GB2431617A

GB2431617A - Machine for transfer printing using heat and pressure.

Info

Publication number: GB2431617A
Application number: GB0621232A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Enrique Sanchez Casadevall
Original assignee: Industrias Samart SA
Current assignee: Industrias Samart SA
Priority date: 2005-10-25
Filing date: 2006-10-25
Publication date: 2007-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-25
Also published as: GB2431617B; ES2304274A1; PT103596B; IE20060783A1; PT103596A; FR2892341A1; GB0621232D0; ES2304274B1

Abstract

A machine prints by heat-transfer from a decalcomania onto signs, license plates or similar items using heat and pressure. It comprises a frame 1 with a holder 2 with guides 3 and positioning notches 15. The frame supports a resistance heated upper platen 7, movable by an electric motor. The upper platen 7 has a metallic base 9 provided with a coating 10 of siliconized material, which can be changed by a pull rod 11. Temperature and pressure are controlled by a computer 6 with a display 6a and keypad 6b.

Description

1 2431617 DES CR1 PT ION

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

As expressed in the title of the present specification, the present invention relates to a machine for applying characters, logos, signs or distinctive marks on signs, licence plates or similar elements by heat transfer providing the function for which it is intended with a series of advantages and features in addition to others inherent to its organization and constitution which are described in detail below and which imply an alternative and/or improvement to what is already known in this

field.

More specifically, the object of the invention consists of an automatic machine the purpose of which is based on transferring, by means of applying heat, characters, logotypes, signs, distinctive marks, etc. painted with special paints, or any other means with the format of the letters, numbers, insignias or signs that are to be transferred, onto templates of heat-resistant materials, generally made of polyester, on the surface of a plate, sign or similar element that is metallic, acrylic or of any other material that is prepared for heat transfer.

FIELD OF APPLICATION

This invention is applicable within the industry dedicated to the manufacture of licence plates, signs or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, as a reference to the state of the art, it must be mentioned that the general production of signs and the like of the type herein referred to, and particularly licence plates, is a 7ery complex process involving multiple difficulties at the time of their manufacture, there being various systems for sucr The apclicant is the proprietor of a piurality of registered patents cf invention and utility models all of which are reated to the construction, obtaining and confiquration of licence plates and the like.

However, it must be indicated that the applicant is not aware of the current existence of a machine for the application of characters, logos, signs or distinctive marks in signs, licence plates or similar elements by heat transfer having technical, structural and constitutional features similar to those envisaged in the present invention, the object of which is to provide an optimized alternative to the systems currently :nown for the same purpose.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The machine for applying characters, logos, signs or distinctive marks in signs, licence plates or similar elements by heat transfer proposed by the invention is in and of itself an evident novelty within the field of application thereof, because its application clearly obtains a substantial reduction of the operations which up until now were necessary for obtaining said apDlication, as well as automating such operations.

In this manner and more specifically, the machine, the purpose of which as previously mentioned is based on transferring by heat characters, logotypes, signs, distinctive marks, etc. painted with special paints, or any other means, onto templates generally made of polyester, to the surface of the plate, sign or the like whether it is metallic, acrylic or of any other material suitable for heat transfer, is configured from a support or casing coupled to which in a suitably assembled manner there is a compounder in which the plate and templates will be iocated, and an electric motor wrich will pro-zide pressure and heat, directed and controlled by an automaton provided with the necessary elements for selecting the neessarv and suitable temperature and pressure in each case as :eli as elements for actuating and stopping it.

The menticned casing internally houses respective bodies incoroorating respective resistors acting as independent heaters and at the same time constituting the pressure plates, an upper tamper and a lower tamper, there being under the first one a metallic base provided with a coating of a siliconized material or the like which is also heat resistant, which can be changed when it is worn by means of the actuation of a pull rod.

The suitable working temperature for the purpose of having the machine prepared to transfer the characters, signs, etc. which are to be transferred to the plate or sign is obtained through the temperature selected by the automaton for both the upper tamper and the lower tamper, which can be the same or different for both.

To that end, the plate is fixed in the aforementioned compounder, the lateral movement of which under the casing of the machine is facilitated by respective guides provided for L5 such purpose, and the characters, signs, etc. fixed on the plate are previously painted in templates made of polyester, suitably positioned in the notches provided for this purpose on the compounder, the plate and template with the characters then passing between the tampers which will be at the suitable temperature.

Finally, the transfer of the characters occurs when pressure is provided through the control automaton on said heated tampers and the plate is printed.

The new machine for applying characters, logos, signs or distinctive marks in signs, licence plates or similar elements by heat transfer therefore represents an innovative structure with structural and constitutional features which are unknown up until now for such purpose, reasons which, in combination with its practical use, provide it with sufficient grounds for obtaining the exclusive rights being sougrit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description beang made and for the purpose of aidino to better understand the features of tne invention, a set of drawings is attached to the present specification as an integral part thereof in which the following has been shown with an illustrative and non-limiting character.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of machine in accordance with the invention in which the various olemants configuring it as well as its arrangement can be scan.

Figure 2 shows a detailed perspective view of the machine.

Ficure 3 shows a perspective view of the way of positioning and securing the plate to the compounder.

Figures 4 and 5 show respective views of the placement of LU the templates with the characters to be transferred and of the plate once they are transferred, respectively.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the mentioned figures and according to the numbering used, they show a preferred embodiment of the machine L5 for applying characters, logos, signs or distinctive marks in signs, licence plates or similar elements by heat transfer comprising the parts indicated and described below.

Therefore, as can be seen in Figure 1, the machine in question essentially consists of a casing (1) to which a compounder (2) is coupled provided with guides (3) allowing its lateral movement and an electric motor (4) covered by a protective cover (5), controlled by an automaton or computer (6) provided with a digital display (6a) and keypad (6b) intended for allowing the selection of the necessary and suitable temperature and pressure in each case, as well as the actuation and stopping of the machine.

Said casing (1) houses respective bodies incorporating resistors acting as independent heaters and constituting the upper tamper;) and lower tamper (8), there being under the first one a metallic case (9) provided with a *:cating 10) cf lic*tized matritl *r the like 1sc resistant to neat, whict *:an be changed when worn y means of the actuation o a pull ccc.

11, .s can be seen in the detailed view cf Ficure 2.

In view of Figures 3, and 5, it can be observed how the plate (12) is fixed on the compounder (2) by means of flanges (13), placing thereon the characters, signs, etc. previously painted on polyester templates (14) duly positioned in the notches (15) provided on the compounder (2) for that purpose.

In repeating the foregoing, the operation of the machine of the invention is summarized in that the temperatures for both the upper tamper (7) and the lower tamper (8) are selected by means of the controls of the automaton (6), generated by the resistors provided in the tampers, achieving the suitable LO working temperature which will be transmitted to the siliconized coating lO) of the metallic base (9), going from the base to the polyester template (14) provided with the character, logotype, sign or distinctive mark to be transferred when pressure is provided through the automaton (6) together with the L5 plate (12) between the tampers (7) and (8), thus causing the application of said character, logotype, sign or distinctive mark on the plate (12) Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention as well as the manner of implementing it, it is hereby stated that within its essential features, it could be implemented in other embodiments which differ in detail from the embodiment indicated by way of example, which embodiments will also achieve the protection which is sought provided that its fundamental nature is not altered, changed or modified.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A machine for applying characters, logotypes, signs or distinctive marks in signs, licence plates or similar elements by heat transfer, of the type intended, by means of the application of heat through at least one heating body and pressure through tampers, to transfer said characters, logotypes, signs or distinctive marks, painted with special paints, or any other means, onto templates made of heat-resistant materials on the surface of a plate, sign or the like LO whether it is metallic, acrylic or of any other material prepared for heat transfer located on a compounder, the machine comprising a casing coupled to which is the compounder and an electric motor controlled by an automaton or computer provided with a digital display and keypad provided with the necessary elements for choosing the temperature and pressure; said casing houses respective bodies incorporating resistors acting as independent heaters and constituting the upper tamper and lower tamper, there being under the first one a metallic base provided with a coating of siliconized material or the like also resistant to heat which can be changed by means of the actuation of a pull rod.

2. A machine for applying characters, logotypes, signs or distinctive marks in signs, licence plates or similar elements by heat transfer according to claim 1, wherein the compounder comprises guides allowing its lateral movement through the casing.

3. A machine for applying characters, logotypes, signs or distinctive marks in signs, licence plates or similar elements by heat transfer ac:o:ding to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the compounder comprises flanges intended for fixing the plate.

4. P. machine for applyinq characters, logotvpes, signs or distinctive marks in signs, licence plates or similar elements by heat transfer according to any one of claims I to 3, the ccmpounaer comprises a series *Df notches intendea. for the correct positioning of the templates.

5. A machine for applying characters, logotypes, signs or istinctive marks in signs, licence plates or similar elements by heat transfer, comprising at least one heating body for the application of heat and a plurality of tampers for application of pressure, to transfer said characters, logotypes, signs or distinctive marks, painted with special paints, or any other means, onto templates made of heat-resistant materials on the surface prepared for heat transfer located on a compounder, the LU machine further comprising a casing coupled to which is the compounder and an electric motor controlled by a computer for controlling the temperature and pressure, said casing housing respective bodies incorporating independent heaters and constituting the upper tamper and lower tamper, a metallic base L5 having a heat-resiszant coating being located under the first one.

6. A machine for applying characters, logotypes, signs or distinctive marks in signs, licence plates or similar elements by heat transfer substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.