Method and Apparatus for Applying a Material onto Articles Using a Transfer Component

A method for transferring a transfer material from a transfer component to an article, the method comprising:

• providing a cavity comprising a frame that defines an opening, wherein the frame has a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, and wherein the longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the transverse axis;
• providing an article comprising a face, wherein the face comprises a first face portion, a second face portion opposite the first face portion, and an intermediate portion between the first face portion and the second face portion;
• providing a transfer component;
• transferring the article into the cavity;
• positioning the transfer component over the frame, wherein the transfer component comprises a supported portion of the transfer component that is supported by the frame and an unsupported portion of the transfer component extending over the opening of the frame, wherein the unsupported portion of the transfer component comprises a transfer material, and wherein the face is in facing relationship with the unsupported portion of the transfer component;
• sealing the supported portion of the transfer component to a perimeter of the frame;
• modifying the unsupported portion of the transfer component;
• contacting a portion of the unsupported portion of the transfer component to at least a portion of the intermediate portion of the face of the article to form an initial contact area;
• sweeping the unsupported portion of the transfer component such that the transfer component continues to contact the face of the article by moving from the initial contact area towards the first edge portion of the face and from the initial contact area towards the second edge portion of the face;
• and
• transferring the first transfer material from the transfer component to the face of the article.

A method for transferring a transfer material from a transfer component to an article, the method comprising:

• providing a cavity comprising a frame that defines an opening and a chamber, wherein the frame has a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, and wherein the longitudinal axis is parallel to the transverse axis;
• providing an article comprising a face, wherein the face comprises a first edge portion and a second edge portion;
• providing a transfer component, wherein the transfer component comprises a transfer material;
• transferring the article into the cavity;
• positioning the transfer component over the frame, wherein the face of the article is in facing relationship with the transfer material disposed on the transfer component;
• sealing a supported portion of the transfer component to a perimeter of the frame, wherein an unsupported portion of the transfer component is disposed over the opening;
• applying a first pressure differential to the unsupported portion of the transfer component, wherein the unsupported portion of the transfer component is moved toward the first article;
• contacting a portion of the unsupported portion of the transfer component to a portion the face of the article to form an initial contact area;
• and
• applying a second pressure differential to the unsupported portion of the transfer component, wherein the unsupported portion of the transfer component continues to contact the face of the article in a direction beginning from the initial contact area toward the frame.