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Apparatus and methods for handling materials in a 3-D printer

  • US 7,971,991 B2
  • Filed: 05/25/2007
  • Issued: 07/05/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A container for holding powder for a three-dimensional printer, the container comprising:

  • a receptacle defining a generally conical interior volume adapted for holding a powder for producing three-dimensional objects;

    a cover coupled to the receptacle and at least partially enclosing the interior volume of the receptacle, the cover defining an outlet in fluidic communication with the interior volume, the outlet adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source of the three-dimensional printer; and

    at least one inlet comprising an atmospheric vent in communication with the interior volume and adapted for passing air into the interior volume, the inlet at least partially defined by at least one of the receptacle and the cover,wherein the outlet comprises a tubular member extending downwardly from the cover to proximate a bottom region of the internal volume.

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