Patent ID: 7931770
Filing Date: 2011-04-26
Classification: B41M,B44C

Abstract:
1. A process for continuous decoration of objects by ink sublimation, with a film of inked plastic material virtually impermeable to air and resistant to ink sublimation temperature, the process comprising the steps of: feeding a continuous sequence of objects along a feeding path by an automatic conveyor, performing sealed wrapping of the objects with a tubular sheath of inked film around a continuous sequence of wrapped objects arranged one after the other in the tubular sheath of inked film, making the tubular sheath of inked film adhere to the objects by applying external air pressure on the film-wrapped objects arranged one after the other in the tubular sheath of inked film while advancing along the feeding path, heating the film-wrapped objects to the ink sublimation temperature in an oven with external pressurized air while advancing along the feeding path until the objects are decorated by ink sublimation, automatically removing exhausted film from the decorated objects, cooling the decorated objects, and automatically unloading and accumulating the finished objects.