Patent ID: 6423169
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: B41J,B41M,B44C,Y10T

Abstract:
A sublimation heat transfer system for transferring a pattern of sublimating ink from a transfer sheet to a coating on an article comprising:a carousel for moving the article and the transfer sheet in an endless path through a loading/unloading portions and transfer portion; a driver to impart motion to said carousel; at least one plunger attached to said carousel; at least one fixture attached to said carousel for receiving the article and the transfer sheet; an actuator for extending said at least one plunger along said loading portion for forcing said transfer sheet against said coating on the article in said fixture; said actuator being operative for retracting said plunger following the transfer portion for removal of the article along the unloading portion; and a heater to activate the coating of the article and the ink on the sheet for transfer within the transfer portion of the endless path, whereby said heat transfer system operates in an endless fashion on a carousel with the attached fixture and plunger moving along said path so as to enhance the transfer of the pattern into a sharp image on the article.