EP2720953A1

EP2720953A1 - A supply assembly for a marker system

Info

Publication number: EP2720953A1
Application number: EP12719032.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Steven Blanks; Alan LOMAX
Original assignee: HellermannTyton Ltd
Current assignee: HellermannTyton Ltd
Priority date: 2011-06-17
Filing date: 2012-04-13
Publication date: 2014-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 2032-04-13
Also published as: GB2492530A; GB201110248D0; WO2012172303A1; EP2720953B1

Abstract

A supply assembly for a marker system comprises a first housing section (16) and a second housing section (22) each comprising a plurality of upstanding walls defining an enclosure for receiving and storing in a stacked arrangement marker elements to which an indicia is to be applied by the marker system. A support surface (34) receives marker elements from one of the first (16) and second (22) housing sections and supporting them in a picking position in which they may be grasped by a picking device of the marker system. A transfer means moves the marker elements from one of the first (16) and second (22) the housing sections to the picking position on the support surface (34), and at least one support member is fixed relative to the support surface (34) and the transfer means and configured to be independently connected to by the first (16) and second (22) housing sections to locate the housing sections in a predetermined position relative to the support surface and transfer means. The first (16) and second (22) housing sections are configured differently to respectively receive marker elements of different sizes, and each housing section is configured to removabley connect to the at least one support member to enable the housing sections to be removed and selectively interchanged with each other depending on the size of marker to be housed.

Description

A SUPPLY ASSEMBLY FOR A MARKER SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a supply assembly for a marker system for applying indicia to marker elements. In particular the present invention relates to a supply assembly for supplying elongate cable markers to the picking device of a marker system.

Elongate marker strips of plastics, metal or other materials are known for the purpose of identifying, for example electric cables. The markers are typically printed or embossed with identifier indicia and attached to the cable, in order to identify the relevant cable.

A marker system for applying embossed indicia is described in GB2425646. This system is capable of high volume embossing runs using a picker device and embossing device which are able to be indexed upwardly or downwardly to adjacent successive carrier elements, and operable to slide out marker elements from the carrier elements 3, emboss them, and return them to the carrier element. This is however a relatively complex system, and there is a need for a smaller, more lightweight and low-cost system for circumstances where high run volume capability is not essential.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved marker system which addresses the above described problems and/or which offers improvements generally.

According to the present invention there is provided a supply assembly for a marker system as defined by the accompanying claims.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a supply assembly for a marker system comprising a first housing section and a second housing section each comprising a plurality of upstanding walls defining an enclosure for receiving and storing in a stacked arrangement marker elements to which an indicia is to be applied by the marker system; a support surface for receiving marker elements from one of the first and second housing sections and supporting them in a picking position in which they may be grasped by a picking device of the marker system; transfer means for moving the marker elements from one of the first and second the housing sections to the picking position on the support surface; and at least one support member fixed relative to the support surface and the transfer means and configured to be independently connected to by the first and second housing sections to locate the housing sections in a predetermined position relative to the support surface and transfer means. The first and second housing sections are configured differently to respectively receive marker elements of different sizes, and each housing section is configured to removabley connect to the at least one support member to enable the housing sections to be removed and selectively interchanged with each other depending on the size of marker to be housed.

In known arrangements of the prior art, storage elements of such marker devices are configured to receive markers of a single size, and are permanently fixed in position as part of the marker assembly. The claimed invention enables the use of marker elements of varying sizes by providing a removable housing which may interchanged with an alternatively sized housing, and providing at least one support member to which the housing is removabley fixed, with the support member also acting as a reference member to ensure the housing is correctly aligned and positioned relative to the transfer means and support surface.

The housing may comprise a front wall and two opposing side walls, the spacing of the side walls corresponding to the length of the marker elements to be received, and the supply device further comprises at least one upstanding guide member spaced from the front wall at a distance corresponding to the width of the marker element, the at least one guide member being movable relative to the front wall to vary the spacing therebetween to accommodate marker elements of varying widths. Providing a housing which comprises only two side walls and a front wall simplifies the structure and enables it to be easily removed from the support member. The guide members first obviate the requirement for a rear wall to the housing, with the guide members acting as the rear guide surface for the housing. Secondly the guide members enable the housing to be modified to accommodate markers of varying widths as well as varying lengths.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a supply assembly for a marker system comprising a housing for receiving and storing marker elements to which an indicia is to be applied by the marker system; a support surface for supporting marker elements in a picking position in which they may be grasped by a picking device of the marker system; transfer means for moving the marker elements from a stored position to the picking position on the support surface; and clamp means arranged to engage and hold the marker element against the support surface in the picking position.

