GB2081645A

GB2081645A - Apparatus for applying decalcomania

Info

Publication number: GB2081645A
Application number: GB8026216A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: CAPPER BEN Ltd
Current assignee: CAPPER BEN Ltd
Priority date: 1981-08-12
Filing date: 1981-08-12
Publication date: 1982-02-24
Also published as: GB2081645B

Abstract

A transfer apparatus for applying a decal to an article includes a resilient pad 12 having passages 16 therethrough and an electrical heating element 24 at or near its surface, the pad being applied by a suitable mechanism to a heat release decal, which, after a vacuum is applied to said passages, is picked up by the pad and during its movement towards the article is heated so that after it has been pressed against the article and the design layer thereof adheres to the article, subsequent movement away from the article removes the support layer of the decal. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Heated transfer apparatus The present invention concerns heated transfer apparatus, especially but not exclusively apparatus for applying a design layer from a decal to an article of ceramic or glassware.

Heat release decalcomanis (decals) normally include a design layer supported on a substrate which is normally a paper sheet and an intermediate layer between the design layer and paper sheet, the intermediate layer being softenable when heated above ambient temperature so that the paper sheet can be peeled away from the design layer when the design layer is applied to an article of ware to be decorated.

In automated processes or applying design layers to articles of ware various attempts have been made, without complete success, to supply sufficient heat to the decal to cause satisfactory separation of the design layer. The decal is sometimes heated when by applying it to a heated article of ware and in other instances it is preheated by holding it in close proximity to a radiant heater or by directing a blast of hot air against it.

None of these methods have resulted in satisfactory uniform heating of the intermediate layer.

Further, in automated processes mechanical handling means are employed to apply the design layer to the ware. Once again the efficiency of prior arrangements has not been high mainly due to irregularities in the surface of the ware receiving the design layer.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate and mitigate these disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a transfer apparatus including a resilient pad adapted, in use, to contact the substrate of a decal, heating means incorporated in said pad and passages through said pad connected to a source of under atmospheric pressure whereby a decal may be held against the pad.

Preferably the heating means includes an electrical heating element on or adjacent to the surface of the pad. Temperature sensing means may be incorporated in or adjacent to the element to assist in the control of the temperature thereof.

Preferably the pad is manufactured from silicone rubber and is circular.

Preferably a plurality of passages are provided through the pad at or near the periphery thereof, with a circular pad the heating element may also be circular and may be arranged concentrically therewith, the element having a smaller external diameter than the pad.

Preferably the pad is mounted in a body having a cavity therein in communication with said passages, the body having connection means for connecting the cavity to said under atmospheric pressure source. A further connection may be provided in the body to connect the cavity with an over atmospheric pressure source.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a view from below of a transfer apparatus, and Figure 2 shows a sectional elevation thereof.

A design transfer apparatus comprises an inverted cup-shaped body 10 into which is moulded a silicone rubber pad 12, a cavity 14 being provided within the body. A plurality of passages 1 6 equispaced around the circular pad adjacent to the periphery thereof provide communication between the cavity 14 and the exposed face 18 of the pad. A first connector 20 adapted for connection to a vacuum is provided on the upper surface of the body and a second connection 22 is provided for connection to a compressed air supply.

A circular electrical heating element 24 is recessed into the outer surface 1 8 of the pad 12 with its outer face flush with said outer surface.

Connections mean 26 of any suitable form are provided for fixing the apparatus onto a mechanism, for example one used in the automated decoration of ceramic ware.

In operation, the mechanism locates the pad above a heat release decal which is arranged with its design layer lower-most. Vacuum is applied to the cavity 14 and consequently the passages 1 6 so that the decal is picked up and held against the lower surface 1 8 of the pad which surface includes the electrical heating element 24 which, as the mechanism moves the apparatus to an item of ware to be decorated, heats the decal to soften the intermediate layer and to activate an adhesive layer which may cover the outer face of the design layer of the decal.After the mechanism has transported the apparatus into a position above the item of ware to be decorated it is moved intro contact with the ware, the silicone rubber pad 12 with its heating element 24 deforming to take up any irregularity in the surface of the item of ware.

The mechanism then lifts the apparatus with the vacuum still applied thereto away from the ware to which the design layer of the decal has adhered, subsequent movement of the mechanism moving the apparatus away from the decorated ware while it still carries the paper sheet or the substrate of the decal. Before the apparatus is presented to a fresh decal the connection to the vacuum is cut off and replaced by a connection to the compressed air supply, this aiding release of the substrate.

The operation can then be repeated with a fresh decal on a new item of ware.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, passages may be formed through the pad to terminate all over the outer surface thereof, these passages passing through the heating element. The heating element described above is in the form of a circular pad but any other form of element embedded in the resilient pad could be employed. The pad itself can be formed from any suitable resilient material.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A transfer apparatus including a resilient pad adapted, in use, to contact the substrate of a decal, heating means incorporated in said pad and passages through said pad connected to a source of under atmospheric pressure fluid whereby a decal may be held against the pad.

2. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , in which the heating means includes an electrical heating element on or adjacent to the surface of the pad.

3. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which temperature sensing means are incorporated in or adjacent to the element to assist in the control of the temperature thereof.

4. A transfer apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, in which the pad is manufactured from silicone rubber.

5. A transfer apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, ir which the pad is circular.

6. A transfer apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a plurality of passages are provided through the pad at or near the periphery thereof.

7. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, in which the heating element is circular and is arranged concentrically with the pad, the element having a smaller external diameter than the pad.

8. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, in which the pad is mounted in a body having a cavity therein in communication with said passages, the body having connection means for connecting the cavity to said under atmospheric pressure source.

9. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 8, in which a further connection is provided in the body to connect the cavity with an over atmospheric pressure source.

10. A transfer apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of tile preceding claims.