Apparatus for forming dye sublimation images and texturing the surface of solid sheets of the substrate
An apparatus for texturing a plastic substrate, while forming a dye sublimation image in the plastic substrate, wherein the plastic substrate has a first side and a second side, is provided. A textured cover is on a side of a platen, wherein the platen is on a first, untextured side of the textured cover. A first side of the dye carrier is on a second, textured side of the textured cover, and wherein the plastic substrate is supported on a second side of the dye carrier, wherein a first side of the plastic substrate is supported by the dye carrier, wherein the textured side of the textured cover has a texture to be transferred to the plastic substrate. A membrane is on the second side of the plastic substrate. A vacuum pump provides a vacuum between the membrane and the platen. A heater is positioned to heat the plastic substrate.
1. An apparatus for texturing a plastic substrate, while forming a dye sublimation image in the plastic substrate, wherein the plastic substrate has a first side and a second side, comprising:
a platen;
a textured cover on a side of the platen, wherein the platen is on a first, untextured side of the textured cover;
a dye carrier, wherein a first side of the dye carrier is on a second, textured side of the textured cover, and wherein the plastic substrate is supported on a second side of the dye carrier, wherein a first side of the plastic substrate is supported by the dye carrier, wherein the textured side of the textured cover has a texture to be transferred to the plastic substrate;
a membrane on the second side of the plastic substrate;
a vacuum pump for providing a vacuum between the membrane and the platen; and
a heater positioned to heat the plastic substrate.
2. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1 , wherein the platen comprises a plurality of evacuation channels in fluid connection between the vacuum pump and the membrane.
3. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1 , wherein the vacuum pump creates a continuous clamping pressure.
4. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1 , wherein the heater provides heat that passes through the membrane.
5. The apparatus, as recited in claim 1 , wherein the textured cover is one or more of vulcanized rubber, silicone, butyl rubber, polymer, chloropolymer, and fluoropolymer.