Stahls' Inc.

Stahls' Special Projects

David A Myers

Ronald C Anderson

An improved apparatus (10) for thermally bonding indicia to caps comprises relatively movable upper and lower platens (12,14) with a heat source in one of the platens for heating it. A handle (18) pivotal in a vertical plane raises and lowers the upper platen (12) swinging it through virtually a 90.degree. arc to permit easy positioning of a cap between the platens where they are open. Both platens (12,14) have curved nesting pressing surfaces (20,20'), the upper platen pressing surface (20) having a concave shape and the lower platen pressing surface (20') having a convex shape with the radius of curvature of the upper platen pressing surface (20) being greater than the radius of curvature of the lower platen pressing surface (20') so that the platens (12,14) apply equal pressure across a cap disposed between them. Apparatus (10) further includes a keypad (40) and digital readout screen on the handle for ready viewing and access by the operator and further includes a microprocessor controller for regulating temperature of the heat source and time of the heat cycle.

Cap sealing machine

A heat applied transfer press includes a manual actuator for displacing platens between open and closed positions as well as a pneumatic engager for pressing the platens together when the actuator has been moved to the closed position. A sensor determines when the actuator has moved the upper platen to the closed position so as to permit application of pressure to urge the heated upper platen toward and against transfer indicia and the apparel arranged on the lower platen. Another sensor determines when the pressure application has been initiated to time the duration of the pressure application. The control automatically releases the pressure and opens the press after the time duration matches a selected time duration set by the control.

Air assisted transfer press and method

A heat applied transfer press includes a support arm for displacing an upper platen with respect to a lower platen mounted on a base. An operator controls movement of the support arm between open and closed positions and preferably includes an aligner for positioning the upper platen substantially parallel to the lower platen as the upper platen approaches the closed position. Preferably, the press also includes an adjuster for varying the distance between the upper and lower platen in the closed position. Preferably, an overcenter locking mechanism retains the press platens in the closed position, while springs resiliently urge the upper platen upwardly to its open position when the handle has been raised to retract the lever mechanism from its overcenter position.

Heat applied transfer press

Heat seal machine

An improved apparatus (10) for thermally bonding indicia to fabric disclosed comprises relatively movable upper and lower platens (12,14) with a heat source in one of the platens for heating it. A lift lever (18) with an over-center locking assembly (20) is operated to urge the platens (12,14) together and a pressure adjustment assembly (40) is adjustable for varying the pressure therebetween. A pressure sensor (54) senses pressure between the platens (12,14) during closure. A temperature sensor (69) responds to the temperature of the heated platen (12) for controlling heat source (16) to regulate the platen (12) temperature. An optical switch (70) is responsive to platen (12,14) closure for initiating a timing sequence. A programmable controller (48) is programmable to monitor sets of temperature, pressure and platen closure combinations and a visual display (46) displays instructions and the time, temperature and pressure readings necessary for operating the apparatus (10) in the language of choice.

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Connellsville, PA, United States of America

David A Myers