Method of customizing an article using a graphic transfer assembly
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsN. Scot Hull, Elizabeth Langvin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of customizing an article with graphics applied using a graphic transfer assembly is disclosed. The method includes a step of creating or selecting a customized graphic to be applied to an article. The article and the customized graphic are placed within the graphic transfer assembly. A deformable membrane may apply the customized graphic to curved portions of the article.
Claims20
A method of customizing an article with a graphic applied using a graphic transfer assembly, comprising the steps of:
- receiving a selected graphic for the article;
- associating the graphic with a curved surface of the article;
- attaching a last including the article to a last assembly of the graphic transfer assembly, the last assembly being disposed between a first moveable portion of the graphic transfer assembly and a second moveable portion of the graphic transfer assembly;
- pressing a first deformable membrane associated with the first moveable portion and a second deformable membrane associated with the second moveable portion against a portion of the article so that at least one of the first deformable membrane and the second deformable membrane conforms to the curved surface;
- applying a vacuum between the first deformable membrane and the second deformable membrane;
- heating at least one of the first deformable membrane and the second deformable membrane;
- and
- thereby transferring the graphic to the curved surface of the article.
A method of customizing an article of footwear with a graphic applied using a graphic transfer assembly, comprising the steps of:
- receiving a customized graphic for the article of footwear from a customer;
- associating the graphic with a curved surface of the article of footwear;
- pressing at least one deformable membrane associated with the graphic transfer assembly against a portion of the article of footwear so that the at least one deformable membrane conforms to the curved surface of the article of footwear;
- heating the at least one deformable membrane;
- and
- thereby transferring the graphic to the curved surface of the article of footwear.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.