U.S. patent application number 17/651764 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-02 for heat press, components, apparatuses, systems, and methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to Cricut, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Cricut, Inc.. Invention is credited to Yung Tseng Chen, Thomas Crisp, James Alan Elzey, Scot Herbst, Marc Korbuly, Xiao Peng, Ildefonso M. Resuello, Grayson Stopp.
Application Number | 20220169003 17/651764 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220169003 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Elzey; James Alan ; et
al. |
June 2, 2022 |
Heat Press, Components, Apparatuses, Systems, and Methods
Abstract
A heat press docking station base (52) comprises a nest portion
(75) and one or more legs (58). The nest portion (52) includes a
body shell (60, 62) and a perforated floor (54). The body shell
(60, 62) includes a lower surface (63). The perforated floor (54)
is connected to the body shell (60, 62). The one or more legs (58)
extend from a lower surface (63) of the body shell (60, 62).
Inventors: |
Elzey; James Alan; (Heber,
UT) ; Peng; Xiao; (Xiamen City, CN) ; Chen;
Yung Tseng; (San Francisco, CA) ; Resuello; Ildefonso
M.; (Sacramento, CA) ; Stopp; Grayson; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Korbuly; Marc; (Salt Lake City,
UT) ; Crisp; Thomas; (Cottonwood Heights, UT)
; Herbst; Scot; (Santa Cruz, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cricut, Inc. |
South Jordan |
UT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Cricut, Inc.
South Jordan
UT
|
Appl. No.: |
17/651764 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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PCT/US2020/046436 |
Aug 14, 2020 |
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17651764 |
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62888518 |
Aug 18, 2019 |
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62897096 |
Sep 6, 2019 |
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63022304 |
May 8, 2020 |
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International
Class: |
B41F 16/02 20060101
B41F016/02 |
Claims
1. A heat press docking station base (52) comprising: a nest
portion (75) including a body shell (60, 62) and a perforated floor
(54), the body shell (60, 62) having a lower surface (63), the
perforated floor (54) connected to the body shell (60, 62); and one
or more legs (58) extending from a lower surface (63) of the body
shell (60, 62).
2. The heat press docking station base (52) of claim 1, wherein the
body shell (60, 62) includes: an inner peripheral body shell
portion (60); and an outer peripheral body shell portion (62)
joined to the inner peripheral body shell portion (60).
3. The heat press docking station base (52) of claim 2, wherein the
one or more legs (58) integrally extend from a lower surface (63)
of the outer peripheral body shell portion (62) joined to the inner
peripheral body shell portion (60).
4. The heat press docking station base (52) of claim 2, wherein the
inner peripheral body shell portion (60) and the outer peripheral
body shell portion (62) joined to the inner peripheral body shell
portion (60) cooperate to form one or more peripheral interior
spaces or gaps (67, 68) that include an insulative gas.
5. The heat press docking station base (52) of claim 4, wherein the
insulative gas is subjected to a vacuum.
6. The heat press docking station base (52) of claim 2 further
comprising: one or more heat plate support protrusions (56)
extending from the nest portion (75).
7. The heat press docking station base (52) of claim 6, wherein the
one or more heat plate support protrusions (56) extend from: the
inner peripheral body shell portion (60) of the nest portion
(75).
8. The heat press docking station base (52) of claim 6, wherein the
one or more heat plate support protrusions (56) extend from: the
perforated floor (54) of the nest portion (75).
9. The heat press docking station base (52) of claim 6, wherein the
one or more heat plate support protrusions (56) extend from: the
inner peripheral body shell portion (60) of the nest portion (75);
and the perforated floor (54) of the nest portion (75).
10. The heat press docking station base (52) of claim 6, wherein
the one or more heat plate support protrusions (56) are not aligned
with and are offset from the one or more legs (58) at a distance
(Z).
11. The heat press docking station base (52) of claim 6, wherein an
upper-most surface of the one or more heat plate support
protrusions (56) extend away from an upper surface of the
perforated floor (54) at a first distance (X), wherein the one or
more legs (58) extend away from a lower surface of the perforated
floor (54) at a second distance (Y), and wherein the first distance
(X), the second distance (Y) and a thickness of the perforated
floor (54) define a length of each perforated passage extending
through the thickness of the perforated floor (54).
12. The heat press docking station base (52) of claim 1 further
comprising: a heat resistant material insert (66) disposed within a
cavity formed by the one or more legs (58).
13-20. (canceled)
21. A heat press (10) comprising: a deflector subassembly including
a force deflector (36) and an insulation base portion (30), the
force deflector (36) including an upper handle portion (36'), the
insulation base portion (30) connected to the force deflector (36);
a heating subassembly including electronics (38, 40), a heating
coil (42), and a heat plate (16), the electronics (38, 40)
connected to a power source (24), wherein the electronics (38, 40)
includes at least one actuator (26) and a controller, the heating
coil (42) connected to the electronics (38, 40), the a heat plate
(16) thermally coupled to the heating coil (42); and a housing
cover (12) that is connected to and at least partially encloses one
or more components of both of the deflector subassembly and the
heating subassembly.
22. The heat press (10) of claim 21, wherein the force deflector
(36) further comprises: a lower bowl-shaped portion (36'')
extending from a distal end of the upper handle portion (36'),
wherein the lower bowl-shaped portion (36'') includes a
downwardly-facing lip (37).
23. The heat press (10) of claim 22, wherein the insulation base
portion (30) further comprises: a lower bowl-shaped portion (30'')
having: a downwardly-facing lip (41); and a peripheral
upwardly-facing ledge surface (39) that defines a portion of an
upper surface of the insulation base portion (30), wherein the
downwardly-facing lip (37) of the lower bowl-shaped portion (36'')
of the force deflector (36) is disposed adjacent and mates with the
peripheral upwardly-facing ledge surface (39) of the insulation
base portion (30).
24-37. (canceled)
38. A compact packaging subassembly of a heat press (10), the
compact packaging subassembly comprising: a housing cover (12)
including a proximal end (14), a distal end (18), a handle portion
(20), a leading side portion (21) having a proximal end portion
extending from a first end of the handle portion (20), a trailing
side portion (23) having a proximal end portion extending from a
second end of the handle portion (20), and a heating
subassembly-receiving base portion (25) having a first end and a
second end, wherein the first end of the heating
subassembly-receiving base portion (25) is connected to a distal
end portion of the leading side portion (21), wherein the second
end of the heating subassembly-receiving base portion (25) is
connected to a distal end portion of the trailing side portion
(23), wherein the handle portion (20), the leading side portion
(21), the trailing side portion (23), and the heating
subassembly-receiving base portion (25) define a passage (22)
extending through the housing cover (12); and electronics (38, 40)
disposed within the proximal end (14) of the housing cover (12) and
away from the heating subassembly-receiving base portion (25) that
at least partially defines the distal end (18) of the housing cover
(12).
39. The compact packaging subassembly of claim 38, wherein the
electronics (38, 40) include: a first printed circuit board (38)
arranged perpendicular to a horizontal plane defined by the heating
subassembly-receiving base portion (25); and a second printed
circuit board (40) arranged perpendicular to a horizontal plane
defined by the heating subassembly-receiving base portion (25).
40. The compact packaging subassembly of claim 39, wherein the
first printed circuit board (38) is at least partially disposed
within the handle portion (20) of the housing cover (12), wherein
the second printed circuit board (40) is at least partially
disposed within the leading side portion (21) of the housing cover
(12).
41-44. (canceled)
45. The compact packaging subassembly of claim 38, wherein the
electronics (38, 40) includes: at least one motion detection sensor
(59) communicatively-coupled to a controller that powers-off the
electronics (38, 40) when the housing cover (12) is not moved for a
period of time by a user (U).
46. (canceled)
47. The compact packaging subassembly of claim 38, wherein the
electronics (38, 40) includes: one or more tilt sensors (61)
communicatively-coupled to a controller that powers-off the
electronics (38, 40) when the housing cover (12) is not tilted to a
horizontal orientation by a user (U).
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) to U.S. Patent Application No. 62/888,518, filed on Aug. 18,
2019, titled "Heat Press," U.S. Patent Application No. 62/897,096,
filed on Sep. 6, 2019, titled "Heat Press," and U.S. Patent
Application No. 63/022,304, filed on May 8, 2020, titled "Heat
Press Safety Features," the disclosures of which are considered
part of the disclosure of this application and are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to heat presses,
components, apparatuses, systems, and methods.
BACKGROUND
[0003] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.
[0004] While known heat presses, components, apparatuses, systems
and methods have proven to be acceptable for various applications,
such heat presses, components, apparatuses, systems and methods are
nevertheless susceptible to improvements that may enhance their
overall performance and cost. Therefore, a need exists to develop
improved heat press components, apparatuses, systems and methods
that advance the art.
SUMMARY
[0005] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure,
and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of
its features.
[0006] One aspect of the disclosure provides a heat press docking
station base comprising a next portion and one or more legs. The
nest portion includes a body shell and a perforated floor. The body
shell includes a lower surface. The perforated floor may be
connected to the body shell. The one or more legs extend from a
lower surface of the body shell.