The clamp means advantageously prevents the markers elements from continuing to move past the picking position when disengaged by the transfer means under their own momentum, and hold them in a stable manner for picking by the picker device. This also ensures that the markers are not knocked forward out of reach by the picker before the clamp elements have been able to grasp the marker.

The clamping means may comprise at least one clamping member biased into engagement with the support surface and configured to enable the marker element to be slidingly received between the clamping member and the support surface. This provides a mechanical clamping arrangement which does not require sensing means to sense and clamp the marker, with the biasing means ensuring that the marker is engaged as soon as it moves beneath the clamp.

The clamping means may comprise at least one shaft member having a proximal end slidingly received within a body section and a distal end biased into engagement with the support surface, a gap being defined between the body section and the support surface to accommodate the marker element. The distal end of the shaft member is preferably radiused to allow the marker to be easily slid thereunder.

The clamping means may comprise means for varying the biasing force of the biasing means to vary the clamping force. The biasing means is preferably a compression spring and the clamping means comprises a movable stop for varying the compression of the spring.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a storage assembly for a marker system comprising a base section having a longitudinal axis defined along its length comprises an upper receiving section for receiving marker elements from a picking device, and a lower storage section for storing the marker elements which is vertically spaced from the upper storage section and which has a proximal end located proximate the upper receiving section and a longitudinally opposing distal end; a side wall extending longitudinally along a side of the base section and upwardly therefrom; wherein the receiving section slopes downwardly in the longitudinal direction towards the storage section such that marker elements received on the receiving section slide downwardly onto the storage section, the distance between the lower end of the receiving section and the distal end of the storage section defines the effective length of the storage section, and the receiving section is longitudinally movable to vary the effective length of the storage section. Adjustment of the effective length of the storage section enables the storage assembly to be modified to accommodate marker elements of varying lengths. Where the storage assembly is to be used to collect shorter marker elements, it is important that the effective length is at least less then twice the length of the marker, otherwise when a first marker is received in the storage section, subsequent markers fall short of the first marker and abut the rear edge thereof rather than stacking on top of the first marker as desired. Preferably the effective length is selected such that it is substantially equal to the length of the markers so that they fall directly into a stacked arrangement ready for collection.

The receiving section is preferably also sloped downwardly towards the side wall in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the base section such that marker elements received on the receiving section slide into abutment with the side wall. In this way the markers align against the side wall and stack neatly in the storage section.

Preferably the storage section slopes downwardly towards its distal end. The distal end of the storage section is located proximate the outlet of the storage assembly, and by sloping the storage section towards the distal end the markers align at the outlet. A stop member is preferably provided at the distal end, which may be a door or other closure member.

The storage section may also be sloped downwardly towards the side wall in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the base section to ensure alignment of the markers both along their front edges and their side edges.

The receiving section may comprise a base and a receiving plate supported on the plate, and the receiving plate is longitudinally movable relative to the base. By only requiring the receiving plate to move a simplified configuration is achieved. The receiving plate may be releasably connected to the base to enable it to be moved longitudinally moved relative thereto. Preferably the receiving plate is releasably connected to the base by at least one magnet, which may be provided in the plate, the base or both.

The storage assembly may further comprise a second side wall extending longitudinally along an opposite side of the base section to the first side wall and extending upwardly from the base section, the first and second side walls and the base section defining a channel.

One of the side walls may include a first reference indicia corresponding to a first longitudinal position of the receiving section and a second reference indicia corresponding to a second longitudinal position of the receiving section. This enables the operator to align the receiving plate with the reference markings to ensure correct positioning.

