A heat press includes a base, a handle, a controller, a heater arm, a pressure link, a lower platen, and an upper platen. The handle is pivotally coupled to the base. The controller is integrally formed with the handle. The heater arm is pivotally coupled to the base. The pressure link is pivotally coupled to the handle and the heater arm. The lower platen is connected to base. The upper platen is connected to the heater arm. A surface of the upper platen is separated from a surface of the lower platen in a first position, and the surface of the upper platen is in contact with the surface of the lower platen in a second position.

A heat press includes a clutch and a linkage that moves the upper platen relative to the lower platen from a first position to a second position. The distance between the upper and lower platen is less in the second position than in the first position. The clutch is coupled to the linkage and mounted to the upper platen. The clutch is configured to adjust the distance between the upper and lower platens in the second position in response to movement of the upper platen from the first position to the second position being impeded by a work piece positioned between the lower platen and the upper platen.

A heat press includes a clutch and a linkage that moves the upper platen relative to the lower platen from a first position to a second position. The distance between the upper and lower platen is less in the second position than in the first position. The clutch is coupled to the linkage and mounted to the upper platen. The clutch is configured to adjust the distance between the upper and lower platens in the second position in response to movement of the upper platen from the first position to the second position being impeded by a work piece positioned between the lower platen and the upper platen.

A geographically remote computing device transmits an image to a central computing device. The geographically remote computing device also communicates specifications of a substrate or substrates to be imaged to the central computing device. The central computing device selects a geographically remote fulfillment printer. A local, but geographically diverse distribution system is available according to the invention. The central computing device chooses the geographically remote fulfillment printer as a function of factors such as the selected image and substrate, printer capabilities, and the consumer's location. Image quality and consistency is maintained by the central computer selecting an appropriate geographically remote computing device and providing printer the appropriate instructions, rather than the instructions for printing being determined locally at the printer.

A heat press includes a handle portion and a curved heat plate. That handle portion may be configured to be grasped by a user, and the curved heat (i.e., having a curved engagement surface) may be configured to engage a heat-activated design implement to transfer a design of the heat-activated design implement to a curved surface of a workpiece. Also disclosed herein, according to various embodiments, is a heat press stand having a curved floor and a hat form for supporting a workpiece (e.g., a hat) during a heat-activated design transfer using the heat press. Associated methods are also disclosed herein.

A heat press includes a handle portion and a curved heat plate. That handle portion may be configured to be grasped by a user, and the curved heat (i.e., having a curved engagement surface) may be configured to engage a heat-activated design implement to transfer a design of the heat-activated design implement to a curved surface of a workpiece. Also disclosed herein, according to various embodiments, is a heat press stand having a curved floor and a hat form for supporting a workpiece (e.g., a hat) during a heat-activated design transfer using the heat press. Associated methods are also disclosed herein.

Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of jigs (broadly, inserts) for use when sublimation printing on socks, production ready sublimation printable socks with preinstalled jigs therein, and related systems and methods. In an exemplary embodiment, a jig includes an upper portion and a lower portion. A first transition or rounded shoulder portion is along a first side of the jig between the upper portion and the lower portion. A second transition or rounded shoulder portion is along a second side of the jig between the upper portion and the lower portion.

The present disclosure relates to a heat press, especially knee lever-transfer press with at least one socket, with at least one base plate and with at least one heatable counter plate pivotable towards the base plate, wherein the knee lever-transfer press further has a control unit, by which the knee lever-transfer press is controllable in an open-loop manner and/or closed-loop manner and wherein the control unit constitutes a first modular unit of the knee lever-transfer press and wherein the socket constitutes at least one second modular unit, and the base plate and the counter plate constitute at least one third modular unit and wherein at least the first modular unit and the second modular unit and/or the third modular unit are separable from each other and/or are formed to be replaceable for functional comparable modular units.

The present disclosure relates to a heat press, especially knee lever-transfer press with at least one socket, with at least one base plate and with at least one heatable counter plate pivotable towards the base plate, wherein the knee lever-transfer press further has a control unit, by which the knee lever-transfer press is controllable in an open-loop manner and/or closed-loop manner and wherein the control unit constitutes a first modular unit of the knee lever-transfer press and wherein the socket constitutes at least one second modular unit, and the base plate and the counter plate constitute at least one third modular unit and wherein at least the first modular unit and the second modular unit and/or the third modular unit are separable from each other and/or are formed to be replaceable for functional comparable modular units.

A degassing chamber for degassing a material located on a workpiece, comprises a vacuum source and a vacuum reservoir in fluid communication with the vacuum source, a secondary chamber, a port valve which is movable between an open position to allow passage of a workpiece therethrough between the exterior of the degassing chamber and the secondary chamber and a closed position in which the port valve is fluidly sealed, and a reservoir valve which is movable between an open position to provide fluid communication between the secondary chamber and the vacuum reservoir and a closed position in which the reservoir valve is fluidly sealed. The degassing chamber may be provided subsequent to a printing machine in a production line, and has particular application for degassing silicone material when producing fuel cells.