; means for radiation curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer; and means for applying a support material at certain locations of each layer which are not filled by photopolymer prior to deposition onto said layer of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, wherein said support material is a sintered powder.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional model comprising; means for selective dispensing of a photopolymer material, layer upon layer in a pattern configuration; means for radiation curing each said photopolymer layer following deposition thereof and prior to deposition thereon of a succeeding layer of photopolymer; and means for applying a support material at certain locations of each layer which are not filled by photopolymer prior to deposition onto said layer of a succeeding layer of photopolymer, wherein said support material is a sintered powder.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-02-14 | 1997-08-16 | 1998-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-14 | 2001-08-16 | 2002-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-14 | 2005-08-16 | 2006-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |