US3093070A

US3093070A - Printing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3093070A
Application number: US169897A
Authority: US
Inventors: Millard B Beaver
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-01-30
Filing date: 1962-01-30
Publication date: 1963-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 1980-06-11

Description

June 11, 1963 M. B. BEAVER PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 30, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS June 11, 1963 M. B. BEAVER PRINTING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 30, 1962 ELE-E ATTORNEYS This invention relates generally to printing apparatus, and more particularly to a printing apparatus employing type :formed of resilient material, such as rubber, for

printing indicia or symbols on flat, irregular or curved surfaces.

Commodities such as beverages, crearns, pastes and the like are conventionally packaged in metal, plastic and cardboard containers, :and it is frequently desirable to imprint on such containers certain variable indicia, such As the commodities are packaged, in the usual instance they are conveyed at high speed along -a certain path to a boxing station; however, before reaching this station, an indicia must be printed on each individual package or container. It is important that even though the print- As a matter of 20 ing operation occurs at high speed, still the printing be performed with such clarity that it `can be easily read in eaoh and every instance. One of the problems in the use of prior art printing devices is that printing lat high speed, the indicia becomes smeared or smudged so :as not to be clearly legible.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved printing apparatus employing type formed of resilient material for distinctly imprinting indicia at la high rate of speed on container surfaces whether they be itat, irregular or curved.

It i-s another object of this invention to provide an irnproved printing apparatus capable of supporting type formed of resilient material in which containers being imprinted will be held stationary relative to the type while an imprinting operation is being performed.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a printing apparatus which employs resilient strip means for preventing any twisting movement of .a container during yan imprinting operation whereby the imprint will be clear and legible.

Other objects Iwill become apparent as the description proceeds.

The above-mentioned and other features :and objects of this invention and the manner of :attaining them will Patented June 1l, 1963 FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the strip of FIG. 7.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a wheellike type holder, generally indicated by the reference numeral 10, having an outer rim portion 12 with a web portion 14 integrally joined thereto, these rim :and web portions 12 yand 14 being formed of any suitable metal, such as steel. A central hub portion 16 is integrally 'connected to the web portion 14 and is adapted to be `secu-red to any type of a rotary support which is rotatable about an axis indicated by the numeral 18. 'Ihe wheel 10 i-s conventionally provi-ded with a radial slot 20 having circumferentially spaced

sides

22 and 24, respectively, the slot 2li penetrating to the center of the wheel as shown for purposes of attaching the wheel to suitable rotary `supporting structure (not shown).

The rim 12 of the wheel is provided with three ici-rcumferenti-ally extending

grooves

26, 28 and 30" which are `axially spaced apart, these grooves extending radially inwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the wheel 10. As shown more clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4, the -wheel 10 is primarily disc-like in shape with the outer surface thereof being cylindrical and symmetrical .about the Wheel axis 15.

The two

grooves

26 and 28 are of substantially the same depth and are disposed adjacent to the outer sides, respectively, of the wheel 10. The groove 28 is positioned intermediate the two grooves 26 and 30 :as shown more clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4 and extends :substantially parallel thereto. In other words, the three

grooves

26, 28 and 3i) are parallel and axially spaced on the wheel 10i.

The opposite sides of the center groove 28 are provided, respectively, with laterally extending circumferential slots 32 `and 34 which are intermediate the radial extremities of the sides. By this means, a circumferential undercut 36 is provided which is -disposed radially inwardly from the two :

slots

32 and 34.

In the sides 22 tand 24 of the radial slot 20, at the radially outer extremities thereof are provided two notches 38 `and 40 respectively, the back sides of these notches 0 being radial and the bottom 4side circumferential. 'I'he become more lapparent and the invention itself will be 55 best understood by .reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in oonjunction with the laccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is a side elevation of an embodiment of this I FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the rubber-stabilizing 70 strip which is a part of the assembly of FIG. 1; and

back and bottom sides, respectively, of these two notches are preferably at right tangles to each other `so :as to receive two elongated channel-

shaped retainers

42 and 44, respectively, which are held in place by means of suitable screws `46 received by threaded openings in the bottoms ofthe notches. These brackets 42 `and 44 extend transversely of the wheel 1li as shown Iand have a flength coincides with the spacing between the two

outer grooves

26 and 30 as shown.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 6, the slot or groove provided in the bracket 42 coincides with the adjacent ends of the two

grooves

26 and 30 and the purpose of this coincidence will become apparent from the following deiscription.

