CA2123113A1 - Dual purpose pen capping system for pen plotters - Google Patents
Dual purpose pen capping system for pen plottersInfo
- Publication number
- CA2123113A1 CA2123113A1 CA002123113A CA2123113A CA2123113A1 CA 2123113 A1 CA2123113 A1 CA 2123113A1 CA 002123113 A CA002123113 A CA 002123113A CA 2123113 A CA2123113 A CA 2123113A CA 2123113 A1 CA2123113 A1 CA 2123113A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- pen
- cap
- capping
- plotter
- shipping
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01D15/00—Component parts of recorders for measuring arrangements not specially adapted for a specific variable
- G01D15/16—Recording elements transferring recording material, e.g. ink, to the recording surface
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
Abstract
A pen cap raising and lowering mechanism (20) for use in a pen plotter having a pen station for holding a pen (10) prior to use and a pen cap raising and lowering mechanism (20) for capping and uncapping a writing tip of the pen to allow a shipping cap (12) of a pen (10) to be employed within the pen plotter to cap and uncap the pen (10). There is pen cap raising and lowering apparatus carried by the pen plotter moving between a raised position and a lowered position to cap and uncap, respectively, a pen (10) operably located at the pen station. There are also gripping fingers (22) carried by the pen cap raising and lowering apparatus (20) for positioning, gripping and holding a shipping cap of a pen (10) when the pen (10) is initially inserted into the pen station and during use of the pen (10) and for releasing the shipping cap (12) in combination with the pen (10) when the pen is removed from the pen station for replacement. The pen cap raising and lowering apparatus (20) retains the gripping fingers (22) in the raised position when a pen (10) is initially inserted into the pen station and when the pen (10) is removed from the pen station for replacement. There is an adaptor cap (26) for using pens not provided with the shipping cap as well as an optional vent seal (38) to seal the pen against temperature and pressure change effects.
Description
` ~o 93/089go 2 1 2 3 ~ 1 3 I'CI /VS92/0337~
DU~L PU~POSE PE~ CAPlPIN~
SYSTEN FOR PEN PLOTTERS
Background of the Invention:
5The present invention re~ ates to p,~- plotters and, more particularly, to a perl cap raising and lowering mechani~m for use in a pen plotter having a pen station f or holding a pen prior to u~e and a pen cap raising and lowering mechanism for capping and uncapping a writing tip 10of the pen t~ allow a shipping cap o~ a pen to be employed within the pen plotter to cap and uncap the pen comprising, pen cap raising and lowering apparatu carried by the pen plotter moving 3:etween a raised position and a lowered position to cap and uncap, respecti~rely, a pen 15operably loc:ated at the pen statiorl; and, gripping fingers carried by the pen cap raising and lowerlng apparatus for positioning, gripping and holding a shipping cap of a pen when the pen is initially inserted into the pen station and during use of the pen and for releasing the shipping 2 Ocap in combination with the pen wh~n the pen is removed from the pen station ~ox replacement; wherein, ~he pen cap raising and lowering appara~us retains the ~ripping f ingers in the raised position when a pen is initially inserted into the pen ~tation and when the pen is removed 25from the pen sta~ion for replacement.
~s depicted in Figures 1 through 4, in a typical prior art pen plol:ter, a pen 10 cotaes with a shipping cap 12 dispc:~sed oYer the drawing tip 14. As d~picted in Figure 2, the shipping cap 12 is typically discarded and 30the pen 10 is mounted over a capping mechanism 16 which is part of khe pen plotter. The capping mechanism 16 can be located at a pen station or on a turret holding multiple pens~ When not in use, the pen 10 is positioned as she~wn WO 93/08990 2 1 2 3 1 1 3 PCr/U~92/03374 ~ ~
in Figure 3 with the capping mechanism 16 protecting the drawing tip 14 of the pen lo~ When the pen is to be used, as shown in Figure 4, the c:apping mechanism 1 6 is lowered so that the drawing tip 14 will clear the capping 5 mechanism 16 as the pen 10 is moved in ,~-~ direction of the arrow 18 to a point oi~ use on the lpen plotter. Such integral pen-capping systems can be seen as for example in Patent 4,660,054 of Kajikawa, et alO, 4,~83,476 of Ferrari, et al., 4,716,420 of Glassett and 4,98Z,208 of 10 Farlotti.
As the ink within the pen lo is ::onsumed" the pen lo is discaxded and a new pen 10 is positioned in the pen plotter to take its place . Unf ortunately, the c:apping mechanism 16 is not replaced. Neither is there typically 15 a procedure for c~ eaning the capping mechanism 16 . Thu~, over time, ink residue and airborne particles of dust, hair, and the like, accumulate withirl the area of the capping mechanism which covers the drawing tip 14. This can c:log the tip or, occasionally thexeafter, such debris 20 can be picked up and carried by the drawing tip 14 to the plotting area where it carl cause smearing and other undesirable effects on the plot itself.
:~ Wherefore, it is the object of this invention to provide a pen plotter in which the shipping cap with which 25 a pen is old and: deliYered becomes p~rt of the capping mech2lrlism of the pen plotter itself so as to be replaced each time a p~n is replaced.
Other objects and. benefits of the invention will become apparent from the detailed des~ription which 30 follows her~ina~ter when taken in conjunction with the drawing f igures whiGh accompany it~
Summary:
.. ~ ...... . . . . . . ..
~ 93JOX9gO 2 1 2 3 1 1 3 P~/VSg2/0337q --3 ~
The f oregoing ob~ ect has been achieved in a pen plo~er having a pen station f or holding a pen prior to use and a pen capping and uncappillg mechani~m for capping and uncapping a writing tip of the penl by the improvement 5of the present invention comprising, fi~;~Pgripping means assoc:iat d with a shipping cap of a pen; and, sec:ond gripping means carried by the pen capping and uncapping mechanism for interacting with the first gripping means to position, grip and hold the shipping cap when a pen is 10initially inserted into the pen station and ~uring use of the pen and to release the shipping cap in combination with the pen when the pen is removed from the pen station f or replacement ~
In the pre~erred embodiment, the first grippirlg means 15comprises a circumfererltial groove in an ot~ter surface of the shipping cap; and, the se.cond gripping means comprises grippirlg ~ingers c:arried by the pen capping and ullcapping mechani~m sized to f it within the groove and grip the shipping cap.
20Al~o in th~ preferred embodiment, the pen capping and uncapping mechanism moves between a raised position zmd a lowerPd position to cap and uncap, respectively, a pen operably located at the pen station; and, the pen capping and unc:apping mec:hanism retains the second gripping ~aeans 25in the rai~ed position when a pen is initially inserted into the pen ~;tation and whan the pen is removed from the ~ ~ pen ~3t~tion for replacement~
As an additis:~nal - feature, there is an adaptor cap sized substantially the same a~ a shipping cap ~nd having 30the ~ir t gripping means as part thereof for interacting with the 5econd gripping means to position and hold the adaptsr cap in the position of a shipping cap on the pen W093/08990 2 1 2 3 1 1 ~ PCT/US92/03374 ~ ~
capping and uncapping mechanism, whereby a pen not ha~ing a shipping cap can be ~mployed in the pen plotter.
In another aspect of the inventîon, the pen has a circumferential shoulder and a vent hole di~posed within a portion of the pen bounded by th~-~ircumferential shoulder and the shipping cap ha~ sealin~ means di~po ed along a top edge for engaging the shoulder to seal the vent hole from atmosphere when the shipping cap is in a capping position on the pen. Preferably, the sealing means is an elastomeric material which can comprise, for example, an O-ring disposed along the top edge in abutment with the shoulder when the shipping cap i5 in the capping position.
~5 Description of the Drawings:
Figure 1 is a partially cutaway drawing of a prior art pen with its pen cap in place.
Fi~ure 2 is a drawing of th~ pen of Fi~ure 1 with the cap r~mo~ed~
Figure 3 is a drawing depicting a prior art pen-capping system with the capping mechanism in place over the drawing tip o~ the associated pen.
Figure 4 is a drawing showing the pen-capping mechanism of Figure 3 lowered to allow the pen to be moved to a point of use.
Figure 5 i~ a partially cutaway drawing showing the pen capping approach of the present invention with the p~n cap in place protecting~the pen drawing tip.
Figure 6 i5 a drawing in the ~anner of Figure ~
~howing the pen-capping system of the present invention lowered to allow the pen to move to its point of use.
FigNre 7 is a partially cutaway enlarged view of the p~n-capping system of the present invention.
`~0 93/08990 2 1 2 3 1 1 3 PCr/U~9~/03374 Figure ~ a cutaway vlew through an adapting cap to be employed with khe system of the present invention wi i:h p~ns not ha~ing a shipping ;::ap intend~d for use with the system .
Figure 9 is a simplified partially c~way drawing of a prior art plotter dxawing pen of one type showing a typical positioning of a vent hole therein.
Figure 10 is a simplif ied partially cutaway drawing of a prior art plot:ter draw.ing pen of another type showing two po~sible vent hole positions therein.
Fi~re 11 is a cutaway drawing of a pen cap aczording to the present invention adapted for use in sealing the vent holes on a pen of the type in Figure 10 wh~n employing a liquid ink tip.
Figure 12 is a cutaway drawi~g of a pen cap according to the present invention ad~pted f or use in sealing the vent holes on a pen of the i:ype in Figure 10 when e~ploying a rc~ller ball or f :iber tip .
2 0 Description of the Pref ~rred Embodimsnt:
The concept of maintaining the shipping cap ~2 with which a plotter pen 10 is shipped within l:he plotter itself is not neW per se. In patent nw~lber 4,920,357 of Jshnson, ~ supply of plotter pens is maintained off-line to the turret holding the pens actually being used by the plotter. When a pen in ~h~ turret runs low on ink and is to be replaced, the replacement process is automatic. A
new pen is removed from the off-line storage and moved to the turret to replace the old pen~ In ~he path between the off-line storage and the turxet, the pen moves over an uncapping mechanism whlch removes and discards the shipping cap~ Therea~ter, the tip of the pen is covered W0~3/OX990 P~T/~S92~0337q and pro~ected by an integral capping mechanism as in the other prior art systems as mentioned above.
By contrast, the dual-purpose pen capping system of this invention now to be described in detail does not di~card the shipping cap. Rather, the,shipping cap is employed to cap and uncap the pen during use and is then discarded alon~ with the pen when the ink in the pen is consumed.
The dual-purpose pen-capping system of the present invention in its preferred ~mbodiment is shown in Figures 5-7. In the prior art system of Figures 3 and 4, the capping mechanism 16 is attached to and carried by a raising-and-lowering mechanism 20. In the present invention, the raising-and~lowering mechanism 20 is provid~d with a pair of gxipping fingers 22 and the shipping cap 12~ is pro~ided with a groove 24 into which the gripping fingers 22 fit when the pen 10 is inserted into its holding station (not shown) on the pen plotter at a holding point or as part: of a turret. Thus, the gripping fingers 22 and the groove 24 cooperate to both po~ition and hold the shipping cap 12' on the rai~ing-and~lowering mechanism 20.
