Patent ID: 11912044
Assignee: nan
Field: Textile and paper machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 14:
15. A heat transfer roller apparatus configured for transferring an at least one design onto a substrate, the apparatus comprising:
a heat transfer assembly positioned and configured for receiving a heat transfer compatible transfer sheet as it exits a printer, the printer configured for printing the at least one design onto the transfer sheet using a heat transfer compatible transfer ink, the heat transfer assembly comprising:
a support base positioned and configured for supporting the substrate thereon;
a support frame positioned and configured for selectively sandwiching the substrate substantially between the support frame and the support base, the support frame defining a frame boundary along at least a portion of a perimeter of the substrate such that a portion of the substrate positioned within the frame boundary and on which the at least one design is to be heat transferred is left substantially unobstructed by the support frame;
an articulating carrier providing:
an at least one clamp configured for removably engaging a leading edge of the transfer sheet, the at least one clamp further configured for selectively traveling between an upper end and an opposing lower end of the carrier for positioning the transfer sheet in contact with the substrate in a location within the frame boundary, preventing the transfer sheet from unintentionally moving out of position relative to the substrate as the design is transferred onto the substrate, and separating the transfer sheet from the substrate after the design has been transferred onto the substrate; and
an at least one heat roller positioned proximal to the lower end of the carrier, in a position behind the at least one clamp, the at least one heat roller configured for being in selective rolling contact with the transfer sheet, within the frame boundary, when the transfer sheet is positioned on the substrate; and

a controller configured for automatically controlling each of the carrier and at least one heat roller;

whereby, during use of the apparatus, with the substrate sandwiched between the support frame and the support base, and the at least one clamp engaged with the leading edge of the transfer sheet after the transfer sheet exits the printer, the at least one clamp moves toward the lower end of the carrier so as to position the transfer sheet on the substrate within the frame boundary, while the at least one heat roller simultaneously traverses across the transfer sheet—from a first end of the support frame to an opposing second end of the support frame—at a predetermined temperature, pressure and traversal time as set by the controller, so as to cause the at least one design on the transfer sheet to bond to the substrate, with the at least one clamp subsequently moving toward the upper end of the carrier so as to separate the transfer sheet from the substrate while the transfer sheet is still hot.