A stabilizing strip generally indicated by the reference numeral 48 (FIGS. 7 and 8) of resilient, rubber-like material is molded to the shape as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. This shape comprises t-wo

elongated side legs

50 and 52 which are parallel and which are spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of the two

wheel grooves

26 and 36, and two end bars 54 an'd 56, respectively, which `connect the ends of the two

side legs

50 and 52 together. There are six elongated ridge portions 58 formed on eachside leg 50 'and 52 as shown, these ridge portions being of a certain uniform height throughout their length and spaced apart as shown. This height as Well as the spacing will become lapparent from the description which is to follow.

The stabilizing strip 48 of FIGS. 7 and 8 is made to a length which equals or is just slightly shorter than the circumferential distance on the surface of the wheel 10 extending between the two channel-shaped brackets 42.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 1 through 4, the side legs S and S2 of the stript 48 fit into the

respective grooves

26 and 30 while the

end bars

54 and 56 fit into the channel-

shaped brackets

42 and 44, respectively. With the length of the strip 48 being slightly shorter than the circumferential dimensions between the two

brackets

42 and 44, this dimension -being taken counterclockwise from bracket 42 around to the bracket 44, it is seen that the stabilizing strip 48 will be stretched slightly so as to be tightly nested and tted into the

Wheel grooves

26 and 30. Preferably, the

grooves

26 and 30 are made of such size as to receive snugly the

side legs

50 and 52 of the stabilizing strip.

When the stabilizing strip 48 is properly Wrapped around the wheel in the Igrooves 26 and 30, respectively, the ridge portions 58 radially extend outwardly from the peripheral surface of the wheel 10 as shown more clearly in FIG. 1. As is also more clearly shown in FIG. 1, the ridge portions 58 will be circumferentially spaced apart.

The stabilizing strip 48 is also provided with a plurality of laterally extending key portions 60 which are integral with the two

side legs

50 and 52 and which are positioned about midway between Ithe ends of the respective ridge portions 58. These keys 60 fit into lateral recesses 62 in the inner walls of the two

grooves

26 and 30, the shapes of the keys 60 and recesses 62 being complementary so as to provide for intimate engagement therebetween. By means of these key and recess connections, the

side legs

50 and 52 are positioned circumferentially ofthe wheel 10 and are held against relative movement.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the ridge portions 58 of the stabilizing strip 48 lie in substantially the same circumferential surface. The importance of this `feature will become apparent from the following description.

A plurality of segments 64 of rubber type are positioned in the center groove 28 of the wheel at circumferentially spaced points, these points being in registry with the laterally aligned ridge portions 58. Each segment of type 64 in cross-section is generally H-shaped with the opposite ends of the base leg 66 tting into the

circumferential slots

32 and 34, respectively, as shown more clearly in FIG. 3. The cross-bar 68 of the type segment extends radially outwardly between the opposite sides of the Igroove 28 and connects to the top bar 7) of the segment which is positioned in the embodiment shown radially beyond the peripheral surface of the wheel 10. The type characters are carried by the top leg 70, representative characters being shown in FIG. 2.

The segment 64 is positioned in transverse alignment with the ridge portions 58 of the stabilizing stripas shown more clearly in FIG. 2. In order to hold the type segment in this position, end plates or clamps 72 are litted into the

circumferential slots

32 and 34 as more clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. These end clamps 72 consist of small, at metallic plates which fit into the

slots

32 and 34 as shown in FIG. 4 and which have threaded openings which receive screws '74 therethrough. These screws 74 bear against suitable plastic discs 76 fitted against the bottom side 36 of the groove 28 (FIG. 4) whereby the plates 72 may be securely locked in position. By locking :the two plates 72 in position, the type segment 64 is held against endwise movement.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer peripheries of the ridge portions 58 as well as the type segments 64 lie in about or in the same circumferential surface; however, for different printing applications, the type segment 70 may extend radially outwardly beyond er radially inside this surface depending upon whether r not the container to be imprinted has a convex or con- :ave surface.

In operation, the wheel 10 with the stabilizing strip 43 and the various type segments 64 fastened thereto is mounted on a shaft or mechanism to rotate at a high rate of speed around the axis 18. Containers or packages to be imprinted are passed beneath the wheel 10 at about the same lineal speed as that of the periphery of the Wheel l0, each article being engaged by a transverse pair of ridge portions 58 and the respective type segment 64. The ridge portions 58 prevent the container from moving relative to the wheel while the face of the type segment 64 is pressed thereagainst, whereupon a clear imprint is obtained. If a printing operation is attempted without the ridge portions 58, the container being irnprinted tends to twist or move as it is engaged by the type segment, thereby producing a smeared or Smudged imprint. The ridge portions 58 stabilize the container against such movement, whereby a clear imprint is obtained in every instance of printing.

After a certain period of usage, the stabilizing strip 43 may wear out, in which event it is only necessary to remove the strip from the respective grooves 26 and 3l) and replace it with a new one. In connection with the changing of type segment 64, it is only necessary to withdraw forcefully each type segment from the inner groove 28 land replace it by a new type segment. All of these replacement operations iare quick and easy, thereby conducing to the eiiciency and economy of utilizing the present invention.

While I have described above the principles of my invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A printing device comprising a rigid wheel having an outer peripheral surface, said wheel having three axially spaced circumferential grooves in said peripheral surface, the center groove comprising two opposite side walls having intermediate the ends thereof two facing circumferential slots, a segment of rubber type fitted into the center groove, said segment in cross-section being generally H-shaped and having base and top legs connected by a cross-bar, the opposite ends of said hase leg fitting respectively into said circumferential slots, said cross-bar extending outwardly between said side walls and said top leg being disposed radially outwardly of said peripheral surface, a radial slot provided in said wheel extending radially inwardly from said peripheral surface, a pair of facing transversely extending notches provided in the opposite sides of said radial slot, said notches being adjacent to said peripheral surface, two elongated U-shaped brackets fitted into said pair of notches, respectively, with the open sides thereof facing each other, a rubber strip having two elongated parallel and spaced apart side legs which are connected together at the ends thereof by two opposite end legs respectively, said side legs being inserted into the two outer grooves in said peripheral surface with said end legs being received by said two brackets, respectively, said side legs having a plurality of ridge portions which are elongated and circumferentially spaced apart on said wheel, said ridge portions extending radially outwardly from said peripheral surface, the ridge portions on said side legs being transversely opposite each other with two of said ridge portions being transversely opposite said segment of type, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses provided in the walls of said outer grooves in regions transversely opposite said ridge portions, said side legs having a plurality of projections thereon which intimately iit into said recesses for holding said side legs against longitudinal movement.

2. The printing device of claim l but including a plurality of segments of rubber type, each segment being elongated and generally H-shape in cross-section, each segment having base and top legs connected by a crossbar, the opposite ends of said base leg fitting, respectively, into said circumferential slots, said cross-bar extending outwardly between said side walls and said top leg being disposed radially outwardly of said peripheral surface, each said segment being between two transversely opposite ridge portions, two abutment members abutting the opposite ends of one segment, each abutment member having side portions fitting into said circumferential slots, and a screw passing through each abutment member and operatively engaging the bottom of said center groove for securing the abutment member in place.

3. A printing device comprising a rigid wheel having an outer peripheral surface, said wheel having three axially spaced circumferential grooves in said peripheral surface, the center groove comprising two opposite side walls having intermediate the ends thereof two facing circumferential slots, a radial slot provided in said wheel extending radially inwardly from said peripheral surface, a pair of facing transversely extending notches provided in the opposite sides `of said radial slot, said notches being adjacent to said peripheral surface, two elongated U- shaped brackets fitted into said pair of notches, respectively, with the open sides thereof facing each other, a rubber strip having two elongated parallel and spaced apart side legs which are connected together lat the ends thereof by two opposite end legs respectively, said side legs being inserted into the two outer grooves in said peripheral surface with said end legs being received by said two brackets respectively, said side legs having a plurality of ridge portions which are elongated and circumferentially spaced apart on said wheel, said ridge portions extending radially outwardly from said peripheral surface, the ridge portions on said side legs being transversely opposite each other, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses provided in the walls of said outer grooves in regions transversely opposite said ridge portions, said side legs having a plurality of projections thereon which intimately fit into said recesses for holding said side legs against longitudinal movement.

4. A printing device comprising a rigid wheel having an outer peripheral surface, said Wheel having three axially spaced circumferential grooves in said peripheral surface, the center groove comprising two opposite side walls having intermediate the ends thereof two facing circumferential slots, a radial slot provided in said wheel extending radially inwardly from said peripheral surface, a pair of facing transversely extending notches provided in the opposite sides of said radial slot, said notches being adjacent to said peripheral surface, two elongated U-shaped brackets fitted into said pair of notches, respectively, with the open sides thereof facing each other, a rubber strip having two elongated parallel and spaced apart side legs which are connected together at the ends thereof by two opposite end legs respectively, said side legs being inserted into the two outer grooves in said peripheral surface with said end legs being received by said two brackets respectively, said side legs having a plurality of ridge portions which are elongated and circumferentially spaced apart on said wheel, said ridge portions extending radially outwardly from said peripheral surface, the ridge portions on said side legs being transversely opposite each other.

5. A printing device comprising a wheel having an outer peripheral surface, said wheel having three axially spaced circumferential grooves in said peripheral surface, a radial slot provided in said Wheel extending radially inwardly from said peripheral surface, a pair of facing transversely extending notches provided in the opposite sides of said radial slot, said notches'being adjacent to said peripheral surface, two elongated U-shaped brackets fitted into said pair of notches, respectively, with the open sides thereof facing each other, a rubber strip having two elongated parallel and spaced apart side legs which are connected together at the ends thereof by two opposite end legs respectively, said side legs being inserted into the two outer grooves in said peripheral surface with said end legs being received by said two brackets respectively, said side legs having a plurality of ridge portions which are elongated and circumferentially spaced apart on said wheel, said ridge portions extending radially outwardly from said peripheral surface, Kthe ridge portions on said side legs being transversely opposite each other.

6. A printing device comprising a wheel having an outer peripheral surface, said wheel having three axially spaced circumferential grooves in said peripheral surface, a radial slot provided in said wheel extending radially inwardly from said peripheral surface, a pair of retaining members on the opposite sides of said radial slot, said retaining members extending toward each other, a rubber strip having two elongated parallel and spaced apart side legs which are connected together at the ends thereof by two opposite end legs respectively, said side legs being inserted into the two outer grooves in said peripheral surface with said end legs being received over said retaining members respectively, said side legs having a plurality of ridge portions which are elongated and circumferentially spaced apart on said wheel, said ridge portions extending radially outwardly from said peripheral surface, the ridge portions on said side legs being transversely opposite each other.

7. A printing device comprising a wheel having an outer peripheral surface, s-aid wheel having at least two axially spaced circumferential grooves in said peripheral surface, means for attaching type to said peripheral surface, a radial slot provided in said wheel extending radially inwardly from said peripheral surface, a pair of retaining members on the opposite sides of said radial slot, said retaining members extending toward each other, arubber. strip having two elongated parallel and spaced apart side legs which are connected together at the ends thereof by t-wo opposite end legs respectively, said side legs being inserted into the two outer grooves in said peripheral surface with `said end legs being received over said retaining members respectively, said side legs having a plurality of ridge portio-ns which are elongated and circumferentially spaced apart on said wheel, said ridge portions extending i radially outwardly from said peripheral surface, the ridge portions on said side legs being transversely opposite each other.

