Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for assembling substrates with functional blocks, using a printhead to deliver individual functional blocks to the appropriate locations on the substrates. In an embodiment, the functional block releasing mechanism comprises a heat source to provide thermal energy and a light source to provide photon energy, wherein the heat source and the light source enable releasing individual functional blocks from the reservoir for positioning on the substrate. The heat source can comprise an array of heating elements, such as thin film heating elements, which can provide localized heating to individual elements, thus enabling releasing individual functional blocks. The light source can comprise a laser beam and a moving mechanism to move the laser beam to the individual functional blocks.

Abstract: A heat-seal device generally includes a heat source, a thermal conductor, which encapsulates at least a portion of the heat source and is capable of transferring heat from the heat source, and a thermal insulator, which substantially surrounds the thermal conductor but leaves a portion thereof exposed, the exposed portion of the thermal conductor providing a heat-seal contact surface, which is adapted to be brought into contact with a material to be sealed.

Abstract: A manual cup sealer includes a frame unit, a sliding carrier board slidably mounted in the frame unit and carrying a lower electric heat sealing die, a transmission shaft pivotally mounted in the frame unit, a first link coupled to the transmission shaft, a first spring member connected between the first link and the sliding carrier board, a die link connected to the transmission shaft through a second link and holding an upper electric heat sealing die, and a handlebar operable by a user to rotate the transmission shaft clockwise/counter-clockwise for causing the sliding carrier board to be moved in and out of the frame unit and the upper electric heat sealing die to be lowered toward the lower electric heat sealing die to seal a sealing film to a plastic cup in the lower electric heat sealing die.

Abstract: A lightweight, portable lateral heat press machine that allows an operator to quickly and economically transfer graphic characters or images using an ink transfer paper process or a sublimation process, or vinyl onto the surface of a garment or an object. The device includes a vertical aligned sliding arm assembly perpendicularly aligned to a horizontally aligned chassis assembly. Attached to the chassis assembly is at least one workstation assembly and a console. The workstation assembly includes a pedestal with an exchangeable, horizontally aligned lower platen that may be selectively rotated and locked in portrait or landscape orientation and a height and pressure adjustment feature. The sliding arm assembly extends upward and forward and includes a heated, upper platen attached to a manually operated plunger. The console contains the controls for operating the heating element inside the upper platen and a timer.

Abstract: A machine for joining opposite respective edges of respective pairs of large sheets (2) of plastic comprises a frame (1), a rectangular table (10) having a horizontal surface for supporting the sheets in position for joinder, the table provided with an elongated linear slot (18) extending centrally of and between opposite ends of the table and disposed between first and second rows (150, 150?) of spaced apart air suction holes (15, 15?) that open on the table for pulling the sheets against the table, a fixed electrode (11) disposed in the slot (18), a mobile electrode (14) mounted for vertical up and down movement on top of the fixed electrode, push buttons (19, 19?) for activating suction of air through the holes, and control means in the form of a robot to control different operations.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for adhering a flexible film to a ventilated platen without air entrapment problems are described. In the apparatus, a tool body and a tool lid are connected together by a hinge means in a clam-shell configuration. The tool body has a cavity formed such that a ventilated platen can be tightly positioned therein with a top surface of the platen exposed. A flexible film is mounted to an inner surface of the tool lid facing the tool body and pushed down onto the ventilated platen while air is being withdrawn from the ventilated platen. The adhesion process for the flexible film to the platen can be completed without any air entrapment problem existing between the film and the platen.

Abstract: A platen for use in a laminating press is provided which includes a body of material having first and second faces and spaced first and second ends. Preferably, at least one heating device is disposed in the body of material. First and second spaced cooling channels are formed in the body of material, the first cooling channel being adjacent the first face and having a fluid inlet port adjacent to or in the first end, and a fluid outlet port adjacent to or in the second end, and a second cooling channel being adjacent the second face and having a fluid inlet port adjacent to or in said second end, and a fluid outlet port adjacent to or in the first end. The invention also contemplates using such platens for laminating a book or stack of sheets of material to form a unitary single member having reduced stresses.

Abstract: A roller arrangement suitable for use in a laminating machine. The roller arrangement comprises: a laminating roller of substantially cylindrical shape; a curved plate disposed around at least a part of the outer cylindrical surface of the laminating roller, the curved plate having a shape generally in conformance with that of the outer cylindrical surface of the laminating roller; and a heating layer integral with at least a part of the outer surface of the plate. When the heating layer is activated the laminating roller is heated by the curved plate.