EP4210954A1

EP4210954A1 - Numbering unit with variable print wheel width

Info

Publication number: EP4210954A1
Application number: EP21799171.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Oliver KOSTENBADER
Original assignee: Zeiser GmbH
Current assignee: Zeiser GmbH
Priority date: 2020-09-10
Filing date: 2021-09-10
Publication date: 2023-07-19
Also published as: WO2022053111A1; DE112021004782A5; DE202021104908U1; JP2023541903A

Abstract

The invention relates to a numbering unit (10) having print wheels (16) for applying a character sequence on a document, wherein the print wheels (16) are mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation (162), and wherein one gripper (20) is assigned to one print wheel (16) in order to prevent unwanted rotation of the print wheel (16), wherein the gripper (16) can be moved along the axis of rotation (162) of the print wheels (16). The invention also relates to a gripper (20) for a numbering unit (10) of this kind and to a numbering machine having a numbering unit of this kind. The present invention thus provides a numbering unit (10) with variable print wheel width, because the grippers (20) can be adjusted to a different width and also to a different number of print wheels (16).

Description

T i t e l

NUMBERING UNIT WITH VARIABLE TYPE WHEEL WIDTH

Description

The present invention relates to a numbering unit according to the preamble of claim 1. Accordingly, it is a numbering unit with type wheels for applying a character string to a document, wherein the type wheels are rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation, and wherein a type wheel is assigned a rear gripper to to prevent unwanted rotation of the daisy wheel.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a rear gripper for a numbering machine according to claim 26 and a numbering machine according to claim 27.

Numbering units are generally known, inter alia, from EP 0 718 112 A1, DE 295 01 349 A1, DE 44 46 273 A1, DE 10 2006 052 183 A1 and DE 10 2011 100 847 A1.

Such numbering machines serve in particular to apply, and in particular to print, a security feature on security documents. In this context, the numbering unit can also be referred to as a numbering printing unit or printing unit.

In particular, known numbering machines are used to apply serial numbers to security documents, in particular to banknotes.

In a common arrangement, a numbering machine is arranged reversibly, i.e. firmly but detachably again if desired, on a retaining ring of a numbering machine (printing press). The numbering mechanism sits on the outside of the retaining ring, and the type wheels of the movement are arranged on the side facing away from the retaining ring. The retaining ring is usually arranged on a numbering shaft of the numbering machine. Furthermore, the numbering units are located on the outside of the retaining ring.

The sheet to be printed (in particular a sheet of paper with banknotes to be numbered) is then fed to the numbering machine. In the numbering machine, the retaining ring with the numbering machines fixed on the outside of the ring rolls on the sheet to be printed, the individual security documents being provided with a security feature, in particular a serial number, by the individual numbering machines. The character string applied to the document corresponds to the character string which is predetermined by the types of one of the type wheels arranged next to each other at the moment on the upper side of the numbering unit.

In general, a plurality of retaining rings per numbering shaft and a plurality of numbering units per retaining ring are provided, namely distributed over the circumference of the retaining ring. This is known per se and is not the subject of the present invention.

The numbering machine can be divided into two and have an upper and a lower part. In this case, the lower part can be fixed firmly, but releasably, in particular by means of a clamp on the retaining ring.

The lower part of the numbering machine can remain on the retaining ring and only the upper part can be removed and replaced if necessary. This means that the position of the numbering box on the retaining ring remains unchanged and the clamp between the numbering box and the retaining ring does not have to be released.

On the other hand, removing the lower part from the retaining ring for the purpose of replacing a numbering unit is disadvantageous and should be avoided, since the lower part has to be positioned on the retaining ring with very small tolerances. In this respect, replacing the entire numbering machine would require an unacceptable amount of time.

Furthermore, there are both vertical and horizontal numbering machines. A vertical numbering device applies a character string to the document which extends in the circumferential direction of the retaining ring. A horizontal numbering unit applies a character string to the document, which extends perpendicularly to the circumferential direction of the retaining ring.

The numbering machine or the upper part of the numbering machine generally has the daisy wheels and the entire numbering mechanism, which is known per se. These parts must generally be designed so that they can be quickly removed from the retaining ring, in order to avoid misalignment if the numbering mechanism needs to be changed, for example in the event of defects. wear or a change in the print job, not to cause the numbering machine to stand still for too long.

