IE940991A1 - Heat seal logo application apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A heat seal logo application apparatus (10) comprises a drive mechanism (22) for rotating a carousel table (12), a heating element (14) and a feed system (15) for supplying logo transfers. A logo is transferred to an article (17,17') on a platen (13,13') when the platen is brought into register with the heating element. At least one of the platens on the carousel table is removably fixed thereto.

Description

HEAT SEAL LOGO APPLICATION APPARATUS The present invention relates to a heat seal logo application apparatus.

A heat seal logo application machine is known which is used to apply a logo transfer to sewn products for example T-shirts, sweatshirts and track-suit trousers. The known machine includes a drive mechanism for rotating a carousel table having one or more platens on which an article for example a T-shirt is placed for application of a logo. The or each platen is rotated to a position underneath a heating element and a logo on a tape is fed between the heating element and the platen and is thus applied to the article.

However, a number of problems arise in relation to the known apparatus .

An object of the present invention is to overcome various problems with the known apparatus.

According to the invention, there is provided a drive mechanism for rotating a carousel table, a heating element, a feed system for supplying logo transfers, such that a logo is transferred to an article on a platen when the platen is brought into register with the heating element characterised in that at least one platen has a garment alignment means to enable ready alignment of each garment for application of a logo.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: WTO iXPFF )ZO2 OPEN TO PUBLIC NSPECTION UNDER SECTION 28 AND RULE 23 ....OF Figure 1 is a front view of a heat seal logo application apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a detailed front view of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a detailed view of a first platen being loaded onto a carousel table of the apparatus of Figure 1 of the drawings; Figure 4 is a plan view of the first platen in conjunction with an adult T-shirt to which a logo is to be transferred; Figure 5 is a plan view of the first platen in conjunction with a childs T-shirt to which a logo is to be transferred; Figure 6 is a detailed view of the first platen ; Figure 7 is a detailed view of a second platen; Figure 8 is a detailed view of the second platen being loaded onto the carousel table of the apparatus of Figure 1 of the drawings; and Figure 9 is a plan view of the second platen in conjunction with jog pants to which a logo is to be transferred.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar numerals have been used to indicate like parts, there is shown a heat seal logo application apparatus generally indicated at 10 according to the invention.

The apparatus 10 has a cabinet 11 housing a drive means for a carousel table 12 on which is mounted a plurality of platens 13. Preferably, four to six platens are used. The apparatus further includes a heating element 14 which moves vertically as will be described further below. A feed system for logo transfers comprises a reel 15 which supplies a tape of logo transfers (not shown) which pass between the heating element 14 and the platen 13 when the platen is located below the heating element. The heating element is moved downwardly under pneumatic pressure supplied from a controller 23 and engages the tape transfer. The transfer is then applied to an article for example a T-shirt 17 which is located on the platen 13 below the heating element, Figure 2. The tape is then taken up on another reel 18.

One or more of the platens 13 are removably fixed to the carousel table 12 so that the platen may be interchanged for a different platen when it is desired to apply a logo transfer to an article of a different shape. A platen(s) 13 for use in conjunction with T-shirts comprises a flat body which tapers at opposite ends 19, 20, Figure 6. A rectangular hole 21 is defined in the platen 13. The platen 13 is mounted on the carousel table by locating the hole 21 over a raised rectangular flange 22 projecting from an upright portion 16 of the carousel table 12 so that the platen 13 may be secured to the carousel table 12 by means of a bolt (not shown) which passes through the platen and the upright portion and whose head lies flush with the upper surface of the platen, Figure 3.

The platen 17, further includes a second rectangular aperture 24. When a garment such as a T-shirt, Figure 4, is to receive a transfer, it is placed on the platen 17 with its breast pocket (not shown) in register with the aperture 24. This ensures even contact of the heating element 14 with the garment.

Furthermore, each platen 13 incorporates an alignment means comprising a series of markings 20 on the top surface of the platen 13 to enable an article on the platen to be properly aligned for receiving a logo transfer. In Figure 4, the platen is shown in use with an adult T-shirt, while in Figure 5, the platen is shown in conjunction with a childs T-shirt. It will be appreciated that the aperture 24 should be large enough to accommodate different locations of T-shirt pockets according to the size of the garment to which a logo is to be transferred.

Figure 7 shows a platen 13' for use in conjunction with jog pants 17' to which a logo is to be applied.

The platen 13' comprises a rectangular body incorporating a hole 21' of the same dimensions as the hole 21. The platen 13' is located on the upright portion 16 of the carousel table as before, Figure 8. The jog pants 17' are located over the platen 13' and a heat seal transfer is applied as before. The platen 13' is greater in depth than the height of the flange 22. Thus, a pocket (not shown) in the jog pants 17' can located over the hole 21' to enable even contact of the heating element 14 with the jog pants 17', Figure 9.

A drive mechanism 22, Figure 2, is contained within the cabinet 11 and comprises a sufficiently large indexing drive unit for rotation of the carousel table to insure a consistent and precise positioning of the transfer onto an article or a garment on the platen.

Furthermore, the feed system for supplying the logo tape transfers incorporates a tape advance button 25 which controls a pair of motors 26, 27 to wind on the reel 18 to control the tension of the tape transfers during operation of the apparatus, Figure 2. This could alternatively be accomplished by employing a spring urged roller.

The embodiment provides quick changing of a platen for applying various logo designs to a variety of garments. The embodiment also provides means for consistent precise positioning of the transfer to the garment. The embodiment also provides a table which accommodates various garment types - e.g. jog pants, sweatshirts, T-shirts, etc..

It will be seen that the apparatus according to the invention, provides automatic continuous feed of transfers from a first reel 15 to a second reel 18. The apparatus can be adapted so that the feed of the next logo transfer winds forward as the carousel table rotates, and not as a separate motion, thereby ensuring that the transfer is already in position for the next garment. The apparatus can accommodate adjustable reels for different widths of logo transfers. Digital control circuitry can be employed to control precisely the settings of time and temperature required to apply a transfer. These can be displayed on displays 28 and 29 for the operators information.

It will be seen that the application pressure of the heating element 14 can be adjusted through the controller 23 as required. The distance between the heating element and the platen should also be variable to accommodate variations in garment bulk. It is also important that a mechanical carousel with a correctly sized index drive is employed and that control of the movement of the carousel ensures that no table juddering after rotation to the next platen occurs. The apparatus can also be adapted to include a switch 30 to switch between foot, hand or automatic operation. The apparatus can also include an optional heated bottom platen and a spotlight unit to assist correct garment positioning and alignment on the platen.

A photo-eye 31 may also be incorporated above the tape to detect changes in reflectivity in the tape passing below and thus the gaps between each transfer, to enable automatic feed and timing of the apparatus.

Claims (2)

CLAIMS :

1. A heat seal logo application apparatus comprising a drive mechanism for rotating a carousel table, a 5 heating element, a feed system for supplying logo transfers, such that a logo is transferred to an article on a platen when the platen is brought into register with the heating element characterised in that at least one platen has a garment alignment means to 10 enable ready alignment of each garment for application of a logo.

2. A heat seal logo application apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference 15 to the accompanying drawings.