Method and apparatus for applying a material onto articles using a transfer component that deflects on both sides

A process for applying a transfer material onto the surface of a three-dimensional article comprising:

• providing at least one three-dimensional article which has a surface;
• providing a deposition device;
• providing a transfer component with initial dimensions, two opposing surfaces, and an initial configuration, wherein the transfer component is continuous;
• depositing a material directly onto a portion of the transfer component with the deposition device to form a transfer material on the transfer component, wherein the material is applied in a predetermined pattern;
• modifying by at least flexing the portion of the transfer component with the transfer material thereon to conform the portion of the transfer component with the transfer material thereon to at least a portion of the surface of the three-dimensional article wherein both surfaces of the portion of the transfer component are bent when the transfer component is flexed;
• transferring the transfer material from the transfer component onto the surface of the article;
• and
• removing the transfer component from the surface of the article after transferring the transfer material;
• wherein the article has an interior that is at least partially hollow, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the article to which the transfer material is to be applied is flexible, and the process further comprises a step of pressurizing the interior of the article prior to transferring the transfer material onto the surface of the article so that the portion of the surface of the article to which a transfer material is to be applied is less flexible.

A process for applying a transfer material onto the surface of a three-dimensional article comprising:

• providing a first three-dimensional article comprising a first article surface and a second three-dimensional article comprising a second article surface;
• providing a deposition device;
• providing a transfer component with initial dimensions, two opposing surfaces, and an initial configuration, wherein the transfer component is continuous;
• depositing a first material directly onto a first portion of the transfer component with the deposition device to form a first transfer material on the transfer component;
• depositing a second material directly onto a second portion of the transfer component with the deposition device to form a second transfer material on the transfer component, wherein the first material and the second material are applied in a predetermined pattern;
• modifying by at least flexing the first portion of the transfer component with the first transfer material thereon to conform the first portion of the transfer component with the first transfer material thereon to at least a portion of the first article surface;
• transferring the first transfer material from the transfer component onto the first article surface of the first article;
• removing the transfer component from the first article surface after transferring the first transfer material;
• modifying by at least flexing the second portion of the transfer component with the second transfer material thereon to conform the second portion of the transfer component with the second transfer material thereon to at least a portion of the second article surface;
• and
• transferring the second transfer material from the transfer component onto the second article surface of the second article;
• and
• removing the transfer component from the second article surface after transferring the second transfer material;
• wherein the article has an interior that is at least partially hollow, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the article to which the transfer material is to be applied is flexible, and the process further comprises a step of pressurizing the interior of the article prior to transferring the transfer material onto the surface of the article so that the portion of the surface of the article to which a transfer material is to be applied is less flexible.