Method of customizing an article and apparatus including an inflatable member

1. A graphic transfer assembly, comprising:

a base portion configured to support graphic transfer assembly;

a first moveable portion including a first deformable membrane and a second moveable portion including a second deformable membrane;

an actuator configured to control the first moveable portion and the second moveable portion between an open position and a closed position;

a support assembly configured to attach an inflatable member to the base portion;

the support assembly including a first fluid port configured to fill an interior chamber of the inflatable member with fluid;

the support assembly also including a second fluid port, the second fluid port configured to apply a vacuum between the first deformable membrane and the second deformable membrane;

wherein the first deformable membrane and the second deformable membrane are configured to conform to a portion of an article and thereby transfer a graphic to the article;

wherein the inflatable member includes a support member disposed within the interior chamber, and wherein the support member extends between a top portion and a bottom portion of the inflatable member; and

wherein the bottom portion of the inflatable member is associated with a first support plate, and wherein the top portion of the inflatable member is associated with a second support plate, and wherein the support member extends between the first support plate and the second support plate.

2. The graphic transfer assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the second fluid port is in fluid communication with a vacuum pump.

3. The graphic transfer assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the first fluid port is in fluid communication with a fluid pump.

4. The graphic transfer assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first fluid port is disposed on a post of the support assembly.

5. The graphic transfer assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the second fluid port is disposed on a post of the support assembly.

6. The graphic transfer assembly according to claim 5 , wherein the second fluid port is associated with a set of fluid ports, the set of fluid ports comprising at least two fluid ports in fluid communication with a vacuum pump.

7. The graphic transfer assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the inflatable member includes a first portion with a first rigidity and a second portion with a second rigidity, and wherein the first rigidity is different than the second rigidity.

8. The graphic transfer assembly according to claim 7 , wherein the first portion is a side portion of the inflatable member, and wherein the second portion is an intermediate portion of the inflatable member.

9. The graphic transfer assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first support plate includes a stem configured to attach to the first fluid port.

10. The graphic transfer assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the support member includes a fluid port set in fluid communication with the first fluid port when the inflatable member is connected to the graphic transfer assembly.

11. The graphic transfer assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the the support member includes a central channel that places the first port in fluid communication with at least one port set.