8. A printing device comprising a wheel having anY outer peripheral surface, said wheel having at least one radial slot therein extending radially inwardly from said peripheral surface, a rubber strip having two elongated parallel and spaced apart side legs which are connected.

together at the ends thereof by two opposite end legs, respectively, said side legs engaging and extending circum- 'ferentially around said peripheral surface, said end legs fittin g into said slot and engaging the sides thereof respectively `for retaining said rubber strip on said peripheral surface, and means for securely attaching type to the periphery of s-aid wheel in between said side legs, said means being disposed radially inside the outermost perimetral portions lof said side legs whereby the latter may serve as stabilizers.

9. A printing device comprising a wheel having an outer peripheral sur-face, said wheel having at least one p radial slot therein extending radially inwardly from said perimetral portions of said side legs whereby the latter may serve as stabilizers, and means for holding said side legs against circumferential movement on said peripheral surface.

l0. A printing device comprising a wheel `having an outer peripheral surface, said wheel having at least one radial slot therein extending radially inwardly from said peripheral surface, a rubber strip having two elongated parallel and spaced apart side legs which are connected together at the ends thereof by two opposite end legs, respectively, said side legs engaging and extending circumferentially around said peripheral surface, said end legs fitting into said slot and engaging the sides thereof respectively for retaining said rubber strip on said peripheral surface, means for securely attaching type to the peripheral portion of said wheel in between said side legs, said means being disposed radially inside the outermost perimetral portions of said side legs whereby the latter may serve as stabilizers, means for holding said side legs against circumferential movement on said peripheral surface, and means retaining said side legs against transverse movement on said peripheral surface.

1l. For use in printing apparatus, a stabilizing strip of resilient rubber-like material comprising two elongated side legs which are spaced apart and parallel, said side legs also being rectangular in cross-section, two end bars integrally connected between the opposite ends of said side legs respectively, said end bars being at right angles to said side legs, a plurality of ridge portions on one side of said side legs, said ridge portions being elongated and longitudinally spaced apart, said ridge portions on the different legs being transversely opposite each other respectively and extending parallel outwardly in the same direction from a plane extending between said side legs, and a plurality of key portions projecting laterally inwardly toward each other from facing sides of said side legs, said key portions being opposite respective ones of said ridge portions.

l2. For use in printing apparatus, a stabilizing strip of resilient rubber-like material comprising two elongated side legs which are spaced apart and parallel, two end bars integrally connected between the opposite ends of said side legs respectively, said end bars being at right angles to said side legs, a plurality of ridge portions on one side of said side legs, said ridge portions being elongated and longitudinally spaced apart, said ridge portions on the different legs being transversely opposite each other respectively and extending parallel outwardly in the same direction from a plane extending between said side legs.

13. For use in printing apparatus, a stabilizing strip of resilient rubber-like material comprising two elongated side legs which -are spaced apart and parallel, two end bars integrally connected between the opposite ends of said side legs respectively, a plurality of ridge portions on one side of said side legs, said ridge portions being elongated and longitudinally spaced apart, said ridge portions on the different legs being transversely opposite each other respectively and extending outwardly in the same direction from a plane extending between said side legs.

14. A printing device comprising a wheel having an outer peripheral surface, said wheel having at least one coaxial circumferential groove in said peripheral surface, said groove comprising two opposite side walls having two facing circumferential slots therein, respectively, said slots extending laterally away from each other, a segment of rubber type fitted into said groove, said segment having a length extending circumferentially of said wheel, said segment in cross-section being generally Hshaped and having base and top legs connected by a cross-bar, the opposite ends of said base leg fitting respectively into said circumferential slots, said cross-bar extending outwardly between said side walls and said top leg being disposed radially outwardly of said peripheral surface, and two deformable rubber strips coaxially mounted on said wheel and extending radially outwardly from said peripheral surface, said two strips being on opposite sides respectively of said groove and having outer peripheries which lie in about the same imaginary circumferential surface as the outer portion of said top leg.

