JP-7855710-B2 - Thermal transfer roller apparatus and related usage methods

JP7855710B2JP 7855710 B2JP7855710 B2JP 7855710B2JP-7855710-B2

Inventors

オーリグ，アルバート
オーリグ，ドン

Assignees

オーリグ，アルバート
オーリグ，ドン

Dates

Publication Date: 20260508
Application Date: 20230301
Priority Date: 20220302

Claims (20)

A thermal transfer roller apparatus configured to transfer at least one design onto a substrate, wherein the apparatus is A printer configured to print the at least one design onto a heat-transfer-compatible transfer sheet using heat-transfer-compatible transfer ink, A thermal transfer assembly is configured to be positioned to receive the transfer sheet when it exits the printer, wherein the thermal transfer assembly is A support base positioned and configured to support the aforementioned substrate, A support frame positioned and configured to selectively sandwich the substrate between itself and the support base, wherein the support frame defines a frame boundary that substantially leaves a portion of the substrate onto which the at least one design is heat-transferred unobstructed. An articulated carrier configured to removably engage with the leading edge of the transfer sheet, position the transfer sheet in contact with the substrate at a position within the frame boundary, prevent the transfer sheet from unintentionally shifting relative to the substrate when the design is transferred onto the substrate, and separate the transfer sheet from the substrate after the design has been transferred onto the substrate, At least one heating roller is configured to be positioned to selectively roll into contact with the transfer sheet when the transfer sheet is positioned on the substrate within the frame boundary, A controller configured to automatically control each of the carrier and the at least one heating roller, A heat transfer assembly comprising, Equipped with, A thermal transfer roller apparatus wherein, during use of the apparatus, the substrate is sandwiched between the support frame and the support base, and the transfer sheet is positioned on the substrate within the frame boundary, and at least one heating roller traverses the transfer sheet from a first end of the support frame to an opposing second end of the support frame at a predetermined temperature, pressure, and traverse time set by the controller in order to adhere at least one design on the transfer sheet to the substrate, and then the carrier separates the transfer sheet from the substrate while the transfer sheet is still hot.
The heat transfer roller apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support base is made of a heat-resistant material.
The support base has a thickness of approximately 5 to 10 millimeters, as described in claim 1 of the heat transfer roller apparatus.
The at least one heating roller is substantially cylindrical in shape. The at least one heating roller is equipped with a heat source positioned concentrically within the heating roller, and the heat source is configured to selectively heat the heating roller to a desired temperature during use of the apparatus. The thermal transfer roller apparatus according to claim 1.
The thermal transfer roller apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cross-section of at least one heating roller is substantially circular.
The heat transfer roller apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one heating roller has a diameter of approximately 1 to 3 inches.
The thermal transfer roller apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer assembly comprises a loading lamp extending between the paper exit of the printer and the carrier of the thermal transfer assembly, and the loading lamp is configured to assist in the movement of the transfer sheet from the paper exit of the printer to the thermal transfer assembly.
The thermal transfer roller apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the carrier comprises at least one clamp configured to selectively engage with the leading edge of the transfer sheet.
The thermal transfer roller apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is further configured to selectively and automatically move between the paper exit of the printer and the thermal transfer assembly, so that the carrier can removably engage with the leading edge of the transfer sheet when the transfer sheet exits the paper exit of the printer, and then transport the transfer sheet to the thermal transfer assembly.
The thermal transfer roller apparatus according to claim 1, further configured to automatically position the transfer sheet by bringing it into contact with the substrate at a desired position within the frame boundary.
The heat transfer roller apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support base and the support frame are slidably or pivotably engaged with the heat transfer assembly so that the support base and the support frame can selectively slide or pivot away from the heat transfer assembly to assist in the manual positioning of the substrate on the support base.
The thermal transfer roller apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer assembly comprises at least one positioning indicator configured to assist in the manual positioning of the substrate on the support base.
The thermal transfer roller apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one sheet collection container positioned and configured to receive the transfer sheet after the transfer sheet has been completely separated from the substrate by the carrier.
The thermal transfer roller apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the thermal transfer assembly comprises a waste ramp that can extend between the carrier of the thermal transfer assembly and the at least one sheet collection container, and the waste ramp is configured to assist in the movement of the transfer sheets from the carrier to the at least one sheet collection container.
