Abstract: A one-piece, front-opening brassiere has independently adjustable front panels accessible solely from the front of the brassiere, to provide a custom fit especially useful during athletic activities.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to manufacturing apparatus, method of manufacture, and products manufactured thereby and more particularly to an integral three-dimensional object (6, 15) formed from individually contoured laminations (4, 62) of the same or gradually varying shape, successive laminae of that object being produced out of thin sheet or powder based materials (1, 60) through the cutting, fusing or physiochemical property changing action generated by a computer directed beam (7) of concentrated energy or matter, successive substantially planar laminations (4, 62) of that object (6, 15) being automatically stacked together for step-wise laminar buildup of the desired object (6, 15).

Abstract: A method of fabricating model trees and plants for decorating a diorama. The model is made from stacking foliage disks on a telescoping dowel, which functions as an imitation trunk. First, an outline of leaves and branches is drawn within a panel on paper. Next, the outline is shaded in to obtain a silhouette thereof. Numerous foliage disks can be clustered on a single panel to conserve space and to facilitate mass production. The silhouette is photographed to obtain a reverse image. Then through photolithography and etching, a metal template of the reverse image is made. The template is overlaid on a wood veneer having a kraft paper backing, and is laser cut. After laser cutting, each foliage disk can be separated from the veneer sheet. An assembly hole is provided in each foliage disk to facilitate attachment to the dowel. In an alternative embodiment, the trunk can be fashioned from braided wire with one end that is unraveled and flared outwards.

Abstract: A stereolithographic system for automatically generating three-dimensional objects on a layer by layer basis by alternately forming layers of medium over previously formed layers of the object and selectively solidifying successive layers of medium at a surface of a body of the medium whereby the object is formed from a plurality of solidified and adhered layers. The surface of the body of medium is maintained at a desired working surface, for example by detecting its level and relatively adjusting it and the working surface so that they coincide.

Abstract: A method for forming a three-dimensional article by thermal spraying utilizes a plurality of masks having a support layer with a removable liner thereon and a cut-away portion. The masks correspond to cross-sections normal to a centerline through the object. A set of masks defines all cross-sections through the object. A first mask is placed above a work surface and sprayed with a deposition material forming a first layer portion of the deposition material within the cut-out and second layer portion on the liner. The liner and second layer portion of deposition material thereon are removed. A second mask is placed over the remaining support portion of the first mask and sprayed with deposition material therein. Then the liner portion of the second mask and deposition material therein are removed. This process is repeated until the three dimensional article is formed. Then the mask support portions surrounding the article are removed from the article.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating integral three-dimensional objects from successive layers of photoformable compositions by exposing the layers of the composition through a semi-permeable film that allows creation of release coatings on the side of said film facing said composition.

Abstract: A system for producing precision plastic products via the polymerization of liquid plastics using combined static ultra-violet laser stencil imaging with dynamic focused ultra-violet laser beams is provided. Computer control of the position of the laser beams relative to the face of a computer controlled adjustable pattern immersed in the liquid plastic allows for the hardened plastic product being produced to rest on an end face of the piston as the computer controlled laser beam profiling processes takes place within the liquid plastic.

Abstract: An imaging method and apparatus produces an integral three-dimensional object from a multiplicity of cross sectional portions of the object. The cross sectional portions correspond to photohardened portions of contiguous photoformed precursor sheets of a photohardenable liquid composition.

Abstract: A method for automatically manufacturing objects directly from computer aided design, whereby the computer programming electronically sections the designed object into many thin planar sections which are physically reproduced as laminae formed from sheet materials or powders by one of the embodiments of the invention. The thin planar laminae thus formed are bonded to form a sandwich creating the object as designed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for constructing a three-dimensional surface of predetermined shape and color from a length of sheet material. A series of color profiles are made along one side of the sheet material in sequence, each color profile corresponding in shape and color to the shape and color of a different cross-section of the surface to be constructed. A coating of a pressure sensitive adhesive is then applied to one side of the sheet material. Areas on the sheet material outside of the profiles are then removed and discarded so as to leave a series of unconnected planar elements, each planar element having an edge shape or outline corresponding to a cross-section of the surface with the color profile itself forming at least a color border or margin on the surface of its respective planar element around the edge. The planar elements are then stacked one on top of the other in proper alignment and sequence and individually laminated together to produce the desired three-dimensional surface.

