Back to results
US 8,162,022 B2Granted
Method of customizing an article and apparatus
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsN. Scot Hull, Elizabeth Langvin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of applying graphics to a set of articles with a graphic transfer assembly is disclosed. The method includes a step of selecting an article from a set of articles comprising different types of articles. After selecting a last that may be associated with the article, the last may be attached to a last assembly of the graphic transfer assembly. With the article attached to the graphic transfer assembly, a deformable membrane may apply graphics to curved portions of the article.
Claims19
A graphic transfer assembly, comprising:
- a base portion configured to support the graphic transfer assembly;
- a first moveable portion including a first deformable membrane and a second moveable portion including a second deformable membrane;
- a last assembly disposed between the first moveable portion and the second moveable portion, the last assembly configured to attach a last to the base portion;
- an actuator configured to control the first moveable portion and the second moveable portion;
- an air valve disposed between the first moveable portion and the second moveable portion, the air valve configured to apply a vacuum between the first deformable membrane and the second deformable membrane;
- and
- wherein the first deformable membrane and the second deformable membrane are configured to conform to a curved portion of an article and thereby transfer a graphic to the curved portion.
4 more elements
A graphic transfer assembly, comprising:
- a base portion configured to support the graphic transfer assembly;
- a first moveable portion including a first deformable membrane and a second moveable portion including a second deformable membrane;
- a last assembly disposed between the first moveable portion and the second moveable portion, the last assembly configured to attach a last to the base portion;
- an actuator configured to control the first moveable portion and the second moveable portion between an open position and a closed position;
- an air valve disposed between the first moveable portion and the second moveable portion;
- and
- wherein the air valve is configured to apply a vacuum to evacuate air from between the first deformable membrane and the second deformable membrane when the first moveable portion and the second movable portion are in the closed position to conform the first deformable membrane and the second deformable membrane to a portion of an article and thereby transfer a graphic to the portion of the article.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.