In this.regard, as those ~killed in the art will re~dily recognize and appreciate, the rai~ing-and-lowering m~chanism 20 and its operating appar~tus and co~t~ols must be changed when acc~mplishing the ob~ectives of the present in~ention. In the prior art approach o~ Figure 3, the capping mechanism 16 ~urrounds the drawing tip 14 such that the capping mechanism 16 mu~t be lowered in order for the pen 10 to be placed into the station or to be removed therefrom. By contrast, the raising-and-lowering mechanism 20 of a pen plotter incorporating the present invention must operate in two modes. When a pen 10 is V093/08~90 2 1 2 3 1 1~ PCT/U~92/03374 being inserted initially into the 5tation (i.e. to engage the cap with the gripping fingexs 22), the raising and lowering mechanism 20 must not lower the grippin~ fingers 2~ from their rai~ed (i.eO "capped") position so that the shipping cap 12~ attached to the pen lp--~ill move into proper position along with ~he pen lO to be gripped by ~he gripping fingers 22. Thereafter, as the pen 10 is used, the raising-~nd-lowering mechanism ~0 is activated to raise and lower the shipping cap 12' in the usual manner to cap and uncap the drawing tip 14 employing the shipping cap 12'~
Thus, a pen 10 is initially inserted into the pen plotter and ~inally removed therefrom for replacement with the gripping fingers 22 in their raised position as 1~ depicted in Figure 5. Between insertion and replacement of the pen 10, the gripping fingers 22 are lowered in combination with ~he ~hipping cap 12' as depirted in Fig~re 6 so that the pen lO c:an b moved off-station to a point of use~ Thus, when the ink within the pen 10 is ~0 consumed and the pen 10 i~ fi.nally xeplaced, th~ shipping cap 12' is replaced along with it. As a consequence, each pen 10 is capped and uncapped with a clean cap in the fo~m o~ its own. shipping cap 12' and the problems of accumulated debris within the capping portion that contacts the drawing tip 14 is eliminated.
Once a pen p~otter has be~n adapted to operate according to the present inventlon, as those skilled in the art will readily re ognize and appraciate, a conventional pen 10 with shipping cap 12 cannot be employed. To make pxovision for such eventuality, the adaptor cap Z6 of Figure 8 can be employed. The adaptor cap 26 is substantially the same size and shape as a shipping cap 12' and includes ~he groove 24 for t~e W O 93/08990 2 1 2 ~ PC~r/U~92/03374 gripping fingers 22. To use a standard ~en not having an appropriate shipping cap 12', the adaptor cap 26 is inserte~ into the gri~ping fingers 22. Subsequently, a~
a pen 10 without its standard shipping cap 12 is initially inserted into the pen plotter or remov~ therefrom for replacement, the adaptor cap 26 is raised and low~red for pen operation in the no ~ al manner as described above and as depicted in Fi ~ re 6.
~nother benefit of the foregoing pen-capping system in general is the ability to completely seal pens in use so as to make them insensitive to temperature and pressure changes as well as protecting the tips from contamination.
This can best be understood with reference first to Fi ~ res ~ and lO. As those skilled in the pen art are aware, in order for a liqu:id ink to flow from the tip without potent~ l problems, the interior of a pen must be vented to the atmosphere. In Figure 9, a one~piece pen 10' is d~plcted having a drawing tip 14 with a drawing mediuun 28 extending therefrom. The drawing medium 28 can :~ 20 comprise a li ~ id ink tip, a roller ball, or a ~iber/ceramic tip, for example. In such a confi ~ ration, the ~ent hole 30 can be located alongside the drawing mediuum 28, ~s depicted in ~i ~ re 9. A two-piece pen 10"
is sho~nn in Fig~lre lO as compri~ing a cylindrical inner portion 32 carrying the drawing tip 14 with draw m g medium 28 extending therefrom and a cylindrical outer portion 34 shaped to be gripped by pen-handling mechanisms of the pen plotter with whi h it is associated. In such a con~igmration, the vent hole 30 can be located, for example, alongside the drawing medium 28 or between the inner and outer portion5 32, 34, as depicted in Figure 10.
As those skilled in the art are well aware and appreciate, the vent hole can be placed in numerous locations.
VV 93/08990 2 1 2 3 1 1 3 PCI`/lJ~92/03374 _g_ Wherever the vent hole is placed , however ~ the pen 10 ~, 10" typically has a shoulder 36 adjaeent the ou er peripheryO As depirted in Figures 11 and 12, an elastomeric seal su::h as a sealing O-ring 38, or the like, 5 can be positioned in the top edge 4 0 of, ~ shipping cap 12' to be used with the present invention and, thereby, an effective seal of any vent location within the location of the elastomeric seal is ac:complished. Actually, the elastomeric sealing O-ring 3 B seals both the vent and the tip and creates a closed sy~tem. Thus, an increase in temperature and/or reduction in external pressure will cause an internal pressure force on the ~ealing O-ring 38~
ThQ capping f orce holding the sealing O-ring 3 8 against the shoulder 36 must, therefore, be suffi::ient to overcome any anticipated force. This force is ~asily calculated accordinq to principals of physic:s employing techniques well known to those skilled in the art and will not be developad in an detail herein in the interest of simplicity and the avoidanc:e of redundancy.
