Integrated sublimation transfer printing apparatus

A vending apparatus for providing a user with a customized sublimated product, comprising:

• a dye sublimation transfer printer configured to receive a digital image file representing an image from the user and further configured to print the received image on a transfer media;
• a substrate configured to receive the transfer media from the printer;
• a magazine configured to store a plurality of products of different types, wherein the magazine further includes openings to dispense one of the plurality of products selected by the user;
• a transport mechanism configured to retrieve the dispensed selected product and position the product on the substrate;
• one or more heating platens configured to engage the transfer media and sublimate the printed image onto one or more opposing sides of the selected product in a single thermal cycle;
• a cooling system configured to cool the sublimated product to at least about an ambient temperature;
• a delivery opening configured to provide the cooled article to the user;
• a housing substantially enclosing the dye sublimation transfer printer, substrate, magazine, transport mechanism, one or more heating platens, and cooling system in a manner that prevents a user from contacting the enclosed components;
• and
• a user interface device configured to permit the user to determine one or more images for printing, select one of the plurality of products on which to sublimate the one or more images, and facilitate payment by the user for the sublimated product.

A vending apparatus for providing a user with a customized sublimated product, comprising:

• a dye sublimation transfer printer configured to receive one or more digital image files representing images from the user and further configured to print the received image or images on a transfer media;
• a substrate configured to receive the transfer media from the printer;
• a magazine configured to store a plurality of products of different types;
• a transport mechanism configured to retrieve a product selected by a user and position the product on the substrate;
• one or more heating platens configured to engage the transfer media and sublimate the printed image onto one or more opposing sides of the product in a single thermal cycle;
• a cooling system configured to cool the sublimated product to at least about an ambient temperature;
• a housing substantially enclosing the dye sublimation transfer printer, substrate, magazine, transport mechanism, one or more heating platens, and cooling system in a manner that prevents a user from contacting the enclosed components;
• and
• a user interface device configured to permit the user to determine one or more images for printing and facilitate payment by the user for the sublimated product, wherein the user interface device further includes an internal memory containing a plurality of stock images, and the user interface device is configured to permit the user to select one of the plurality of stock images.

An automated sublimation apparatus for sublimating an image on a product, comprising:

• a dye sublimation transfer printer configured to receive a digital image file representing an image, the dye sublimation transfer printer configured to print the received image on a transfer media;
• a substrate configured to receive the transfer media from the printer;
• a transport mechanism configured to position a selected product on the substrate;
• one or more heating platens configured to engage the transfer media and sublimate the printed image onto one or more opposing sides of the selected product;
• a passive cooling system including a heat sink configured to cool the sublimated product to at least about an ambient temperature;
• a housing substantially enclosing the dye sublimation transfer printer, substrate, transport mechanism, one or more heating platens, and passive cooling system in a manner that prevents a user from contacting the enclosed components;
• and
• a user interface device configured to permit the user to determine an image for printing.

An automated sublimation apparatus for sublimating an image on a product, comprising:

• a dye sublimation transfer printer configured to receive a digital image file representing an image, the dye sublimation transfer printer configured to print the received image on a transfer media;
• a substrate configured to receive the transfer media from the printer;
• a transport mechanism configured to position a selected product on the substrate;
• one or more heating platens configured to engage the transfer media and sublimate the printed image onto one or more opposing sides of the selected product;
• and
• a housing substantially enclosing the substrate, transport mechanism, and one or more heating platens in a manner that prevents a user from contacting the enclosed components, wherein the housing and heating platen are configured such that heat generated by the heating platen does not raise the temperature of the exterior surface of the housing beyond a touch-safe temperature.