Method of customizing an article using a graphic transfer assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9809015-B2
Application number	US-201514935584-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 9, 2015
Priority date	Oct 3, 2008
Publication date	Nov 7, 2017
Grant date	Nov 7, 2017

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. 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.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the graphic is associated with the curved surface using an adhesive.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the graphic is associated with the curved surface of the article prior to a step of placing the article on the last.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving the selected graphic for the article further includes the step of receiving a customized graphic from a customer.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the step of receiving the customized graphic includes receiving the graphic from a website.

6. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the step of receiving the customized graphic includes receiving the graphic through at least one of mail or email.

7. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the step of receiving the customized graphic includes receiving the graphic at a retail store or a kiosk.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the graphic includes one or more of a shape, a number, a letter, and an image.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the graphic is configured to provide a color to a substantial entirety of a portion of the article on which the graphic is applied.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the graphic comprises a colored film.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the graphic comprises at least two distinct film portions.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein at least one of the film portions includes one or more of a shape, a number, a letter, and an image.

13. The method according to claim 11 , wherein at least one of the film portions includes an ink or dye for coloring the article.

14. The method according to claim 11 , wherein a first film portion includes a graphical design portion and wherein a second film portion includes an ink or dye for coloring the article.

15. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising transferring a plurality of graphics to the article using the graphic transfer assembly.

16. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the graphic is used to apply at least one of a color or a design to an entirety of the article.

17. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving a selected graphic for the article further comprises receiving a customized graphic created using a graphic customization process.

18. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the article comprises an article of footwear.

19. The method according to claim 18 , wherein the graphic is applied to at least a portion of one or more of an upper or a sole of the article of footwear.

20. 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.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Hull N Scot
• Langvin Elizabeth

Classifications

• Y10T156/17

  Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means · CPC title

• Y10T156/1036

  Bending of one piece blank and joining edges to form article · CPC title

• B44C1/1712

  Decalcomanias applied under heat and pressure, e.g. provided with a heat activable adhesive · CPC title

• B44C1/17

  Dry transfer · CPC title

• B44C1/105

  comprising an adhesive layer (decalcomania B44C1/16; adhesive tapes C09J7/20) · CPC title