IP Library Granted Patent US 11,897,277
Granted Patent B2
US 11,897,277 · App. 17/179,941 · Granted Feb 13, 2024

Sublimation systems and related methods

Inventors: Kristy Lynn Barney (Lehi, UT); Desmond Kavanagh (Wicklow, IE); Bayden Filleul (Taumarunui, NZ); Jerome Tobin (Wicklow, IE); Mathew Bates (Dublin, IE); Peter Bevan (Wicklow, IE); Norman Stevenson (Dublin, IE)
Assignee: Cricut, Inc.
B41M5/0358B41P2217/62
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,897,277
App. No.
17/179,941
Granted
Feb 13, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of operating a sublimating device includes providing heat to a cavity of the sublimating device by increasing (i) a temperature of a heater to a predetermined target temperature and (ii) a temperature of a base heater to a predetermined standby temperature. The method further includes determining a difference between the predetermined target temperature and a reduced temperature of the heater. The method also includes determining whether a workpiece is arranged in the cavity based on the difference between the predetermined target temperature and a reduced temperature.

Claims (21)

1. A method of operating a sublimating device, the method comprising:

providing heat to a cavity of the sublimating device by increasing a temperature of a heater to a predetermined target temperature;

determining a difference between the predetermined target temperature and a current temperature of the heater;

determining whether a workpiece is arranged in the cavity based on the determined difference between the predetermined target temperature and the current temperature of the heater; and

in response to determining that the workpiece is arranged in the cavity:

providing additional heat to the cavity to increase the current temperature of the heater to the predetermined target temperature; and

sublimating infusible sublimation ink onto an outer side surface of the workpiece; and

in response to determining that the workpiece is not arranged in the cavity, automatically Dowering-off the sublimating device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein prior to sublimating infusible ink, the method further comprises applying a transfer sheet including the infusible sublimation ink adjacent the outer side surface of the workpiece.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising removing the workpiece from the cavity.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein:

prior to the removing the workpiece from the cavity, the method further comprises applying a transfer sheet including the infusible sublimation ink adjacent the outer side surface of the workpiece; and

after removing the workpiece from the cavity, the method further comprises:

removing the transfer sheet from the outer side surface of the workpiece; and

revealing that the infusible sublimation ink has been sublimated to the outer side surface of the workpiece.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein prior to providing the heat to the cavity, the method further comprises powering-on the sublimating device for providing the heat to the cavity.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein prior to removing the workpiece from the cavity, the method further comprises powering-off the sublimating device.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

automatically increasing the temperature of the heater to the predetermined target temperature.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing heat to the cavity of the sublimating device further comprises increasing a temperature of a base heater to a predetermined standby temperature.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising automatically increasing the predetermined standby temperature of the base heater to a predetermined target temperature of the base heater.

Assignments (1)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 8, 2022
From: CRICUT, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 061102/0118 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220266618A1 · Aug 25, 2022
Cited By (1)
US 12,325,250