US 12,330,437 B2
Systems and methods for dye sublimation with double-sided image infusion
Jeffrey Humenick, Bloomsburg, PA (US); Jym Kauffman, Bloomsburg, PA (US); and Rebecca Gallup, Bloomsburg, PA (US)
Assigned to SEKISUI KYDEX, LLC, Bloomsburg, PA (US)
Filed by SEKISUI KYDEX, LLC, Bloomsburg, PA (US)
Filed on Oct. 24, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/972,336.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/272,105, filed on Oct. 26, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/272,109, filed on Oct. 26, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0128401 A1, Apr. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. B41M 5/382 (2006.01); B41F 16/00 (2006.01); B41F 33/00 (2006.01)
CPC B41M 5/38221 (2013.01) [B41F 16/0006 (2013.01); B41F 33/00 (2013.01); B41M 2205/02 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A dye sublimation apparatus for infusing a first image on a first printed sheet and a second image on a second printed sheet into a substrate, the dye sublimation apparatus comprising:
a heated plate configured to receive the first printed sheet, the substrate, and the second printed sheet;
a membrane configured to form an enclosure around the first printed sheet, the substrate, and the second printed sheet;
a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the enclosure, the vacuum pump configured to reduce a pressure within the enclosure, such that the membrane applies a compressive force to the first printed sheet, the substrate, and the second printed sheet based on the reduced pressure; and
a heat source positioned, relative to the heated plate, on an opposing side of the first printed sheet, the substrate, and the second printed sheet, and the membrane, the heat source configured to heat the first printed sheet to sublimate one or more first dyes forming the first image, and the heated plate configured to heat the second printed sheet to sublimate one or more second dyes forming the second image, such that the one or more first dyes and one or more second dyes travel to the substrate in a gaseous state and deposit into the substrate in a solid state to infuse the first image and the second image into the substrate,
wherein the membrane is a double membrane comprising a first membrane positioned between the heated source and the first printed sheet and a second membrane positioned between the heated plate and the second printed sheet, the first membrane and the second membrane forming the enclosure, and
wherein the controller is further configured to apply the compressive force to the first printed sheet, the substrate, and the second printed sheet via the double membrane.