US 4,901,638 A · Painter's cap printing

Abstract

A method and apparatus for silk screen printing the tops and fronts of completed painter's cap. An oval-shaped platen is dimensioned so that a painter's cap fits over it, the bottom of the top portion of the painter's cap engaging the platen and held to the platen by an adhesive. A silk screen may be pivoted into contact with the cap top while mounted on the platen. For printing the front of a painter's cap, a saddle secured to a frame and having a flat platen which supports the cap front is provided. The flat platen of the saddle is spaced from a registration plate is essentially linear and spaced with respect to the registration plate so that it does not interfere with a hem of the cap between the front and top thereof. A rear blocking member is removably mounted to the rear edge of the flat platen so that the saddle may also be used effectively to print the front panels of baseball-type caps.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A cap printing device for screen printing onto the front of a cap of the type having a sweatband and a bill including a painter's cap, having a generally oval top, a bill, a sweatband, a front, and a hem between the front and top all portions of the bill at the front substantially equidistant from a corresponding portion of the hem;

said device comprising:
a frame member:
a saddle secured to the frame member for mounting the cap for printing, said saddle having a flat platen which supports the front of the cap when the cap is so mounted;
a registration plate against which the bill of the cap presses when the cap is mounted on said saddle, said registration plate being secured to said frame in a spaced-apart perpendicular relationship with said platen so as to define a channel therebetween for receiving the sweatband of the cap;
a means for movably securing a printing screen to said frame for movement between an advanced position wherein the screen contacts the front of a cap mounted on said saddle, and a retracted position wherein the screen is withdrawn for changing caps;
and
said saddle platen having a substantially linear rear edge portion opposite said registration plate said rear edge portion shaped and positioned with respect to said registration plate so that a painter's cap front may lay flat thereon, no portion of said saddle platen interferingwith the hem of the cap.

4 more elements

A cap printing device for silk screen printing onto the front panel of a cap of the type having a sweatband and a bill, comprising:

a frame member;
a substantially flat platen operatively attached to the frame member for mounting the cap for printing, said flat platen supporting the front panel of a cap when the cap is mounted thereon;
blocking means for blocking a cap mounted on the platen, said blocking means comprising a rear forming member for shaping the top of a cap mounted on the platen;
said rear forming member including a trapezoidal plate having a straight edge, and a non-linear edge surface for engaging a cap, said non-linear edge surface opposite said straight edge;
means for mounting said trapezoidal plate for relative movement with respect to said platen, and removal from said platen;
a first straight edge of said platen cooperating with said straight edge of said trapezoidal plate when said trapezoidal plate is mounted as an extension of said platen, and a second straight edge of said platen opposite said first straight edge thereof.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Painter's cap printing

Life of this patent

Painter's cap printing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16