An apparatus for applying decalcomania to a curved surface of a container is provided. The apparatus includes a base, first and second curved rigid support members pivotally connected with respect to each other, a band mounted to the end portion of each support member, a heater assembly supported within the band, and a handle linkage adapted to open and close the support members with respect to each other. Movement of the handle linkage causes one support member to close with respect to the other support member, thereby tightening the band and heater assembly about a container for application of the decalcomania. A turn-buckle type adjustment is provided for adjusting pressure applied by the handle linkage.
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.
A device for curing a toner image that has been previously transferred to the exterior of a substantially cylindrical ceramic object has a heater dimensioned to be insertable into the object's interior. The heater should be capable of emitting sufficient heat that the heat transferred from the interior to the exterior of the object causes the toner image to adhere to the object and thus be cured. In use the object is supported in surrounding relation to the heating means and within a wall affixed to a base.
A method and apparatus for imprinting a sublimation transfer onto a generally cup-shaped structure. The apparatus comprises a support structure for holding the cup-shaped structure and a cover mounted to the apparatus for movement between an open position and a closed position. The cover when in the closed position forms a heating chamber wherein the cup-shaped structure is positioned for heating. A heating tower is provided on the support structure and has a shape such that the cup-shaped structure can be placed in the inverted position over the tower without touching the tower. The heating tower includes an electrical heating wire that is wrapped about a support structure and is capable of heating the cup-shaped structure.
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.
A method and apparatus is disclosed for transferring a decorative image to a bowling ball by sublimation from a transfer sheet. The method includes applying at least one transfer sheet containing sublimation inks representing a decoration, such as an image or graphic, to the outer surface of the bowling ball and transferring the decoration from the transfer sheet to the bowling ball by applying sufficient heat and pressure to sublimate the inks. A heat press apparatus is one exemplary apparatus that is contemplated for providing the heat and pressure. The heat and pressure may be maintained after sublimation to allow the inks to penetrate beneath the outer surface of the bowling ball. This allows decorating the bowling ball with a durable image or graphic that does not does not affect the performance of the bowling ball. The decoration may cover the entire bowling ball, or any portion thereof.