In a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of storing marker elements for supply to the picking device of a marker device comprising providing at least two housings comprising a plurality of upstanding walls for receiving and storing marker elements to which an indicia is to be applied by the marker system in a stacked arrangement, each housing comprising a first opening for receiving the marker elements and a second opening located below the first opening through which the marker elements exit the housing, wherein the at least two housings have differing configuration for receiving correspondingly differently sized marker elements; selecting one of the at least two housings depending on the size of marker element to be supplied to the picking device; removabley securing the selected housing to at least one support member which is fixed relative to a support surface for receiving marker elements from the housing and supporting them in a picking position in which they may be grasped by a picking device of the marker system and a transfer means for moving the marker elements from the second the housing to the picking position on the support surface; and inserting marker elements into the first opening of the selected housing for storage.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a marker storage device for a marker system according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a marker element;

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a view of the clamping arrangement of the marker storage device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a weight element for use with the marker storage device of figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is perspective view from above of a marker element during insertion into the marker storage device of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the weight element of figure 3 when received in the marker storage device;

Figure 6 is a side view of the weight element of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the marker collection device of figure 6 in a second collection configuration.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a marker collection device for a marker system according to the invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a marker collection device for a marker system according to the invention arranged to receive 90mm markers; and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a marker collection device for a marker system according to the invention arranged to receive 45mm markers. Referring to the drawings, and initially to figures 1 and 7, a marker system includes a marker storage device 1 , a picker device 4, an embossing device (not shown), and a marker collection device 6. The marker storage device 1 is configured for receiving and storing elongate marker elements 2. The picker device 4 is arranged for picking the marker elements 2 from the marker storage device 1 and firstly transferring the marker elements 2 to the embossing device, and subsequently transferring the embossed marker elements 2 to the collection device 6.

Figure 2 shows a marker element 2, which comprises an elongate, stainless steel plate. The marker elements 2 are provided in a number of different size configurations. Preferrably the marker elements 2 are provided having a length L of either 45mm or 90mm, and a width W of 10mm or 20mm, although it will be appreciated that other size configurations may be readily provided. The marker element 2 includes a cable attachment 8 in the form of a raised bridge section 10 having a pair of apertures 12 defined at either end. In use a cable tie is inserted through the apertures 12 and under the bridge section 10, for securing the marker element 2 for example to a cable bundle. The marker element 2 further includes a notch 14 formed in either end.

Referring again to Figure 1 , the marker storage device 1 includes a housing section 16 defining a storage magazine. The magazine 16 is formed from a plurality of upstanding walls including a front wall 18, side walls 20 which are preferably formed as a single piece element. The side walls 20 are substantially L-shaped having forwardly oriented feet sections 21. A pair of adjustable vertically oriented rear guide members 22 are positioned opposing the inner surface of the front wall 18. The magazine 16 is secured to a base 26, which may be the base of the casing within which the magazine is housed, or a separate base element, by a pair of upstanding support members (not shown). The support members are L-shaped in cross-section and are positioned at either side of the front wall 18 with L-shaped cross-section being configured to extend along both the front wall 18 and the side wall 20 corresponding to the position of the support member.

A pair of guide rails 24 is located beneath the magazine 16. Each guide rail 24 includes a pair of spaced elongate members 27 oriented perpendicular to the front wall 18. The guide rails 24 are secured to the base plate 26. Each guide rail 24 has a push rod 28 slidably received within the space between the elongate members 27 which includes a racked gear arrangement along its lower edge. This gear arrangement is engaged by a corresponding geared drive means to move the push rods 28 longitudinally forward and rearward longitudinally towards and away from the front wall 18. The upper edges of the elongate members 27 define a support surface for receiving and supporting the markers 2.

A support block 33 is located below magazine 16 at the front end of the rails 24. The upper surface 34 of the support block 33 defines a support surface which is flush with the upper surface 27 of the rails 24. A lower portion of the support block 33 is configured to receive and support the feet 21 of the side walls 20.

The inner surfaces of the front wall 18 and side walls 20, and the front edges of the guide members 22 define an elongate chamber corresponding to the peripheral dimensions of the marker element 2, arranged to receive and guide the marker element 2. The width of the front wall 18 defines the length of the elongate chamber, and the width of the side members 20 define the width of the chamber. In order to securely and accurately house the markers 2, and onwardly present them in an indexed manner for picking, the chamber is configured such that its length I substantially equal to the length of the markers 2. To accommodate the different marker lengths (90mm and 45mm), the one-piece magazine 16 defined by the front wall 18 and side walls 20 is removable and interchangeable with an alternatively sized second magazine 16. The first and second magazines 16 include front walls of different widths to define different chamber lengths corresponding to the different marker lengths.

The magazine 16 is secured to the upstanding support members by a plurality of thumb screw, although it will be appreciated that alternative fixing means may be utilised. The thumb screws extend through apertures in the support members, and are received in corresponding threaded bores 37 in the front wall 18 of the magazine. To interchange and replace the magazine 16 with an alternative magazine 16 having a different size and configuration preselected for an alternative marker size, the thumb screws are firstly removed to uncouple and separate the magazine 16 from the support members. One of the support members is fixed relative to the base, while the second is laterally slidable. The slidable support member is moved away from the magazine 16, thereby releasing the magazine and allowing it to be removed from the marker system. The replacement magazine 16 is then brought into abutment with the fixed support member and supported on the support block 33. The movable support member is then slid into abutment with the opposing side of the magazine 16. Pressure is applied to the upper surface of the magazine to urge it downwards and bring the bores 37 into alignment with the apertures of the support members, and the thumb screws are then applied to secure the support members to the magazine 16. In this way, by providing a one piece magazine that is secured in position by securement to a pair of support members by a small number of thumb screws, the magazine 16 is able to be quickly and easily removed and replaced by an alternatively sized replacement magazine 166 by a low skilled operator. In contrast, marker magazines of the prior art are configured to operate with a single marker size, and there is no requirement to remove the magazine on a frequent basis. Therefore, the magazine is multi part component secured to the other elements of the marker system in a permanent and often complexly interconnected manner, such that removal and replacement of the magazine requires a skilled technician.

The guide members 22 are adjustably slidable towards and away from the front wall 18, to vary the width of the elongate chamber to accommodate the varying widths of the marker elements 2. Once the appropriately sized magazine 16 to accommodate the length of the markers 2 has been selected and installed, a marker 2 is placed within the magazine 16, and the guide member 22 are move forwards into abutment, or close to abutment with the rear edge of the marker 2. Once in the required position suitable for guiding the rear edge of the markers 2, the members 22 are secured in the selected longitudinal position.

Marker elements 2 are loaded into the top of the magazine 16 via its elongate opening, as shown in Figure 4. The marker elements 2 are guided to the base of the magazine by the inner surfaces of the front wall 18 and side walls 20, and at their rear edge by the guide members 22. A ridge 30 protrudes from the inner surface of each side wall 20 and extends along the length thereof. The ridge 30 corresponds in shape and position to the notches 14 of the marker elements 2. The ridges 30 act as guide elements, which maintain the markers 2 in the correct orientation as they pass to the base of the magazine 16. In addition, the ridges prevent marker elements which do not include the corresponding notches from being introduced into the magazine 16. This enables the manufacturer to ensure that only the correct and corresponding marker elements are used with the marker system, and that non OEM or alternative marker elements are not introduced into the marker system.

Notches are typically only provided in marker elements having a width of 20mm. 10mm marker elements are provided with chamfered corners to allow them to be received in front of the ridges 30 in the magazine without interference between their corners and the ridges 30, with the ridges 30 acting as guides for the 1 Omm in markers in engagement with their rearward corners.

Markers 2 inserted into the magazine 16 slide downwards to the base of the magazine 16, with the lowermost marker 2 seating on the upper surface of the guide rails 24 and additional markers 2 resting in a stacked arrangement on top of the lowermost marker 2. The front wall section 18 has lower edge portions 32 spaced at opposing sides of the front wall 18. The lower edge portions 32 are spaced from the upper surfaces 27 of the rails 24 by a distance greater than the thickness of the markers 2, and less than twice the thickness of the markers 2, such that only a single marker 2 is able to pass under the front wall 18. The push rods 28 are arranged such that at least their front end portion extends above the upper surface 27 of the rails 24 by a distance substantially equal to but not greater than the thickness of the markers 2, and less than the distance defined by the spacing between the lower edge portion 32 of the front wall 18 and the rails 24.

The push rods 28 move longitudinally forwards towards the front wall 18 of the magazine 16, and engage the lowermost marker 2 to push the marker 2 forwards to a picking position. The leading edge of each push rod 28 has a forwardly and downwardly tapering portion at its upper forward corner. This ensures that if the leading edge were to engage the second marker 2 sat above the lowermost marker 2, the second marker 2 slides over the push rod 28 rather than acting as a stop and jamming the push rod 24, with the push rod 28 instead simply lifting the stack of markers 2 slightly as it continues to move forward. As the first marker 2 is moved forwards away from the base of the magazine 16, the marker 2 immediately above the first marker 2 in the magazine 16 drops into position to replace it at the base of the magazine, initially being seated on top of the push rods 28 until they are retraced to the stowed position. As such, as soon as the lowermost marker 2 is moved to the picking position the next marker 2 is indexed into position at the base of the magazine 2.

