Patent US2480691A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5980812A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5980812A
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Solid imaging process using component homogenization
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1997-04-30
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Granted: 1999-11-09
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Expires: 2017-04-30
Abstract
Abstract Solid objects are formed in an imagewise layering process in which components of a dispersion are homogenized to form an alloy. Imagewise exposure of the layers to radiation to form an alloy permits separation of the exposed, homogenized regions from non-exposed, non-homogenized regions. As each layer is formed and imagewise homogenized, contiguous layer regions are bonded together to form a homogenized, three-dimensional object which may be separated from surrounding dispersion.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Lawton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:22
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C26/00; C23C26/02; B; B22; B22F; B22F1/00; B22F1/09; B22F1/12; B29; B29C; B29C64/00; B29C64/10; B29C64/165; B33; B33Y; B33Y10/00; B33Y70/00; B33Y70/10; C22; C22C; C22C12/00; C22C21/00; C22C28/00; B22F10/00; B22F10/20; B22F10/28; B22F10/30; B22F10/32; B22F12/00; B22F12/40; B22F12/41; B22F12/43; B22F12/44; B22F12/60; B22F12/67; B22F2998/00; B29K; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/0058; B29K2105/0064; B29K2105/0088; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A process for producing a homogenized, three-dimensional, integral object by imagewise thermal radiation of a dispersion, the dispersion containing components A and B, comprising the steps of: a) providing the dispersion containing components A and B; b) forming the dispersion into a layer; c) homogenizing the dispersion by applying imagewise thermal radiation to form an alloy of components A and B; and d) repeating steps a)-c) by applying each successive layer of the dispersion onto the previous layer of the dispersion, such that each new homogenized region becomes integral with the previous homogenized region to form the homogenized, three-dimensional, integral object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A process for producing a homogenized, three-dimensional, integral object by imagewise thermal radiation of a dispersion, the dispersion containing components A and B, comprising the steps of: a) providing the dispersion containing components A and B; b) forming the dispersion into a layer; c) homogenizing the dispersion by applying imagewise thermal radiation to form an alloy of components A and B; and d) repeating steps a)-c) by applying each successive layer of the dispersion onto the previous layer of the dispersion, such that each new homogenized region becomes integral with the previous homogenized region to form the homogenized, three-dimensional, integral object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process as claimed in claim 1, further comprising separating the integral object from non-imaged areas of the dispersion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alloy comprising the integral object has a different melting point than the dispersion of components A and B.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein components A and B are polymers, metals or ceramics.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein components A and B are polymers and the alloy formed by imagewise radiation is a polymer alloy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process as claimed in claim 5, wherein one of the polymer components is liquid and one of the polymer components is particulate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein components A and B are metals and the alloy formed by imagewise radiation is a metal alloy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alloy is a metal ceramic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein component A is a solid and component B is a liquid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process as claimed in claim 9, wherein component A is particulate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process as claimed in claim 9, wherein component A is crystalline.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process as claimed in claim 9, wherein component A is in sheet form or powder form.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process as claimed in claim 9, wherein component A and component B differ in density, and the temperature of the dispersion is maintained so as to retard or prevent separation of the components.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of claim 9, wherein component A and component B differ in density, and the dispersion of components A and B comprises a solid phase alloy of A and B dispersed in liquid component B.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispersion further comprises a thermal dye.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein component A has a melting point MpA, component B has a melting point MpB, and MpA is higher than MpB, and wherein homogenization forms an alloy having an eutectic which is different from MpB.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 16, wherein the integral article is separated from the dispersion based on difference in melting point.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process as claimed in claim 5, wherein the polymer alloy of component A/component B is polycaprolactone/poly(vinylchloride), polycaprolactone/Saran, polycaprolactone/bisphenol A polycarbonate, poly(vinyl methyl ether)/phenoxy, poly(ethylene oxide)/phenoxy, poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(acrylic acid), BPA polycarbonate/PHFA, or polystyrene/polyphenylene oxide.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process as claimed in claim 7, wherein components A and B comprise bismuth and magnesium or aluminum and gallium.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
107 words
A process for producing a homogenized, three-dimensional, integral object of components A and B, comprising the steps of: a) providing a layer of liquid component B; b) homogenizing components A and B by adding solid or liquid component A in an imagewise manner to a surface of the layer of liquid component B for forming an alloy layer of components A and B, which alloy layer hardens upon homogenization; c) repeating steps a)-b) by applying each successive alloy layer of homogenized region onto the previous alloy layer, such that each new homogenized region becomes integral with the previous homogenized region to form the homogenized, three-dimensional, integral object.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
107 words
A process for producing a homogenized, three-dimensional, integral object of components A and B, comprising the steps of: a) providing a layer of liquid component B; b) homogenizing components A and B by adding solid or liquid component A in an imagewise manner to a surface of the layer of liquid component B for forming an alloy layer of components A and B, which alloy layer hardens upon homogenization; c) repeating steps a)-b) by applying each successive alloy layer of homogenized region onto the previous alloy layer, such that each new homogenized region becomes integral with the previous homogenized region to form the homogenized, three-dimensional, integral object.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process as claimed in claim 20, wherein the imagewise addition of components is carried out by ink or powder jetting one component onto the previous layer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-08 | 2003-05-10 | 2003-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-08 | 2007-05-10 | 2007-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-08 | 2011-05-10 | 2011-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |