Automatic Painting On Pliable Items

A system for automated painting of pliable items comprising:

• a base jig that retains a pliable item in an extended arrangement;
• a mask that covers a first portion of the pliable item retained by the base jig to avoid painting the first portion and exposes a second portion of the pliable item for painting;
• a conveyance mechanism that moves a plurality of base jigs retaining pliable items through the system;
• at least a first paint application device that receives the base jig retaining the masked pliable item on the conveyance mechanism, the at least a first paint application device having at least one nozzle that dispenses a coat of paint on the second portion of the pliable item retained by the base jig and exposed by the mask;
• and
• at least a first infrared heating unit located that receives the base jig retaining the masked and painted pliable item from the conveyance mechanism and, when activated, emits infrared wavelength electromagnetic radiation upon the coat of paint on the second portion of the pliable item retained by the base jig and exposed by the mask.

A method for automatic painting of pliable items comprising:

• loading a base jig on a conveyance mechanism;
• retaining a pliable item on the base jig in an extended arrangement;
• covering the pliable item with a mask that covers a first portion of the pliable item to avoid painting the first portion and exposes a second portion of the pliable item for painting;
• receiving the base jig by a first paint application device located on the conveyance mechanism having at least one nozzle;
• dispensing paint from the at least one nozzle of the first paint application device onto the pliable item according to a predetermined pattern;
• receiving the base jig by a first infrared heating unit located on the conveyance mechanism;
• heating the pliable item using the first infrared heating unit for a predetermined heating period;
• receiving the base jig by a second paint application device located on the conveyance mechanism having at least one nozzle;
• dispensing paint from the at least one nozzle of the second paint application device onto the pliable item according to the predetermined pattern;
• and
• leaving the pliable item to air dry for a predetermined drying period.