In general, numbering machines also have a mechanism that advances the set serial number by one unit at a desired position of the number after each printing process or with each revolution of the mechanism including the retaining ring, so that the next document has a free or empty number. following serial number can be printed. To do this, the relevant daisy wheel of the numbering machine is usually rotated by one position. This is known in and of itself.

In order to avoid an unwanted change in the position of the type wheels during the setting or printing process, so-called rear grippers are known. These are mounted such that they can be tilted relative to the type wheel and their respective ends engage in suitable recesses in the type wheel in order to prevent the type wheel from rotating.

Such a rear gripper generally prevents the type wheel from turning back (to a lower number) completely, due to the creation of a form fit. A certain holding force must be overcome on the other side for the - desired - further turning of the type wheel by the above-mentioned mechanism. If this is reached, the end of the rear gripper close to the type wheel swings away upwards and allows the type wheel to continue turning.

When the next position is reached, the rear gripper snaps into the next suitable recess of the type wheel and thus stabilizes the current position of the wheel again. The presence of such rear grippers in numbering machines is generally regarded as essential in order to achieve an acceptable print result.

It is also known to replace or be able to replace the type wheels in existing numbering machines, namely depending on the number set or typeface set (font) required. So far, however, the daisy wheels can only be replaced by wheels of the same width. This is due to the fact that the position of the rear grippers arranged between adjacent daisy wheels in previously known numbering machines is predetermined by slots in the housing, separate spring bars, or the like, into which the rear grippers are inserted or run.

Thus, according to the prior art, the wheel width, and thus the font width, cannot be changed even when the type wheels are exchanged. So in this regard there is no There is variability, and a large number of different numbering machines must be purchased.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages known from the prior art. Furthermore, the object is to specify a numbering machine with a variable daisy wheel width.

This object is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1 in relation to a numbering machine. After that, it is provided in the numbering machine according to the invention that the rear gripper can be displaced along the axis of rotation of the type wheels.

A rear gripper according to the invention for such a numbering machine is described with the features of claim 26.

A numbering machine according to the invention with such a numbering unit is described with the features of claim 27.

Advantageous configurations and developments of the invention are the subject matter of the respective subordinate patent claims.

The invention is based on the idea of designing the rear grippers to be displaceable and adjustable along the daisy wheel set, i.e. along the axis of rotation of the daisy wheels.

A displacement along the axis of rotation of the type wheels relates in particular to a displacement in a direction which is oriented parallel to the axis of rotation of the type wheels.

Thus, a rear gripper can be adjusted to any width of the type wheel by being displaced along the axis of rotation of the type wheel until it engages in the recesses of the type wheel provided for this purpose.

Thus, the rear grippers of the movement can be adjusted to any type wheel set, i.e. to type wheels of any width.

Such a rear gripper is an object of the invention. Another object is a numbering machine with such an adjustable rear gripper.

In this case, said numbering unit preferably has interchangeable daisy wheels.

A further object of the invention is a numbering machine with an aforementioned numbering unit.

The aspects according to the invention are discussed further below, for which purpose reference is made in part to non-limiting advantageous configurations and developments of the invention. The features of advantageous developments can be realized individually or in any combination, whereby further advantageous developments of the invention are created.

A character string can preferably be printed on a document by the daisy wheels of the numbering machine, i.e. the application of a character string preferably includes the printing of a character string.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a numbering unit in which the daisy wheels are interchangeable.

The daisy wheels are preferably arranged next to one another along the axis of rotation in the numbering unit and form a daisy wheel set.

The numbering unit preferably has a numbering mechanism.

The numbering mechanism is preferably set up in such a way that a character string set on the type wheels is advanced by one unit at a desired position of the character string after each printing process.

In the numbering machine, a rear gripper can be arranged between two adjacent daisy wheels.

The rear gripper can preferably extend essentially tangentially to the outside of the type wheel set, starting from a space between two adjacent type wheels. In a further advantageous development, a rear gripper is mounted such that it can be tilted relative to a type wheel.

The rear gripper is particularly preferably set up in such a way that one end engages in a recess in the type wheel or between adjacent type wheels in order to prevent the type wheel from rotating undesirably.

Advantageously, the rear gripper can be set up in such a way that it prevents the type wheel from turning back to a lower character by producing a form fit.