[0007] Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of
the following optional features. In some implementations, the body
shell includes an inner peripheral body shell portion and an outer
peripheral body shell portion joined to the inner peripheral body
shell portion. The one or more legs may be integrally extend from a
lower surface of the outer peripheral body shell portion that may
be joined to the inner peripheral body shell portion.
[0008] In some examples, the inner peripheral body shell portion
and the outer peripheral body shell portion are joined to the inner
peripheral body shell portion in order to cooperate to form one or
more peripheral interior spaces or gaps that include an insulative
gas. The insulative gas may be subjected to a vacuum.
[0009] In other examples, the heat press docking station base may
further include one or more heat plate support protrusions
extending from the nest portion. The one or more heat plate support
protrusions extend from the inner peripheral body shell portion of
the nest portion. In yet other examples, the one or more heat plate
support protrusions extend from the perforated floor of the nest
portion. In further examples, the one or more heat plate support
protrusions extend from: the inner peripheral body shell portion of
the nest portion; and the perforated floor of the nest portion. In
some examples, the one or more heat plate support protrusions are
not aligned with and are offset from the one or more legs at a
distance. In yet other examples, an upper-most surface of the one
or more heat plate support protrusions extend away from an upper
surface of the perforated floor at a first distance. The one or
more legs extend away from a lower surface of the perforated floor
at a second distance. The first distance, the second distance and a
thickness of the perforated floor may define a length of each
perforated passage extending through the thickness of the
perforated floor. In other implementations, the heat press docking
station base may further include a heat resistant material insert
disposed within a cavity formed by the one or more legs.
[0010] Another aspect of the disclosure provides a subassembly of a
heat press. The subassembly may include: a force deflector
including an upper handle portion; and an insulation base portion
coupled to the force deflector.
[0011] Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of
the following optional features. In some implementations, the force
deflector further includes a lower bowl-shaped portion extending
from a distal end of the upper handle portion. The lower
bowl-shaped portion includes downwardly-facing lip. The insulation
base portion may further include: a lower bowl-shaped portion
including: a downwardly-facing lip; and a peripheral
upwardly-facing ledge surface that may define a portion of an upper
surface of the insulation base portion. The downwardly-facing lip
of the lower bowl-shaped portion of the force deflector may be
disposed adjacent, and mates with, the peripheral upwardly-facing
ledge surface of the insulation base portion. A proximal end of the
upper handle portion of the force deflector may be configured to
receive a user-applied force that may be deflected: in a first
direction from the proximal end of the upper handle portion of the
force deflector; then in a second direction from the distal end of
the upper handle portion of the force deflector out of the
downwardly-facing lip of the lower bowl-shaped portion of the force
deflector; then into the peripheral upwardly-facing ledge surface
of the upper surface of the insulation base portion in a third
direction; and then out of the downwardly-facing lip of the lower
bowl-shaped portion of the insulation base portion in a fourth
direction.
[0012] In other examples, the subassembly may further include an
insulation layer disposed within the lower bowl-shaped portion of
the force deflector. In yet other examples, the insulation layer
may be disposed within the lower bowl-shaped portion of the
insulation base portion. In further examples, a first insulation
layer may be disposed within the lower bowl-shaped portion of the
insulation base portion and a second insulation layer may be
disposed within the lower bowl-shaped portion of the force
deflector. In some configurations, the force deflector may at least
partially define a proximal end of the heat press that may be
configured to receive a user-applied force; and the insulation base
portion may at least partially define a distal end of the heat
press that may be configured to output the user-applied force.
[0013] Yet another aspect of the disclosure provides a heat press.
The heat press includes a deflector subassembly including a force
deflector and an insulation base portion. The force deflector
includes an upper handle portion. The insulation base portion may
be connected to the force deflector. The heat press also includes a
heating subassembly having electronics, a heating coil, and a heat
plate. The electronics are connected to a power source. The
electronics include at least one of an actuator and a controller.
The heating coil may be connected to the electronics. The heat
plate may be thermally coupled to the heating coil. The heat press
also includes a housing cover that may be connected to and at least
partially encloses one or more components of both of the deflector
subassembly and the heating subassembly.
[0014] Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of
the following optional features. In some implementations, the force
deflector further includes a lower bowl-shaped portion extending
from a distal end of the upper handle portion. The lower
bowl-shaped portion includes a downwardly-facing lip. The
insulation base portion further includes a lower bowl-shaped
portion having: a downwardly-facing lip; and a peripheral
upwardly-facing ledge surface that may define a portion of an upper
surface of the insulation base portion. The downwardly-facing lip
of the lower bowl-shaped portion of the force deflector may be
disposed adjacent and mates with the peripheral upwardly-facing
ledge surface of the insulation base portion. A proximal end of the
upper handle portion of the force deflector may be configured to
receive a user-applied force that may be deflected: in a first
direction from the proximal end of the upper handle portion of the
force deflector; then in a second direction from the distal end of
the upper handle portion of the force deflector out of the
downwardly-facing lip of the lower bowl-shaped portion of the force
deflector; then into the peripheral upwardly-facing ledge surface
of the upper surface of the insulation base portion in a third
direction; and then out of the downwardly-facing lip of the lower
bowl-shaped portion of the insulation base portion in a fourth
direction into a peripheral edge of an upper surface of the heat
plate.
[0015] In some examples, the hear press further includes an
insulation layer disposed within the lower bowl-shaped portion of
the force deflector. In other examples, the insulation layer may be
disposed within the lower bowl-shaped portion of the insulation
base portion. In other examples, a peripheral edge of an upper
surface of the heat plate may be disposed adjacent the
downwardly-facing lip of the lower bowl-shaped portion of the
insulation base portion whereby the heat plate encloses a cavity
formed for the lower bowl-shaped portion of the insulation base
portion for containing the insulation layer within the lower
bowl-shaped portion of the insulation base portion.
[0016] In other configurations the heat press further includes a
first insulation layer disposed within the lower bowl-shaped
portion of the insulation base portion; and a second insulation
layer disposed within the lower bowl-shaped portion of the force
deflector. A peripheral edge of an upper surface of the heat plate
may be disposed adjacent the downwardly-facing lip of the lower
bowl-shaped portion of the insulation base portion whereby the heat
plate encloses a cavity formed for the lower bowl-shaped portion of
the insulation base portion for containing the first insulation
layer within the lower bowl-shaped portion of the insulation base
portion. In some instances, the force deflector may at least
partially define a proximal end of the heat press that may be
configured to receive a user-applied force; and the insulation base
portion may at least partially define a distal end of the heat
press that may be configured to output the user-applied force.
[0017] One aspect of the disclosure provides a heating subassembly
of a heat press. The heating subassembly includes a heat plate
including a body having a side surface and an upper surface. The
side surface couples the upper surface of the body to an
implement-contact heating surface. The upper surface may define a
heating coil enclosure portion. The heating subassembly also
includes a heating coil disposed within the heating coil enclosure
portion whereby the heating coil may be configured to heat the
implement-contact heating surface of the heat plate.
[0018] Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of
the following optional features. In some implementations, the side
surface includes a first outer peripheral edge and a second outer
peripheral edge. The second outer peripheral edge extends from the
first outer peripheral edge at an angle that may define a precision
tip. The angle may be between about 10.degree. and about
120.degree..
[0019] In some implementations, an outer peripheral surface of the
heating coil may be equally spaced away from the first outer
peripheral edge and the second outer peripheral edge at a distance.
In other implementations, the heating coil may include a first end
and a second end. A length of the heating coil may extend between
the first end. The second end may be non-linearly arranged in a
substantially tear-drop shape. The first end of the heating coil
may be arranged near the precision tip. The second end of the
heating coil may be arranged near but spaced away from the first
end of the heating coil. A first terminal of the heating coil may
extend substantially perpendicularly from the first end of the
heating coil. A second terminal may extend substantially
perpendicularly from the second end of the heating coil. The
heating coil enclosure portion may define an inlet opening and an
outlet opening. The inlet opening may be sized for permitting
passage of the first terminal of the heating coil there-through.
The outlet opening may be sized for permitting passage of the
second terminal there-through.
[0020] Another aspect of the disclosure provides a compact
packaging subassembly of a heat press. The compact packaging
subassembly includes a housing cover and electronics. The housing
cover includes: a proximal end; a distal end; a handle portion; a
leading side portion having a proximal end portion extending from a
first end of the handle portion; a trailing side portion having a
proximal end portion extending from a second end of the handle
portion; and a heating subassembly-receiving base portion having a
first end and a second end. The first end of the heating
subassembly-receiving base portion may be connected to a distal end
portion of the leading side portion. The second end of the heating
subassembly-receiving base portion may be connected to a distal end
portion of the trailing side portion. The handle portion, the
leading side portion, the trailing side portion, and the heating
subassembly-receiving base portion may define a passage extending
through the housing cover. The electronics may be disposed within
the proximal end of the housing cover and away from the heating
subassembly-receiving base portion that may at least partially
define the distal end of the housing cover.
