Abstract: A heat press for decorating substrates includes a support frame, a lower platen assembly supported on the support frame, and a linkage assembly having at least an upper link arm pivotally coupled with the support frame for movement to and between first and second positions. An upper platen assembly is coupled with the support frame by the linkage assembly for movement relative to the lower platen assembly to and between an open condition away from the lower platen assembly, and a closed condition adjacent the lower platen assembly, as the upper link arm is moved to and between the first and second positions. A linear actuator cooperates with the linkage assembly to further move the upper platen assembly in the closed condition in a direction to clamp an upper platen against a lower platen by moving an actuator rod from an extended position toward a retracted position.

Abstract: A heat press for decorating substrates includes a support frame, a lower platen assembly supported on the support frame, and a linkage assembly having at least an upper link arm pivotally coupled with the support frame for movement to and between first and second positions. An upper platen assembly is coupled with the support frame by the linkage assembly for movement relative to the lower platen assembly to and between an open condition away from the lower platen assembly, and a closed condition adjacent the lower platen assembly, as the upper link arm is moved to and between the first and second positions. A linear actuator cooperates with the linkage assembly to further move the upper platen assembly in the closed condition in a direction to clamp an upper platen against a lower platen by moving an actuator rod from an extended position toward a retracted position.

Abstract: A machine for processing textile substrates includes a base configured to receive a substrate support carrying a textile substrate, and may further include a nozzle assembly supported above the base for applying pretreatment liquid to a pretreatment area of the substrate during relative movement between the nozzle assembly and the substrate support along a conveying direction. A forced air assembly is supported above the base for movement transverse to the conveying direction. A controller that controls the relative movement between the substrate support and the nozzle assembly along the conveying direction, or the movement of the forced air assembly along the second axis based on information related to a pretreatment area or a print area of the textile substrate in order to direct heated air from the forced air assembly onto an area of the textile substrate substantially corresponding to the pretreatment area or the print area.

Abstract: A platen assembly for use in digital printing includes a substrate support adapted to support the substrate thereon to facilitate printing to the substrate. One or more apertures are associated with the substrate support and the platen assembly includes a vacuum chamber in fluid communication with the one or more apertures. A vacuum device is in communication with the vacuum chamber such that vacuum pressure is developed in the vacuum chamber during operation of the vacuum device and a corresponding air flow is developed through the one or more apertures. A method for applying indicia to a textile substrate includes placing the textile substrate on a substrate support surface, and directing air through the textile substrate such that the substrate is drawn against the substrate support surface.