IP Library Granted Patent US 7,874,445
Granted Patent B2
US 7,874,445 · App. 11/771,633 · Granted Jan 25, 2011

Interchangeable container

Assignee: ProMetal RCT GmbH
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,874,445
App. No.
11/771,633
Granted
Jan 25, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

An interchangeable container for a system for building a mold body by forming superimposed layers of granular material, the granular material locally and selectively hardened layer by layer. The container includes a bottom structure that is displaceable in the interior of the container in a direction in parallel with the container side walls and at least one spindle drive having a vertical screw spindle rotatably mounted in a container side of the container, and a spindle screw nut on which the bottom structure is supported. The bottom structure can be lowered step by step in the interior of the container by the spindle drive.

Claims (20)

1. An interchangeable container for a system for building a mold body by forming superimposed layers of granular material, the granular material locally and selectively hardened layer by layer, the container comprising:

at least one pair of side walls;

a bottom structure that is displaceable in the interior of the container in a direction in parallel with said side walls; and

at least one spindle drive comprising

a vertical screw spindle which is rotatably mounted in a container side of the container, and

a spindle screw nut on which the bottom structure is supported, such that the bottom structure can be lowered step by step in the interior of the container by means of the spindle drive.

2. The Interchangeable container according to claim 1 , wherein the screw spindle further comprises a drive clutch for detachably coupling with a stationary stepping motor.

3. The interchangeable container according to claim 2 , wherein a curtain is attached to the bottom structure along the container side on which the screw spindle is arranged, the curtain deviated by means of rolls on a upper side of the container and adjustably drawn down in correspondence with the lowering motion of the bottom structure.

4. The interchangeable container according to claim 1 , wherein in a lower container portion, on the container side comprising the screw spindle, a stepping motor is integrated into the container, the stepping motor being coupled by means of a transmission member with the screw spindle.

5. The interchangeable container according to claim 4 , wherein a curtain is attached to the bottom structure along the container side on which the screw spindle is arranged, the curtain deviated by means of rolls on an upper side of the container and adjustably drawn down in correspondence with the lowering motion of the bottom structure.

6. The interchangeable container according to claim 1 , wherein a curtain is attached to the bottom structure along the container side on which the screw spindle is arranged, the curtain deviated by means of rolls on an upper side of the container and adjustably drawn down in correspondence with the lowering motion of the bottom structure.

7. An interchangeable container for a system for building a mold body by forming superimposed layers of granular material, the granular material locally and selectively hardened layer by layer, the container comprising:

at least one pair of side walls;

a bottom structure that is displaceable in an interior of the container in a direction in parallel with said side walls; and

at least one spindle drive comprising

a vertical screw spindle which is rotatably mounted in a side of the container, and

a spindle screw nut on which the bottom structure is supported, such that the bottom structure can be lowered step by step in the interior of the container along the vertical screw spindle by the spindle drive.

8. The interchangeable container according to claim 7 , wherein in a lower container portion, on the container side comprising the screw spindle, a stepping motor is integrated into the container, the stepping motor being coupled by means of a transmission member with the screw spindle.

9. The interchangeable container according to claim 8 , wherein a curtain is attached to the bottom structure along the container side on which the screw spindle is arranged, the curtain deviated by means of rolls on an upper side of the container and adjustably drawn down in correspondence with the lowering motion of the bottom structure.

10. The interchangeable container according to claim 7 , wherein a curtain is attached to the bottom structure along the container side on which the screw spindle is arranged, the curtain deviated by means of rolls on an upper side of the container and adjustably drawn down in correspondence with the lowering motion of the bottom structure.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 15, 2021
From: PROMETAL RCT GMBH
To: EXONE GMBH
Reel/Frame 057828/0565 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 21, 2007
From: HUHN, STEFAN
To: PROMETAL RCT GMBH
Reel/Frame 020146/0946 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 21, 2007
From: HOCHSMANN, RAINER; MULLER, ALEXANDER; SHRUPP, ULI; MARSCHNER, UDO; STACHULLA, MARTIN
To: PROMETAL RCT GMBH
Reel/Frame 020146/0972 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 20 2006 010 327 U · Jul 4, 2006 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080053998A1 · Mar 6, 2008