Abstract:
An apparatus for applying an image to a spherical surface utilizing a heat transfer device having a heating die with a convex surface. The concave surface allows for the transfer of an image onto an object having a spherical surface, such as a baseball or softball, without deforming said object.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the decoration of objects, more specifically, the decoration of objects having spherical surface by means of a heat transferable image. For purposes of this application, the term “spherical surface” means the surface of an object have curvature in at least two different directions, with curvature of each directions being independent of the other direction or directions. Examples of such objects include baseballs and softballs. 
     Decorating systems using heat transfer labels and decals have received wide-spread commercial acceptance over the last several years. Typically, such decorating devices comprise of a conveyor for feeding objects to be labeled or a decal into a transfer location, a feed mechanism for sequentially positioning labels for decals at the transfer location and a device for placing a label or decal against an adjacent object at the transfer location. Samples of such systems appear in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,565,055; 4,300,974 and 3,434,902. 
     One problem which poses a challenge to the prior art is that of applying the heat transferable image to a spherical surface. Typically, the objects which receive heat transferrable labels or decals have flat surfaces or are cylinder type objects, such as bottles and mugs. U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,055 discloses a device for decorating cylindrical type objects having oval or round cross-sections such as antiperspirant bottles. U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,454 discloses a device for decorating a cylindrical object such as a mug. Apparatus of these types suffer the limitation that they are not able to adapt to applying a label or decal to an object having a spherical surface such as a ball. 
     One prior art reference is a machine which uses a heat transfer process to transfer an image to a spherical surface, such as a baseball, by flattening out the surface prior to the transfer. This reference does not attempt to transfer an image to a curved surface but rather to a flat surface which later becomes a curved surface. This device does not resolve the need for providing an apparatus which can apply an image to a spherical surface. 
     Accordingly, it is the principle object of the invention to achieve an apparatus for transferring an image to an object having a spherical surface. 
     Another object of the invention is to achieve an apparatus for transferring an image to spherical shaped objects having a variety of dimensions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the above and related objects, the present invention provides an apparatus for transferring images to objects having spherical surfaces. The present invention is designed to provide contact between heating surface portion of the apparatus and the spherical shaped periphery of an object wherein the heat transferable image is positioned therebetween. 
     The present invention in accordance with the above-mentioned objects provides a device for applying the heat transferable image to an object with a spherical surface. This is performed by the use of a heat transfer apparatus having a heating die having a concave surface which when engaged with the spherical surface of an object is able to compress an image to conform to said spherical surface. Heat is then applied to the heating die by way of a heating means such as a band heater. This will allow the heat transferable image to be bonded and transferred permanently to the spherical surface of the object. 
     A transfer means such as a drive motor coupled with a linear actuator is used to accurately position the heating die against the object. 
     In accordance with another object of the present invention the heating die can be removable. This would allow for a variety of heating dies each having a different concave surface to be used to apply images to objects having varying dimensions. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention showing an exploded view of the tray assembly portion thereof. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention showing an object having a spherical surface after it has been loaded into the machine but prior to the transfer of the image thereto. 
     FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the present invention wherein an object having a spherical surface is having an image applied thereto. 
     FIG. 5 is a close up view of area “A” of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a close up view of area “B” of FIG.  5 . 
     FIGS. 7 through 9 are a series of front view showing the application of an image to a spherical surface pursuant to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference should now be had to FIGS. 1 through 9 for a detailed description of the apparatus of the invention for applying an image to a spherical surface. FIG. 1 illustrates a machine  10  having a first platform  12  supported above a base  16  by a plurality of vertical supports  14 . A control means  20  is in communication with first platform  12 . 
     Contained within control means  20  is an electronic controls and the drive motor (not shown). Drive motor is powered by a power supply which is also not shown. The power supply can be an electrically based power supply, such as a power cord running from an outlet. 
     Connected to the drive motor is an actuator  30 . Actuator  30  is in a vertical alignment having a top end and a bottom end with the top end connected to the drive motor. A heat source  40  is connected to the bottom end of actuator  30  by way of an extension arm  32 . The heat transfer die  50  is connected to heat source  40 , the heat source die assembly is able to be raised and lower to a desired position by way of extension arm  32 . 
     In the present embodiment, tray assembly  70  is connected to base  16  and comprises of tray  74  which is moveable along rails  72 . Holding block  78  is in communication with tray  74  by way of support posts  75  and springs  76 . Springs  76  provide counter tension when the present invention is in operation. 
     Holding block  78  has a top  80 , a bottom  86  and a plurality of sides  84 . Contained within top  80  is a concave depression  82 . Concave depression  82  is dimensioned in order to snugly receive an object having a spherical surface, such as a baseball or softball. 
     As shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, object  60  which is an object having a spherical surface is placed within depression  82  and holding block  78 . Holding block  78  is then received by support posts  75  and rests upon springs  76 . Tray  74  is then positioned in a desired location along rails  72 . During this action, image  90  is placed in the desired location upon object  60 . 
     Die  50  is then placed in communication with object  60  with image  90  positioned therebetween. Die  50  is placed in position by actuator  30  via extension arm  32 . 
     Die  50  as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 has a top  52 , a bottom  56  and a side  54  positioned within bottom  56  is a convex surface  58 . Convex surface  58  is dimensioned to snugly receive an object having a spherical surface, such as a softball or baseball. 
     Heat source  40  is able to generate sufficient heat in order to elevate the temperature of die  50 . 
     While heat transfer has been applied to die  50  by heat source  40 , image  90  is transferred to the surface of object  60 . Once the transfer process has been completed, die  50  and object  60  are then separated with object  60  having image  90  transferred to its surface. Control means  20  monitors the temperature generated by heat source  40  and the alignment of actuator  30 . 
     FIGS. 7 through 9 demonstrate a front view of the application of image  90  to object  60  utilizing heat transfer through die  50 . 
     The claims and the specification describe the invention presented and the terms that are employed in the claims draw their meaning from the use of such terms in the specification. The same terms employed in the prior art may be broader in meaning than specifically employed herein. Whenever there is a question between the broader definition of such terms used in the prior art and the more specific use of the terms herein, the more specific meaning is meant. 
     While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in the details of construction and the arrangement of components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification, but is to be limited only by the scope of the attached claim or claims, including the full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled.