DE102011119808A1 - Device for imprinting inner cone for optical measuring instruments, particularly for measuring eye, has conical printing unit comprising conical core and elastic membrane arranged on core - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a conical printing unit (2) comprising a conical core (3) and an elastic membrane (4) arranged on the core. The printing unit with its cone is rolled away in curvilinear-shaped with the membrane adjoined to the core on a printing block for receiving the color for imprinting. The printing block is provided with wet paint and successively a rotary unit is inserted into the inner cone (1) that is to be printed and the membrane is expanded by over printing such that the wet color transfers on the inner cone from the membrane.

Description

The invention relates to a device for printing an inner cone for optical measuring devices, in particular for measuring the eye.

For measuring the eye, light guides are used with a projection cone. This projection cone is provided on its conical inner surface with concentric rings. These concentric rings are projected with light through the optical fiber on the cornea of the eye, so that on this basis a computer-aided measurement of the cornea of the eye is possible.

The problem is the printing of this inner cone of the projection cone with the concentric rings. This is so far only possible with a great deal of technical effort.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a technically simple and easy to handle device for printing an inner cone for optical measuring devices, in particular for measuring the eye.

The technical solution is characterized by the features of claim 1.

As a result, a printing machine is provided, with which in a technically simple and reproducible manner, printing of the inner cone for optical measuring devices, in particular for measuring the eye, is possible. The printing is divided into two steps.

The starting point is a conical pressure device consisting of a conical core on which an elastic membrane is arranged, for example made of rubber, fitting, this membrane likewise having a conical shape. As a first step of printing, this printing device is first wetted with the wet printing ink. In this case, the conical printing device is rolled arcuately on a plate on which is applied to the elastic membrane of the printing device to be transferred wet paint. During this rolling movement, the conical pressure device rotates about its own axis, this axis being defined by a pivot arm arranged on a corresponding machine. During this circular rolling movement of the printing device, the elastic membrane of this printing device absorbs the wet paint. In the second step, the printing device is then inserted into the inner cone to be printed. By expanding the elastic membrane by generating an overpressure in the conical core, the membrane widens and comes into contact with the wall of the inner cone. As a result, the color is transferred from the membrane to this inner wall of the inner cone. Finally, the pressure is reduced again, so that the cone-shaped pressure device can be pulled out of the inner cone again.

A preferred embodiment proposes according to claim 2, that upon insertion of the cone-shaped Drucheinrichtung in the inner cone, the membrane is pressed by negative pressure to the core. This ensures that takes place during this insertion of the printing device to its final position no contact between the color-coded membrane and the inner cone.

According to the embodiment in claim 3, it is proposed that the printing in one step or in two or more steps is feasible. This means that when printed, for example, in two steps in the application of concentric rings in the inner cone to be printed first the first half-ring and then the second half-ring is printed. In this case, a slight overlap of the two half-rings can take place. Printing in several steps ensures that the rings are absolutely round.

Finally, the development proposes according to claim 4, that the inner cone is printed with differently colored rings. This has the advantage that the rings can be differentiated by color.

An embodiment of a device according to the invention for printing an inner cone for optical measuring devices, in particular for measuring the eye, will be described below with reference to the drawings. In these shows:

1a a representation of how the conical printing device receives the color from a cliché;

1b the printing device off 1a after the order of the color rings;

2a to 2e a longitudinal sectional view of the inner cone in successive steps of the printing process.

An inner cone 1 as he is in the 2a to 2e is shown, should be printed with concentric rings. For this purpose, a conical printing device is used 2 ,

This conical printing device 2 initially consists of a conical core 3 on which there is a conical membrane 4 for example, made of rubber and while on the outer circumferential surface of the core 3 is applied.

The printing process is as follows:
First, the cone-shaped membrane 4 the printing device 2 applied wet paint, in the form of concentric rings, as this then on the inner cone 1 to be printed. The basic principle is such that first half-rings are first printed, in order subsequently to print the complementary second half-rings in a second printing step.

To apply the wet paint on the membrane 4 becomes the cone-shaped printing device 2 on a cliché 5 unrolled, which has been provided in advance accordingly with color. When unrolling the printing device 2 on this cliché 5 the wet color transfers 6 from the cliché 5 on the membrane 4 , and exactly in the way, as subsequently the printing in the inner cone 1 should be done. As stated, only half rings are initially applied to the membrane 4 applied.

After applying the wet paint to the membrane 4 becomes the printing device 2 then in the inner cone 1 introduced ( 2a ). This is the outer membrane 4 by applying a negative pressure to the cone surface of the core 3 pressed. For this purpose is the core 3 provided with radial bores. By the membrane 4 with her color 6 close to the lateral surface of the core 3 is present, there is no risk that during insertion of the printing device 2 in the inner cone 1 Color is transferred before the printing device 2 has reached its final position.

After inserting the printing device 2 in the inner cone 1 becomes the elastic membrane 4 gradually expanded by overpressure ( 2 B ) until the membrane 4 completely on the inner lateral surface of the inner cone 1 is present ( 2c ). In this position the color becomes 6 from the membrane 4 on the inner cone 1 transfer. Subsequently, the pressure is reduced again, so that the membrane 4 at the conical core 3 the printing device 2 to come to rest ( 2d ), followed by a vacuum is applied, so that the membrane 4 close to the core 3 is applied. Finally, the printing device 2 again from the inner canoe 1 pulled out. 2e leaves the printed concentric rings in the inner cone 1 detect.

After the inner cone 1 in this first half step has been printed with the half rings, the remaining, complementary half-rings are applied in a subsequent process step. This is done in a similar manner as described. In this case, a slight overlay of the half rings may be provided.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

interior canoes

2

print Setup

3

core

4

membrane

5

cliche

6

colour

Claims (4)

Device for printing an inner cone ( 1 ) for optical measuring devices, in particular for measuring the eye, with a conical pressure device ( 2 ) of a conical core ( 3 ) and one on this core ( 3 ), elastic membrane ( 4 ), wherein for printing, the printing device ( 2 ) with its cone at the core ( 3 ) abutting membrane ( 4 ) on a wet color ( 6 provided cliché ( 5 ) for receiving this color ( 6 ) is rolled in a circular arc and then the rotating device ( 2 ) in the inner cone to be printed ( 1 ) and the membrane ( 4 ) is expandable by overpressure such that the wet color ( 6 ) from the membrane ( 4 ) on the inner cone ( 1 ) transmits. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that during insertion of the printing device ( 2 ) in the inner cone ( 1 ) the membrane ( 4 ) by negative pressure to the lateral surface of the core ( 3 ) can be pressed. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printing can be carried out in one step or in two or more steps. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printing can be carried out with different colors.

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