Patent ID: 6474230
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: B41F,B44C

Abstract:
A metallic imaging system for permanently affixing a multicolor image to a metallic surface comprising, in combination:a housing having an interior chamber with an orifice for withdrawing air and contaminants from the chamber and with a window for viewing and a door for introducing metallic objects into the chamber for receiving printed matter and for removing such objects from the chamber after printing; a press positioned within the chamber, the press having a base with a horizontal upper surface in a rectangular configuration and fabricated of a rigid material, the upper surface having a plurality of positioning pins extending upwardly from corners thereof; the press also having a raisable platen with a guide for movement of the platen between a raised orientation away from the base for loading and unloading purposes and a horizontal lowered orientation immediately above the base during printing, the platen having a lower surface fabricated of a resilient material which is conformable to metal objects to receive printing when located between the upper surface of the base and the lower surface of the platen; a rigid support plate in a rectangular configuration positionable on the upper surface of the base and having apertures in corners thereof for removable coupling with the pins upon the base, the support plate having recesses formed therein for the receipt of a plurality of objects to receive printing thereon; a flexible rectangular transfer sheet having apertures in corners thereof for removable coupling with the pins of the base, the transfer sheet having multicolor printing material in image configuration positioned upon the objects to receive the printing material; drive mechanisms to urge the platen downwardly into contact with the transfer sheet with the objects, plate and base there beneath to effect the transfer of printing material from the transfer sheet to the objects; heating components located within the platen for the generation of heat sufficient to facilitate the complete transfer of transfer material from the transfer sheet to the objects; and cooling components located within the base for the rapid lowering of temperature of the objects after the transfer of images.