EP3078018B1 - Shield strip having a plurality of printable identification plates and magazine for inserting shield strips into a printing device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a shield strip according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a magazine for inserting shield strips into a printing device according to the preamble of claim 8.

Such a shield strip comprises a longitudinally extending central web and a plurality of printable identification labels. The identification plates are arranged on both sides of the central web in each case one row along the central web one behind the other and connected via connecting webs with the central web. The identification labels serve to identify electrical components, such as e.g. Devices in control cabinets, terminals, conductors or cables. A characterizing the respective component marking is this printed on a printable surface of a label.

A shield strip of the type mentioned is from the DE 37 25 217 A1 known. It describes tag carriers in the form of tags, which are connected via dividers with a central carrier. The labels are arranged on both sides of the central carrier in each case in a row, and there are several shield strips combined into a unit that can be inserted for printing in a magazine of a printer. The one end of the central carrier passes into a small plate, which is provided with a hole for hanging the label strip, for example, to a hook.

The WO 2012/022469 A1 describes tag strips with a crosspiece and with several labels arranged in a row behind each other. In each case a plurality of shield strips are connected to one another via an outer frame. The frame includes guide means for guiding the shield strips in a printer.

The known shield strips comprise for handling or for guiding in the printer the platelets or frames described. These are no longer needed after printing and separating the identification plates from the shield strip and lead to an increased material requirement in relation to the production of a label.

From the document EP 1 231 586 A1 is a shield strip with a series arrangement of identical slots for transporting the shield strip in the printer known.

From the document DE 10 2007 011 179 A1 For example, a tag plate set having a transport hole and two identical positioning holes is known. The positioning holes in conjunction with positioning pins are used for the exact positioning of the identification plate set in a holding device of a labeling unit.

From the document DE 10 2005 058 387 A1 is also a label plate set with identical holding holes known to the holding mandrels can be plugged to facilitate the collection in a labeling device.

The invention is based on the problem to provide a shield strip that allows encoding of the spatial orientation of the label strip when inserted into a magazine

This problem is solved by a shield strip having the features of claim 1 and by a magazine having the features of claim 8.

Thereafter, at least two retaining pins are arranged on the central web of the shield strip, which differ in their shape and / or their size from each other. Both retaining pins are designed to engage in each case an associated and suitably shaped holder of a magazine, with which one or more shield strips can be inserted into a printing device.

The retaining pins are used for positioning and holding the label strip on the magazine. Due to the different configuration of the at least two retaining pins, a coding of the spatial orientation of the shield strip is also effected, since the shield strip can only be used in a specific orientation in a receptacle of the magazine, which has a suitably designed holder for each retaining pin. This can simplify the handling of the label strip if it has to be positioned correctly in the magazine. Positionally correct positioning may be e.g. become necessary if some label plates were already used by the shield strip or if the identification plates are not arranged or formed mirror-inverted on both sides of the central web.

A shield strip may be formed with identification tags in various shapes and sizes. It is also possible on a single shield strip To provide identification plates of different shape and / or size. In particular, the individual identification plates may have a substantially rectangular shape and comprise on its underside latching elements for latching connection with an electrical component.

The connecting webs connecting the identification plates with the central web can extend essentially transversely to the central web. In particular, each identification plate can be connected to the central web via a connecting web connected only to this identification plate. Alternatively, e.g. For particularly large identification plates, a label can also be connected via a plurality of connecting webs with the central web. Furthermore, it is also possible that an identification plate is not connected via a separate connecting web with the central web, but is connected only via one or more adjacent identification plates with the central web.

Specifically, the tags of the tag strip may be printed in a printing device such as a plotter, inkjet printer, or thermal transfer printer. It can be used for printing color that hardens under UV radiation. Of course, however, it is also possible to use the identification labels by hand, e.g. with a pen or other methods of marking, such as engraving.

The two retaining pins of the shield strip may differ in their shape and / or size such that they have, for example, a different cross-section and / or a different length. Alternatively it can be provided that e.g. a retaining pin has a triangular cross-sectional shape, while the other retaining pin has a round or rectangular cross-sectional shape. Also, the retaining pins may have a conical or circular cylindrical shape and differ in their diameter.

