The Hillman Group, Inc.

Brother Industries, Ltd.

James Francis Huss

Mark Leslie Tarter

Bryan Keith Solace

Gary Edward Will

Jordan D Shoenhair

Brian David Rosner

Nalinikanth Garikapati

Robert J Musil

David Musil

David N Fronek

A tag cassette assembly for use in connection with an engraving process carried out in an engraving machine includes a single piece cassette body of plastic material, the cassette body including a first major side and a second major side and a periphery formed by minor edges; a tag secured in a capture space of the cassette body; wherein the cassette first major side is configured to provide access to a first side of the tag to facilitate engraving and the second major side is configured to provide access to a second side of the tag to facilitate engraving.

Tag holding cassette assembly for use in engraving machines

A fastener storage and display cabinet includes a housing defining an internal space, with a plurality of tray units positioned within the internal space. Each tray unit is movable between a closed position primarily within the internal space and an extended position in which a majority of the tray unit is cantilevered forward of the housing. At least one tray unit is formed as a telescoping tray assembly comprising an upper tray component and a lower tray component, wherein the upper tray component fits within the lower tray component and is movable with respect to the lower tray component between a first position nested within the lower tray component and a second position cantilevered forwardly from the lower tray component.

Cabinet with telescoping trays for fastener bins

A container assembly includes a jar and a lid assembly. The jar includes a body portion defining an interior space for holding items and an upper neck portion disposed about a jar opening leading to the interior space. The lid assembly is connected to the upper neck portion of the jar and includes an inner lid component and an outer lid component. The outer lid component is rotatable relative to the inner lid component while the inner lid component remains stationary relative to the upper neck portion of the jar.

Lid assembly and related container for fasteners

A process and apparatus for sublimating images onto two or more products substantially simultaneously are disclosed. Software components are configured to receive input of a desired number of products to sublimate, and then determine a spatial arrangement of the printed images to sublimate the desired number of products substantially simultaneously. The apparatus is configured to print the images according to the spatial arrangement. The apparatus is configured, using a control, to sublimate multiple products substantially simultaneously in a single thermal cycle.

Automated simultaneous multiple article sublimation printing process and apparatus

A safe, integrated dye sublimation printer apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to print one or more images onto a selected product using one or more heating platens to sublimate the image. The heating platen is configured to sublimate one or more opposing sides of a product substantially simultaneously in a single thermal cycle. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be incorporated into a fully-enclosed vending machine to provide on-demand personalized sublimated products and accessories for a consumer.

Integrated sublimation printing apparatus

A process and apparatus for sublimating printed images onto two or more sides of a product simultaneously using a single heating platen are disclosed. The apparatus is configured to print one or more images onto transfer media, then position the transfer media onto a substrate. A product to receive the sublimated image is positioned on top of the transfer media, and the apparatus manipulates the transfer media to substantially surround the product and place at least one image onto each side of the product to be sublimated. A single heating platen then engages the transfer media to sublimate the image. The heating platen is configured, using a control, to sublimate opposing sides of a product substantially simultaneously in a single thermal cycle.

Single heating platen double-sided sublimation printing process and apparatus

A clamp is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The clamp may have a stationary head guide with a slot configured to receive a key, and a pressure pad configured to engage the head guide and sandwich the key therebetween. The clamp may also have at least a first spring configured to continuously generate a force biasing the pressure pad toward the stationary head guide, a plunger configured to selectively engage the pressure pad, and a second spring configured to bias the plunger toward the pressure pad. The clamp may further have a release lever manually operable to urge the plunger away from the pressure pad and to compress the second spring.

Manual clamp for key making machine

A process and apparatus for sublimating printed images onto two or more products substantially simultaneously are disclosed. Software components are configured to receive input of a desired number of products to sublimate, and then determine a spatial arrangement of the printed images on transfer media to sublimate the desired number of products substantially simultaneously. The apparatus is configured to print the images onto the media according to the spatial arrangement, then position the media onto a substrate. The products are automatically placed on the media proximate to their corresponding printed images. The apparatus manipulates the media to substantially surround the products and places at least one image onto each side of each product to be sublimated. One or more heating platens engage the media to sublimate the images. The heating platens are configured, using a control, to sublimate multiple products substantially simultaneously in a single thermal cycle.

An automatic product sublimation process is disclosed allowing for point-of-sale customization of sublimation parameters in a retail environment. A dye sublimation transfer printing system is configured to print one or more images onto transfer media, then position the media onto a substrate. A selected product is positioned on top of the media. The system is configured to automatically determine, by a processor, one or more of a temperature and duration of a single thermal cycle to sublimate the one or more images onto the selected product. The determination may be based on properties of the product, characteristics of the images, or both. One or more heating platens engage the transfer media to sublimate the product in a single thermal cycle, wherein at least one of the cycle's temperature and duration match the determined values. The disclosed process improves the quality of the sublimation technique, yet requires no substantive operator training.

Automatic sublimated product customization system and process

A safe, integrated dye sublimation transfer printer apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to print one or more images onto transfer media, then align the transfer media onto a substrate. A selected product to receive the sublimated image is positioned on top of the transfer media, and one or more heating platens then engage the transfer media to sublimate the image. The heating platen is configured to sublimate one or more opposing sides of a product substantially simultaneously in a single thermal cycle. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be incorporated into a fully-enclosed vending machine to provide on-demand personalized sublimated products and accessories for a consumer.

Integrated sublimation transfer printing apparatus

An engraving system operable to engrave user-loaded items is provided. The engraving system may have a housing, an engraver located within the housing, and a carrier configured to receive from a user a cartridge holding then item to be engraved and to position the cartridge relative to the engraver. The carrier may be configured to engrave the item via windows in the cartridge, and to flip the cartridge relative to the engraver for engraving on multiple sides of the item.

Dual-side engraving system

A character display system and method making the same are disclosed. In the system, the display is provided on a display surface. In one embodiment, the system includes at least one display character and a fastener for mounting the at least one display character to the display surface. The fastener includes a front engaging portion, a rear engaging portion, and a spacer portion located between the front engaging portion and the rear engaging portion. The spacer portion is configured, upon assembly, to raise the at least one display character a predetermined distance above the display surface.

Character display system and method of making the same

A tape supply cartridge for use in a printer of the type having a fixed print head, a movable platen roller and a pair of tape advancement rollers, one in the cartridge and one in the printer.

Growing community of inventors

Scottsdale, AZ, United States of America

James Francis Huss