Whether or not the abo~re-described sealing O-ring 38 is incorporat2d into the shipping cap 12 ', the sizing of the shipping cap 12 ' shs~uld be done with c:are. In the cas~ of the use of :a ~iquid ink tip or ceramic tip as the drawing medium 28 as depicted in Figure 11, the distance from the shoulder 36 to the end o~ the 1~ quid ink tip or ceramic tip, "d", must be the same in the shipping cap 12 b2tween ~he top of the sealing O-ring 38 and the tip-sealing ball 42 that is typically put in the bottom of a cap 12 (and, therefore, employed in the shipping ca~p 12' as well)- In the case of the use of a ~iber tip or roller ball as the drawing medillm 28 as depicted in Figure 12, ~:h~ distance betwPen the top of the sealing Oring 38 and the inner bottom of the shipping cap 12 ' must be greater , .,, . ~ , ,. , , ~ . . . . .
WO ~3/089~0 PCI/US92/û3374 ~ ~
212~113 than the distance, "d" from ~he shoulder 3 6 to the end of the fiber tip or roller ball so that the fiber tip or roller ball does not touch the inner bottom of the ~hipping c~p 12 ' .
Wheref ore, having thus d~scribç~ the present invention, what is claimed is:
. ~ .. - , ., ., . . ~, , . .. .. :
DU~L PU~POSE PE~ CAPlPIN~
SYSTEN FOR PEN PLOTTERS
Background of the Invention:
5The present invention re~ ates to p,~- plotters and, more particularly, to a perl cap raising and lowering mechani~m for use in a pen plotter having a pen station f or holding a pen prior to u~e and a pen cap raising and lowering mechanism for capping and uncapping a writing tip 10of the pen t~ allow a shipping cap o~ a pen to be employed within the pen plotter to cap and uncap the pen comprising, pen cap raising and lowering apparatu carried by the pen plotter moving 3:etween a raised position and a lowered position to cap and uncap, respecti~rely, a pen 15operably loc:ated at the pen statiorl; and, gripping fingers carried by the pen cap raising and lowerlng apparatus for positioning, gripping and holding a shipping cap of a pen when the pen is initially inserted into the pen station and during use of the pen and for releasing the shipping 2 Ocap in combination with the pen wh~n the pen is removed from the pen station ~ox replacement; wherein, ~he pen cap raising and lowering appara~us retains the ~ripping f ingers in the raised position when a pen is initially inserted into the pen ~tation and when the pen is removed 25from the pen sta~ion for replacement.
~s depicted in Figures 1 through 4, in a typical prior art pen plol:ter, a pen 10 cotaes with a shipping cap 12 dispc:~sed oYer the drawing tip 14. As d~picted in Figure 2, the shipping cap 12 is typically discarded and 30the pen 10 is mounted over a capping mechanism 16 which is part of khe pen plotter. The capping mechanism 16 can be located at a pen station or on a turret holding multiple pens~ When not in use, the pen 10 is positioned as she~wn WO 93/08990 2 1 2 3 1 1 3 PCr/U~92/03374 ~ ~
in Figure 3 with the capping mechanism 16 protecting the drawing tip 14 of the pen lo~ When the pen is to be used, as shown in Figure 4, the c:apping mechanism 1 6 is lowered so that the drawing tip 14 will clear the capping 5 mechanism 16 as the pen 10 is moved in ,~-~ direction of the arrow 18 to a point oi~ use on the lpen plotter. Such integral pen-capping systems can be seen as for example in Patent 4,660,054 of Kajikawa, et alO, 4,~83,476 of Ferrari, et al., 4,716,420 of Glassett and 4,98Z,208 of 10 Farlotti.
As the ink within the pen lo is ::onsumed" the pen lo is discaxded and a new pen 10 is positioned in the pen plotter to take its place . Unf ortunately, the c:apping mechanism 16 is not replaced. Neither is there typically 15 a procedure for c~ eaning the capping mechanism 16 . Thu~, over time, ink residue and airborne particles of dust, hair, and the like, accumulate withirl the area of the capping mechanism which covers the drawing tip 14. This can c:log the tip or, occasionally thexeafter, such debris 20 can be picked up and carried by the drawing tip 14 to the plotting area where it carl cause smearing and other undesirable effects on the plot itself.
:~ Wherefore, it is the object of this invention to provide a pen plotter in which the shipping cap with which 25 a pen is old and: deliYered becomes p~rt of the capping mech2lrlism of the pen plotter itself so as to be replaced each time a p~n is replaced.
Other objects and. benefits of the invention will become apparent from the detailed des~ription which 30 follows her~ina~ter when taken in conjunction with the drawing f igures whiGh accompany it~
Summary:
.. ~ ...... . . . . . . ..
~ 93JOX9gO 2 1 2 3 1 1 3 P~/VSg2/0337q --3 ~
The f oregoing ob~ ect has been achieved in a pen plo~er having a pen station f or holding a pen prior to use and a pen capping and uncappillg mechani~m for capping and uncapping a writing tip of the penl by the improvement 5of the present invention comprising, fi~;~Pgripping means assoc:iat d with a shipping cap of a pen; and, sec:ond gripping means carried by the pen capping and uncapping mechanism for interacting with the first gripping means to position, grip and hold the shipping cap when a pen is 10initially inserted into the pen station and ~uring use of the pen and to release the shipping cap in combination with the pen when the pen is removed from the pen station f or replacement ~
In the pre~erred embodiment, the first grippirlg means 15comprises a circumfererltial groove in an ot~ter surface of the shipping cap; and, the se.cond gripping means comprises grippirlg ~ingers c:arried by the pen capping and ullcapping mechani~m sized to f it within the groove and grip the shipping cap.
