Back to results
US 9,868,296 B2Granted
Alignment system for articles of apparel
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsDarren C. Davison, Jennifer Ross
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An alignment system for an article of apparel includes an article receptacle device for receiving an article to be printed. The alignment system also includes a receiving assembly for receiving an article receptacle device with an article to be aligned prior to printing. The alignment system can include one or more flexible sheets that can be used to help position the articles on the article receptacle device in preparation for printing.
Claims20
An alignment system for printing comprising:
- a receptacle configured to receive a first article of apparel, wherein the receptacle has a three-dimensional geometry and includes at least one curved surface;
- a receiving base, wherein the receiving base is configured to receive the receptacle;
- a first sheet, wherein one side of the first sheet is fixed in position relative to the receiving base, and wherein the first sheet is configured to curve and extend around a portion of a circumference of the receptacle;
- and
- wherein the first sheet includes at least a first reference marker, and wherein the first reference marker is configured to align at least a portion of the first article of apparel with the receptacle.
2 more elements
An alignment system for printing comprising:
- a receptacle with a three-dimensional geometry, the receptacle including an outer surface;
- at least a portion of the outer surface of the receptacle being configured to receive a first article of apparel;
- a receiving base, wherein the receiving base is configured to receive the receptacle;
- the outer surface including a lower region and an upper region;
- a first sheet configured to curve and extend around at least a portion of the lower region of the receptacle and at least a portion of the upper region of the receptacle when the receptacle is disposed in the receiving base;
- wherein the first sheet has a first edge that is joined to a first support member;
- wherein the receiving base includes a releasable retaining component;
- wherein the releasable retaining component is configured to engage with a portion of the first support member when the first sheet is extended around the receptacle;
- and
- wherein the releasable retaining component and the portion of the first support member are configured to secure the first sheet in position relative to the receptacle.
7 more elements
A method of operating a system for aligning an article of apparel, comprising:
- placing a first article of apparel onto a receptacle, the receptacle including a curved surface;
- securing the receptacle in a receiving base;
- selecting a first sheet from a plurality of sheets, wherein at least the first sheet is bound along one side by an anchor portion;
- wrapping the first sheet around at least a portion of the first article of apparel, wherein the first sheet includes at least a first reference marker, the first reference marker being configured to align at least the portion of the first article of apparel with the receptacle;
- unwrapping the first sheet from the first article of apparel;
- and
- mounting the receptacle with the first article of apparel in a printing system.
4 more elements
A method of making a sock, comprising:
- placing the sock onto a receptacle, the receptacle including a curved surface;
- securing the receptacle in a receiving base;
- selecting a first sheet from a plurality of sheets, wherein at least the first sheet is bound along one side by an anchor portion;
- wrapping the first sheet around at least a portion of the sock, wherein the first sheet includes at least a first reference marker, the first reference marker being configured to align at least the portion of the first sock with the receptacle;
- unwrapping the first sheet from the sock;
- mounting the receptacle with the sock in a printing system;
- and
- printing on a first region of the sock and excluding printing from a second region of the sock.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.