The push rods 28 are controlled to move the marker 2 to a forwardmost picking position in which the front leading edge of the marker 2 overhangs the front edge of the support plate 34 a preselected distance determined by the width of the marker 2 which the picking device requires to grip. The push rods 28 are initially controlled to move forwards to engage and push the marker 2 forwards. A sensor located in the support block 33 is activated once the front edge of the marker 2 is moved forward a predetermined distance by the push rods 28. Once the sensor has been activated it controls the push rods 28 to move the marker a further predetermined distance to the picking position. This predetermined distance is the same for both the 20mm and 100mm markers, with the only difference being the distance the push rods 28 have to move to initially engage the rear edge of the markers 2.

As the marker 2 is moved to the picking position by the push rods 28 it slides through the gap defined by the spacing between the lower edge portion 32 of the front wall 18 and the rails 24. As the gap is less than the thickness of two markers 2, any second marker sliding through due to friction with the lower marker is prevented from doing so by the front wall 18.

In the picking position, the marker 2 overhangs the front edge of the support surface 34 a sufficient distance to permit it to be grasped by the picking device 4. To ensure that the marker is accurately held in the picking position, a clamp 36 is provided between the front wall 18 and the front edge of the support plate 34 to hold the marker 2 in the picking position. The clamp 36 is preferably secured to the front wall 18. As shown in Figure 3, the clamp 36 comprises a body section 38 and two vertically oriented bores 39 extending therethrough. A pair of plunger pins 40 defining clamping members are located within the bores 39 and extend through the lower surface of the body section 38. The pins 40 are biased downwards to the clamping position in which they engage the support plate 34 by a pair or corresponding compression springs also located with the bores in the body section 38. The pins 40 have a radiused or domed lower end to define an curved lead in edge to permit easy sliding of the marker 2 beneath the pins 40. As the marker 2 is pushed forward by the pushrods 28 it is slid beneath the pins 40 which move upwards in response and engage and urge against its upper surface. The resistance provided by the pins is determined by the force provided of the springs 42, which can be varied through rotation of grub screws placed above the springs 42, but other suitable means of varying the compression force may be utilised. The clamping force is selected to ensure that the marker 2 is able to move to the picking position, but does not move forwards past the picking position once moved there by the pushrods 28. In this way the plunger pins 40 ensure that the marker does not overhangs the front edge of the support plate 34 by too great a distance, or fall off the front edge of the support plate 34.

Due to the tight tolerance of the gap between the lower edges 32 of the front wall 18 and the upper surface of the rails 24 it is important that the lower most marker 2 is maintained in engagement with the rails 24 to prevent obstruction being caused by engagement of the marker 2 with the lower edge 32 of the front wall 18. This can be particularly problematic when only a few markers 2 are remaining in the magazine 16 and the weight bearing on the lowermost marker 2 by the additional markers above is reduced. To ensure that contact between the lowermost marker 2 and the rails 24 is optimised, a weight element 44 is provided to urge the markers 2 downward.

As shown in Figure 5, the weight element 44 is shaped having a lateral cross section which substantially corresponds to the shape of the opening to the magazine 16, and also the shape of the wider 20 mm markers 2. Specifically, the weight element 44 has a rectangular lateral cross section with a groove 46 running down the sidewalls which correspond to the ridges 30 of the magazine 16. The weight element 44 also includes channels 49 corresponding in width and position to the guide members 22. The weight element 44 is therefore configured to slide vertically within the magazine 16. The weight element 44 includes a handle section 48 for allowing the weight to be manually lowered into and lifted out from the magazine 16. The weight element 44 is placed into the magazine following insertion of the markers 2, with the number of markers 2 inserted into the magazine 16 being selected such that sufficient space is left in the top of the magazine 16 to receive a sufficient portion of the weight element 44 to allow the weight element 44 to be stably located therein.

