Patent ID: 6444147
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: B41M,B44C,B44F

Abstract:
A programmable system for dimensionally expanding and printing a picture image on a printable sheet for use in making a picture print thermoforming female mold of castible shrinkable material, the programmable system comprising:i) a programmable computer having a memory in which said picture image is digitally stored; ii) said computer having a program for dimensionally expanding a picture image stored in said memory, said program expanding a stored picture image from: a) an original dimensional size having a length and width identical to a final picture print size on a thermoformable plastic sheet to be molded in said female mold of castible shrinkable material, to: b) an expanded dimensional size having an expanded length and width wherein said expanded dimensional size is determined in direct relationship to the amount of shrinkage of said castible shrinkable material forming said female mold; and iii) a printer driven by said computer for printing said expanded image onto a sheet. said printer having a movable printing head for printing said picture image on the sheet as said printing head moves relative to the sheet.