[0021] Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of
the following optional features. In some implementations, the
electronics include a first printed circuit board arranged
perpendicular to a horizontal plane may be defined by the heating
subassembly-receiving base portion; and a second printed circuit
board arranged perpendicular to a horizontal plane may be defined
by the heating subassembly-receiving base portion. The first
printed circuit board may be at least partially disposed within the
handle portion of the housing cover. The second printed circuit
board may be at least partially disposed within the leading side
portion of the housing cover. The first printed circuit board
includes at least one of a power converter, an amplifier, or a
rectifier. The first printed circuit board may be connected to a
power source. The second printed circuit board may include at least
a controller that may be communicatively-coupled to one or more
user-actuatable actuators arranged on an exterior surface of the
housing cover. The second printed circuit board include at least a
controller that may be communicatively-coupled to one or more
indicators arranged on an exterior surface of the housing
cover.
[0022] In some examples, the electronics may include at least one
motion detection sensor communicatively-coupled to a controller
that powers-off the electronics when the housing cover may be not
moved for a period of time by a user. In other examples, the at
least one motion detection sensor may be an accelerometer. In yet
other examples, the electronics may include one or more tilt
sensors communicatively-coupled to a controller that powers-off the
electronics when the housing cover may be not tilted to a
horizontal orientation by a user.
[0023] Each of the above independent implementations of the present
disclosure, and those implementations described in the detailed
description below, may include any of the features, options, and
possibilities set out in the present disclosure and figures,
including those under the other independent implementations, and
may also include any combination of any of the features, options,
and possibilities set out in the present disclosure and
figures.
[0024] Additional features and advantages of exemplary
implementations of the present disclosure will be set forth in the
description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the
description, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary
implementations. The features and advantages of such
implementations may be realized and obtained by means of the
instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the
appended claims. These and other features will become more fully
apparent from the following description and appended claims or may
be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as set
forth hereinafter.
[0025] The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure
are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description
below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent
from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0026] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only of selected configurations and not all possible
implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the
present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary heat press.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a first side view of the heat press of FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a second side view of the heat press of FIG.
1.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a front view of the heat press of FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the heat press of FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 6 is a top view of the heat press of FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the heat press of FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the heat press of FIG. 1.
[0035] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the heat press according
to line 9-9 of FIG. 1.
[0036] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a deflector of the heat
press of FIG. 9.
[0037] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a heat plate of the heat
press of FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a heating coil of the heat
press of FIG. 1.
[0039] FIG. 13 is a view of a subassembly of the heat press of FIG.
1 including the heating coil of FIG. 12 arranged relative to the
heat plate of FIG. 11.
[0040] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a heat press
system including an exemplary heat press docking station base that
is sized for receiving the heat press of FIG. 1.
[0041] FIG. 15 is an assembled perspective view of the heat press
system of FIG. 14 including the heat press received by and arranged
in a stowed orientation relative the heat press docking station
base.
[0042] FIG. 16 is a top view of the heat press docking station base
of FIG. 14.
[0043] FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the heat press docking station
base according to arrow 17 of FIG. 14.
[0044] FIG. 18 is a rear view of the heat press docking station
base of FIG. 14.
[0045] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the heat press system
according to line 19-19 of FIG. 15.
[0046] FIG. 20 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the heat
press system according to line 20 of FIG. 19.
[0047] FIG. 21 is an enlarged view according to line 21 of FIG.
20.
[0048] FIG. 22 is another enlarged cross-sectional view of the heat
press system according to line 22-22 of FIG. 20.
[0049] FIGS. 23A-23C is a perspective view of the heat press system
of FIGS. 14-22, a processing device, a heat-activated design
implement to be processed by the processing device, a cutting mat
that supports the heat-activated design implement, and a workpiece
arranged upon a table.
[0050] FIGS. 24A-24C are perspective views of a user interfacing
the heat press system of FIGS. 1-13 with one or more of a
heat-activated design implement and a workpiece arranged upon a
table.
[0051] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0052] Example configurations will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are
provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully
convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in
the art. Specific details are set forth such as examples of
specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough
understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will
be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific
details need not be employed, that example configurations may be
embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and
the example configurations should not be construed to limit the
scope of the disclosure.
[0053] With reference to FIGS. 1-13, implementations of the present
disclosure relate generally to an exemplary heat press 10,
components thereof, and methods of use. Furthermore, as seen at
FIGS. 14-22 the exemplary heat press 10 may be selectively
supported by an exemplary heat press docking station base 52. In
this regard, a heat press system 100 (see, e.g., FIGS. 15 and
19-22) may comprise the heat press 10 and the base 52. Some aspects
described herein may be directed to a method of utilizing the heat
press 10 that may be utilized for the purpose of, for example,
heat-activating an adhesive of a heat-activated design implement
material (see, e.g., a heat-activated design implement material 225
at FIGS. 23A-23C) that may be utilized for crafting a workpiece
(see, e.g., workpiece 250 at FIG. 23C and FIGS. 24A-24C) associated
with crafting projects that are easily created and highly
customizable before and after printing and/or cutting the
heat-activated design implement material 225 with, for example
processing equipment (see, e.g., a processing device 200 at FIGS.
23A-23C). When the heat-activated design implement material 225 is
interfaced with the processing device 200 (see, e.g., FIG. 23B),
the heat-activated design implement material 225 may be supported
by a cutting mat 225' that may include fiducials.
[0054] In some configurations, the heat press 10 disclosed herein
may be sized to be relatively small, compact, and portable in order
to enable users U (see, e.g., FIGS. 24A-24C) to generate and apply
heat to the heat-activated design implement 225 (see, e.g., FIGS.
23A-23C) in the course of heat-activating an adhesive of the
heat-activated design implement material 225 when preparing
arts-and-craft projects associated with correspondingly sized
workpieces 250 such as, for example: t-shirts, hats; shoes (see,
e.g., FIG. 24A); toys such as stuffed animals (see, e.g., FIG.
24B); pillows (see, e.g., FIG. 24C); jewelry; and the like. In some
instances, the geometry, specific contours of various portions of
the heat press 10 (including, for example a heat plate 16) permit
precise heating applications for relatively small areas and/or
abnormal surface contours of such heat-activated design implements
225 and/or workpieces 250.
[0055] In other instances, the heat press 10 may include
electronics (e.g., power supply components, user interface
components, temperature control components, and the like). In some
configurations, the heat press 10 may include one or more materials
that protect such electronic components from heat produced by the
heat press 10.
[0056] In some examples, the heat press 10 provides sufficiently
even heat distribution across the heat plate 16 to enable use
thereof with, for example, arts-and-craft projects. In some
instances, an aspect of the present disclosure provides even heat
distribution to precision contours and geometries of the heat plate
16.
[0057] In some implementations, the heat press 10 provides
temperature control of the heat plate 16 in order to maintain the
temperature of the heat plate 16 rather than a fixed or
predetermined temperature of the heat plate 16. Accordingly,
control over the temperature of the heat plate 16 may provide for
sufficient heating of diverse materials forming the heat-activated
design implement 225 and/or the workpiece 250 in order to ensure a
consistent and desirable bonding of the heat-activated design
implement 225 to the workpiece 250.
[0058] The terms "compact," "miniaturized," "small," "portable," or
other similar terms used herein to describe the heat press 10 are
not meant as limiting; rather, these terms are used in reference to
other commercially available heat presses. As such, the heat press
10 may not be intended for use in large industrial applications
that may otherwise have to be operated by specially trained
individuals and manufacturers. Accordingly, the heat press 10 may
be referred to as a compact, home-use consumer device that is light
weight, portable, and easy to operate for by an untrained person
U.
[0059] For instance, by way of a non-limiting example, the heat
press 10 may define: (1) a height H (see, e.g., FIG. 2) of about
3.5'' to 5.0''; (2) a width W (see, e.g., FIG. 3) of about 3.0'' to
4.0''; (3) a thickness T (see, e.g., FIG. 4) of about 1.5'' to
3.0''; and (4) a length L (see, e.g., FIG. 6) of about 2.5'' to
4.5''. One or more other configurations of the heat press 10 may
deviate from any or all of the above-referenced dimension while
remaining a portable, light weight, consumer-friendly device that
may be utilized in a variety of arts-and-craft applications.
[0060] With reference to FIGS. 1-7, the heat press 10 may include a
housing cover 12 joined to a heat plate 16. The housing cover 12
may at least partially define a first or proximal end 14 of the
heat press 10, and the heat plate 16 may at least partially define
a second or distal end 18 of the heat press 10.
[0061] The heat plate 16 may include any desirable base material
(e.g., a metallic material), and, optionally, a ceramic coating 16'
that may prevent material (e.g., one or a combination of the
heat-activated design implement 225 and the workpiece 250) from
sticking to heat plate 16 during use. Additionally, in some
embodiments, the heat plate 16 may further optionally include, a
clear protective coating 16' that mitigates failure of and/or
prevents the ceramic coating 16' from structurally degrading and
separating from the heat plate 16.
[0062] The housing cover 12 may be comprised of plastic materials,
such as, for example, polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene
styrene (ABS), a blend of PC and ABS, or the like. Such plastic
materials may result in the housing cover 12 not melting when
exposed to high temperatures, such as a temperature as high as, for
example, 205.degree. C. created by the heat plate 16 and/or
deforming when, for example, external forces (according to the
direction of arrow F seen at FIG. 1) or pressures are applied by a
user U during the use of heat press 10.