Abstract: An optical molding apparatus is used for an optical molding method including the steps of radiating light onto a photocurable resin so as to cure the irradiated portion and laminating the cured objects. The apparatus comprises: a container provided with an aperture on a bottom surface or a side surface thereof; a base which is movably away from a surface of the aperture; a light radiation apparatus for radiating light into the container through the aperture; and a cured object holding plate which is freely mounted and dismounted from above the base. A movable base device for the optical molding apparatus comprises the base and an elevator erected on a peripheral edge of the container so as to lift and lower the base. The base is provided with a frame, one end thereof constituting a slide portion vertically moved along the elevator, a model holding plate removably mounted on the frame, frame supporting members with the base end sides thereof rotatably supported by the slide portion.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the provision of an improvement in a process for producing works of sculpture on the basis of a stereophotographic process by arranging a plurality of photogrpahic cameras and a plurality of optical projectors, each being loaded with a transparent screen having a plurality of parallel lines therein, around an object to be photographed at a predetermined object distance, arranging another plurality of projectors operatively around a mass of material to be modeled at such an operative distance of projection that they may be located in a similar position to that of each of the cameras to project the screen therefrom onto the object to take a photographic picture of a striped pattern in the screen projected onto the object, loading the projector with thus-taken picture to be projected onto the mass of material to be modeled, and modeling manually the mass of material to make the projected lines meet and coincide with each other as appeared thereon and to obtain a similar sized

Abstract: A process which provides a three-dimensional, light-diffracting pattern comprising a hologram on a surface of a transparent material layer which may be extremely thin and non-self-supporting, and which secures this layer to a document or like substrate, with the pattern-bearing surface facing downwardly (i.e., not exposed), by an adhesive bond having a shear strength greater than that of the transparent layer so that the layer cannot be removed from the surface without being destroyed.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image, which can be the face of a person, or other image having: a base, a picture module formed of flexible picture material bearing thereon a picture-making coating which latter is imprinted thereon in duplication from a photograph by known methods, the picture-module being attached to the forward side of the base and such forward side having a shape complementary to the picture coating as is accomplished by the method of this invention which is sculpting the material which makes the forward side of the base while such material is flexible and before heating it, the shaping of the moldable material being done by pressure exerted on and through the module as guided visually by the picture-making coating which latter can be accomplished by human sculpturing skill whereby the picture module is also sculpted into a new shape and complementary to the sculpted base.

Abstract: A system for generating three-dimensional objects by creating a cross-sectional pattern of the object to be formed at a selected surface of a fluid medium capable of altering its physical state in response to appropriate synergistic stimulation by impinging radiation, particle bombardment or chemical reaction, successive adjacent laminae, representing corresponding successive adjacent cross-sections of the object, being automatically formed and integrated together to provide a step-wise laminar buildup of the desired object, whereby a three-dimensional object is formed and drawn from a substantially planar surface of the fluid medium during the forming process.

Abstract: A method of making a high quality three-dimensional photograph is disclosed. The method utilizes a camera with a film mount therein, a rastor, a film, a separator for keeping the line rastor separate from the film, and a vacuum generating device for maintaining a vacuum in the vicinity of the separator thereby bringing the film into intimate contact with the separator and maintaining the intimate contact through successive exposures and movements of the film and line rastor. After repeated exposure of the film in various positions with respect to the subject being photographed, the film and rastor are laminated to opposing sides of the separator and the resulting photograph is viewed from the rastor-carrying side of the photograph by means of a light source and diffusion screen on the film-carrying side of the photograph.

Abstract: Flat pattern equivalents for curved surfaces may be generated by developing a regular network of quadrilateral grid elements resembling a fish net which is mathematically smoothed onto the curved surface. Surface features such as boundaries and cutouts are mapped onto the network. The network is then transformed onto a flat mapping plane to form a grid in a manner analagous to smoothing a fish net mesh onto a flat surface. The surface features are then transformed to the flat surface grid.Individual plies or parts are then cut based upon the flat patterns. The plies or parts will conform to the curved surface exactly.

Abstract: A unique art object comprising multiple photographic images reflecting the vocational and avocational interests and personality traits of a featured person or group, each image being mounted upon a rigid plastic dimensionally stable backing and provided with a mounting surface for mating with and adherence to a base member to define a pleasing and meaningful pattern, either alone or in combination with a symbolic background. Special methods of preparing each image, securing each image to a backing, preparing the sculpture base and securing the backed images to the sculpture base in a preselected arrangement to form a completed art object are described.

Abstract: A method of making a high quality three-dimensional photograph is disclosed. The method utilizes a camera with a film mount therein, a rastor, a film, a separator for keeping the line rastor separate from the film, and a vacuum generating device for maintaining a vacuum in the vicinity of the separator thereby bringing the film into intimate contact with the separator and maintaining the intimate contact through successive exposures and movements of the film and line rastor. After repeated exposure of the film in various positions with respect to the subject being photographed, the film and rastor are laminated to opposing sides of the separator and the resulting photograph is viewed from the rastor-carrying side of the photograph by means of a light source and diffusion screen on the film-carrying side of the photograph.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for molding a three dimensional decorative article where cored out or raised portions extend to a depth of at least 0.6 centimeter, said process comprising generating electronically a line drawing of said article and electronically displaying the drawing; photographing said drawing to form a photographic transparency; positioning said transparency over a layer of a liquid photopolymer having a depth greater than 0.6 centimeter; exposing said photopolymer through said transparency to actinic light to set the photopolymer; and removing the liquid from the set photopolymer to form a three dimensional article having the appearance of said drawing.

Abstract: A sequence of identical planar maps having intervals with contour lines drawn thereon are cut so that from each map a section defined by a pair of spaced contour lines of selected intervals are formed. The cut sections are then superimposed one upon the other in the order of the contour lines until the relief map is formed.

