Automatic sublimated product customization system and process

An automated computer-implemented method for sublimating an image on a product selected from a plurality of different products, comprising:

• printing one or more images on a transfer media;
• positioning the transfer media on a substrate;
• positioning a product selected from the plurality of different products onto the transfer media;
• determining, by a processor, at least one value corresponding to one or more of a temperature and a duration of a thermal cycle to sublimate the one or more images from the transfer media onto the selected product, wherein the determination is made based upon at least one of a property of the selected product or a characteristic of the one or more images;
• moving one or more heating platens into contact with the transfer media;
• and
• sublimating the one or more images from the transfer media to the product, wherein at least one of the temperature and duration of the thermal cycle are the values determined by the processor.

An automated vending system for sublimating an image on a product selected by a user from a plurality of different products, comprising:

• a dye sublimation transfer printer electronically configured to receive a digital image file representing an image from the user, the dye sublimation transfer printer configured to print the received digital image file on a transfer media;
• a substrate configured to receive the transfer media in a predetermined orientation;
• a storage compartment configured to store a plurality of products of different types;
• a transport mechanism configured to position a product selected by the user onto the transfer media;
• one or more heating platens configured to engage the transfer media and sublimate the printed image onto one or more surfaces of the selected product in a single thermal cycle, the single thermal cycle including a temperature and duration;
• a housing substantially enclosing the dye sublimation transfer printer, substrate, storage compartment, transport mechanism, and one or more heating platens in a manner that prevents a user from contacting the enclosed components;
• and
• an interface device including one or more processors, wherein the interface device is configured to allow the user to select a product from the storage compartment and automatically determine one or more of the temperature and duration of the thermal cycle based upon one or more properties of the selected product.

An automated computer-implemented method for sublimating an image on a product selected from a plurality of different products contained within a storage compartment, comprising:

• selecting the product from a plurality of products of different types contained within a storage compartment, the plurality of products each comprised of a material capable of incorporating sublimation dye;
• printing one or more images identified by a customer on a transfer media;
• positioning the transfer media on a substrate;
• positioning the selected product onto the transfer media;
• determining, by a processor, at least one value corresponding to one or more of a temperature and a duration of a thermal cycle to sublimate the one or more images from the transfer media onto the product, wherein the determination is made based upon one or more properties of the selected product;
• moving a heating platen into contact with the transfer media;
• and
• sublimating the one or more images from the transfer media to the product, wherein at least one of the temperature and duration of the thermal cycle are the values determined by the processor.

An automated computer-implemented method for sublimating an image on a product selected from a plurality of different products, comprising:

• printing one or more images on a transfer media;
• positioning the transfer media on a substrate;
• positioning a product selected from the plurality of different products onto the transfer media;
• determining, by a processor, at least one value corresponding to one or more of a temperature and a duration of a thermal cycle to sublimate the one or more images from the transfer media onto the selected product, wherein the determination is made based upon at least one of a property of the selected product or a characteristic of the one or more images;
• engaging the transfer media with one or more heating platens;
• and
• sublimating the one or more images from the transfer media to the product, wherein at least one of the temperature and duration of the thermal cycle are the values determined by the processor.

An automated computer-implemented method for sublimating an image on a product selected from a plurality of different products contained within a storage compartment, comprising:

• selecting the product from a plurality of products of different types contained within a storage compartment, the plurality of products each comprised of a material capable of incorporating sublimation dye;
• printing one or more images identified by a customer on a transfer media;
• positioning the transfer media on a substrate;
• positioning the selected product onto the transfer media;
• determining, by a processor, at least one value corresponding to one or more of a temperature and a duration of a thermal cycle to sublimate the one or more images from the transfer media onto the product, wherein the determination is made based upon one or more properties of the selected product;
• engaging the transfer media with a heating platen;
• and
• sublimating the one or more images from the transfer media to the product, wherein at least one of the temperature and duration of the thermal cycle are the values determined by the processor.