More preferably, the rear gripper can be set up in such a way that it exerts a holding force on the type wheel, which can be overcome by a numbering mechanism in the sense of a desired further rotation of the type wheel.

In this case, the rear gripper can be set up in a more preferred manner such that when the holding force is overcome, an end of the rear gripper close to the type wheel pivots away upwards in relation to the type wheel and releases the further rotation of the type wheel.

It proves to be further advantageous if existing rear grippers can be removed from the numbering unit and/or further rear grippers can be added to the numbering unit. If, for example, the daisy wheel set is replaced by wheels that are twice as wide, only half of the daisy wheels can be used in the movement without changing the housing of the numbering machine, and vice versa. It is therefore advantageous to be able to remove excess rear grippers or to be able to add rear grippers that are additionally required.

A rear gripper is particularly preferably adjustable to any desired width of the type wheel by displacement along the axis of rotation of the type wheels.

In a specific advantageous embodiment, the rear gripper is slidably mounted on an axis which runs parallel to the axis of rotation of the daisy wheels.

Such an axis can preferably at the same time specify a tilting axis for the rear gripper. A rear gripper can advantageously be set up in such a way that a spring force is applied to it at an end facing away from the type wheel, which causes an end of the rear gripper facing the type wheel to be pressed against the type wheel.

In a preferred development, a compression spring is arranged between an end of the rear gripper facing away from the type wheel and the numbering unit.

Such a compression spring can preferably be implemented in a spring pin.

An end of a rear gripper facing away from the type wheel can advantageously be mounted in a fork. A lateral stability of the rear gripper can be achieved in this way, since a firm guidance of the rear gripper by the housing or a spring bar, as in the prior art, is ruled out in the present case.

Such a fork can preferably be formed or arranged at the end of a spring pin.

In a further preferred embodiment, the spring pin can be displaced together with the rear gripper along the axis of rotation of the type wheels. Thus, both the rear gripper and a mechanism for pressurizing the rear gripper can be moved and adjusted together.

Preferably, one end of the spring pin facing the numbering unit is slidably mounted in a groove or in a grooved track, in particular with the end of the spring pin being slidable along the axis of rotation of the type wheels.

It proves to be further advantageous if two superimposed grooved tracks are implemented and if adjacent spring pins are each mounted in a different grooved track.

The numbering mechanism can preferably be removed from a lower part or base by loosening a separate clamp connection. On the other hand, the numbering machine can preferably be fixed by producing a clamp connection on a lower part, in particular which is arranged on a retaining ring of a numbering machine. A named lower part can preferably be arranged reversibly on a retaining ring of a numbering machine, in particular can be clamped, and can remain on the retaining ring when the numbering unit is replaced.

Preferably, the lower part has a clamping lever with an opposite clamping hook, through the mutual bracing of which the lower part can be fixed on a retaining ring. In this case, screws preferably extend through the clamping hook into the lower part.

Preferably, the numbering mechanism has at least one, preferably two, more preferably two, opposite clamping levers which, starting from the numbering mechanism, each extend into a suitable recess, in an undercut, a groove or the like in a lower part and thus fix the numbering mechanism on the lower part or tense up.

Alternatively or additionally, a lower part can have at least one, preferably two, more preferably two opposite clamping levers which, starting from the lower part, extend into a suitable recess, an undercut or the like in the numbering mechanism and can thus fix the numbering mechanism on the lower part.

At least one spring is preferably arranged between a tensioning lever and the numbering mechanism, which spring prestresses the tensioning lever and thus prevents the numbering mechanism from being released from a lower part when the tensioning lever is engaged.

characters

In addition to or in addition to the already discussed advantageous configurations, developments and exemplary embodiments of the teaching, further exemplary embodiments of the invention shown in the drawing within the scope of FIGS. 1 and 2 are explained in more detail below. However, the examples discussed with reference to the drawing do not limit the invention to the examples shown. When discussing the exemplary embodiments based on the drawing, generally preferred refinements and developments of the teaching are also shown.

Developments of the advantageous configurations described above with features of the exemplary embodiments below expressly form further advantageous configurations of the invention, just like developments of the exemplary embodiments described below with features of the configurations described above, and are therefore part of the present disclosure.

Show it:

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the numbering machine according to the invention in a perspective view, and

FIG. 2 shows a further perspective view of the comparison of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the rear gripper according to the invention with a rear gripper according to the prior art.

Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a numbering unit 10 according to the invention in a perspective view.

Alternatively, the numbering machine 10 shown could also be referred to as the top part of a numbering machine 10 without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The numbering machine 10 shown also requires a lower part or a lower part in order to be fixed, preferably reversibly, on the retaining ring (not shown) of a numbering machine (not shown). Such a lower part or lower part is not shown here.

In the numbering unit 10, two diagonally opposite clamping levers 12 are arranged such that they can be tilted. The clamping levers 12 run essentially vertically and point at the top an operating portion 121 for the user; and at the bottom a hook portion 122 for engagement with a base.

At least one spring 14 acts between the numbering mechanism 10 and the tensioning lever 12 and biases the tensioning lever 12 in a suitable manner.

By actuating the clamping lever 12 against the force of the spring 14, the user can pivot the clamping levers 12 away from the base and thus remove the numbering device 10 from the base very quickly. Conversely, the numbering unit 10 can be brought up to the lower part and arranged or latched on it.

By removing the actuating force on the clamping levers 12, these then pivot into the lower part, and thus the numbering mechanism 10 is fixed and/or clamped to the lower part. This production of a connection between the numbering machine 10 and a base can also be carried out in a few seconds.

The type wheels 16 of the numbering unit 10 are arranged here in such a way that they print a character string on the document (not shown) which extends perpendicularly to the circumferential direction of the retaining ring (not shown). Therefore, this is a horizontal numbering machine 10.

The numbering unit 10 shown has the daisy wheels 16 and the entire numbering mechanism 18, which is known per se.

In order to avoid an undesired change in the position of the type wheels 16 during the adjustment process of the type wheels 16 and/or during the printing process itself, so-called rear grippers 20 are provided. These are tiltably mounted relative to each type wheel 16 and their respective end, namely the end 201 close to the type wheel, engages in suitable recesses in a type wheel 16 or between the type wheels 16 in order to prevent the type wheel 16 from rotating.

Starting from the space between two adjacent daisy wheels 16, the rear grippers 20 extend essentially tangentially to the outside of the daisy wheel set 161.

In the present numbering machine 10, the daisy wheels 16 are interchangeable so that the font set can be changed. Here, however, the wheel width te, ie the width of a daisy wheel 16, and thus the font width or size, can be changed.

For this purpose, the rear grippers 20 are designed to be displaceable and adjustable along the type wheels 16, i.e. along the axis of rotation 162 of the type wheels 16.

For this purpose, the rear grippers 20 are slidably mounted on an axis 22 which runs parallel to the axis of rotation 162 of the daisy wheels 16 . At the same time, this axis 22 specifies the tilting axis for the rear grippers 20 .

Each rear gripper 20 is also acted upon at its end remote from the type wheel 16, the end 202 remote from the type wheel, with a spring force which causes the end 201 of the rear gripper 20 facing the type wheel 16 to be pressed against the type wheel 16.

For this purpose, a compression spring 24 is arranged between the end 202 of the rear gripper 20 facing away from the type wheel 16 and the interior of the numbering unit 10 . This compression spring 24 is realized in a spring pin 26 here.

The ends of the spring pins 26 facing the numbering unit 10 are mounted in a groove or grooved track 28, the relevant end of a spring pin 26 being displaceable along the axis of rotation 162, in particular parallel to the axis of rotation 162, of the type wheels 16.

The end 202 of the rear gripper 20 facing away from the type wheel 16 is mounted in a fork 30 .

Two superimposed groove tracks 28 are realized here in order to be able to give adjacent spring pins 26 more space in an alternating arrangement.

As a result, both the rear gripper 20 and the mechanism described here with the spring pins 26 for pressurizing the rear gripper 20 can be moved and adjusted together.

2 shows a comparison of a rear gripper 20 according to the invention with a rear gripper according to the prior art in a perspective illustration. In the present case, the end 202 of the rear gripper 20 facing away from the type wheel is mounted in a fork 30 which is formed at the end of a spring pin 26 . In this way, increased lateral stability of the rear gripper 20 can be achieved despite the lateral displaceability of the rear gripper 20 according to the invention.

