Apparatus for applying a dye image to a member

An apparatus for simultaneously applying a plurality of preselected dye images to an assembly of a plurality of keycaps having respective irregular printing surfaces, by utilizing a flexible sheet bearing said dye in the mirror images of said preselected images, said dye being of the type requiring heat for the application thereof and having a melting point which is below the melting point of the material of which the assembly of keycaps is constructed comprising:

• (a) a base;
• (b) a bed mounted on said base, said bed having a support surface for receiving said assembly of keycaps and said flexible sheet thereon with said sheet overlying said irregular printing surfaces of said assembly of keycaps so that said dye mirror images face said irregular printing surfaces in a predetermined orientation;
• (c) a continuous resilient, flexible membrane attached to said apparatus and positionable in overlying relation on said assembly of keycaps and on the portion of said bed surface adjacent thereto;
• (d) means for establishing a pressure differential between opposite sides of said membrane to urge the membrane overlying said bed surface portion into engagement therewith and to urge said membrane overlying said assembly of keycaps into pressurized communication with said flexible sheet to simultaneously register and conform the dye images on said flexible sheet to said plurality of irregular printing surfaces of said assembly of keycaps to thereby effect the pressurized engagement of said dye images with said irregular printing surfaces;
• and
• (e) radiant heating means for heating said membrane and thereby heating said sheet to apply said preselected images to said plurality of keycaps.