[0063] As seen at FIGS. 1-5, the housing cover 12 may generally
define a square-shaped or rectangular-shaped body that includes: a
handle portion 20; a leading side portion 21; a trailing side
portion 23; and a base portion 25 that collectively define a
generally square-shaped or rectangular-shaped passage 22 extending
through the housing cover 12. In some configurations, the handle
portion 20 is disposed at or defines the first or proximal end 14
of heat press 10. Furthermore, the handle portion 20 may define an
upper portion of housing cover 12. The passage 22 may define a
space or be sized for permitting insertion of a user's fingers
(see, e.g., FIGS. 24A-24C) such that the user's fingers may wrap
around and grasp the handle portion 20 and subsequently impart a
force F for applying pressure to one or both of the heat-activated
design implement 225 and the workpiece 250 during use of the heat
press 10. Thus, the configuration of handle portion 20 and the
passage 22 results in the user's fingers being spaced away from the
second or distal end 18 of heat press 10 that is at least partially
defined by the heat plate 16.
[0064] One or both of the housing cover 12 and the passage 22 may
be shaped to define other forms or shapes without departing from
the advantages provided thereby. For example, in other
configurations, the cover may be shaped to define a substantially
square-shaped passage 22 that may include rounded corners. Other
configurations, the housing cover 12 may define a passage 22 having
a circular shape, a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, a
polygon shape, or other irregular shapes.
[0065] In addition, the size, shape, and specific configuration of
housing cover 12 and handle portion 20 may vary in one or more
other configurations without departing from the intended use of the
heat press 10. For example, in some implementations, the upper
portion of the housing cover 12 that forms the handle portion 20
may include finger contours or other gripping features that aids
the user U in ergonomically grasping the housing cover 12.
[0066] In some examples, the heat press 10 may further include a
power cord 24 that provides power to electrical components of the
heat press 10. In some implementations, the power cord 24 provides
power to temperature control components, user interface components,
and/or other electronic components of the heat press 10. With
reference to FIGS. 1-5, a user interface may include one or more
buttons 26 and one or more temperature indicators 28 that are
powered by power supplied from the power cord 24.
[0067] The one or more buttons 26 may be actuated (e.g., pressed)
by a user U for powering on or powering off the heat press 10; in
such instances, a visual indicator, such as, for example, a light
source, may inform a user U when the heat press 10 is activated or
deactivated. The one or more temperature indicators 28 may include
one or more light sources that may, for example, communicate the
temperature level and/or heat setting of the heat plate 16. In at
least one embodiment, the one or more buttons 26 serve as both an
on/off power button as well as a temperature setting button. In
some instances, the one or more buttons 26 may be actuated in order
to turn the heat press 10 on and then pressed again to set the
temperature of heat plate 16. By actuating the one or more buttons
26, a low temperature setting, a medium temperature setting, or a
high temperature setting may be selected by the user U, and, as
explained above, the one or more light source indicators 28 may be
illuminated in order to communicate to a user U a selected setting
of the heat press 10. Subsequently, the one or more buttons 26 can
then be actuated again in order to turn the heat press 10 off.
[0068] One will appreciate that the configuration, number, and
shape of the one or more buttons 26 and temperature indicators 28
of one or more embodiments of the heat press 10 may vary from that
shown while still providing an easy to use, compact user interface
for selectively operating and adjusting temperatures of the heat
press 10.
[0069] Referring to FIGS. 8-9, in addition to the heat plate 16,
the second or distal end 18 of heat press 10 may also include an
insulation base portion 30. The insulation base portion 30 extends
between and connects the base portion 25 of the housing cover 12 to
the heat plate 16. Furthermore, as comparatively seen at FIGS. 1
and 8, when the heat press 10 is assembled as seen at FIG. 1, a
peripheral portion of both of the heat plate 16 and the insulation
base portion 30 may be at least partially exposed to ambient air or
the surrounding environment while an upper portion of the heat
plate 16 is disposed adjacent and contained by the insulation base
portion 30 and an upper portion of the insulation base portion 30
is contained by the base portion 25 of the housing cover 12.
[0070] In some configurations, the insulation base portion 30
includes an insulating material that prevents heat from the heat
plate 16 from thermally transferring in a direction toward the
handle portion 20 of the housing cover 12. In addition, the
insulation base portion 30 may include one or more materials that
are rigid and durable enough in order to transfer one or more
forces F applied by the user U in a direction from the handle
portion 20 toward the heat plate 16. In some instances, the
insulation base portion 30 includes a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)
material. In other instances, the insulation base portion 30 may
include one or more other durable, insulating materials, such as,
for example, polypropylene carbonate (PPC) that may include a glass
fiber insulation, or a combination thereof.
[0071] With reference to FIGS. 8-13, various internal features and
components of the heat press 10 are shown. The features and
components of the heat press 10 may each individually,
collectively, or in any combination, be incorporated into or with
the various embodiments of the heat press 10 described herein.
[0072] With reference to FIG. 8, internal components of the heat
press 10 may include, for example: the heat plate 16, a heating
coil 42, a first insulation layer 32, the insulation base portion
30, a second insulation layer 34, a pressure or force deflector 36,
a first printed circuit board (PCB) 38, a second PCB 40, and the
housing cover 12.
[0073] As seen at FIG. 9, the various components seen at FIG. 8 are
assembled together within and/or about the housing cover 12. With
reference to both FIGS. 8 and 9, the heat press 10 may include the
first insulation layer 32 disposed between and connecting an upper
surface or region of the heat plate 16 to a lower surface or region
the insulation base portion 30. Additionally or alternatively, in
some configurations, the heat press 10 includes the second
insulation layer 34 disposed between and connecting an upper
surface or region of the insulation base portion 30 to a lower
surface or region of the pressure or force deflector 36.
Furthermore, in some configurations, the first PCB 38 and the
second PCB 40 are separated from the heat plate 16 by one or more
of the first insulation layer 32, the second insulation layer 34,
and the insulation base portion 30 thereby protecting electronic
components situated on the first PCB 38 and the second PCB 40 from
heat during use of the heat press 10.
[0074] The first second insulation layer 32 and the second
insulation layer 34 may include any number of suitable insulating
materials, including, but not limited to, for example: nylon with
glass fibers, other insulating materials, such as, for example, a
microporous fiber insulation material, an aerogel, or the like, or
combinations thereof. At least one aspect of the separate
insulation layers defined by, for example, the first insulation
layer 32 and the second insulation layer 34 provide softer
materials that may have more effective insulating properties than
other rigid materials described herein, such as materials defined
by, for example, the insulation base portion 30 and/or the housing
cover 12, but which are situated between various components, such
as, for example, the heat plate 16, the insulation base portion 30,
and the pressure or force deflector 36 such that the softer
insulation layers defined by, for example, the first insulation
layer 32 and the second insulation layer 34 can insulate the
electronic components and the handle portion 20 from heat without
needing to absorb any forces F from the user U that are translated
to the handle portion 20, the pressure or force deflector 36, the
insulation base portion 30, and then to the heat plate 16.
[0075] In addition, the multi-layer configuration of the insulation
base portion 30, the first insulation layer 32 and the second
insulation layer 34 (including any empty spaces or air gaps
there-between), provides additive insulation properties to
effectively prevent heat from being transferred from the heat plate
16 to the electronic components on the first PCB 38 the second PCB
40, and/or the handle portion 20 where a user grips the housing
cover 12. Such configurations may contribute to accomplishing a
relatively small profile of the heat press 10 where various
components of the heat press 10 are tightly packed together.
[0076] In some configurations, the first insulation layer 32, the
second insulation layer 34 and the insulation base portion 30
maintain the housing cover 12 and components therein at less than
or equal to about 50.degree. C. when a temperature of the heat
plate 16 is equal to or greater than about 200.degree. C. In other
configurations, the first insulation layer 32, the second
insulation layer 34, and the insulation base portion 30 maintain
the housing cover 12 and components therein equal to about
50.degree. C. when a temperature of the heat plate 16 is equal to
about 205.degree. C.
[0077] As described above, during use, a user will apply a force F
to the handle portion 20 that is subsequently transmitted through
the pressure or force deflector 36, and then through the insulation
base portion 30, and then to the heat plate 16. This transfer of
forces F through the pressure or force deflector 36 and the
insulation base portion 30, spares the remaining portion of the
housing cover 12 (e.g., a portion not comprising the handle portion
20, the leading side portion 21, the trailing side portion 23,
and/or the base portion 25, one or more of which may be made of a
weaker material or a material with lower melting temperatures than
that of the pressure or force deflector 36 and/or the insulation
base portion 30) from transferring or otherwise being subject to
too much force F or stress during use. Along these lines, with
reference to FIG. 10, a cross-sectional view of an exemplary
configuration of the pressure or force deflector 36 and the
insulation base portion 30 isolated from other components of heat
press 10 is shown.
