US Patent No: 6,986,654

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

Apparatus, systems and methods for use in three-dimensional printing

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ALSO PUBLISHED AS: 20040003738
ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)
 

Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus, systems and methods for use in three-dimensional printing are shown and described. Various embodiments of the invention allow for more precise and controlled delivery of heat to achieve interlayer drying; isolation of the working region from the outside for reasons of cleanliness and in connection with the vapors of organic solvents; better control of the temperature of the working region; better accuracy in the flowrates of binder fluid dispensed; matching of delivered flowrates for multiple dispensers; verification of delivered flowrate or drops; provision for easier changeover of the machine from one powder to another; cleanability; and other needs.

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First Claim

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddressTotal Patents
THEKEN SPINE, LLCAKRON, OH75

International Classification(s)

  • [Classification Symbol]
  • [Patents Count]

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Gaylo, Christopher M Princeton Junction, NJ 22 392
Imiolek, Ireneusz J Warren, NJ 5 52

Cited Art

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
3D SYSTEMS, INC. (10)
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5,252,264 Apparatus and method for producing parts with multi-directional powder delivery 107 1991
6,007,318 Method and apparatus for prototyping a three-dimensional object 72 1996
6,305,769 Selective deposition modeling system and method 27 1997
6,261,077 Rapid prototyping apparatus with enhanced thermal and/or vibrational stability for production of three dimensional objects 29 1999
6,162,378 Method and apparatus for variably controlling the temperature in a selective deposition modeling environment 33 1999
6,357,855 Non-linear printhead assembly 16 1999
6,375,874 Method and apparatus for prototyping a three-dimensional object 75 1999
6,610,429 Three dimensional printing material system and method 37 2001
2002/0008,335 Selective deposition modeling method and apparatus for forming three-dimensional objects and supports 13 2001
 
EOS GMBH ELECTRO OPTICAL SYSTEMS (4)
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5,908,569 Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object by laser sintering 15 1997
6,554,600 Device for producing a three-dimensional object, especially a laser sintering machine 49 2000
6,824,714 Device and method for generative production of a three-dimensional object 16 2002
 
BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM (3)
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5,597,589 Apparatus for producing parts by selective sintering 45 1994
5,639,070 Method for producing parts by selective sintering 53 1995
 
HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P. (3)
5,592,202 Ink jet print head rail assembly 31 1994
6,126,276 Fluid jet printhead with integrated heat-sink 16 1998
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MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (3)
5,204,055 Three-dimensional printing techniques 331 1989
5,340,656 Three-dimensional printing techniques 149 1993
6,036,777 Powder dispensing apparatus using vibration 44 1995
 
JORDAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (2)
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5,871,568 Return circuit for vapor recovery system 6 1997
 
NORDSON CORPORATION (2)
5,481,260 Monitor for fluid dispensing system 23 1994
6,579,563 Fluid dispenser with fluid weight monitor 6 2000
 
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED (2)
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6,169,605 Method and apparatus for the computer-controlled manufacture of three-dimensional objects from computer data 31 1994
 
THERICS, LLC (2)
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BOC GROUP PLC, THE (1)
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BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA (1)
2003/0184,771 Printing device 17 2003
 
COLLIER, WILLIAM R. (1)
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DEUTSCHE STAR GMBH (1)
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LA CALHENE (1)
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MILESTONE S.R.L. (1)
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MINOLTA CO., LTD. (1)
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MULLINS, PHILIP ARTHUR MULLINS, JILL BARBARA (1)
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NATIONAL SCIENCE COUNCIL (1)
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OBJET GEOMETRIES LTD. (1)
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5,740,051 3-D model making 76 1995
 
Societe de Recherche SNC Inc. (1)
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TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD. (1)
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TENNEX CORPORATION (1)
5,931,141 Vapor treatment system for volatile liquid 16 1998
 
THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY (1)
5,277,716 Method of controlling the solvent vapor concentration in an apparatus 4 1991
 
THEKEN SPINE, LLC (1)
6,213,168 Apparatus and method for dispensing of powders 8 1999
 
WADE, ROBERT KEITH (1)
5,836,086 Process for accelerated drying of green wood 35 1997
 
Other [Check patent profile for assignment information] (3)
4,905,578 Apparatus for ventilating controlled areas 15 1989
5,468,184 Air circulation system for enclosed structures 13 1993
2003/0020,618 Methamphetamine and other illegal drug manufacture detector 6 2002

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cites

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
AQUALIZER, LLC (1)
8,028,438 Moisture condensation control system 0 2005
 
LG ELECTRONICS INC. (1)
7,941,937 Laundry dryer control method 1 2003
 
MATHEWS COMPANY (1)
7,856,737 Apparatus and method for reducing a moisture content of an agricultural product 0 2007
 
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION (1)
7,971,368 Hand drying apparatus 3 2005
 
TOSHIBA KIKAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA (1)
7,855,477 Apparatus for preventing displacement of retainer 0 2007

Maintenance Fees

Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee due date
7.5 Year Payment $3600.00 $1800.00 $900.00 Jul 17, 2013
11.5 Year Payment $7400.00 $3700.00 $1850.00 Jul 17, 2017
Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee
Surcharge - 7.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge - 11.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unavoidable $700.00 $350.00 $175.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unintentional $1,640.00 $820.00 $410.00