DE9320095U1 - Device for the permanent marking and labeling of compact discs and other digital information carriers which have the basic properties of a compact disc, such as e.g. CD-Rom discs - Google Patents

Description

Markus Schrodt, 12/93, 3 of Description

After the compact disc was initially used in the audio sector, i.e. for recording data for music playback, it is becoming increasingly important as an information carrier for all forms of data, e.g. as a data storage device for computer data or image information or as a storage device for combined data from the image and sound sector. (Examples: CD-ROM, CD-Interactive, Photo CD)

The information carrier is made of plastic and has data written on one side in a defined area that the corresponding reading device can evaluate. The side of the information carrier that cannot be read by the reading device (hereinafter referred to as IT) is often printed or written with graphic information that relates to the content of the IT. Individual labeling is desirable in many cases.

The invention specified in the above-mentioned protection claim is based on the problem of not damaging the sensitive digital information of the IT and nevertheless realizing an irreversible marking of the IT.

The features of the device listed in the above-mentioned protection claim make it possible to permanently provide the inner area of the IT that is not used in the digital evaluation with symbols or shapes.

The invention makes it possible to clearly, individually and irreversibly mark ITs. This marking is carried out quickly and reproducibly; by exchanging the stamp containing the characters and shapes, many different markings can be made using the same device.

The device is useful for both private and business use. (Example 1: A CD fan puts his name or initials on all of his CDs.

2: Departments of a company label their CD-ROMs with their department code. 3: A library labels all of its rental CDs with its name and logo.

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Markus Schrodt, 12/93, 4 of 10

The high value of individual ITs in the area of data processing and the large number of ITs used increases the risk that ITs are knowingly or unknowingly assigned incorrectly, since there is no irreversible labeling. Labeling with pens is removable and does not provide sufficient protection against the label being made illegible or deleted.

The invention specified in the above-mentioned claim enables marking to be carried out very precisely and quickly, and scratching out the marking is always clearly recognizable as tampering.

Due to the thermal change of the surface in a defined area of the IT, the information is retained even after simple attempts at manipulation, since the marking also manifests itself in deeper layers of the material.

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Markus Schrodt, 12/93, 5 of 10 Example

An embodiment of the invention is explained with reference to Figures 1 to 10.

Shown are: (T = partial view of the device)

Fig. 1 (T) Example of the marking area, which

is obtained on an IT with an outer diameter of 120 mm . Fig. 2 (T) Example of a metal stamp with individual letters (9L). Fig. 3 (T) Example of a metal stamp that is prefabricated. Fig. 4 (T) Arrangement of the metal stamp around the holder.

for the IT above the heating coil
Fig. 5 (T) Lower part of the device with metal stamp and

Mounting device for the IT.
Fig. 6 (T) Upper part (lid) of the device with raised

Area for pressing the IT onto the metal stamp. Fig. 7 IT lying in the device.
Fig. 8 Device closed and in operation. Fig. 9 Example of a labelled IT.
Fig. 10 Automatic device with drawer retraction.

The figures show individual partial views of the device in order to clarify its overall functionality.

After the user has inserted the metal stamp (1) into the recess provided (2) above the heating coil (3) around the central holder (IA), the device is ready for use. The metal stamp (1) can be replaced to make the device more flexible.

With the lid (4) open, the IT (5) is inserted with the side that is to be marked facing down. Both sides of the IT (5) are suitable for marking. After the lid (4) has been closed with the appropriate pressure, a locking mechanism (7) engages, keeping the lid (4) closed.

At the same time, a switch (8) enables the possibility of starting the marking process. This start is blocked in the event that the lid (4) has not been closed. By pressing the START switch (8), the marking process is started, in which the metal stamp (1) is heated above the melting temperature of the IT material (6) by heating the heating coil (3) and burns the images (9C) of its characters (9) or shapes (9) into the surface of the IT in the designated area (6A, hatched).

Markus Schrodt, 12/93, 6 of

This will not damage any labelling (9A) applied by the manufacturer, and the installation of the heating coils (3) in a heat-insulating material (3A) will prevent the surrounding area from heating up.

The end of the marking process is indicated by a lamp (LED) (10). After opening the lid (4), the marked IT (5) can be removed.

The raised area (4A) in the lid around the receptacle (IB) of the central holder (IA) ensures a defined contact pressure during the marking process.

As described in the above-mentioned protection claim of the invention in the last point, this method can also be further developed mechanically in such a way that the process of inserting and pressing the IT takes place automatically, i.e. the IT is placed on a drawer (11) similar to a CD player and then automatically transported to the marking device by a drawer drive (1 IA).

A gripper arm (12) presses the IT (5) onto the stamp (1), the marking process runs as described above and then the IT (5) is transported away from the marking device again via a drawer (11) and can be removed.

This significantly speeds up and simplifies the process.

Claims (1)

Markus Schrodt, 12/93, 1 of Protection Claims Device for the permanent marking and labelling of compact discs and other digital information carriers, which have the basic properties of a compact disc, such as the CD-ROM disc, the CD-I disc, the audio CD, characterized, - that in the area of the information carrier between the edge of the circular hole, the center of which is identical to that of the information carrier (hereinafter referred to as IT) and the beginning of the radius from which the IT is equipped with digital information, i.e. in the area that is not evaluated when the IT is read out by a suitable device (e.g. CD player or CD-ROM drive or photo CD player), there is a ring-shaped metal stamp on the side of the device. - that for information carriers with an outer diameter of approximately 120 mm and a central hole with a diameter of approximately 15 mm, the ring-shaped metal stamp has an inner diameter of at least 8.5 mm and an outer diameter of at most 19.5 mm. This corresponds to the following range in relation to the radius of the IT measured from its center: 8.5 mm to 19.5 mm. - that the metal stamp used to transfer the characters or shapes has very pointed raised characters and shapes which protrude from the flat part of the stamp surface by at least 0.1 mm and at most 2 mm. Markus Schrodt, 12/93, 2 of - that the metal stamp used to transfer the characters is prefabricated with the desired characters and shapes. - that the stamp is not permanently installed but is replaceable. • that the metal stamp used to transfer the characters is arranged in a circle around the central support of the IT, the central support having a slightly conical shape in a curvature in order to firmly center the IT. • that the cover of the device has a raised area which is located directly above the annular metal stamp. ■ that one or more heating coils are arranged in a circle under the ring-shaped metal stamp. that instead of the lid of the device, the device can also have a drawer which can accommodate the IT when opened. When the drawer is closed, the IT placed in the drawer lies with its central recess exactly above the central holder of the device, i.e. above the metal stamp.