Abstract: Conventional cameras and other optical instruments produce images upon one plane only. Objects at differing ranges from the lens of such cameras cannot appear upon that plane in-focus simultaneously, and the operator, hence the viewer, is obliged to choose one primary plane of interest in which the major subject lies; all other objects at other ranges will be out of focus.The invention described produces photographic images that are in-focus at all ranges.This is achieved by dividing the original scene into two or more images focussed upon different ranges, and eliminating from each image those parts that are out-of-focus. The remaining in-focus parts of each image are then reconstituted into a single image for presentation.The elimination of blurred parts may be done by comparison of one sub-image with another, or by the subjective intervention of an operator using a mathmatical support system.The images described may be applied to still or motion photography, film or electronic.

Abstract: Improvements in a stereophotographic process for producing works of sculpture by arranging a number of cameras and a number of projectors, each fitted with a screen having a number of parallel stripes, in a circle around an object so as to face the latter, taking pictures of the object simultaneously with the cameras while the striped screens are being projected thereon by the projectors, replacing the projectors and cameras by an increased number of projectors arranged in similar positions to face instead a mass of material to be modeled which is placed at the center, projecting the pictures as well as the screens fitted in the projectors on the mass of material, and then modeling the material until the stripes of the same sources on the screens and pictures projected are in coincidence on the material surface.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a technique for the generation of film negatives which will be used in a chemical etching process to provide a previously etched surface with texturing on the broad, flat areas of a previously etched surface. A rubbing is used to form a basis for a series of photographic negatives which provide an indication of the different levels of texturing.

Abstract: A stereo relief modelling apparatus based on photogrammetric method and apparatus comprising a flexible platen, used with standard stereo plotting instrumentation such as double-projection direct-viewing plotting instruments. The purpose of the flexible platen is to provide an absolute stereo image for photographic, modelling and other purposes. The flexible platen, which is of sufficient size to provide a meaningful mapping surface, is vertically adjustable at a multiplicity of points by mechanical, pneumatic, electro-mechanical, fully automated, or other means to provide an actual model-like three-dimensional photographic or modelling surface to enable relief distortion from aerial photographs to be effectively eliminated in planimetric photographs which are taken of the adjusted flexible platen, or models molded on the adjusted flexible platen, upon which the aerial images are projected. Modelling is facilitated by situating the platen inside a sealable vacuum box from which the air is removable.

Abstract: A moire contour map of a three-dimensional object is obtained by a moire contour measuring system. The moire contour map is used for making a profiling model to be used in a profiling machine to make a number of plates having configurations corresponding to the contour lines of the moire contour map. The number of plates prepared by the profiling machine are stacked to form a stack of plates having a contour approximately equivalent to the contour of the original three-dimensional object. The stacked plates are bound together and a surface smoothing cover or a filling agent is applied on the surface of the stacked plates to form a replica of the object.

Abstract: This invention provides a decorative laminated structure having on the surface a pattern composed of concaves, at least one of said concaves having an opening at its bottom portion formed by local heat shrinkage of a layer of a heat-shrinkable resin sheet employed. Such decorative laminated structure is prepared by a method comprising forming a composite layer structure including a base, a heat-shrinkable resin sheet, a picture layer containing heat insensitive picture areas and another picture layer having heat sensitive picture areas, said heat sensitive picture areas being contiguous and closely adherent to said heat-shrinkable resin sheet; and irradiating the composite layer structure with a heat ray in an amount sufficient for making an opening in the heat-shrinkable resin sheet to thereby cause the heat-shrinkable resin sheet to shrink locally and form concaves, at least one of said concaves having an opening at its bottom portion at portions corresponding to the heat sensitive picture areas.

Abstract: Photogrammetric method and apparatus comprising a flexible platen used with standard stereo plotting instrumentation such as double-projection direct-viewing plotting instruments. The purpose of said flexible platen is to provide an absolute stereo image for photographic and other purposes. The flexible platen which is of sufficient size to provide a meaningful mapping surface is vertically adjustable at a multiplicity of points by mechanical, pneumatic, electro-mechanical, fully automated, or other means to provide an actual model-like three-dimensional photographic surface to enable relief distortion from the aerial photographs to be effectively eliminated in planimetric photographs which are taken of the adjusted flexible platen upon which the aerial images are projected. Additionally, an orthostereoscopic photo can be produced by the use of color film.

Abstract: A three dimensional reproduction of an object is made by photographing the object at predetermined intervals by rotating the camera in a fixed plane 180.degree. about a fixed axis which is at right angles to the plane of rotation. Each photograph is divided at a point perpendicular to the photograph and along the axis of rotation. Each photograph is then embedded in or affixed to a wedge shaped carvable material, the angle of the wedges being the same as the angle of rotation between photographs. The wedges are fitted together such that the dissected portions of each photograph meet each other at the common axis in a linear plane, and all wedges, when fitted together, form a 360.degree. circle. The outlines of the photographed article in the composite of wedges represent substantially a three dimensional reproduction of the article. Each wedge, when carved along the outline, represented by the photograph, thus produces a substantially accurate three dimensional reproduction of the image photographed.