[0078] In one respect, because the insulation base portion 30
transfers forces F to the heat plate 16 during use, the insulation
base portion 30 may be considered part of the pressure or force
deflector 36 such that the insulation base portion 30 forms a lower
portion thereof and the pressure or force deflector 36 forms an
upper portion thereof. In this way, in some configurations, the
insulation base portion 30 serves both an insulation function and a
structural function.
[0079] In some configurations, as seen at FIG. 10, the pressure or
force deflector 36 comprises an upper handle portion 36' and a
lower bowl-shaped portion 36''. A downwardly-facing lip 37 of the
lower bowl-shaped portion 36'' of the pressure or force deflector
36 mates with a peripheral upwardly-facing ledge surface 39 that
defines a portion of an upper surface of the insulation base
portion 30. Similarly, the insulation base portion 30 may comprise
a lower bowl-shaped portion 30'' having a downwardly-facing lip 41.
Accordingly, when a user U imparts a force F to the heat press 10,
the force F is transmitted: (1) through the handle portion 36' of
the pressure or force deflector 36 according to the direction of
arrows F.sub.1; (2) then through the lower bowl-shaped portion 36''
of the pressure or force deflector 36 exiting at the
downwardly-facing lip 37 of the lower bowl-shaped portion 36''
according to the direction of arrows F.sub.2; (3) then into the
peripheral upwardly-facing ledge surface 39 of the lower
bowl-shaped portion 30'' of the insulation base portion 30 and
peripherally through the insulation base portion 30 according to
the direction of arrows F.sub.3; and (4) peripherally out of the
downwardly-facing lip 41 of the lower bowl-shaped portion 30'' of
the insulation base portion 30 according to the direction of arrows
F.sub.4 such that the force F (according to the direction of arrows
F.sub.4) may be peripherally received by the heat plate 16.
[0080] In some embodiments, the upper handle portion 36' of the
pressure or force deflector 36 circumscribes the passage 22.
Furthermore, the upper handle portion 36' of the pressure or force
deflector 36 extends through: the handle portion 20, the leading
side portion 21, the trailing side portion 23, and the base portion
25. In other implementations, the pressure or force deflector 36
circumscribes the passage 22 while the downwardly-facing lip 37 of
the lower bowl-shaped portion 36'' of the pressure or force
deflector 36 is in direct contact with or disposed adjacent the
peripheral upwardly-facing ledge surface 39 that defines a portion
of an upper surface of the insulation base portion 30.
[0081] With reference to FIG. 9, the insulation base portion 30 may
be connected to the heat plate 16 at one or more locations with one
or more fastening means such as, for example, screws 43. Similarly,
in some configurations, the pressure or force deflector 36 may be
connected to the insulation base portion 30 at one or more
locations with one or more fastening means such as, for example,
screws 47.
[0082] An exemplary configuration of the heating coil 42 is seen at
FIG. 12. With continued reference to FIG. 9 (and as also seen at
FIG. 11), the heat plate 16 may be sized for receiving and/or
containing the heating coil 42. With reference to FIGS. 9 and 12,
the power cord 24 may supply electric current to the heating coil
42 by way of a first terminal 45a (that may extend substantially
perpendicularly from a first end 44a of the heating coil 42) and a
second terminal 45b (that may extend substantially perpendicularly
from a second end 44b of the heating coil 42); accordingly, the
heating coil 42 may comprise a resistive heater. Furthermore, the
heating coil 42 may increase or decrease the temperature of the
heat plate 16 as more or less electric current is provided to the
heating coil 42 via the first terminal 45a and the second terminal
45b.
[0083] As seen at FIG. 13, in some configurations, the heating coil
42 may be disposed adjacent to at least a portion of a surface of
the heat plate 16. In some instances as seen at, for example, FIG.
11, the heat plate 16 is formed in a tear-drop shape, comprising a
precision tip 46. The precision tip 46 provides a portion of the
heat plate 16 that can be pressed against small, abnormal features
and contours of a variety of workpieces 250 such as, for example,
t-shirts, shoes, jewelry, hats, shoes (see, e.g., FIG. 24A); toys
such as stuffed animals (see, e.g., FIG. 24B); pillows (see, e.g.,
FIG. 24C); or any other small fabric items in order to provide such
workpieces 250 with a sufficient exposure to heat from the heat
plate 16 in order to, for example, successfully execute iron-on
crafting projects defined by the heat-activated design implement
225 bonded to the workpiece 250.
[0084] With reference to FIGS. 11 and 13, in some configurations,
the precision tip 46 includes a first outer peripheral edge 49a and
a second outer peripheral edge 49b of the heat plate 16 forming an
angle .theta. (see, e.g., FIG. 13). The angle .theta. may range
between about 10.degree. and 120.degree.. Accordingly, the
precision tip 46 defined by the angle .theta. enables crafters U to
sufficiently access small features of a variety of workpieces 250
such as, for example, t-shirts, hats, shoes (see, e.g., FIG. 24A);
toys such as stuffed animals (see, e.g., FIG. 24B); pillows (see,
e.g., FIG. 24C); shoes, jewelry and other common, small, fabric
items in order to provide sufficient exposure to heat from the heat
plate 16.
[0085] Although not shown in the Figures, in some configurations,
the heat plate 16 may include more than one precision tip 46 or
other features forming angles in the range noted above along the
edge of the heat plate 16; for example, in some instances, the heat
plate 16 may include two, three, four, or more than four precision
tip portions 46. Although exemplary implementations of the heat
plate 16 are described above to include one or more precision tips
46, the heat plate 16 is not limited to any one configuration, and,
as such, the heat plate may be defined by other shapes.
[0086] With continued reference to FIG. 13, the heating coil 42 is
configured to provide heat to the precision tip 46 as well as even
heating across the heat plate 16. The heat plate 16 and the heating
coil 42 are represented at FIG. 13 in an exemplary configuration in
order to illustrate how the heating coil 42 is oriented on the
tear-drop shaped heat plate 16. Accordingly, the heating coil 42
include a tube-shaped body extending between the first end 44a and
the second end 44b that is curved or otherwise formed into a
corresponding tear-drop shape that is sized for being received or
contained by the heat plate 16. In some configurations, the first
end 44a of the heating coil 42 contacts or may be disposed upon a
surface of the heat plate 16 at region or area of the heat plate 16
that defines the precision tip 46.
[0087] In some configurations, the heating coil 42 may be
configured such that an outer peripheral surface 51 (see, e.g.,
FIG. 12) of the heating coil 42 is equally spaced away from the
first and second outer peripheral edges 49a, 49b of the heat plate
16 at a peripheral distance D (see, e.g., FIG. 13); in such an
exemplary implementation, the second end 44b of the heating coil 42
may terminate near the first end 44a of the heating coil 42, which
may be located at or near a region of the heat plate 16 defining
the precision tip 46. Accordingly, in this exemplary
implementation, the heating coil 42 may originate at the precision
tip 46 and extend along the first and second outer peripheral edges
49a, 49b of the heat plate 16 so that precision tip 46 is heated
evenly by the heating coil 42 along with the rest of the heat plate
16. As a result, the second end 44b of the heating coil 42
terminates at or near where the heating coil 42 originates from
(i.e., as defined by the first end 44a of the heating coil 42);
however, the first end 44a and the second end 44b of the heating
coil 42 remain separated, defining a gap 53 there-between in order
to avoid electrical shorting of the heating coil 42. In particular,
the second end 44b may face the first end 44a, while the first end
44a may face the second outer peripheral edge 49b of the heat plate
16.
[0088] In some implementations, the heating coil 42 is associated
with, electrically coupled to, and/or communicatively coupled to a
controller comprising temperature control electronics. The
controller may be a component of one or both of the PCBs 38, 40.
Accordingly, a user U may actuate one or more of the buttons 26 or
a dial that will regulate or maintain control of the heat generated
by the heat plate 16 such that the heat is evenly distributed
across the heat plate 16 that will result in any surface portion of
the heat plate 16 being within about .+-.2.0.degree. C. or within
about .+-.2.5.degree. C. of a target or set temperature selected by
the user U.
[0089] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary heat
plate 16 that defines a heating coil enclosure portion 55. The
heating coil enclosure portion 55 may further define an inlet
opening 48 and an outlet opening 50. The heating coil enclosure
portion 55 is sized for receiving and enclosing or housing the
heating coil 42. The inlet opening 48 is sized for permitting
passage of the first terminal 45a there-through that may extend
substantially perpendicularly from the first end 44a of the heating
coil 42; similarly, the outlet opening 50 is sized for permitting
passage of the second terminal 45b there-through that may extend
substantially perpendicularly from the second end 45a of the
heating coil 42. With reference to FIG. 12, the tube-shaped body of
the heating coil 42 may be about 7 mm in diameter and long enough
to extend along the first and second outer peripheral edges 49a,
49b of the heat plate 16.
[0090] Referring back to FIG. 9, the first PCB 38 and the second
PCB 40 are situated within the housing cover 12 to accommodate
various electronic components within the tight space provided
within the housing cover 12. In some instances, the first PCB 38
may include many of the power electronic components, such as, for
example: power converters; amplifiers; rectifiers; and the like. In
some configurations, the second PCB 40 may include electronic
components configured to, for example, operate a controller in view
of one or more user inputs resulting from actuating the one or more
buttons 26 that may, in turn, change an on state or an off state of
the one or more indicators 28, which may be, for example, a
temperature indicator. The PCB 40 may also include electronic
components including, but not limited to: electrical switches;
light emitting diode (LED) lights; and the like.
