Modular sublimation printing apparatus
View Patent ↗A safe, integrated dye sublimation printer apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to print one or more images. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be incorporated into a fully-enclosed vending machine, equipped with one or more product storage containers, to provide on-demand personalized sublimated products and accessories for a consumer.
1. 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 substrate configured to receive the customized sublimated product;
one or more product storage containers configured to store a plurality of products;
a robotic transport mechanism configured to retrieve a selected product from a storage container, and transport the product within the vending apparatus;
a cooling system configured to cool the sublimated product to at least about an ambient temperature;
a delivery opening configured to provide the cooled product to the user;
a housing substantially enclosing the dye sublimation printer, substrate, one or more product storage containers, robotic transport mechanism, and cooling system 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.
2. The vending apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the substrate further comprises a linear motion stage, and the substrate is configured to translate, via the linear motion stage, from a home position to a second position.
3. The vending apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the robotic transport mechanism is configured to translate along an H-shaped track, and comprises a telescoping robotic arm.
4. The vending apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the robotic transport mechanism comprises an end effector comprising one or more of a mechanical implement configured to interface with a product storage container and a sensor configured to determine information associated with the product storage container.
5. The vending apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the received image is modified to permit sublimation of the image onto the product.
6. The vending apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the robotic transport mechanism comprises multiple end effectors.
7. The vending apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the user interface device is configured to transmit or receive information from a mobile application associated with one or more of a manufacturer of the vending apparatus, a retailer hosting the vending apparatus, or a third party.
8. The vending apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the information comprises one or more of information associated with the user's desired product to be sublimated, information associated with an image or text to be sublimated on the product, information associated with payment for the sublimated product, information comprising a location of the nearest vending apparatus, or a code configured to facilitate access by the user interface device to information associated with a saved transaction ordered from the mobile application.
9. The vending apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the user interface device is configured to:
prompt the user to determine if additional sublimated products are desired;
provide the user with information enabling later orders of additional sublimated products; and
transmit information associated with the sublimation task to a remote server to facilitate later orders of additional sublimated products.
10. The vending apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the later orders are to be produced at a remote facility associated with one or more of a manufacturer of the vending apparatus, a retailer hosting the vending apparatus, or a third party and shipped to the user.
11. The vending apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cooling system comprises a heat sink in the form of a plate comprised of a thermally conductive material selected from the group consisting of copper, brass, aluminum, and steel.
12. The vending apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the end effector comprises a sensor configured to determine information associated with the product storage container.
13. The vending apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit the information associated with the product storage container to a remote server.
14. The vending apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the determined information comprises a count of the inventory that the product storage container contains.
15. The vending apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the determined information comprises information associated with one or more of the vending apparatus, the product contained within the product storage container, the manufacturer of the vending apparatus, a retailer hosting the vending apparatus, or a third party.
16. The vending apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the apparatus is configured to compile a report comprising the determined information.
17. The vending apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to display the report to a user via the user interface device.
18. The vending apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the apparatus is configured to alter the information displayed to a user on the user interface device based on the determined count of inventory.
19. The vending apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the alteration comprises one or more of an indication that a product or accessory is out of stock or an indication that only a certain quantity of products or accessories less than or equal to the determined count of inventory are available.
20. The vending apparatus of claim 1 , wherein one of the one or more storage containers contains a product comprising multiple sublimatable items etched onto the product that may be individually punched out.