Method and apparatus for adhering sheets together without trapped bubbles and easy detachment of stack

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for bonding sheets together without trapping bubbles between two adjacent sheets and a procedure for easy detachment of the completed stack of bonded together sheets from the apparatus that constructed it. The present invention is particularly well suited for use with apparatus for construction of three-dimensional objects from a stack of thin sheets bonded together.

1 . A method of adhering sheets together without entrapping bubbles between the sheets, comprising:
 (a) providing a stack of at least one sheet, said stack including a stack top, a leading stack edge, and a terminal stack edge;   (b) positioning at least a first flexible unbonded sheet proximal to said stack, said unbonded sheet including a sheet top side, a sheet underside, a leading sheet edge and a terminal sheet edge;   (c) dispensing adhesive on one of said underside of said unbonded sheet and said stack top; and   (d) deploying said unbonded sheet on said stack top, by use of an application mechanism;   (e) varying lengths of subsequent ones of said unbonded sheet in said direction of movement such that subsequent said terminal sheet edges form a stepped configuration.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further including varying said length of subsequent ones of said unbonded sheet by making each successive unbonded sheet longer than an immediately previous unbounded sheet. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein when a predetermined number of sheets have been stacked, a next unbonded sheet is shortened by a predetermined amount. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further including varying said length of subsequent ones of said unbonded sheet by making each successive unbonded sheet shorter than an immediately previous unbounded sheet. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein when a predetermined number of sheets have been stacked, a next unbonded sheet is lengthened by a predetermined amount. 
   
   
       6 . A mechanism for adhering sheets together without entrapping bubbles between said sheets, comprising:
 (a) a framework;   (b) a base, deployed on said framework, upon which a successive stack of sheets is constructed, said base, and subsequently said stack, including a stack top, a leading stack edge, and a terminal stack edge;   (c) a guide mechanism deployed on said framework so as to support at least a first flexible unbonded sheet proximal to said stack top, said unbonded sheet including a sheet top side, a sheet underside, a leading sheet edge and a terminal sheet edge;   (d) an adhesive dispenser movably attached to said framework so as to deposit adhesive on one of said underside of said unbonded sheet and said stack top; and   (e) an application mechanism movably attached to said framework so as to bond said unhanded sheet on said stack top;   
     wherein subsequent ones of said unhanded sheet are of varied lengths in said direction of movement such that subsequent said terminal sheet edges form a stepped configuration. 
   
   
       7 . The mechanism of  claim 6 , wherein said length of subsequent ones of said unbonded sheet is varied by making each successive unbonded sheet longer than an immediately previous unbounded sheet. 
   
   
       8 . The mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein a next unbonded sheet is shortened by a predetermined amount when a predetermined number of sheets have been stacked. 
   
   
       9 . The mechanism of  claim 6 , wherein said length of subsequent ones of said unbonded sheet is varied by making each successive unbonded sheet shorter than an immediately previous unbounded sheet. 
   
   
       10 . The mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein a next unbonded sheet is lengthened by a predetermined amount when a predetermined number of sheets have been stacked.