[0091] In order to position the PCBs 38, 40 within the small
interior space of the housing cover 12, each PCB 38, 40 is
positioned so that the major plane of each PCB 38, 40 is
perpendicular to a horizontal plane defined by an implement-contact
heating surface 57 (see, e.g., FIG. 7) of the heat plate 16 (i.e.,
the PCBs 38, 40 are thus oriented vertically while the heat plate
16 is oriented horizontally). In some examples, at least a portion,
if not all, of the first PCB 38 may be positioned within the handle
portion 20 of housing cover 12 and the second PCB 40 may be
positioned within the leading side portion 21 of the housing cover
12 as seen at, for example, FIG. 9.
[0092] Furthermore, in some configurations, the first PCB 38 and
the second PCB 40 are oriented perpendicular to one another. In
this way, as shown at, for example, FIG. 9, the second PCB 40 can
be oriented toward the one or more buttons 26 and the temperature
indicator 28 in order to accommodate the control thereof. Also, the
first PCB 38 can be shaped so as to curve around the passage 22
while being at least partially disposed within the handle portion
20 while remaining planar along its major plane for ease of
manufacturing and assembly.
[0093] In this way, the PCBs 38, 40 can be compactly positioned
within the housing cover 12 to form a stand-alone heat press 10
that includes all necessary temperature control and user display
electronics within the heat press 10. At the same time, as noted
above the PCBs 38, 40 and associated electronic components are
housed in the housing cover 12 above the first insulation layer 32,
the second insulation 34, and the insulation base portion 30 for
protection from heat that is generated by the heat plate 16.
Furthermore, in some configurations, the heat press 10 may include
at least one motion detection sensor 59 (see, e.g., FIG. 9), such
as, for example, one or more accelerometers, that may be
communicatively-coupled with one or more components of the PCBs 38,
40, such as, for example, a timer or clock, both of which may be
connected to a processor of one or more of the PCBs 38, 40. In some
instances, when, for example, a certain amount of time lapses
without the at least one motion detection sensor 59 detecting
motion imparted to the heat press 10 by the user U, the processor
may send a signal that powers-off the heating coil 42. In some
instances, the processor may automatically power off the heating
coil 42 after, for example, thirteen (13) minutes of non-use or
lack of motion as detected by the motion detection sensor 59. Such
implementations with an automatic shutoff feature that may include
a motion detection sensor 59 may be advantageous in embodiments of
the heat press 10 that may include, for example, one or more of the
PCB s 38,40 that do not include a timer or processor that is
pre-programmed with a shutoff time period that would otherwise
power off the heating coil 42. In other configurations, the heat
press 10 may alternatively include or also include one or more tilt
sensors 61 that may power on or power off the heating coil 42
(e.g., when the heat press 10 is tilted horizontally, the heating
coil 42 is powered on, and, when the heat press 10 is tilted
vertically in an upright orientation, the heating coil 42 is
powered off).
[0094] FIGS. 14-18 illustrate a heat press docking station base 52
that supports the heat press 10 during use while heat plate 16 may
or may not be hot. A user U may use the heat press docking station
base 52 to periodically set heat press 10 down without turning the
power off or waiting for heat plate 16 to cool. The heat press
docking station base 52 provides a barrier between the
implement-contact heating surface 57 of the heat plate 16 and a
support surface or working surface, such as a counter, table 300
(see, e.g., FIGS. 23A-23C), desktop surface, or the like.
Accordingly, the heat press docking station base 52 may comprise
one or more insulating materials, such as, for example: a rubber
material; a plastic material; and the like, which can withstand hot
temperatures of the heat plate 16 while keeping the heat press 10
arranged at a distance away from the working surface 300 that
supports the heat press docking station base 52. In some
configurations, the heat press docking station base 52 may include
a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) material; a silicone material; other
plastic materials; a rubber material; or any combination
thereof.
[0095] In some examples, the heat press docking station base 52 can
withstand instances of the heat plate 16 being heated to a
temperature as high as, for example, 180.degree. C. or more while
maintaining the temperature of the working surface 300 at or below
90.degree. C. In some configurations, the heat press docking
station base 52 can withstand instances of the heat plate 16 being
heated to a temperature as high as, for example, 200.degree. C. or
more while maintaining the temperature of the working surface 300
at or below 70.degree. C.
[0096] With reference to FIGS. 14, 16-17, and 19-22, the heat press
docking station base 52 may include a perforated floor 54 that
promotes ambient air flow through the heat press docking station
base 52 (see, e.g. airflow arrow A1 in FIG. 19) such that ambient
air may cool the heat plate 16. Furthermore, as also seen at FIGS.
14, 16, and 19-22, the heat press docking station base 52 may also
include one or more heat plate support protrusions 56 on which the
implement-contact heating surface 57 of the heat plate 16 may be
disposed adjacent in order to separate the implement-contact
heating surface 57 of the heat plate 16 away from perforated floor
54 at a distance (see, e.g., arrow X at FIG. 21). Although the
illustrated exemplary implementation of the heat press docking
station base 52 includes four heat plate support protrusions 56,
other implementations of the heat press docking station base 52 may
include more or less than four heat plate support protrusions
56.
[0097] In some examples, the heat plate support protrusions 56 may
be formed from one or more insulating materials that can withstand
high temperatures from the heat plate 16. In addition, in some
instances, the heat plate support protrusions 56 may include a
smooth and/or flexible material that mitigates impairment of the
structural integrity of the implement-contact heating surface 57 of
the heat plate 16 when the heat plate 16 is placed thereon. In some
examples, one or more heat plate support protrusions 56 may include
a silicon material. In some configurations, the one or more heat
plate support protrusions are axially connected to the perforated
floor 54 and are radially connected to peripheral body shell
portions 60, 62.
[0098] The combination of the connection of the perforated floor 54
and the peripheral body shell portions 60, 62 generally includes a
nest portion 75 that is sized for matingly-receiving and containing
at least a portion of the second or distal end 18 of heat press 10
defined by the heat plate 16. In other configurations, the
peripheral body shell portions 60, 62 may extend at distance away
from the perforated floor 54 such that the peripheral body shell
portions 60, 62 extend over and is arranged opposite or adjacent at
least a portion or all of the insulation base portion 30 of the
second or distal end 18 of heat press 10.
[0099] In some implementations, one or more legs 58 may extend from
a lower surface 63 (see, e.g., FIGS. 14-15 and 19-21 where the one
or more legs 58 extend from one or both of the peripheral body
shell portions 60, 62) of the heat press docking station base 52;
with reference to FIG. 21, functionally, the one or more legs 58
may separate a lower surface 65 of the perforated floor 54 from
implement-contact heating surface 57 of the heat plate 16 at a
distance (according to arrow Y at FIG. 21). The separation distance
Y provided by the one or more legs 58 also promotes ambient airflow
A1 (see, e.g., FIG. 19) through the perforated floor 54 for
additional cooling of the heat plate 16. In some configurations,
the one or more legs 58 are not axially aligned with the heat plate
support protrusions 56 so that the heat plate support protrusions
56 are not disposed directly above the one or more legs 58 (see,
e.g., a distance defined by the arrow Z at FIG. 19); accordingly,
any heat that is transferred from the heat plate 16 into heat plate
support protrusions 56 does not transfer directly axially through
the perforated floor and further axially downwardly into the one or
more legs 58 and then further axially into the working surface 300
that supports the one or more legs 58. Rather, in such an
non-axially-aligned configuration defined by the distance Z, any
heat transferred from the heat plate 16 into heat plate support
protrusions 56 is more likely to be radially transferred into the
perforated floor 54 and then further radially into peripheral body
shell portions 60, 62 before being axially exposed to the one or
more legs 58, thus further dissipating heat before it can be
thermally transferred toward the working surface 300 by way of the
one or more legs 58.
[0100] In addition, the various components of heat press docking
station base 52 described herein, including, for example, the
peripheral body shell portions 60, 62, the heat plate support
protrusions 56, the perforated floor 54, and the one or more legs
58, may be formed separately and joined together during
manufacturing, or, alternatively, they may be integrally formed,
such as by molding or by another process. For example, in some
configurations, the heat plate support protrusions 56 may be
integrally formed with the perforated floor 54 and then joined with
separate components such as, for example, the peripheral body shell
portions 60, 62 and/or the one or more legs 58. Also, for example,
the heat plate support protrusions 56 and one or more legs 58 may
be formed separately from the rest of heat press docking station
base 52 and subsequently joined together during manufacturing.