20Al~o in th~ preferred embodiment, the pen capping and uncapping mechanism moves between a raised position zmd a lowerPd position to cap and uncap, respectively, a pen operably located at the pen station; and, the pen capping and unc:apping mec:hanism retains the second gripping ~aeans 25in the rai~ed position when a pen is initially inserted into the pen ~;tation and whan the pen is removed from the ~ ~ pen ~3t~tion for replacement~
As an additis:~nal - feature, there is an adaptor cap sized substantially the same a~ a shipping cap ~nd having 30the ~ir t gripping means as part thereof for interacting with the 5econd gripping means to position and hold the adaptsr cap in the position of a shipping cap on the pen W093/08990 2 1 2 3 1 1 ~ PCT/US92/03374 ~ ~
capping and uncapping mechanism, whereby a pen not ha~ing a shipping cap can be ~mployed in the pen plotter.
In another aspect of the inventîon, the pen has a circumferential shoulder and a vent hole di~posed within a portion of the pen bounded by th~-~ircumferential shoulder and the shipping cap ha~ sealin~ means di~po ed along a top edge for engaging the shoulder to seal the vent hole from atmosphere when the shipping cap is in a capping position on the pen. Preferably, the sealing means is an elastomeric material which can comprise, for example, an O-ring disposed along the top edge in abutment with the shoulder when the shipping cap i5 in the capping position.
~5 Description of the Drawings:
Figure 1 is a partially cutaway drawing of a prior art pen with its pen cap in place.
Fi~ure 2 is a drawing of th~ pen of Fi~ure 1 with the cap r~mo~ed~
Figure 3 is a drawing depicting a prior art pen-capping system with the capping mechanism in place over the drawing tip o~ the associated pen.
Figure 4 is a drawing showing the pen-capping mechanism of Figure 3 lowered to allow the pen to be moved to a point of use.
Figure 5 i~ a partially cutaway drawing showing the pen capping approach of the present invention with the p~n cap in place protecting~the pen drawing tip.
Figure 6 i5 a drawing in the ~anner of Figure ~
~howing the pen-capping system of the present invention lowered to allow the pen to move to its point of use.
FigNre 7 is a partially cutaway enlarged view of the p~n-capping system of the present invention.
`~0 93/08990 2 1 2 3 1 1 3 PCr/U~9~/03374 Figure ~ a cutaway vlew through an adapting cap to be employed with khe system of the present invention wi i:h p~ns not ha~ing a shipping ;::ap intend~d for use with the system .
Figure 9 is a simplified partially c~way drawing of a prior art plotter dxawing pen of one type showing a typical positioning of a vent hole therein.
Figure 10 is a simplif ied partially cutaway drawing of a prior art plot:ter draw.ing pen of another type showing two po~sible vent hole positions therein.
Fi~re 11 is a cutaway drawing of a pen cap aczording to the present invention adapted for use in sealing the vent holes on a pen of the type in Figure 10 wh~n employing a liquid ink tip.
Figure 12 is a cutaway drawi~g of a pen cap according to the present invention ad~pted f or use in sealing the vent holes on a pen of the i:ype in Figure 10 when e~ploying a rc~ller ball or f :iber tip .
2 0 Description of the Pref ~rred Embodimsnt:
The concept of maintaining the shipping cap ~2 with which a plotter pen 10 is shipped within l:he plotter itself is not neW per se. In patent nw~lber 4,920,357 of Jshnson, ~ supply of plotter pens is maintained off-line to the turret holding the pens actually being used by the plotter. When a pen in ~h~ turret runs low on ink and is to be replaced, the replacement process is automatic. A
new pen is removed from the off-line storage and moved to the turret to replace the old pen~ In ~he path between the off-line storage and the turxet, the pen moves over an uncapping mechanism whlch removes and discards the shipping cap~ Therea~ter, the tip of the pen is covered W0~3/OX990 P~T/~S92~0337q and pro~ected by an integral capping mechanism as in the other prior art systems as mentioned above.
By contrast, the dual-purpose pen capping system of this invention now to be described in detail does not di~card the shipping cap. Rather, the,shipping cap is employed to cap and uncap the pen during use and is then discarded alon~ with the pen when the ink in the pen is consumed.
The dual-purpose pen-capping system of the present invention in its preferred ~mbodiment is shown in Figures 5-7. In the prior art system of Figures 3 and 4, the capping mechanism 16 is attached to and carried by a raising-and-lowering mechanism 20. In the present invention, the raising-and~lowering mechanism 20 is provid~d with a pair of gxipping fingers 22 and the shipping cap 12~ is pro~ided with a groove 24 into which the gripping fingers 22 fit when the pen 10 is inserted into its holding station (not shown) on the pen plotter at a holding point or as part: of a turret. Thus, the gripping fingers 22 and the groove 24 cooperate to both po~ition and hold the shipping cap 12' on the rai~ing-and~lowering mechanism 20.
In this.regard, as those ~killed in the art will re~dily recognize and appreciate, the rai~ing-and-lowering m~chanism 20 and its operating appar~tus and co~t~ols must be changed when acc~mplishing the ob~ectives of the present in~ention. In the prior art approach o~ Figure 3, the capping mechanism 16 ~urrounds the drawing tip 14 such that the capping mechanism 16 mu~t be lowered in order for the pen 10 to be placed into the station or to be removed therefrom. By contrast, the raising-and-lowering mechanism 20 of a pen plotter incorporating the present invention must operate in two modes. When a pen 10 is V093/08~90 2 1 2 3 1 1~ PCT/U~92/03374 being inserted initially into the 5tation (i.e. to engage the cap with the gripping fingexs 22), the raising and lowering mechanism 20 must not lower the grippin~ fingers 2~ from their rai~ed (i.eO "capped") position so that the shipping cap 12~ attached to the pen lp--~ill move into proper position along with ~he pen lO to be gripped by ~he gripping fingers 22. Thereafter, as the pen 10 is used, the raising-~nd-lowering mechanism ~0 is activated to raise and lower the shipping cap 12' in the usual manner to cap and uncap the drawing tip 14 employing the shipping cap 12'~
Thus, a pen 10 is initially inserted into the pen plotter and ~inally removed therefrom for replacement with the gripping fingers 22 in their raised position as 1~ depicted in Figure 5. Between insertion and replacement of the pen 10, the gripping fingers 22 are lowered in combination with ~he ~hipping cap 12' as depirted in Fig~re 6 so that the pen lO c:an b moved off-station to a point of use~ Thus, when the ink within the pen 10 is ~0 consumed and the pen 10 i~ fi.nally xeplaced, th~ shipping cap 12' is replaced along with it. As a consequence, each pen 10 is capped and uncapped with a clean cap in the fo~m o~ its own. shipping cap 12' and the problems of accumulated debris within the capping portion that contacts the drawing tip 14 is eliminated.