The thermal transfer roller apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second ends of the support frame are configured to rotate selectively between a disengaged position in which each of the first and second ends rotates away from the support base, and an engaged position in which each of the first and second ends rotates to contact the support base so as to sandwich the substrate between the first and second ends of the support frame and the support base.
A thermal transfer roller apparatus configured to transfer at least one design onto a substrate, wherein the apparatus is A thermal transfer assembly configured to receive a thermal transfer-compatible transfer sheet as the thermal transfer-compatible transfer sheet exits the printer, wherein the printer is configured to print the at least one design onto the transfer sheet using thermal transfer-compatible transfer ink, and the thermal transfer assembly is A support base positioned and configured to support the aforementioned substrate, A support frame positioned and configured to selectively sandwich the substrate between itself and the support base, wherein the support frame defines a frame boundary that substantially leaves a portion of the substrate onto which the at least one design is heat-transferred unobstructed. An articulated carrier configured to removably engage with the leading edge of the transfer sheet, position the transfer sheet in contact with the substrate at a position within the frame boundary, prevent the transfer sheet from unintentionally shifting relative to the substrate when the design is transferred onto the substrate, and separate the transfer sheet from the substrate after the design has been transferred onto the substrate, At least one heating roller is configured to be positioned to selectively roll into contact with the transfer sheet when the transfer sheet is positioned on the substrate within the frame boundary, A controller configured to automatically control each of the carrier and the at least one heating roller, A thermal transfer assembly comprising, A thermal transfer roller apparatus wherein, during use of the apparatus, the substrate is sandwiched between the support frame and the support base, and the transfer sheet is positioned on the substrate within the frame boundary, and at least one heating roller traverses the transfer sheet from a first end of the support frame to an opposing second end of the support frame at a predetermined temperature, pressure, and traverse time set by the controller in order to adhere at least one design on the transfer sheet to the substrate, and then the carrier separates the transfer sheet from the substrate while the transfer sheet is still hot.
A method for transferring at least one design from a heat transfer-compatible transfer sheet onto a substrate using the heat transfer roller apparatus described in claim 1, wherein the method is: The steps include positioning the substrate on the support base, The support frame is moved to bring it into contact with the substrate, such that the substrate is sandwiched between the support frame and the support base, but a portion of the substrate on which the at least one design is heat-transferred is not substantially obstructed. The steps include printing the at least one design onto the transfer sheet using the printer, The steps include moving the transfer sheet from the paper exit of the printer to the carrier of the thermal transfer assembly, The steps include positioning the transfer sheet by bringing it into contact with the substrate at a desired position within the frame boundary of the support frame via the carrier, When the controller determines that at least one of the heating rollers has reached a desired temperature, Move the at least one heating roller to bring it into rolling contact with the transfer sheet at a predetermined pressure. To adhere at least one design on the transfer sheet to the substrate, the at least one heating roller is rolled over the entire transfer sheet from the first end of the support frame to the opposing second end of the support frame for a predetermined transverse time. The steps include: separating the transfer sheet from the substrate via the carrier while the transfer sheet is still hot; Methods that include...
Before the transfer sheet is positioned on the substrate, the step of moving the at least one heating roller to bring it into rolling contact with the substrate, The steps include: rolling the at least one heating roller over the entire substrate from a first end of the support frame to an opposing second end of the support frame in order to dry and preheat the substrate before the transfer sheet is positioned on the substrate; The method according to claim 17, further comprising:
The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of rolling the at least one heating roller again over the entire transfer sheet from a first end of the support frame to an opposing second end of the support frame for a predetermined transverse time, in order to enhance the adhesion between the at least one design and the substrate.
The steps include: adhering the at least one design to the substrate and, after the transfer sheet is separated from the substrate, moving the at least one heating roller to bring it into rolling contact with the substrate; To enhance the durability of at least one design on the substrate, the step of rolling the at least one heating roller across the entire substrate from a first end of the support frame to an opposing second end of the support frame, The method according to claim 17, further comprising:

Description

Cross-reference to Related Applications This application claims priority to and is granted the right to enjoy the benefits of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/315816, filed on 2 March 2022. The contents of the said application are incorporated herein by reference. The subject matter of this application generally relates to thermal transfer technology, and more specifically to a thermal transfer roller apparatus and related methods of use for more safely and effectively transferring designs onto a substrate. The applicant invokes by reference within this Specified Patent and Published Patent Applications any and all patent applications cited or referenced herein. In background, thermal transfer printing is a technique for transferring desired decorations (i.e., text, artwork, and other types of two-dimensional designs, hereinafter generally referred to as "designs" for simplicity) onto fabric or other materials, hereinafter generally referred to as "substrates" for simplicity. Traditionally, the design is first printed onto a thermal transfer-compatible transfer sheet (e.g., a sheet of paper or plastic coated with a wax and pigment polymer film) using thermal transfer-compatible transfer inks (e.g., inkjet inks, pigment inks, or sublimation inks). The substrate (e.g., a shirt) is then manually positioned on the heating pad of a thermal press. The transfer sheet is manually positioned at the desired location on the substrate. Once the heating platen of the heating press reaches the required temperature (typically between approximately 250 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit), the heating press closes by moving the flat heating platen downwards against the heating pad, sandwiching the transfer sheet and substrate between them. The desired pressure of the heating press, along with the pressing time, is set according to the thickness of the substrate and the specific type of transfer sheet and transfer ink used. The heating press adheres the design on the transfer sheet to the substrate. After the pressing time has elapsed, the heating platen is lifted, and the transfer sheet is manually removed while it is still hot, leaving the design on the substrate. While this conventional heat transfer process may be effective for transferring designs onto a substrate, it is extremely time-consuming and requires a great deal of manual work. This results in room for error in positioning the design on the substrate, determining the required temperature and pressure for the heat press, the required pressing time, and the subsequent removal of the transfer sheet. Each of these factors can lead to a defective final product. The manual work involved in conventional heat transfer processes also exposes users to potential injury, given their proximity to extremely hot surfaces. Therefore, there is still a need for an improved heat transfer apparatus that can shorten manufacturing time while simultaneously eliminating many of the manual steps required in conventional heat transfer technology. Aspects of the present invention satisfy these needs and provide further relevant advantages described in the following summary. It should be noted that the above description of background art contains information that may be useful in understanding aspects of the present invention. The description of background art does not constitute prior art, nor does it imply that any information provided herein is prior art, or is related to the claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. Aspects of the present invention teach specific benefits in structure and use that result in the exemplary advantages described below. The present invention solves the above problems by providing a thermal transfer roller apparatus and associated methods of use for more safely and effectively transferring a design onto a substrate. In at least one embodiment, a printer is configured to print at least one design onto a thermal transfer-compatible transfer sheet using thermal transfer-compatible transfer ink. A thermal transfer assembly is positioned and configured to receive the transfer sheet as it exits the printer. The thermal transfer assembly comprises a support base positioned and configured to support the substrate, and a support frame positioned and configured to selectively sandwich the substrate between substantially the support base and the support frame, the support frame defining a frame boundary that substantially leaves unobstructed a portion of the substrate onto which at least one design is thermally transferred. An articulated carrier is configured to removably engage with the leading edge of the transfer sheet and position the transfer sheet in contact with the substrate at a position within the frame boundary, preventing the transfer sheet from unintentionally shifting relative to the substrate when the design is transferred onto the substrate, and separating the transfer sheet fro