Of course, three or more retaining pins can be arranged on the shield strip, as long as at least two of them have a different shape and / or size.

The shield strip is preferably produced in an injection molding process. In order to achieve the most uniform possible filling and pressure distribution during injection molding, at least two (longitudinally spaced along the central web) injection points are formed on the central web of the shield strip. Depending on the size of the sign strip or number and size of the individual identification plates can also a third or even more Anspritzpunkte on the shield strip, in particular also on the central web, be formed. The arrangement of the injection points centrally on the central web between the two rows of identification plates has a particularly uniform injection molding process. In addition, since only two rows of identification plates are filled via just one central bar and no further filling bar is necessary, the identification plates carry a particularly high proportion of material of the entire sign strip.

According to a development, the injection points can be applied perpendicular to the central web or to a plane in which the central web and the identification plates extend at the central web. The direction in which an injection point is applied is defined by the direction in which the injection molding material is injected into the injection mold during the production of the label strip.

The injection points can also be arranged on the shield strip such that the shortest path between any point in or on the shield strip and the injection point nearest this point by the material of the sign strip does not exceed 40 mm. This path corresponds approximately to the flow path of the injection molding material in the injection mold from the injection point to this arbitrary point. By such a limitation of the flow path, a particularly uniform injection molding process and thus a particularly high surface accuracy can be achieved. The high surface accuracy achievable in this way results in the shield strip being printed next to the printing e.g. by inkjet printer or plotter is also suitable for printing in a thermal transfer printing process.

If the shield strip has two injection points, these can be arranged at a distance from one another which is between 30% and 60%, in particular between 41% and 52%, of the length of the label strip along the central web. The length of the shield strip may be equal to or different from the length of the central web. In particular, the length of the tag strip along the central web may be longer than the center web by about the dimension of a tag in that direction.

If the shield strip has three injection points, these can be arranged at a distance from one another which amounts to between 25% and 35% of the length of the label strip.

An injection point or a plurality of injection points can also be arranged opposite a holding pin on the central web. Here, the retaining pins from Starting from the central web extending perpendicular to the central web or to the plane in which the central web and the identification plates extend.

The individual identification plates are connected via at least one predetermined breaking point with a component of the label strip. Such a predetermined breaking point is used for the simple separation of a label from the shield strip and can for example run between a respective label and the connecting web, over which the label is connected to the central web, as well as between two adjacent labels. In particular, each identification plate can be connected only via predetermined breaking points with the rest of the shield strip.

The shield strip may be made of plastic, in particular be made in one piece of an amorphous plastic. In this case, a thermoplastic such as e.g. Polycarbonate or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the identification labels each have at least one printable surface and are arranged on the label strip in such a way that all printable surfaces of the identification labels of a label strip lie in a common plane. This level is according to a development of any other part of the sign strip, such as the center bar, the connecting webs or other parts of the identification signs, surmounted. In such an arrangement, the tags of the tag strip may be replaced by a printhead applied flat on or sliding along the surfaces of the tags, e.g. a thermal transfer printer, to be printed.

The printable surface is formed in each case on a shield body of a label. Such a shield body may be substantially flat and in particular rectangular in shape and have a thickness of 0.65 mm to 1.30 mm perpendicular to the printable surface.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the length of a shield strip in the longitudinal direction of the central web is between 5.6 cm and 7.0 cm.

To print on a tag strip, it will be inserted into a magazine according to claim 8 for insertion of tag strips into a printing device. Such a magazine comprises a plurality of receptacles which are adapted to each receive a shield strip with a plurality of identification plates. In each case at least two brackets are arranged on the receptacles, which are in shape and / or size differ from each other. These brackets are configured for engagement by a respective associated and adapted to the holder retaining pin of a shield strip. In at least one of the two holders thus only one of the two retaining pins of the shield strip can intervene (coding). It is envisaged that the shield strip can only be included as intended in the recording of the magazine when all the retaining pins engage in the associated brackets. Thus, the shield strip can be used only in a certain spatial orientation in the recording.

