Patents by Inventor Don Frederick Hunter

Don Frederick Hunter has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • RAPID PROTOTYPING AND MANUFACTURING SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20100038268
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus having a resin vat with resupply containers in one-way flow communication and a leveling container in two-way flow communication, an automatic offload cart to remove and replace build support platforms, an elevator assembly for supporting and releasably retaining a build platform removably attached to the stereolithography apparatus frame such that elevator forks supporting the build platform can be released into the vat and removed from the stereolithography apparatus with the vat, and a recoater assembly and recoater blade for mapping the resin surface in the vat and applying a fresh coating of resin to a cross-section being built in the vat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Gary Lee Reynolds, Don Frederick Hunter
  • Rapid prototyping and manufacturing system and method
    Patent number: 7621733
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus having a resin vat with resupply containers in one-way flow communication and a leveling container in two-way flow communication, an automatic offload cart to remove and replace build support platforms, an elevator assembly for supporting and releasably retaining a build platform removably attached to the stereolithography apparatus frame such that elevator forks supporting the build platform can be released into the vat and removed from the stereolithography apparatus with the vat, and a recoater assembly and recoater blade for mapping the resin surface in the vat and applying a fresh coating of resin to a cross-section being built in the vat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Lee Reynolds, Don Frederick Hunter
  • Rapid prototyping and manufacturing system and method
    Patent number: 7585450
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus having a resin vat with resupply containers in one-way flow communication and a leveling container in two-way flow communication, an automatic offload cart to remove and replace build support platforms, an elevator assembly for supporting and releasably retaining a build platform removably attached to the stereolithography apparatus frame such that elevator forks supporting the build platform can be released into the vat and removed from the stereolithography apparatus with the vat, and a recoater assembly and recoater blade for mapping the resin surface in the vat and applying a fresh coating of resin to a cross-section being built in the vat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Wahlstrom, Don Frederick Hunter
  • Rapid prototyping and manufacturing system and method
    Patent number: 7520740
    Abstract: A stereolithography apparatus having a resin vat with resupply containers in one-way flow communication and a leveling container in two-way flow communication, an automatic offload cart to remove and replace build support platforms, an elevator assembly for supporting and releasably retaining a build platform removably attached to the stereolithography apparatus frame such that elevator forks supporting the build platform can be released into the vat and removed from the stereolithography apparatus with the vat, and a recoater assembly and recoater blade for mapping the resin surface in the vat and applying a fresh coating of resin to a cross-section being built in the vat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Wahlstrom, Matthew Stonesmith, Don Frederick Hunter