[0101] In addition, some configurations of the heat press docking
station base 52 includes an inner peripheral body shell portion 60
and an outer peripheral body shell portion 62. The inner peripheral
body shell portion 60 and the outer peripheral body shell portion
62 may be joined to form an interior space or gap 67 (see, e.g.,
FIGS. 19-22) between inner peripheral body shell portion 60 and the
outer peripheral body shell portion 62. Such an interior space or
gap 67 formed by the heat press docking station base 52 further
insulates heat radiating radially outwardly according to the
direction of the arrow A2 (see, e.g., FIG. 19) from the heat plate
16. In addition, such an interior space or gap 67 may be filled
with a gas, such as, for example, air, or comprise a vacuum for
enhanced insulation capabilities. In some examples, the peripheral
body shell portions 60, 62 are separately formed then joined
together. In other configurations, the peripheral body shell
portions 60, 62 are integrally formed together as a single
piece.
[0102] FIGS. 19-22 illustrate cross-sectional views of the heat
press system 100 comprising the heat press 10 supported by the heat
press docking station base 52. As illustrated, when the heat plate
16 of the heat press 10 is supported on the heat plate support
protrusions 56, the heat press system 100 defines a gap 64 between
an outer peripheral surface of the heat press 10 (that may be
defined by, for example, one or more of a peripheral outer surface
portion of one or a combination of the heat plate 16 and the
insulation base portion 30) and an inner peripheral surface of the
inner peripheral body shell portion 60. Functionally, the gap 64
promotes airflow according to the direction of arrow A3 (see, e.g.,
FIG. 19) to reduce heat transferred from the heat plate 16 to the
working surface 300 on which the heat plate 16 of the heat press 10
is disposed adjacent the heat plate support protrusions 56 of the
heat press docking station base 52.
[0103] While the width of the gap 64 may vary in one or more
implementations of the heat press system 100, a width of the gap 64
may be between about 1 mm and 3 mm. In other configurations, the
width of the gap 64 may between about 1.5 mm and 2 mm. In yet other
configurations, the width of the gap 64 may be about 1.7 mm.+-.10%.
In some configurations, the inner peripheral body shell portion 60
may include a silicone material or one or more other heat resistant
materials, such as, for example, silicon; furthermore, in such
configurations, the heat plate support protrusions 56 may or may
not be integrally formed with the inner peripheral body shell
portion 60. In some implementations the outer peripheral body shell
portion 62 may include a glass-filled nylon material, a PPS
material, or the like.
[0104] Furthermore, as seen at FIGS. 19-22 one or more legs 58 may
define inner cavities that are either hollow or filled with another
heat resistant material insert such as, for example, a silicone
insert 66 or other heat resistant material insert. In some
instances, the silicone insert 66 contacts the working surface 300
on which heat press docking station base 52 rests so that the outer
peripheral body shell portion 62 does not contact the working
surface 300.
[0105] In some configurations, the one or more legs 58 may include
an alternating material stack-up defined by the silicon inserts 66,
a PPS material, or the outer peripheral body shell portion 62
formed from a glass-filled nylon material and/or the perforated
floor 54 and the inner peripheral body shell portion 60 including a
silicon material. Such a configuration may provide enhanced heat
dissipation and absorption properties in order to maintain
temperatures of the working surface 300 at an ambient
temperature.
[0106] Referring to FIG. 22, another cross-sectional view of the
heat press system 100 is shown whereby the inner peripheral body
shell portion 60 and the outer peripheral body shell portion 62 are
arranged to form a gap 68 there-between. The gap 68 may be entirely
closed or partially closed, such that air disposed therein provides
an insulating pocket to prevent or limit heat transferring from the
inner peripheral body shell portion 60 to outer peripheral body
shell portion 62. In some configurations, a vacuum may reside
within the gap 68 to enhance the insulative properties of the gap
68.
[0107] As noted above, each of the embodiments described in the
detailed description above may include any of the features,
options, and possibilities set out in the present disclosure
figures, including those under the other independent embodiments,
and may also include any combination of any of the features,
options, and possibilities set out in the present disclosure and
figures. Further examples consistent with the present teachings
described herein are set out in the following numbered clauses:
[0108] Clause 1: A heat press docking station base comprising: a
nest portion including a body shell and a perforated floor, the
body shell having a lower surface, the perforated floor connected
to the body shell; and one or more legs extending from a lower
surface of the body shell.
[0109] Clause 2: The heat press docking station base of clause 1,
wherein the body shell includes: an inner peripheral body shell
portion; and an outer peripheral body shell portion joined to the
inner peripheral body shell portion.
[0110] Clause 3: The heat press docking station base of clause 2,
wherein the one or more legs integrally extend from a lower surface
of the outer peripheral body shell portion joined to the inner
peripheral body shell portion.
[0111] Clause 4: The heat press docking station base of clause 2 or
clause 3, wherein the inner peripheral body shell portion and the
outer peripheral body shell portion joined to the inner peripheral
body shell portion cooperate to form one or more peripheral
interior spaces or gaps that include an insulative gas.
[0112] Clause 5: The heat press docking station base of clause 4,
wherein the insulative gas is subjected to a vacuum.
[0113] Clause 6: The heat press docking station base of any of
clauses 2 to 5, further comprising: one or more heat plate support
protrusions extending from the nest portion.
[0114] Clause 7: The heat press docking station base of clause 6,
wherein the one or more heat plate support protrusions extend from:
the inner peripheral body shell portion of the nest portion.
[0115] Clause 8: The heat press docking station base of clause 6 or
clause 7, wherein the one or more heat plate support protrusions
extend from: the perforated floor of the nest portion.
[0116] Clause 9: The heat press docking station base of any of
clauses 6 to 8, wherein the one or more heat plate support
protrusions extend from: the inner peripheral body shell portion of
the nest portion; and the perforated floor of the nest portion.
[0117] Clause 10: The heat press docking station base of any of
clauses 6 to 9, wherein the one or more heat plate support
protrusions are not aligned with and are offset from the one or
more legs at a distance.
[0118] Clause 11: The heat press docking station base of any of
clauses 6 to 10, wherein an upper-most surface of the one or more
heat plate support protrusions extend away from an upper surface of
the perforated floor at a first distance, wherein the one or more
legs extend away from a lower surface of the perforated floor at a
second distance, and wherein the first distance, the second
distance and a thickness of the perforated floor define a length of
each perforated passage extending through the thickness of the
perforated floor.
[0119] Clause 12: The heat press docking station base of any of the
preceding clauses, further comprising: a heat resistant material
insert disposed within a cavity formed by the one or more legs.
[0120] Clause 13: A subassembly of a heat press, the subassembly
comprising: a force deflector including an upper handle portion;
and an insulation base portion coupled to the force deflector.
[0121] Clause 14: The subassembly of clause 13, wherein the force
deflector further comprises: a lower bowl-shaped portion extending
from a distal end of the upper handle portion, wherein the lower
bowl-shaped portion includes downwardly-facing lip.
[0122] Clause 15: The subassembly of clause 14, wherein the
insulation base portion further comprises: a lower bowl-shaped
portion including: a downwardly-facing lip and a peripheral
upwardly-facing ledge surface that defines a portion of an upper
surface of the insulation base portion, wherein the
downwardly-facing lip of the lower bowl-shaped portion of the force
deflector is disposed adjacent, and mates with, the peripheral
upwardly-facing ledge surface of the insulation base portion.
[0123] Clause 16: The subassembly of clause 15, wherein a proximal
end of the upper handle portion of the force deflector is
configured to receive a user-applied force that is deflected: in a
first direction from the proximal end of the upper handle portion
of the force deflector; then in a second direction from the distal
end of the upper handle portion of the force deflector out of the
downwardly-facing lip of the lower bowl-shaped portion of the force
deflector; then into the peripheral upwardly-facing ledge surface
of the upper surface of the insulation base portion in a third
direction; and then out of the downwardly-facing lip of the lower
bowl-shaped portion of the insulation base portion in a fourth
direction.
[0124] Clause 17: The subassembly of any of clauses 14 to 16,
further comprising: an insulation layer disposed within the lower
bowl-shaped portion of the force deflector.
[0125] Clause 18: The subassembly of any of clauses 14 to 17,
further comprising: an insulation layer disposed within the lower
bowl-shaped portion of the insulation base portion.
[0126] Clause 19: The subassembly of any of clauses 14 to 18,
further comprising: a first insulation layer disposed within the
lower bowl-shaped portion of the insulation base portion; and a
second insulation layer disposed within the lower bowl-shaped
portion of the force deflector.
[0127] Clause 20: The subassembly of any of clauses 14 to 18,
wherein: the force deflector at least partially defines a proximal
end of the heat press that is configured to receive a user-applied
force; and the insulation base portion at least partially defines a
distal end of the heat press that is configured to output the
user-applied force.
[0128] Clause 21: A heat press comprising: a deflector subassembly
including a force deflector and an insulation base portion, the
force deflector including an upper handle portion, the insulation
base portion connected to the force deflector; a heating
subassembly including electronics, a heating coil, and a heat
plate, the electronics connected to a power source, wherein the
electronics includes at least one actuator and a controller, the
heating coil connected to the electronics, the a heat plate
thermally coupled to the heating coil; and a housing cover that is
connected to and at least partially encloses one or more components
of both of the deflector subassembly and the heating
subassembly.