According to a further development, at least one, in particular two, recessed grips are provided on some or all of the receptacles of the magazine, the recesses being a simplified one

Grasping a arranged in such a recording (inserted) Schildstreifens allow.

The receptacles of the magazine may each comprise at least one support bar on which a shield strip arranged as intended in the receptacle, in particular during a printing operation in a printing device, such as a thermal transfer printer, is supported. This can prevent a tag from bending excessively during printing, thereby degrading the printing result.

Fig. 1A

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Oberseite eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Schildstreifens;

Fig. 1B

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Unterseite des Schildstreifens aus Fig. 1A;

Fig. 2A

eine Draufsicht auf die Oberseite des Schildstreifens der Fig. 1A und 1B;

Fig. 2B

eine Draufsicht auf die Unterseite des Schildstreifens der Fig. 1A bis 2A;

Fig. 3A

eine seitliche Ansicht auf den Schildstreifen aus Fig. 2A;

Fig. 3B

einen Querschnitt durch den Schildstreifen entlang der Schnittebene A-A aus Fig. 2B;

Fig. 4

eine seitliche Ansicht auf die Längsseite des Schildstreifens der Fig. 1A bis 3B;

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht auf die Oberseite eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Schildstreifens;

Fig. 6

eine Draufsicht auf die Oberseite eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Schildstreifens; und

Fig. 7

eine Draufsicht auf ein Magazin zum Einführen von Schildstreifen in eine Druckvorrichtung mit mehreren Aufnahmen und einem in einer der Aufnahmen angeordneten Schildstreifen.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures based on embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1A

a perspective view of the top of a first embodiment of a shield strip;

Fig. 1B

a perspective view of the underside of the shield strip Fig. 1A ;

Fig. 2A

a plan view of the top of the shield strip the Fig. 1A and 1B ;

Fig. 2B

a plan view of the underside of the shield strip the Fig. 1A to 2A ;

Fig. 3A

a side view of the shield strip Fig. 2A ;

Fig. 3B

a cross section through the shield strip along the cutting plane AA Fig. 2B ;

Fig. 4

a side view on the longitudinal side of the shield strip the Fig. 1A to 3B ;

Fig. 5

a plan view of the top of a second embodiment of a shield strip;

Fig. 6

a plan view of the top of a third embodiment of a shield strip; and

Fig. 7

a plan view of a magazine for inserting tag strip in a printing device with a plurality of receptacles and arranged in one of the receptacles shield strip.

The Fig. 1A to 4 show various views of a first embodiment of a sign strip 1. Such as in Fig. 1A to recognize the shield strip 1 comprises a plurality of identification plates 10 which are arranged on two opposite sides of a central web 11 symmetrically to this in each case one row behind the other. Each identification plate is connected via a connecting web 12 with the central web 11.

The central web 11 is elongate and in the embodiment has a substantially rectangular cross-section (as well as the connecting webs 12). At three in the direction of extension of the central web 11 spaced portions 110, an injection point 13 is provided in each case, which is centrally in a circular, trough-like depression in the form of a dome 16 attached. The volumes in an injection mold for producing the label strip 1, in which the portions 110 are formed with the dome 16 formed therein, serve during the manufacture of the label strip 1 for uniform distribution of the injection molding material in the injection mold. The injection molding material, which forms the shield strip 1 after curing, flows from the injection points 13 via the central web 11 and the outgoing from the central web 11 connecting webs 12 in the parts of the injection mold, which are provided to form the individual identification plates 10. Adjacent tags 10 are separably interconnected (breakable, as discussed below) so that the molding material may also flow from a tag 10 into an adjacent tag 10 during injection molding.

Each of the identification labels 10 has a printable surface 102. All of the identification labels 10 of the label strip 1 are arranged so that their printable surfaces 102 lie in one plane. Thereby, the identification tags 10 can be particularly efficiently separated by means of a surface-movable print head e.g. an inkjet printer or by means of a thermal transfer print head to be printed.

The side of the tag strip 1 where the printable surfaces 102 of the tag labels 10 extend is referred to herein as the top of the tag strip 1. The underside of the shield strip 1 opposite this upper side is in Fig. 1B shown.

It can be seen on the one hand that each identification plate 10 comprises two latching arms 100 which are provided for latching with corresponding latching elements on an electrical component to this electrical component with the Identification plate 10 to mark. On the other two formed on the central web 11 retaining pins 14, 15 can be seen, which are arranged opposite each other on the central web 11 an injection point. Both retaining pins have a substantially circular cylindrical shape, wherein one of the retaining pins 14 is both longer than the other retaining pin 15, and also has a larger diameter. Each of the retaining pins 14, 15 may be assigned to a receptacle of a magazine a suitably formed holder, in which the respective matching retaining pin 14, 15 can engage. As a result, the shield strip 1 can be inserted into the receptacle only in a specific spatial orientation. The differently designed retaining pins 14, 15 thus cause a spatial coding of the shield strip. 1

In the plan view of the top of the shield strip 1 off Fig. 2A It can be seen that the individual adjacent identification plates 10 are each connected to one another via a predetermined breaking point S and are each connected to a predetermined breaking point S with one of the connecting webs 12. Thus, each identification plate 10 is connected via at least two predetermined breaking points S with the rest of the shield strip 1. Such predetermined breaking points can be formed by targeted (eg notch-shaped) weakenings of the material, in particular by a narrowing of the injection mold at the mentioned connection points and a resulting reduced material thickness.

Adjacent injection points 13 are each attached at a distance A1 on the central web 11. The distance A1 is in the exemplary embodiment of the shield strip 1 concretely 1.75 cm. The total length of the shield strip 1 is 5.7 cm; Thus, the ratio of the distance A1 adjacent injection points 13 to the length of the shield strip 1 is about 30.7%.

In the plan view of the underside of the shield strip 1 according to Fig. 2B It can be seen that, in the present case, retaining pins 14, 15 are provided on the central web 11 only with respect to the two injection points 13. Of course, another or more further retaining pins could be formed on the shield strip, for example on the central portion 110th

In the side view of the shield strip 1 in the longitudinal direction of the central web 11 according to Fig. 3A and in the sectional view Fig. 3B In addition to the formation of the predetermined breaking points S (as notch-shaped weakenings) between the identification plates 10 and the connecting webs 12, the shape of the latching arms 100 of the identification plates 10 can be seen. These extend substantially perpendicularly from one of the printable surface 102 forming shield body 103 at the printable surface 102 opposite side. The latching arms 100 each have a widened end 101, which can engage resiliently with an associated latching element of a component to be marked.

At the lateral edges of the identification plates 10, chamfers 104 are provided which are intended to prevent a printhead which slides over the identification labels 10 from striking its lateral edges. Optionally, a ridge-shaped reinforcement may be formed on the underside of the tags 10 to prevent the tags 10 from overbending during printing, e.g. when a thermal transfer print head exerts pressure on the identification tags 10.

Fig. 3B indicates that the central web 11 with respect to the connecting webs 12 is not only wider, but also has a greater thickness (perpendicular to the plane in which the printable surfaces 102 of the labels 10 are). This ensures that the injection molding material can be introduced evenly into the injection mold during the injection molding process. Furthermore, an increased stability of the shield strip 1 is achieved by the reinforcement of the central web 11 and by the connection of the individual adjacent identification plates 10 via predetermined breaking points S. As a result, shield strips 1 can be transported as bulk material, whereby the storage and transport of the shield strip 1 can be simplified.

Fig. 4 shows a side view of the longitudinal side of the shield strip 1 with the attached to their shield bodies 103 via predetermined breaking points S adjacent identification plates 10. Also, it can be seen that the latching arms 100 extend over almost the entire width of the shield body 103.

Fig. 5 shows a second embodiment of a shield strip 1 '. This corresponds in its construction substantially the shield strip 1 of the first embodiment. Components with the same function and at least comparable structure are provided with the same reference numerals. In contrast to the first embodiment, the shield strip 1 'according to Fig. 5 instead of twelve identification labels 10 only ten identification labels 10 '. However, these have larger dimensions. Therefore, the shield strip 1 'according to the second embodiment, even with a length of 5.6 cm only slightly shorter than the shield strip 1 described above.