When received within the magazine 16, the weight element seats on the uppermost marker 2 and bears down on the stack of markers 2 beneath. The force provided by the weight element 44 is transferred through the stack of markers to the lowermost marker 2 to urge it against the upper surface of the rails 24. The lower surface of the weight element 44 is shaped to define a forward engagement portion 50 and a rearward engagement portion 52, which are separated in space by a channel 54, as shown in Figure 6. The forward engagement portion 50 has a radiused front and rear edge defining a substantially semicircular cross section which extends transversely across the width of the weight element 44. The rearward engagement element 52 includes a sloping chamfered rear edge. When the wider 20mm marker elements are loaded in the magazine 16, both the front engagement portion 50 and rear engagement portion 52 engage the upper surface of the upper most marker 2, with the front engagement portion 50 engaged in the marker 2 towards its front leading edge and the rearward engagement portion 52 engaged in the marker 2 towards its rearward edge. When only a single marker 2 remains in the magazine, there is a risk of the rear edge of the weight element 42 engaging with and causing jamming of the pushrods 28. This is avoided by the chamfered rear edge of the rearward engagement portion 52, which provides tapered sloping engagement with the corresponding sloping leading edge of the pushrods 28, which enables the pushrod 28 to slide under the weight element 44 should any such engagement occur.

When the narrower 10mm markers 2 are loaded in the magazine, only the front engagement portion 50 engages the 10mm marker, with the rear engagement portion 52 located above the gap defined behind the rear edge of the marker 2. It was found by the applicant that where a 10mm weight marker was used, as the marker 2 is pushed from under the weight element 44, the weight element 44 can cause the marker 2 to tilt upwardly as it is pushed from under the front engagement portion by the pushrods 28, which can cause jamming either against the lower edge 32 of the front wall 18 or the clamp 36. The radiused curved configuration of the front engagement portion 50 addresses this problem by providing a reduced surface contact area between the weight element 44 and the 10mm marker 2, and by allowing weight element 44 to pivot or rock about the front engagement portion 50 as the marker is pushed forwards.

The picker device 4 includes upper and lower clamping elements which are arranged to move together to clamp and hold the marker element 2. The picker device 4 is controlled to move across the marker system in a transverse direction parallel to the front edge of the support plate 34, and in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the front edge of the support surface 34. The picker device 4 is controlled to transversely align with support surface 34 such that the upper and lower clamping members are aligned with the marker element 2 when it is in the picking position. The picker device 4 is controlled to move longitudinally forward and grip and engage the overhanging marker element 2 in the picking position. The picker device 4 is then retracted longitudinally rearwardly and moved transversely to the embossing device where the marker element 2 is provided to the embossing device for embossed indicia to be applied thereto. The marker system includes a programmable input device (such as an alpha numeric key pad) and a processor for controlling the embossing device and the indicia provided. Once the marker 2 has been embossed it is then transferred by the picker device to a marker collection device 6 where it is stored for collection by the operator.

The picker device is transversely aligned with the collection device 6 and is then moved longitudinally forwards towards the collection device 6. The upper clamping member of the picker device 4 is connected to a pivotally mounted arm 50. As the picker device 4 moves forward toward the collection device 6 a portion of the arm 50 engages a tapered camming member 52 which causes the rearward end of the arm 52 to pivot downwards, causing corresponding upward pivoting of the upper clamping member which releases the marker 2 into the collection device 6.

As shown in figures 8 and 9, the collection device 6 comprises a pair of opposing side walls 54 and 56 and the base portion 58 defining a channel 59. The channel 59 is arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the picker device 4 such that when dropped the longitudinal axis of the marker 2 is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the channel 59. The base section 58 comprises an upper portion 60 and a lower portion 62. The upper portion 60 defines a receiving section for receiving marker elements 2 directly from the picker device 4 and the lower portion 62 defines a holding section 4 for receiving and storing markers 2 from the receiving section 60. The upper portion 60 and lower portion 62 both comprise base support surfaces which slope downwardly toward an outlet end 64 of the channel 59.

A tray 66 is located beneath the housing section and comprises a tray section 68 and a closure member 70. The tray 66 is arranged such that the closure member 70 is positioned at the outlet end 64 of the holding section 62 at the lower end of the slope. The upper receiving section 60 is stepped vertically upwards from the lower holding section 62. The upper receiving section 60 comprises a base section 72 and a moveable support plate 74. The moveable support plate 74 is moveable along the longitudinally axis of the channel 59 between a first position arranged for receiving 90mm long markers and a second position arranged for receiving 45mm long markers. Magnetic elements are provided in the lower surface of the support plate 74 to removabley secure the support plates 74 to the base 72. Alternatively, the magnetic elements may be provided in the base 72 for securing the support plates 74 thereto. In the first position for receiving the longer 90mm markers, the support plate 74 is positioned at the upper end of the base 58 such that the length of the lower holding section 62 revealed by the plate 60 is substantially equal in length to the 90mm marker elements. Similarly, in the second position for receiving the 45mm markers the support plate 74 is positioned at a lower position such that the length of the holding section 62 revealed by the support plate 74 is approximately 45mm long corresponding to the length of the 45mm markers. To modify the collection device 6 for receiving a specific marker length, the support plate 58 is moved to the corresponding first or second position. To enable the operator to position the support plates 74 correctly, a pair of reference lines 76 are provided along the outer surface of the side wall 56 which correspond in position to the longitudinal positions of the support plate 58.