[0129] Clause 22: The heat press of clause 21, wherein the force
deflector further comprises: a lower bowl-shaped portion extending
from a distal end of the upper handle portion, wherein the lower
bowl-shaped portion includes a downwardly-facing lip.
[0130] Clause 23: The heat press of clause 22, wherein the
insulation base portion further comprises: a lower bowl-shaped
portion having: a downwardly-facing lip; and a peripheral
upwardly-facing ledge surface that defines a portion of an upper
surface of the insulation base portion, wherein the
downwardly-facing lip of the lower bowl-shaped portion of the force
deflector is disposed adjacent and mates with the peripheral
upwardly-facing ledge surface of the insulation base portion.
[0131] Clause 24: The heat press of clause 23, wherein a proximal
end of the upper handle portion of the force deflector is
configured to receive a user-applied force that is deflected: in a
first direction from the proximal end of the upper handle portion
of the force deflector; then in a second direction from the distal
end of the upper handle portion of the force deflector out of the
downwardly-facing lip of the lower bowl-shaped portion of the force
deflector; then into the peripheral upwardly-facing ledge surface
of the upper surface of the insulation base portion in a third
direction; and then out of the downwardly-facing lip of the lower
bowl-shaped portion of the insulation base portion in a fourth
direction into a peripheral edge of an upper surface of the heat
plate.
[0132] Clause 25: The heat press of any of clauses 22 to 24 further
comprising: an insulation layer disposed within the lower
bowl-shaped portion of the force deflector.
[0133] Clause 26: The heat press of any of clauses 22 to 25 further
comprising: an insulation layer disposed within the lower
bowl-shaped portion of the insulation base portion.
[0134] Clause 27: The heat press of clause 26, wherein a peripheral
edge of an upper surface of the heat plate is disposed adjacent the
downwardly-facing lip of the lower bowl-shaped portion of the
insulation base portion whereby the heat plate encloses a cavity
formed for the lower bowl-shaped portion of the insulation base
portion for containing the insulation layer within the lower
bowl-shaped portion of the insulation base portion.
[0135] Clause 28: The heat press of any of clauses 22 to 27 further
comprising: a first insulation layer disposed within the lower
bowl-shaped portion of the insulation base portion; and a second
insulation layer disposed within the lower bowl-shaped portion of
the force deflector.
[0136] Clause 29: The heat press of clause 28, wherein a peripheral
edge of an upper surface of the heat plate is disposed adjacent the
downwardly-facing lip of the lower bowl-shaped portion of the
insulation base portion whereby the heat plate encloses a cavity
formed for the lower bowl-shaped portion of the insulation base
portion for containing the first insulation layer within the lower
bowl-shaped portion of the insulation base portion.
[0137] Clause 30: The heat press of any of clauses 22 to 29,
wherein: the force deflector at least partially defines a proximal
end of the heat press that is configured to receive a user-applied
force; and the insulation base portion at least partially defines a
distal end of the heat press that is configured to output the
user-applied force.
[0138] Clause 31: A heating subassembly of a heat press, the
heating subassembly comprising: a heat plate including a body
having a side surface and an upper surface, the side surface
coupling the upper surface of the body to an implement-contact
heating surface, wherein the upper surface defines a heating coil
enclosure portion; and a heating coil disposed within the heating
coil enclosure portion whereby the heating coil is configured to
heat the implement-contact heating surface of the heat plate.
[0139] Clause 32: The subassembly of clause 31, wherein the side
surface includes a first outer peripheral edge and a second outer
peripheral edge, the second outer peripheral edge extending from
the first outer peripheral edge at an angle that defines a
precision tip.
[0140] Clause 33: The subassembly of clause 32, wherein the angle
is between about 10.degree. and about 120.degree..
[0141] Clause 34: The subassembly of clause 32 or clause 33,
wherein an outer peripheral surface of the heating coil is equally
spaced away from the first outer peripheral edge and the second
outer peripheral edge at a distance.
[0142] Clause 35: The subassembly of any of clauses 32 to 34,
wherein the heating coil includes a first end and a second end,
wherein a length of the heating coil extending between the first
end and the second end is non-linearly arranged in a substantially
tear-drop shape, wherein the first end of the heating coil is
arranged near the precision tip, wherein the second end of the
heating coil is arranged near but spaced away from the first end of
the heating coil.
[0143] Clause 36: The subassembly of clause 35, wherein a first
terminal of the heating coil extends substantially perpendicularly
from the first end of the heating coil, wherein a second terminal
extends substantially perpendicularly from the second end of the
heating coil.
[0144] Clause 37: The subassembly of clause 36, wherein the heating
coil enclosure portion defines an inlet opening and an outlet
opening, wherein the inlet opening is sized for permitting passage
of the first terminal of the heating coil there-through, wherein
the outlet opening is sized for permitting passage of the second
terminal there-through.
[0145] Clause 38: A compact packaging subassembly of a heat press,
the compact packaging subassembly comprising: a housing cover
including a proximal end, a distal end, a handle portion, a leading
side portion having a proximal end portion extending from a first
end of the handle portion, a trailing side portion having a
proximal end portion extending from a second end of the handle
portion, and a heating subassembly-receiving base portion having a
first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the heating
subassembly-receiving base portion is connected to a distal end
portion of the leading side portion, wherein the second end of the
heating subassembly-receiving base portion is connected to a distal
end portion of the trailing side portion, wherein the handle
portion, the leading side portion, the trailing side portion, and
the heating subassembly-receiving base portion define a passage
extending through the housing cover; and electronics disposed
within the proximal end of the housing cover and away from the
heating subassembly-receiving base portion that at least partially
defines the distal end of the housing cover.
[0146] Clause 39: The compact packaging subassembly of clause 38,
wherein the electronics include: a first printed circuit board
arranged perpendicular to a horizontal plane defined by the heating
subassembly-receiving base portion; and a second printed circuit
board arranged perpendicular to a horizontal plane defined by the
heating subassembly-receiving base portion.
[0147] Clause 40: The compact packaging subassembly of clause 39,
wherein the first printed circuit board is at least partially
disposed within the handle portion of the housing cover, wherein
the second printed circuit board is at least partially disposed
within the leading side portion of the housing cover.
[0148] Clause 41: The compact packaging subassembly of clause 39 or
clause 40, wherein the first printed circuit board includes at
least one of a power converter, an amplifier, or a rectifier.
[0149] Clause 42: The compact packaging subassembly of clause 41,
wherein first printed circuit board is connected to a power
source.
[0150] Clause 43: The compact packaging subassembly of any of
clauses 39 to 42, wherein second printed circuit board include at
least a controller that is communicatively-coupled to one or more
user-actuatable actuators arranged on an exterior surface of the
housing cover.
[0151] Clause 44: The compact packaging subassembly of any of
clauses 39 to 43, wherein second printed circuit board include at
least a controller that is communicatively-coupled to one or more
indicators arranged on an exterior surface of the housing
cover.
[0152] Clause 45: The compact packaging subassembly of any of
clauses 38 to 44, wherein the electronics includes: at least one
motion detection sensor communicatively-coupled to a controller
that powers-off the electronics when the housing cover is not moved
for a period of time by a user.
[0153] Clause 46: The compact packaging subassembly of clause 45,
wherein the at least one motion detection sensor is an
accelerometer.
[0154] Clause 47: The compact packaging subassembly of any of
clauses 38 to 46, wherein the electronics includes: one or more
tilt sensors communicatively-coupled to a controller that
powers-off the electronics when the housing cover is not tilted to
a horizontal orientation by a user.
[0155] The articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to mean that
there are one or more of the elements in the preceding
descriptions. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are
intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional
elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be
understood that references to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment"
of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as
excluding the existence of additional implementations that also
incorporate the recited features. Numbers, percentages, ratios, or
other values stated herein are intended to include that value, and
also other values that are "about" or "approximately" the stated
value, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art
encompassed by implementations of the present disclosure. A stated
value should therefore be interpreted broadly enough to encompass
values that are at least close enough to the stated value to
perform a desired function or achieve a desired result. The stated
values include at least the variation to be expected in a suitable
manufacturing or production process, and may include values that
are within 5%, within 1%, within 0.1%, or within 0.01% of a stated
value.
[0156] A person having ordinary skill in the art should realize in
view of the present disclosure that equivalent constructions do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and
that various changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made to
implementations disclosed herein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present disclosure. Equivalent constructions,
including functional "means-plus-function" clauses are intended to
cover the structures described herein as performing the recited
function, including both structural equivalents that operate in the
same manner, and equivalent structures that provide the same
function. It is the express intention of the applicant not to
invoke means-plus-function or other functional claiming for any
claim except for those in which the words `means for` appear
together with an associated function. Each addition, deletion, and
modification to the implementations that falls within the meaning
and scope of the claims is to be embraced by the claims.
[0157] The terms "approximately," "about," and "substantially" as
used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that
still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For
example, the terms "approximately," "about," and "substantially"
may refer to an amount that is within less than 5% of, within less
than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of
a stated amount. Further, it should be understood that any
directions or reference frames in the preceding description are
merely relative directions or movements. For example, any
references to "up" and "down" or "above" or "below" are merely
descriptive of the relative position or movement of the related
elements.
[0158] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
* * * * *