Self-centering magnetic masking system

A masking fixture for coating dishware, the dishware having a lower contour, the fixture comprising:

• a support base including a contoured support surface substantially corresponding to the lower contour, and a ferromagnetic member positioned adjacent the support surface;
• a mask base magnetically attracted to the ferromagnetic member, the mask base including an elongated guide member defining a guide axis;
• and
• a mask including a masking profile defined by a masking surface, the mask being slidably coupled to the elongated guide member for movement along the guide axis between a lowered position for performing a coating operation and a raised position for facilitating removal of the mask and the mask base from the support base by overcoming the magnetic attraction between the ferromagnetic member and the mask base.

A method for applying a coating to dishware, the method comprising:

• positioning a first side of the dishware on a support surface of a support base, the support base including at least one ferromagnetic member positioned adjacent the support surface;
• positioning a mask base that is magnetically attracted to the ferromagnetic member against a second side of the dishware, the magnetic attraction between the ferromagnetic member and the mask base substantially clamping the dishware between the support surface and the mask base;
• engaging a mask with the second side of the dishware, the mask being moveably mounted to the mask base and including a masking surface that defines a masking profile;
• with the mask engaged with the second side of the dishware, applying a coating to the second side of the dishware;
• after applying the coating, moving the mask with respect to the mask base to disengage the mask from the second surface;
• and
• with the mask disengaged from the second surface, applying a force to at least one of the mask and the mask base to overcome the magnetic attraction between the ferromagnetic member and the mask base and to thereby disengage the mask base from the second side of the dishware.