As the marker elements 2 are dropped on the support plates 74 by the picker device 4 they slide downwardly along the support plate 58 and fall into the holding section 62. As the length of the holding section 62 correspond to the length of the markers 2, it is ensured that the lower most end of the markers 2 are stacked in line with the front edge of the holding section 62 and the door 70. The upper section 60 and lower section 62 are also sloped transverse to the longitudinal axis of the channel 59 in a downwards direction away from the picker device 4, such that when the markers 2 fall on the support plate 74 they slide longitudinally away from the picker device against the wall 54. Similarly, when the markers 2 continue into the holding section 62 they remain aligned in abutment with the wall 54.

When the markers 2 have been collected and aligned in the front of the holding section 62 and the embossing run has been completed, the operator is able to access and remove the embossed markers 2 from the marker system by sliding the tray 66 away from the holding section 62 by opening and pulling the door 70. As the tray 66 slides away from the holding section 62, the markers 2 continue to slide down the sloped surface of the holding section 62 and slide into and are collected in the tray section 68. Once the tray 66 has been retracted to the fully open position the markers 2 may be manually removed from the tray for storage or application. The collection device 6 thereby provides a convenient means of access to the embossed markers 2 to the operator in a neatly stacked and aligned and orderly manner.

Claims

Claims:

1. A supply assembly for a marker system comprising:

a first housing section and a second housing section each comprising a plurality of upstanding walls defining an enclosure for receiving and storing in a stacked arrangement marker elements to which an indicia is to be applied by the marker system;

a support surface for receiving marker elements from one of the first and second housing sections and supporting them in a picking position in which they may be grasped by a picking device of the marker system;

transfer means for moving the marker elements from one of the first and second the housing sections to the picking position on the support surface; and

at least one support member fixed relative to the support surface and the transfer means and configured to be independently connected to by the first and second housing sections to locate the housing sections in a predetermined position relative to the support surface and transfer means;

wherein the first and second housing sections are configured differently to respectively receive marker elements of different sizes, and each housing section is configured to removabley connect to the at least one support member to enable the housing sections to be removed and selectively interchanged with each other depending on the size of marker to be housed.

2. The supply assembly of claim 1 wherein each housing comprising a first opening for receiving the marker elements and a second opening located below the first opening through which the marker elements exit the housing;

3. The supply assembly of claim 1 or 2 wherein each housing section comprises a front wall and two opposing side walls, the spacing of the side walls corresponding to the length of the marker elements to be received, and the supply device further comprises at least one upstanding guide member spaced from the front wall at a distance corresponding to the width of the marker element, the at least one guide member being movable relative to the front wall to vary the spacing therebetween to accommodate marker elements of varying widths.

4. The supply assembly of any preceding claim wherein the first and second housing sections are configured for receiving and storing the marker elements in a stacked arrangement.

5. A supply assembly for a marker system comprising:

a housing for receiving and storing marker elements to which an indicia is to be applied by the marker system;

a support surface for supporting marker elements in a picking position in which they may be grasped by a picking device of the marker system;

transfer means for moving the marker elements from a stored position to the picking position on the support surface; and

clamp means arranged to engage and hold the marker element against the support surface in the picking position.

6. The supply assembly of claim 5 wherein the clamping means comprises at least one clamping member biased into engagement with the support surface and configured to enable the marker element to be slidingly received between the clamping member and the support surface.

7. The supply assembly of claim 6 wherein the clamping means comprises at least one shaft member having a proximal end slidingly received within a body section and a distal end biased into engagement with the support surface, a gap being defined between the body section and the support surface to accommodate the marker element.

8. The supply assembly of claim 7 wherein the clamping means comprises means for varying the biasing force of the biasing means to vary the clamping force.