Once a pen p~otter has be~n adapted to operate according to the present inventlon, as those skilled in the art will readily re ognize and appraciate, a conventional pen 10 with shipping cap 12 cannot be employed. To make pxovision for such eventuality, the adaptor cap Z6 of Figure 8 can be employed. The adaptor cap 26 is substantially the same size and shape as a shipping cap 12' and includes ~he groove 24 for t~e W O 93/08990 2 1 2 ~ PC~r/U~92/03374 gripping fingers 22. To use a standard ~en not having an appropriate shipping cap 12', the adaptor cap 26 is inserte~ into the gri~ping fingers 22. Subsequently, a~
a pen 10 without its standard shipping cap 12 is initially inserted into the pen plotter or remov~ therefrom for replacement, the adaptor cap 26 is raised and low~red for pen operation in the no ~ al manner as described above and as depicted in Fi ~ re 6.
~nother benefit of the foregoing pen-capping system in general is the ability to completely seal pens in use so as to make them insensitive to temperature and pressure changes as well as protecting the tips from contamination.
This can best be understood with reference first to Fi ~ res ~ and lO. As those skilled in the pen art are aware, in order for a liqu:id ink to flow from the tip without potent~ l problems, the interior of a pen must be vented to the atmosphere. In Figure 9, a one~piece pen 10' is d~plcted having a drawing tip 14 with a drawing mediuun 28 extending therefrom. The drawing medium 28 can :~ 20 comprise a li ~ id ink tip, a roller ball, or a ~iber/ceramic tip, for example. In such a confi ~ ration, the ~ent hole 30 can be located alongside the drawing mediuum 28, ~s depicted in ~i ~ re 9. A two-piece pen 10"
is sho~nn in Fig~lre lO as compri~ing a cylindrical inner portion 32 carrying the drawing tip 14 with draw m g medium 28 extending therefrom and a cylindrical outer portion 34 shaped to be gripped by pen-handling mechanisms of the pen plotter with whi h it is associated. In such a con~igmration, the vent hole 30 can be located, for example, alongside the drawing medium 28 or between the inner and outer portion5 32, 34, as depicted in Figure 10.
As those skilled in the art are well aware and appreciate, the vent hole can be placed in numerous locations.
VV 93/08990 2 1 2 3 1 1 3 PCI`/lJ~92/03374 _g_ Wherever the vent hole is placed , however ~ the pen 10 ~, 10" typically has a shoulder 36 adjaeent the ou er peripheryO As depirted in Figures 11 and 12, an elastomeric seal su::h as a sealing O-ring 38, or the like, 5 can be positioned in the top edge 4 0 of, ~ shipping cap 12' to be used with the present invention and, thereby, an effective seal of any vent location within the location of the elastomeric seal is ac:complished. Actually, the elastomeric sealing O-ring 3 B seals both the vent and the tip and creates a closed sy~tem. Thus, an increase in temperature and/or reduction in external pressure will cause an internal pressure force on the ~ealing O-ring 38~
ThQ capping f orce holding the sealing O-ring 3 8 against the shoulder 36 must, therefore, be suffi::ient to overcome any anticipated force. This force is ~asily calculated accordinq to principals of physic:s employing techniques well known to those skilled in the art and will not be developad in an detail herein in the interest of simplicity and the avoidanc:e of redundancy.
Whether or not the abo~re-described sealing O-ring 38 is incorporat2d into the shipping cap 12 ', the sizing of the shipping cap 12 ' shs~uld be done with c:are. In the cas~ of the use of :a ~iquid ink tip or ceramic tip as the drawing medium 28 as depicted in Figure 11, the distance from the shoulder 36 to the end o~ the 1~ quid ink tip or ceramic tip, "d", must be the same in the shipping cap 12 b2tween ~he top of the sealing O-ring 38 and the tip-sealing ball 42 that is typically put in the bottom of a cap 12 (and, therefore, employed in the shipping ca~p 12' as well)- In the case of the use of a ~iber tip or roller ball as the drawing medillm 28 as depicted in Figure 12, ~:h~ distance betwPen the top of the sealing Oring 38 and the inner bottom of the shipping cap 12 ' must be greater , .,, . ~ , ,. , , ~ . . . . .
WO ~3/089~0 PCI/US92/û3374 ~ ~
212~113 than the distance, "d" from ~he shoulder 3 6 to the end of the fiber tip or roller ball so that the fiber tip or roller ball does not touch the inner bottom of the ~hipping c~p 12 ' .