Reference List

10 numbering machine

12 cocking levers

121 operating section (clamping lever)

122 hook section (cocking lever)

14 spring

16 daisy wheel

161 daisy wheel set

162 axis of rotation (type wheel)

18 numbering mechanism

20 back grabs

201 end of the rear gripper close to the type wheel / end facing the type wheel

202 end of the rear gripper remote from the type wheel / end facing away from the type wheel

22 axis (rear gripper)

24 compression spring

26 spring pin

28 groove track

30 fork

Claims

Expectations

1. Numbering unit (10) with type wheels (16) for applying a character string to a document, wherein the type wheels (16) are rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (162), and wherein a type wheel (16) is assigned a rear gripper (20), in order to prevent undesired rotation of the type wheel (16), characterized in that the rear gripper (16) can be displaced along the axis of rotation (162) of the type wheels (16).

2. Numbering unit (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that a character string can be printed on a document by the daisy wheels (16).

3. numbering unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the daisy wheels (16) are interchangeable.

4. numbering unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the daisy wheels (16) along the axis of rotation (162) are arranged side by side and form a daisy wheel set (161).

5. numbering unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by a numbering mechanism (18).

6. Numbering unit (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the numbering mechanism (18) is set up such that a character string set on the daisy wheels (16) is advanced by one unit at a desired position of the character string after each printing process.

7. numbering unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rear gripper (20) is arranged between two adjacent daisy wheels (16).

8. numbering machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the rear gripper (20) extends from a gap between two adjacent daisy wheels (16) substantially tangentially to the outside of the daisy wheel set (161).

9. numbering unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the rear gripper (20) relative to the daisy wheel (16) is mounted tiltably.

10. Numbering unit (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the rear gripper (20) is set up so that it can be inserted with one end (201) into a recess in the daisy wheel (16) or between adjacent daisy wheels (16). intervenes to prevent unwanted rotation of the daisy wheel (16).

11. numbering unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the rear gripper (20) prevents the back turning of the daisy wheel (16) to a lower character by producing a form fit.

12. Numbering unit (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the rear gripper (20) exerts a holding force on the type wheel (16), which in the sense of a desired further rotation of the type wheel (16) by a numbering mechanism (18) is surmountable.

13. Numbering machine (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that the rear gripper (20) is set up such that when the holding force is overcome, an end (201) of the rear gripper (20) close to the type wheel pivots away upwards in relation to the type wheel (16). and further rotation of the daisy wheel (16) releases.

14. Numbering machine (10) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that existing rear grippers (20) can be removed from the numbering machine (10) and/or further rear grippers (20) can be added.

15. numbering unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the rear gripper (20) by displacement along the axis of rotation (162) of the daisy wheels (16) is adjustable to any daisy wheel widths.

16. numbering unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the rear gripper (20) on an axis (22) is slidably mounted, which runs parallel to the axis of rotation (162) of the daisy wheels (16).

17. Numbering machine (10) according to claim 16, characterized in that the axis (22) simultaneously specifies a tilting axis for the rear gripper (20).

18. Numbering unit (10) according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the rear gripper (20) is acted upon at an end (202) facing away from the type wheel (16) with a spring force which causes a type wheel (16 ) facing end (201) of the rear gripper (20) is pressed against the daisy wheel (16).

19. numbering unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that between one of the daisy wheel (16) facing away from the end (202) of the rear gripper (20) and the numbering unit (10) a compression spring (24) is arranged.

20. numbering unit (10) according to claim 19, characterized in that the compression spring (24) is realized in a spring pin (26).

21. Numbering unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the daisy wheel (16) facing away from the end (202) of the rear gripper (20) is mounted in a fork (30).

22. Numbering machine (10) according to claim 21, characterized in that the fork (30) is formed or arranged at the end of a spring pin (26).

23. Numbering unit (10) according to claim 20 or 22, characterized in that the spring pin (26) is displaceable together with the rear gripper (20) along the axis of rotation (162) of the type wheels (16).

24. Numbering unit (10) according to claim 23, characterized in that one of the numbering unit (10) facing the end of the spring pin (26) is slidably mounted in a groove or in a grooved track (28).

25. Numbering unit (10) according to claim 24, characterized in that two superimposed grooved tracks (28) are realized, and that adjacent spring pins (26) are each mounted in a different grooved track (28).

26. Rear gripper (20) for a numbering machine (10) according to one of claims 1 to 25.

16

27. Numbering machine with a numbering unit (10) according to one of claims 1 to 25.

17