9. The supply assembly of claim 8 wherein the biasing means is a compression spring and the clamping means comprises a movable stop for varying the compression of the spring.

10. A storage assembly for a marker system comprising: a base section having a longitudinal axis defined along its length comprises an upper receiving section for receiving marker elements from a picking device, and a lower storage section for storing the marker elements which is vertically spaced from the upper storage section and which has a proximal end located proximate the upper receiving section and a longitudinally opposing distal end;

a side wall extending longitudinally along a side of the base section and upwardly therefrom;

wherein the receiving section slopes downwardly in the longitudinal direction towards the storage section such that marker elements received on the receiving section slide downwardly onto the storage section, the distance between the lower end of the receiving section and the distal end of the storage section defines the effective length of the storage section, and the receiving section is longitudinally movable to vary the effective length of the storage section.

11. A storage assembly according to claim 10 wherein the receiving section is also sloped downwardly towards the side wall in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the base section such that marker elements received on the receiving section slide into abutment with the side wall.

12. A storage assembly according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the storage section slopes downwardly towards its distal end.

13. A storage assembly according to claim 12 wherein the storage section is also sloped downwardly towards the side wall in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the base section.

14. A storage assembly according to claim 13 further comprising a tray assembly located beneath and slideably mounted relative to the storage section and comprising a stop member arranged at the distal end of the support section such that the marker elements within the support section slide into abutment with the stop member and such that when the tray is slidingly moved longitudinally away from the storage section the marker elements abutting the stop member slide into the tray.

15. A storage assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 14 wherein the receiving section comprises a base and a receiving plate supported on the plate, and the receiving plate is longitudinally movable relative to the base.

16. A storage assembly according to claim 15 wherein the receiving plate is releasably connected to the base to enable it to be moved longitudinally moved relative thereto.

17. A storage assembly according to claim 16 wherein the receiving plate is releasably connected to the base by at least one magnet.

18. A storage assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 17 further comprising a second side wall extending longitudinally along an opposite side of the base section to the first side wall and extending upwardly from the base section, the first and second side walls and the base section defining a channel.

19. A storage assembly according to claim 18 wherein one of the side walls includes a first reference indicia corresponding to a first longitudinal position of the receiving section and a second reference indicia corresponding to a second longitudinal position of the receiving section.

20. A method of storing marker elements for supply to the picking device of a marker device comprising:

providing at least two housing sections comprising a plurality of upstanding walls for receiving and storing marker elements to which an indicia is to be applied by the marker system in a stacked arrangement, each housing comprising a first opening for receiving the marker elements and a second opening located below the first opening through which the marker elements exit the housing, wherein the at least two housing sections have different configuration for respectively receiving correspondingly differently sized marker elements;

selecting one of the at least two housing sections depending on the size of marker element to be supplied to the picking device;

removabley securing the selected housing section to at least one support member which is fixed relative to a support surface for receiving marker elements from the housing section and supporting them in a picking position in which they may be grasped by a picking device of the marker system and a transfer means for moving the marker elements from the housing section to the picking position on the support surface; and

inserting marker elements into the first opening of the selected housing section for storage.

21. A storage assembly for a marker system comprising a plurality of upstanding walls defining a housing configured to receive and store marker elements to which an indicia is to be applied by the marker system wherein at least one of the walls comprises one of a protruding ridge or a recessed channel extending along its vertical length corresponding to one of a notch or a protrusion on the marker elements to be received in the housing to guide the marker elements within the housing and to prevent insertion of marker elements not including said notch or protrusion within the housing.

22. A storage assembly according to claim 21 wherein the plurality of upstanding walls includes a pair of opposing walls each including one of a protruding ridge or a recessed channel extending along its vertical length.

23. A storage assembly according to claim 22 wherein the plurality of upstanding walls includes a pair of opposing side walls interconnected by a front wall, and the side walls both include a protruding ridge extending along their vertical lengths configured to be received by a corresponding notch in the marker elements to guide and locate the marker elements within the housing.

24. A storage assembly according to claim 23 wherein the ridges are spaced rearwardly from the front wall with the front wall and the ridges defining the front and rear of a channel configured to receive and guide narrower markers within the housing.

25. A storage assembly according to claim 23 or 24 wherein the marker elements are elongate plates having notches formed at each end corresponding to the protruding ridges.