Wheref ore, having thus d~scribç~ the present invention, what is claimed is:
. ~ .. - , ., ., . . ~, , . .. .. :
Claims (18)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. In a pen plotter having a pen station for holding a pen prior to use and a pen capping and uncapping mechanism for capping and uncapping a writing tip of the pen from an integral pen cap associated with the pen plotter, the improvement comprising:
a) first gripping means associated with a shipping cap of the pen for accommodating the gripping of said shipping cap; and b) second gripping means carried by the pen capping and uncapping mechanism for interacting with said first gripping means to position, grip and hold said shipping cap when the pen is initially inserted into the pen station and during use of the pen such that said shipping cap replaces the integral pen cap associated with the pen plotter, and to release said shipping cap in combination with said pen when said pen is removed from the pen station for replacement.
a) first gripping means associated with a shipping cap of the pen for accommodating the gripping of said shipping cap; and b) second gripping means carried by the pen capping and uncapping mechanism for interacting with said first gripping means to position, grip and hold said shipping cap when the pen is initially inserted into the pen station and during use of the pen such that said shipping cap replaces the integral pen cap associated with the pen plotter, and to release said shipping cap in combination with said pen when said pen is removed from the pen station for replacement.
2. The improvement to a pen plotter of claim 1 wherein:
a) said first gripping means comprises a circumferential groove in an outer surface of said shipping cap; and, b) said second gripping means comprises gripping fingers carried by the pen capping and uncapping mechanism sized to fit within said groove and grip said shipping cap.
a) said first gripping means comprises a circumferential groove in an outer surface of said shipping cap; and, b) said second gripping means comprises gripping fingers carried by the pen capping and uncapping mechanism sized to fit within said groove and grip said shipping cap.
3. The improvement to a pen plotter of claim 1 wherein additionally: a) the pen capping and uncapping mechanism moves between a raised position and a lowered position to cap and uncap, respectively, the pen operably located at the pen station and b) the pen capping and uncapping mechanism retains said second gripping means in said raised position when the pen is initially inserted into the pen station and when said pen is removed from the pen station for replacement.
4. The improvement to a pen plotter of claim 3 and additionally comprising: an adaptor cap substantially a same size as said shipping cap and having said first gripping means as part thereof for interacting with second gripping means to a position and hold said adaptor cap in a position of said shipping cap on the pen capping and uncapping mechanism whereby the pen not having said shipping cap can be employed in the pen plotter.
5. The improvement to a pen plotter of claim 1 wherein:
a) said pen has a circumferential shoulder and vent hole disposed within a portion of said pen bounded by said circumferential shoulder; and, b) said shipping cap has sealing means disposed along a top edge for engaging said shoulder to seal said vent hole from atmosphere when said shipping cap is in a capping position on said pen.
a) said pen has a circumferential shoulder and vent hole disposed within a portion of said pen bounded by said circumferential shoulder; and, b) said shipping cap has sealing means disposed along a top edge for engaging said shoulder to seal said vent hole from atmosphere when said shipping cap is in a capping position on said pen.
6. The improvement to a pen plotter of claim 5 wherein:
said sealing means comprises an elastomeric seal disposed along said top edge in abutment with said shoulder when said shipping cap is in said capping position.
said sealing means comprises an elastomeric seal disposed along said top edge in abutment with said shoulder when said shipping cap is in said capping position.
7. In a pen plotter having a pen station for holding a pen prior to use and a pen capping and uncapping mechanism for capping and uncapping a writing tip of the pen from an integral pen cap associated with the pen plotter, the method of using a shipping cap associated with the pen to replace the integral pen cap associated with the pen plotter and to cap and uncap the pen during use in the pen plotter comprising the steps of: a) grip-ping and holding the shipping cap with the pen capping and uncapping mechanism when the pen is initially inserted into the pen station; b) capping and uncapping the pen with the shipping cap employing the pen capping and uncapping mechanism during use of the pen in the pen plotter; and, c) releasing the shipping cap in combination with the pen when the pen is removed from the pen station for replacement.
8. In a pen plotter having a pen station for holding a pen prior to use and pen capping and uncapping mechanism for capping and uncapping a writing tip of the pen from an integral pen cap associated with the pen plotter, an improved pen capping and uncapping mechanism comprising: gripping fingers carried by the pen capping and uncapping mechanism for positioning, gripping and holding a snipping cap of the pen when said pen is initially inserted into the pen station and during use of the pen, such that said shipping cap replaces the integral pen cap associated with the pen plotter, and for releasing said shipping cap in combination with said pen is removed from the pen station for replacement.
9. The improved pen capping and uncapping mechanism for a pen plotter of claim 8 wherein: a) said shipping cap has a circumferential groove in an outer surface thereof; and, b) said gripping fingers carried by the pen capping and uncapping mechanism are sized to fit within said groove and grip said shipping cap.
10. The improved pen capping and uncapping mechanism for a pen plotter of claim 9 wherein additionally: a) the pen capping and uncapping mechanism moves between a raised position and a lowered position to cap and uncap, respectively, the pen operably located at the pen station; and, b) the pen capping and uncapping mechanism retains said gripping fingers in said raised position when the pen is initially inserted into the pen station and when said pen is removed from the pen station for replacement.
11. The improved pen capping and uncapping mechanism for a pen plotter of claim 10 and additionally comprising: an adaptor cap sized substantially the same as said shipping cap and having said groove as part thereof for interacting with said gripping fingers to position and hold said adaptor cap in a position of said shipping cap on the pen capping and uncapping mechanism whereby the pen not having said shipping cap can be employed in a pen plotter employing the improved pen capping and uncapping mechanism.
12. The improved pen capping and uncapping mechanism for a pen plotter of claim 8 wherein: a) said pen has a circumferential shoulder and a vent hole disposed within a portion of said pen bounded by said circumferential shoulder; and, b) said shipping cap has sealing means disposed along a top edge for engaging said shoulder to seal said vent hole from atmosphere when said shipping cap is in a capping position on said pen.