Another essential difference is that the shield strip 1 'according to Fig. 5 at the central web 11 'only two injection points 13 (at a distance A2 of 2.9 cm) having. Two injection points 13 may be sufficient to achieve a uniform injection molding process, as long as the maximum flow path of the injection molding material does not significantly exceed 5 cm, preferably 4 cm. By a uniform injection molding process, a surface accuracy of the printable surface 102 can be achieved, which allows printing by means of a plotter, inkjet printer and thermal transfer printer. Opposite the injection points are on the central web 11 '(in Fig. 5 not visible) two retaining pins 14, 15 of different shape and / or size arranged.

A third embodiment of a sign strip 1 "is in Fig. 6 shown. This includes in both rows on both sides of the central web 11 "four identification plates 10", which have significantly larger dimensions than the identification plates 1,1 'of the first two embodiments. In order to ensure a quick and uniform injection molding process and to connect the identification plates 10 "stably with the center web 11", the connecting webs 12 "are made wider than in the above-described embodiments of the tag strips 1, 1 ' Fig. 6 two injection points 13 at a distance A2 of, for example, 2.9 cm. The entire shield strip has a length of 5.8 cm.

Fig. 7 shows a magazine 2 for receiving one or more shield strips 1 and for insertion into a printing device, such as an inkjet printer, a plotter or a thermal transfer printer. The magazine 2 comprises four receptacles 20 for receiving in each case a sign strip 1, wherein for example in a receptacle 20 a shield strip 1 is inserted. The receptacles 20 are bordered together by an outer peripheral, raised frame 25. In order to facilitate gripping the arranged in the lower receptacle 20 Schildstreifens 1 (or generally one arranged in a receptacle 20 Schildstreifens 1), in each case a recess 20 is formed in the frame 25 on each side next to each receptacle 20.

Further, two holders 204, 205 are provided in the form of blind holes on each receptacle 20, which are formed for engagement of the retaining pins 14, 15 of a shield strip 1. Each receptacle further comprises a plurality of, in the present case four, support webs 201, on which the shield bodies 103 of the identification labels 10 of a sign strip 1 arranged in the receptacle can be supported. For receiving the central web 11 with injection points 13 of a shield strip 1 corresponding recesses 202, 203 are provided on the receptacles 20.

Due to the design of the receptacles 20 with the brackets 204, 205 shield strips 1 can be used only in a spatial orientation in the receptacles 20. For this purpose, the brackets 204, 205 are designed differently and in the present case have a different inner diameter and a different depth. As a result, the holding pin 14 with the larger diameter can only engage in the holder 205 with the matching inner diameter, but not in the other holder 204, whose inner diameter is designed to match the smaller diameter of the other holding pin 15. The retaining pins 14, 15 and the brackets 204, 205 may be designed in their shape and / or size such that both retaining pins 14, 15 only in each case the one associated bracket 204, 205 can engage.

This can e.g. then be useful if already some labels 10 a shield strip 1 used, so printed and separated from the shield strip 1 (have been canceled). So that the remaining shield strip can be reused, the printing device stores which of the identification labels 10 have already been printed in a preceding printing operation. By coding the spatial orientation of the label strip 1 is avoided that this is supplied in a different orientation than before the printing device, the printing device would eject ink to voids. Since it can often occur in practice that a user only prints a few identification labels 10 in one work step, each tag strip 1 can thus be used more efficiently.

In the receptacles 20 shield strips 1 can be used with a length of at most the width B of the receptacles 20, which may be, for example, 7.0 cm. Shield strips 1 may generally be formed with different sized license plates 10 and a different number of license plates 10.

In the arrangement, a plurality of different shield strips 1 can be provided with differently sized (or differently shaped) and different numbers of identification plates 10, wherein in the various shield strips 1, the distance A1 of the two (outer) injection points 13 is the same. This distance A1 is then equal to the distance between the two brackets 204, 205 on the receptacles 20 of the magazine 2, so that the same magazine 2 can be used for many different shield strip 1.

