Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture – Surface bonding means and/or assembly means therefor – Automatic and/or material-triggered control
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-11
2001-05-15
Sells, James (Department: 1734)
Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
Surface bonding means and/or assembly means therefor
Automatic and/or material-triggered control
C156S579000, C156S583300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230774
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a press apparatus for use in applying a heat transfer to a mug, cup, or similar cylindrical substrate, and more particularly to a transfer press apparatus having a flexible cuff assembly for applying pressure and heat to the substrate to accomplish application of the transfer.
It is conventional to provide a transfer press apparatus having a flexible cuff assembly movable from an engaged to a disengaged position, such that in the engaged position the cuff assembly applies an adjustable pressure and heat to a cylindrical substrate such as a mug, cup, or the like. The conventional transfer press utilizes an actuation assembly to apply the pressure and heat to the substrate. When the actuating assembly is activated, the cuff assembly is moved to the engaged position. In the engaged position, the heating element is pressed against the substrate by an outer portion of the cuff assembly. The outer portion of the cuff assembly provides the pressure required to transfer the image to the substrate and keeps the heating element flush against the surface of the substrate.
Although the conventional construction is effective for transferring an image to a substrate, the integrity and eventual failure of the heating element is the result of repeated compression being applied to the heating element. Failure of the heating element is a known problem associated with this type of transfer press apparatus. Therefore, a cuff assembly is needed that will overcome the problems associated with conventional cuff assemblies.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to solve the technical problems left unaddressed by the prior art, and to provide a transfer press apparatus that utilizes a cuff assembly construction that will assist in maintaining the structural integrity of a heating element for periods of time that exceed those of conventional transfer presses.
In accordance with this and other objects evident from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, a transfer press apparatus is provided which includes, among other features, a frame, a cuff assembly supported on the frame and including a support formed of a heat conductive material with radially opposed inner and outer surfaces and a heating element disposed on the outer surface of the support, and an actuating assembly for positioning the cuff assembly from an engaged to a disengaged position.
By providing the construction in accordance with the present invention, numerous advantages are realized. For example, by providing a transfer press wherein the cuff assembly is designed so that the heating element is on an outside surface of a support, the heating element is supported in tension against the outer surface of the support rather than repeatedly being compressed between the support and the substrate. Further, by providing the cuff assembly of the present invention, it is possible to increase the useful life of the heating element and cuff assembly of the present invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4874454 (1989-10-01), Talalay et al.
patent: 5019193 (1991-05-01), Aramini
patent: 5244529 (1993-09-01), Siegel
patent: 5366580 (1994-11-01), Czach
patent: 5408071 (1995-04-01), Ragland et al.
patent: 5540802 (1996-07-01), Totani
patent: 5584961 (1996-12-01), Ellsworth et al.
Hix Corporation
Sells James
Shook Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
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