Abstract An apparatus for applying oilbased relatively viscons colorants one at a time to ceramic tableware by silk-screen printing each of the colorants in a relatively thick layer onto a quick-release transfer surface (preferably of silicone rubber), allowing at least 1 minute and up to 3 hours for the colorant layer to form a skinlike film and then causing intimate mechanical contact between the film and the tableware and thereafter withdrawing quickly the transfer surface from the film to transfer the colorant in its entirety intact to the ware. Successive films of colorant may be applied to the ware even over previously applied films of colorant and without waiting for previously-applied films of colorant to dry.
APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A DECORATIVE COLORANT TO AN ITEM OF CERAMIC TABLEWARE INCLUDING IN COMBINATION: A RIGID FLAT BASE RING HAVING A CENTRAL OPENING, AN ELASTIC OPEN-MESH NET SECURED TO THE RING AND COVERING THE OPENING, THE NET PROVIDED WITH A TRANSFER MEMBER HAVING A TOTAL RELEASE TRANSFER SURFACE THEREON WITHIN THE AREA OF THE CENTRAL OPENING OF THE BASE RING, COLORANT PRINTED ON AT LEAST ONE AREA OF THE TRANSFER SURFACE, THE NET BEING DISPLACEABLE OUT AND RETURNABLE TO THE PLANE OF THE BASE RING WHEREBY TO PERMIT THE COLORANT ON THE TRANSFER SURFACE TO BE MOVED INTO CONTACT WITH THE TABLEWARE AND PRINTED THEREON, A GAS INFLATABLE AND VACUUM DEFLATABLE BALLOON OPERABLE AGAINST THE NET FOR DISPLACING SAME IN A DIRECTION TO MOVE THE TRANSFER SURFACE INTO THE QUICKLY OUT OF CONTACT WITH THE TABLEWARE.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A DECORATIVE COLORANT TO AN ITEM OF CERAMIC TABLEWARE INCLUDING IN COMBINATION: A RIGID FLAT BASE RING HAVING A CENTRAL OPENING, AN ELASTIC OPEN-MESH NET SECURED TO THE RING AND COVERING THE OPENING, THE NET PROVIDED WITH A TRANSFER MEMBER HAVING A TOTAL RELEASE TRANSFER SURFACE THEREON WITHIN THE AREA OF THE CENTRAL OPENING OF THE BASE RING, COLORANT PRINTED ON AT LEAST ONE AREA OF THE TRANSFER SURFACE, THE NET BEING DISPLACEABLE OUT AND RETURNABLE TO THE PLANE OF THE BASE RING WHEREBY TO PERMIT THE COLORANT ON THE TRANSFER SURFACE TO BE MOVED INTO CONTACT WITH THE TABLEWARE AND PRINTED THEREON, A GAS INFLATABLE AND VACUUM DEFLATABLE BALLOON OPERABLE AGAINST THE NET FOR DISPLACING SAME IN A DIRECTION TO MOVE THE TRANSFER SURFACE INTO THE QUICKLY OUT OF CONTACT WITH THE TABLEWARE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the transfer surface is silicone rubber.