15. The printing device of claim 14 wherein said two slots are interposed intermediate the ends of the respective side walls thereby spacing said base leg from the bottom of said groove.

16. A printing device comprising a wheel having an outer peripheral surface, said wheel having at least one coaxial circumferential groove in said peripheral surface, said groove comprising two opposite side walls having two facing circumferential slots therein, respectively, said slots extending laterally away from each other, a segment of rubber type fitted into said groove, said segment having a length extending circumferentially of said wheel, said segment in cross-section being generally H-shaped and having base and top legs connected by a cross-bar, the opposite ends of said base leg fitting respectively into said circumferential slots, said cross-bar extending outwardly between said side walls and said top leg being disposed radially outwardly of said peripheral surface, and two deformable elongated rubber strips detachably mounted on said wheel and extending radially outwardly from said peripheral surface, said two strips being on opposite sides respectively of said groove and having length dimensions extending circumferentially of said wheel, said strips each having one radially outwardly extending ridge portion which is transversely aligned with said segment, said ridge portions having outer surfaces which lie in about the same circumferential surface as the outer surface of said top leg, the portions of said strips on opposite ends of said ridge portions being shorter radially than said ridge portions.

17. A printing device comprising a rigid wheel having an outer peripheral surface, said wheel having three axially spaced circumferential grooves in said peripheral surface, the center groove comprising two opposite side walls having intermediate the ends thereof two facing circumferential slots, a rubber strip having two elongated parallel and spaced apart side legs which are connected together at the ends thereof by two opposite end legs respectively, said side legs being inserted into the two outer grooves in said peripheral surface, means on said wheel for receiving and retaining said end legs, respectively, for holding said side legs in the respective grooves, said side legs having a plurality of ridge portions which are elongated and circumferentially spaced apart on said wheel, said ridge portions extending radially outwardly from said peripheral surface, the ridge portions on said side legs being transversely opposite each other.

18. A printing device comprising a wheel having an outer peripheral surface, a rubber strip having two elongated parallel and spaced apart side legs which are connected together at the ends thereof by two opposite end legs, respectively, said side legs engaging and extending circumferentially around said peripheral surface, means on said wheel for receiving said end legs and retaining said rubber strip on said peripheral surface, and means for securely attaching type to the periphery of said wheel in between said side legs, said means being disposed ra* dially inside the outermost perimetral portions of said side vlegs whereby the latter may serve as stabilizers.

19. A printing device comprising a wheel having an outer peripheral surface, said wheel having at least one coaxial circumferential groove in said peripheral surface, said groove comprising two opposite side walls having two facing circumferential slots therein, respectively, said` slots extending laterally away from each other, a segment of rubber type fitted into said groove, said segment having a length extending circumferentially of said wheel, said segment in cross-section having a base leg provided with an upstanding cross-bar, the opposite ends of said base leg fitting, respectively, into and being retained by said circumferential slots, said cross-bar extending outwardly between said side walls to a position beyond said periph-t eral surface, the bottom of said groove being spaced from said base leg to thereby provide for radial flexing of the latter, and two deformable elongated rubber strips detachably mounted on said wheel and extending radially out 10 Wardy from said peripheral surface, said two strips being References Cited in the file of this patent on opposite sides respectively of said groove and having UNITED STATES PATENTS length dimensions extending circumferentially of said wheel, said strips each having one radially outwardly exgltgreu Fgtl tending ridge portion which is transversely aligned with 5 346489 MGMaS-n" nAug' 3 1886 said segment, said ridge portions having outer surfaces 423394 Saxton :Mar. '11 1890 which lie in about the same circumferential surface as the 5691096 .Edy Oct. 5: 1897 outer surface yof said top leg, the portions of said strips on 2,004,136 Schultz June 1.1, 1935 Opposite ends of said ridge portions being shorter radially 10 2,746,389 Alessi et al May 22, 1956 than said ridge portions. 2,779,272 Davidson Jan. 29, 1957