13. The improved pen capping and uncapping mechanism for a pen plotter of claim 12 wherein: said sealing means comprises an elastomeric seal disposed along said top edge in abutment with said shoulder when said shipping cap is in said capping position.
14. A pen cap raising and lowering mechanism for use in a pen plotter having a pen station for holding a pen prior to use and a pen cap raising and lowering mechanism for capping and uncapping a writing tip of the pen to allow a shipping cap of the pen to be employed within the pen plotter to cap and uncap the pen comprising: a) pen cap raising and lowering apparatus carried by the pen plotter moving between a raised position and a lowered position to cap and uncap, respectively, a pen operably located at the pen station; and, b) gripping fingers carried by said pen cap raising and lowering apparatus for positioning, gripping and holding a shipping cap of the pen when said pen is initially inserted into the pen station such that said shipping cap protects the writing tip of the pen and during use of the pen and for releasing said shipping cap in combination with said pen when said pen is removed from the pen station for replacement; wherein, c) said pen cap raising and lowering apparatus retains said gripping fingers in said raised position when the pen is initially inserted into the pen station and when said pen is removed from the pen station for replacement.
15. The pen cap raising and lowering mechanism for a pen plotter of claim 14 wherein: a) the shipping cap has a circumferential groove in an outer surface thereof; and, b) said gripping fingers are sized to fit within said groove and grip said shipping cap.
16. The pen cap raising and lowering mechanism for a pen plotter of claim 15 and additionally comprising: an adaptor cap sized substantially the same as said shipping cap and having said groove as part thereof for interacting with said gripping fingers to position and hold said adaptor cap in a position of said shipping cap on said pen cap raising and lowering apparatus whereby the pen not having said shipping cap can be employed in a pen plotter employing the improved pen cap raising and lowering mechanism.
17. The pen cap raising and lowering mechanism for a pen plotter of claim 14 wherein: a) said pen has a circumferential shoulder and a vent hole disposed within a portion of said pen bounded by said circumferential shoulder; and, b) said shipping cap has sealing means disposed along a top edge for engaging said shoulder to seal said vent hole from atmosphere when said shipping cap is in a capping position on said pen.
18. The improved pen capping and uncapping mechanism for a pen plotter of claim 17 wherein: said sealing means comprises an elastomeric seal disposed along said top edge in abutment with said shoulder when said shipping cap is in said capping position.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US78930491A | 1991-11-08 | 1991-11-08 | |
| US789,304 | 1991-11-08 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2123113A1 true CA2123113A1 (en) | 1993-05-13 |
Family
ID=25147238
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002123113A Abandoned CA2123113A1 (en) | 1991-11-08 | 1992-04-24 | Dual purpose pen capping system for pen plotters |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0621827A4 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH07502942A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR0140449B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1036487C (en) |
| AU (1) | AU656804B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2123113A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1993008990A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP6167728B2 (en) * | 2013-07-26 | 2017-07-26 | カシオ計算機株式会社 | Nail printing apparatus and control method for nail printing apparatus |
| KR101662584B1 (en) | 2015-05-27 | 2016-10-05 | 주식회사 인터벡스테크놀로지 | Curvature forming apparatus and method of coverglass for touch screen |
Family Cites Families (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS59153193U (en) * | 1982-12-31 | 1984-10-13 | 株式会社寿 | Writing instrument attachment device for plotters, drawing machines, etc. |
| US4518972A (en) * | 1984-07-23 | 1985-05-21 | Sanders Associates, Inc. | Graphics plotter turret head |
| DE3762280D1 (en) * | 1986-03-21 | 1990-05-17 | Agintec Ag | POETRY. |
| US4860032A (en) * | 1987-07-20 | 1989-08-22 | Am International Corporation | Automatic pen capping mechanism |
| US4754288A (en) * | 1987-08-19 | 1988-06-28 | Calcomp, Inc. | Pen carousel, pen sensing and indexing |
| US4943817A (en) * | 1988-11-14 | 1990-07-24 | Sumner & Taylor, Inc. | Adaptor for universal X-Y plotter pen |
| JPH0288793U (en) * | 1988-12-27 | 1990-07-13 | ||
| JPH0294193U (en) * | 1989-01-17 | 1990-07-26 | ||
| US4920357A (en) * | 1989-06-29 | 1990-04-24 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Unattended replacement of plotter pens |
| KR950003822B1 (en) * | 1991-02-06 | 1995-04-20 | 무도오 고오교오 가부시기가이샤 | Pen exchanging mechanism in automaitc drafter |
-
1992
- 1992-04-24 AU AU23976/92A patent/AU656804B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1992-04-24 JP JP5508365A patent/JPH07502942A/en active Pending
- 1992-04-24 EP EP92916447A patent/EP0621827A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1992-04-24 WO PCT/US1992/003374 patent/WO1993008990A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1992-04-24 CA CA002123113A patent/CA2123113A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-04-30 CN CN 92103132 patent/CN1036487C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1994
- 1994-05-07 KR KR94701552A patent/KR0140449B1/en active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2397692A (en) | 1993-06-07 |
| WO1993008990A1 (en) | 1993-05-13 |
| CN1036487C (en) | 1997-11-19 |
| CN1072259A (en) | 1993-05-19 |
| JPH07502942A (en) | 1995-03-30 |
| EP0621827A4 (en) | 1995-08-02 |
| AU656804B2 (en) | 1995-02-16 |
| EP0621827A1 (en) | 1994-11-02 |
| KR0140449B1 (en) | 1998-07-01 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |