Integrated sublimation printing apparatus
View Patent ↗A safe, integrated dye sublimation printer apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to print one or more images onto a selected product using one or more heating platens to sublimate the image. The heating platen is configured to sublimate one or more opposing sides of a product substantially simultaneously in a single thermal cycle. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be incorporated into a fully-enclosed vending machine to provide on-demand personalized sublimated products and accessories for a consumer.
1. An automated sublimation apparatus for sublimating an image on a product, comprising:
a dye sublimation printer configured to receive a digital image file representing an image, the dye sublimation printer configured to print the received image;
a substrate configured to receive the product;
a transport mechanism configured to transport the product throughout the apparatus;
a housing substantially enclosing the dye sublimation printer, substrate, and transport mechanism in a manner that prevents a user from contacting the enclosed components; and
a user interface device configured to permit the user to determine an image for printing.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transport mechanism is configured to engage and move the product from a staging position to the substrate.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the staging position is pre-configured to substantially match the dimensions of the product.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising one or more magazines disposed in the housing and configured to hold a plurality of products, and the magazine includes an opening from which products can be dispensed.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes ventilation components configured to control a temperature within the housing utilizing natural or forced convection such that the enclosed components are protected from heat damage and the exterior surface of the housing remains touch-safe.
6. A vending apparatus for providing a user with a customized sublimated product, comprising:
a dye sublimation printer configured to receive a digital image file representing an image from the user and further configured to print the received image;
a magazine configured to store a plurality of products;
a substrate configured to receive one of the plurality of products;
a transport mechanism configured to transport the product throughout the vending apparatus;
a housing substantially enclosing the dye sublimation printer, substrate, magazine, and transport mechanism in a manner that prevents a user from contacting the enclosed components; and
a user interface device configured to permit the user to determine one or more images for printing, select one of the plurality of products on which to sublimate the one or more images, and facilitate payment by the user for the sublimated product.
7. The vending apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the user interface device further comprises at least one camera configured to capture an image and provide the captured image to the dye sublimation printer for printing.
8. The vending apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the user interface device includes memory containing a plurality of stock images, and the user interface device is configured to permit the user to select one of the plurality of stock images to supplement the image acquired by the camera.
9. The vending apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the user interface device is further configured to permit the user to select a stock image from a remote network server.
10. The vending apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising a magazine configured to store a plurality of accessories of different types to accompany the selected sublimated product, wherein the magazine further includes openings to dispense one of the plurality of accessories selected by the user.
11. The vending apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the user interface device is configured to permit the user to select one of the plurality of accessories.
12. The vending apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the housing includes ventilation components configured to control a temperature within the housing utilizing natural or forced convection such that the enclosed components are protected from heat damage and the exterior surface of the housing remains touch-safe.
13. The vending apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the user interface device is configured to receive input of personal information from the user to be sublimated onto the product, wherein the user interface device is configured to generate an image including the received personal information.
14. The vending apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the user interface device synthesizes a selected stock image and the received personal information into a single image, and the user interface device provides the single synthesized image to the dye sublimation printer.
15. The vending apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the user interface device is configured to store the single synthesized image and transmit it to a remote server.
16. The vending apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the user interface device is configured to provide an indication to the user constituting directions for accessing the single synthesized image on the remote server and ordering additional products sublimated with the single synthesized image.
17. The vending apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the user interface device provides the generated image to the dye sublimation printer for sublimating onto a product pre-printed with a selected stock image.
18. The vending apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the user interface device is configured to store the one or more images sublimated onto the one or more products, and transmit the one or more images to a remote server.
19. The vending apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the user interface device is configured to provide an indication to the user constituting directions for accessing the one or more images sublimated onto the one or more products on the remote server and ordering additional products sublimated with the one or more images.
20. A vending apparatus for providing a user with a customized sublimated product, comprising:
a dye sublimation printer configured to receive a digital image file representing an image from the user and further configured to print the received image;
a magazine configured to store a plurality of products;
a substrate configured to receive one of the plurality of products;
a transport mechanism configured to transport the product throughout the vending apparatus;
a cooling system configured to cool the sublimated product to at least about an ambient temperature;
a housing substantially enclosing the dye sublimation printer, substrate, magazine, transport mechanism, and cooling system in a manner that prevents a user from contacting the enclosed components, wherein the housing is configured such that heat generated by the vending apparatus does not raise the temperature of the exterior surface of the housing beyond a touch-safe temperature; and
a user interface device configured to permit the user to determine one or more images for printing, select one of the plurality of products on which to sublimate the one or more images, and facilitate payment by the user for the sublimated product.