For simplified introduction into a printing device, the frame 25 of the magazine 2 comprises two rounded corners 24, as well as a hole 23, on which the magazine 2 can be pulled out, for example, from a printing device or fixed therein.

The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can also be realized in differently configured embodiments. For example, a magazine 2 may also comprise fewer or significantly more than four receptacles 20. These do not have to, as in Fig. 7 can be arranged in a row, but can also be arranged side by side in several rows, for example.

Furthermore, the length and the cross section of the connecting webs with respect to the illustrated embodiments of the shield strips 1, 1 ', 1 "can be changed, for example, be made longer or shorter.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1 ', 1 "

sign strip

10, 10 ', 10 "

sign

100

detent arm

101

widened end

102

printable surface

103

shield body

104

chamfer

11, 11 ', 11 "

center web

110

section

12, 12 ', 12 "

connecting web

13

injection point

14

retaining pin

15

retaining pin

16

dome

2

magazine

20

admission

201

supporting web

202

recess

203

recess

204

bracket

205

bracket

22

grip

23

hole

24

rounded corner

25

frame

A1-A2

distance

B

width

S

Breaking point

Claims (10)

1. Shield strip having

   - a longitudinally extended central web (11, 11', 11") and

   - a plurality of printable identification plates (10, 10', 10") for identifying electric components,

   the identification plates (10, 10', 10") being arranged one after another on both sides of the central web (11, 11', 11"), each along the central web (11, 11', 11"), and being connected to the central web (11, 11', 11") via connecting webs (12, 12', 12")
   characterized

   - in that at least two retaining pins (14, 15) of different shape and/or size are arranged on the central web (11, 11', 11"), each being designed to engage in an associated holder (24, 25) of a magazine (2) of a printing device,

   - in that the retaining pins (14, 15) are formed differently in such a way that the shield strips (1, 1', 1") can be inserted only in one physical orientation into a receptacle (20) of a magazine (2) which has a suitably formed holder (204, 205) for each retaining pin (14, 15) .
2. Shield strip according to Claim 1, characterized in that the retaining pins (14, 15) have a different cross section and/or a different length.
3. Shield strip according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that the individual identification plates (10, 10', 10") are connected to a component (10, 10', 10", 12, 12', 12") of the shield strip (1, 1', 1") via at least one intended breakage point (S).
4. Shield strip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shield strip (1, 1', 1") is produced in one piece from an amorphous plastic.
5. Shield strip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification plates (10, 10', 10") each have a printable surface (102), wherein the printable surfaces (102) of all the identification plates (10, 10', 10") of the shield strip (1, 1', 1") lie in a common plane which is overlapped by no other part of the shield strip (1, 1', 1").
6. Shield strip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification plates (10, 10', 10") each have a shield body (103) which forms a printable surface (102) and has a thickness of 0.65 mm to 1.30 mm.
7. Shield strip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a length of the shield strip (1, 1', 1") along the central web (11, 11', 11") of 5.0 cm to 7.5 cm, in particular of 5.6 cm to 7.0 cm.
8. Magazine for inserting shield strips (1, 1', 1") into a printing device, having a plurality of receptacles (20) which are each designed to receive a shield strip (1, 1', 1") having a plurality of printable identification plates (10, 10', 10") for identifying electric components,
   characterized

   - in that at least two holders (204, 205) of different shape and/or size are respectively arranged on the receptacles (20), each being designed for the engagement of an associated and suitably configured retaining pin (14, 15) of a shield strip (1, 1', 1"),

   - in that the two holders (204, 205) are formed differently in such a way that a shield strip (1, 1', 1") which has a suitably shaped retaining pin (14, 15) for each holder (204, 205) can be inserted into a receptacle (20) only in one physical orientation.
9. Magazine according to Claim 8, characterized in that at least one grip recess (22) is provided on each receptacle (20) to grip a shield strip (1, 1', 1") arranged in the receptacle (20).
10. Magazine according to either of Claims 8 and 9,
    characterized in that each receptacle (20) comprises at least one supporting web (201), on which a shield strip (1, 1', 1") arranged in the receptacle (20) is supported.

Images