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

• Current Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc. (3D Systems Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Z CORPORATION (A Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Villegas, Robert, Davidson, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Huffman; Julian D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Uhlenhake; Jason S
• Application Number:
  US11/807,237
• Publication Number:
  US 20080006334A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,502 Days
• Field of Search: 347/108, 264/308, 118/308
• US Class Current: 347/108
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 31/02 Dispensing from vessels, e.g. hoppers into a mould cavity B29C31/04; large containers characterised by discharge means B65D88/28, B65D88/54
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/153 using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/35 Cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/357 Recycling
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/251 Particles, powder or granules expandable particles B29K2105/046
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 30/00 Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 40/00 Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 40/20 Post-treatment, e.g. curing, coating or polishing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86187 Plural tanks or compartments connected for serial flow

Abstract

The present invention is directed towards methods and apparatus for handling powder in a 3D printer. The invention includes a means of transporting powder from multiple sources to a powder dispensing apparatus with minimal user intervention, thus reducing contamination of the 3D printer and surrounding area with loose powder, while also providing a means of improving the recycling of powder for re-use.

Claims

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.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the air passing through the inlet assists the movement of the powder through the outlet.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the inlet comprises an annular slot.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the internal volume has a generally elliptical cross-sectional shape.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the outlet comprises a fitting configured to mate with a hose.

6. The container of claim 1 further comprising a housing disposed about the receptacle and configured for stacking with other containers.