Sculptor's pressure vessel

Abstract

A sculptor's pressure vessel having a frame, a pressure container and an expandable member for pushing the pressure container against a portion of the frame to seal the container. A pressurized gas supply is connected expandable member to inflate it and to push the pressure container against the top of the frame to seal the pressure container. The pressurized gas supply is also connected to the frame top to pressurize the pressure container when it is in sealed contact with the frame.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present patent application is a continuation in part of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 118,627, filed on Apr. 5, 2002, which is a continuation in part of U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 427,526, filed on Oct. 26, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,387,315; which is a division of application Ser. No. 08,988,311, filed Dec. 10, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,274.FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to pressure vessels such as are used when making a mold of an object. DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART [0003] Prior to the current invention when creating objects from molds, one could purchase very expensive molds such as injection molds or vacuum molds, but this also required expensive machinery to use the molds. Such molds are only economically feasible if hundreds or thousands of objects are being made. On the other hand one couid use inexpensive molds such as silicon or rubber, but awkward and time consuming paint pots are needed as pressure vessels for the objec...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides an improved pressure vessel construction that solves the problems of speed, safety, and ease of use in prior art pressure vessels. The pressure vessel is designed to be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed, with low cost of manufacture and sale. It is also safer to use and provides increased efficiency in terms of time and space required for use. The technical effects of the invention include improved reliability, durability, and ease of use."

Problems solved by technology

Prior to the current invention when creating objects from molds, one could purchase very expensive molds such as injection molds or vacuum molds, but this also required expensive machinery to use the molds.

Such molds are only economically feasible if hundreds or thousands of objects are being made.

On the other hand one couid use inexpensive molds such as silicon or rubber, but awkward and time consuming paint pots are needed as pressure vessels for the object to start curing in.

The use of these awkward pressure vessels require a great deal of time and effort to make a just a few objects.

One of the major disadvantages of the prior art pressure vessels is that they take a great deal of time to seal up and to pressurize.

As a practical matter this ruled out mass production since the time required to fill, seal and pressurize a pot requires a material with such a long hardening time.

The prior art pressure pots are not only time-consuming to use but are also inconvenient and require large work areas.

In addition, the operator must lift the heavy lid off the pot and set it somewhere, thus placing additional strength requirements on the operator as well as requiring space for the lid to be placed.

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