GB2078160A

GB2078160A - Press for applying labels to fabrics

Info

Publication number: GB2078160A
Application number: GB8020668A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-06-24
Filing date: 1980-06-24
Publication date: 1982-01-06
Also published as: GB2078160B

Abstract

A machine comprises a first platen (1) upon which an article for receiving a transfer or label can be located, and a second platen (5) mounted on an arm (7) so as to be manually pivotable about a point (9) between a rest position away from said first platen (1), and a working position superposed above said first platen (1) whereby said article can then be compressed between said platens (1, 5). Said second platen (5) is spring biassed towards said rest position and is lockable in the working position via a linkage (13) which attains a lock position when two pivotally interconnected members (17, 19) of the linkage become axially aligned with each other, one of said members (19) being pivotally secured to a fixed point (21) and the other of said members (17) being pivotally connected to said arm (7). The linkage (17, 19) is maintained in the lock-position by a solenoid (31) controlled by a timing circuit, which de-energises the solenoid (31) after a predetermined preset time to automatically release the platens. When the platen (5) is in its working position, pressure is applied to an article between the platens by a lever (11) and toggle linkage (45). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to transfer marking machines The present invention relates to a marking machine whereby transfers or labels of various designs can be applied to textiles e.g. T-shirts or special patches can be welded to garments.

In particular, the present invention relates to a manually operable transfer marking machine.

Such machines basically comprise a platen upon which, for example, a part of a T-shirt can be located with the transfer in the required position.

An upper heated platen is then manually moved downwards to compress and heat the T-shirt and, for example, transfer, located between the platens.

To apply the required pressure the upper platen is in certain machines, controlled by a toggle action so that the mechanical linkage is manually passed through the top dead centre position and is thus retained by the linkage in the pressure applying position. This pressure applying position is maintained until an operator manually lifts the upper platen moving the linkage through the top dead centre position whereafter suitably located springs can return the upper platen to a rest position and the T-shirt can be removed from the machine.

In operating such known marking machines as referred to hereabove, the period of time for which the T-shirt and transfer are compressed and heat applied, is determined solely by the operator. This time period can be critical as if the period is too short then the transfer is probably not satisfactory, and if the period is too long the heat can damage the fabric of the T-shirt itseif. The latter problem is the more detrimental and audible buzzers have been incorporated in known machines to indicate to the operator when the present time period has elapsed and the upper platen should be released.

However, audible buzzers can be ignored and damage can and does occur.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a manually operable marking machine which automatically releases the upper platen after a predetermined period of compression.

According to the present invention there is provided a manually operable marking machine for use in applying transfers or labels to fabrics, comprising a first platen upon which an article for receiving a transfer can be located, and a second platen mounted so as to be manually pivotable between a rest position away from said first platen, and a working position superposed above said first platen whereby said article can then be compressed between said platens, said second platen being spring biassed towards said rest position and lockable in the working position via a linkage which attains a lock position wherein two pivotally interconnected members of the linkage become axially aligned with each other when said second platen is in the working position, one of said members being pivotally secured to a fixed point and the other of said members being pivotally connected to said second platen, a solenoid being arranged to maintain the linkage in the lock position for a predetermined period of time.

Thus, by virtue of the present invention the second platen can be moved to the working position, a suitably arranged micro or proximity switch being activated by the movement of the second platen to energise the solenoid and hold said linkage in the lock position. A conventional timing circuit is also provided to control the period of energisation of the solenoid and thus the period of time for which the second platen is locked in the working position. At the end of a preset period the solenoid is deenergised allowing the linkage to move from the locked position, the second platen being thus released automatically after the preset period of time has elapsed. Preferably a spring is provided to move the interconnected members of the linkage from the lock position once the solenoid is deenergised.

In a preferred embodiment of the presennt invention the said first platen is spring mounted so that different thicknesses can be easily worked upon. The second platen which incorporates conventional heating elements, is pivotally mounted by means of an arm, a further mechanical linkage which operates with a toggle action, enabling the second platen to compress an article between said platens when the second platen has first been moved to the said working position. Upon release of the second platen from the working position a pivotal arm causes the said further mechanical linkage to be returned to a rest position ready for future use. A shock absorber is also preferably provided to damp the return movement of said second platen to the rest position.

Thus, by virtue of the present invention, the second platen is released automatically after a preset period of time has elapsed, so obviating the necessity for the continual vigilance of an operator.

An advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that the solenoid merely controls the position of the linkage and is not utilised to actually exert pressure on the article being treated.

The present invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic, partially cutaway side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1, showing the mechanical linkage in the working position; and Fig. 3 is a schematic, partially cutaway side view as Fig. 2, but with the machine in the rest position.

In the accompanying drawings, a first platen 1 is spring mounted on a base 3 of the transfer marking machine. A second or upper platen 5 is mounted on one end of an elongate arm 7 which is pivotal about point 9. The arm 7 and thus the upper platen 5, is pivotal between a rest position shown in Fig. 3, and a working position illustrated in Fig. 2. In the working position the upper platen 5 is superposed above the first platen 1 and the gap between the platens can be narrowed by operation of lever 11 as described later, to compress an article located between the platens.

To lock the arm 7 and thus the upper platen 5 in the said working position a mechanical linkage generally designated 1 3 is provided which can be held in a lock position by solenoid 1 5. The linkage 1 3 comprises two pivotally interconnected members 17 and 19, one member 19 being pivotally connected to a fixed point 21 in casing 23 and the other member 1 7 being pivotally connected to arm 7 at a point spaced from pivot point 9. With members 1 7 and 19 axially aligned the arm 7 is locked in the working position (Fig. 2).

To move members 17 and 19 the linkage 13 also includes two further pivotally interconnected members 25 and 27. Member 25 is pivotally connected to a fixed point 29 in casing 23 and member 27 is pivotally connected to the pivotal connection between members 17 and 19. The arrangement of linkage 13 is such that with members 25 and 27 in a substantially axially aligned position, members 1 7 and 19 are axially aligned to provide a mechanical lock for arm 7 in the working position. Members 25 and 27 are prevented from reaching a completely axially aligned and lock position themselves by a suitably located stop 28, solenoid 31, when energised, holding members 25 and 27 against stop 28.

When solenoid 31 is deenergised spring 33 ensures that the members 25 and 27 pivot relative to one another and move away from stop 28, thus releasing the mechanical lock provided by members 17 and 19 on arm 7. At this point springs 35 move the arm 7 and upper platen 5 to the rest position, a shock absorber 37 damping this return movement.

Solenoid 31 is controlled by a conventional timing circuit located in casing 39, the timing circuit retaining the solenoid 31 in an energised state for a predetermined time which can be adjusted via control knob 41. The solenoid 31 and timing circuit are activated via a micro-switch (not shown) which is operated by the movement of arm 7 to the working position. Thus after the predetermined time period has elapsed, solenoid 31 is deenergised allowing spring 33 to release the mechanical lock, spring 35 returning the upper platen 5 to the rest position. An advantage of the arrangement illustrated is that the solenoid merely controls the position of linkage 13 and does not exert any force required for applying pressure upon the article being compressed between the platens.

With the upper platen in the working position lever 11 is pivoted to move the upper platen 5 against springs 43 to compress an article between platens 5 and 1. Lever 11 is connected to upper platen 5 via a toggle linkage 45 which locks the upper platen in the compressing position.

However, link member 47 is also connected to lever 11 so that when the arm 7 returns to the rest position, the lever 11 is automatically returned to a rest position, springs 43 returning platen 5 to an initial position ready for future use.

Besides compressing an article e.g. T-shirt, between the platens 1 and 5, heat is also applied via the upper platen 5, to adhere the transfer, conventional electrical heating elements (not shown) heating the upper platen 5. Temperature gauge 49 indicates the temperature of upper platen 5 at any one time and suitable control means (not shown) enable the desired temperature to be selected.

The present invention thus provides a transfer marking machine which once manually actuated, automatically releases itself after a preset period of time. Thus, the continual vigilance of the operator is positively not required to prevent damage to the fabric to which a transfer is being attached.

Claims

1. A manually operable marking machine for use in applying transfers or labels to fabrics, comprising a first platen upon which an article for receiving a transfer can be located, and a second platen mounted so as to be normally pivotable between a rest position away from said first platen, and a working position superposed above said first platen whereby said article can then be compressed between said platens, said second platen being spring biassed towards said rest position and lockable in the working position via a linkage which attains a lock position wherein two pivotally interconnected members of the linkage become axially aligned with each other when said second platen is in the working position, one of said members being pivotally secured to a fixed point and the other of said members being pivotally connected to said second platen, a solenoid being arranged to maintain the linkage in the lock position for a predetermined period of time.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, in which a micro or proximity switch is arranged to be activated by the movement of the second platen to energise the solenoid and hold said linkage in the lock position.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which a conventional timing circuit is provided to control the period of energisation of the solenoid and thus the period of time for which the second platen is locked in the working position.

4. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which a spring is provided to move said members of the linkage from the lock position once the solenoid is de-energised.

5. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which said first platen is spring mounted.

6. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the second platen incorporates heating elements.

7. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which said second platen is mounted on a pivotal arm.

8. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a further mechanical linkage which operates with a toggle action enables the second platen to compress an article between said platens when the second platen has first been moved to the said working position.

9. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a shock absorber is provided to damp the return movement of said second platen to said rest position.

10. A manually operable marking machine for use in applying transfers or labels to fabrics, constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.