GB334735A - Improvements relating to the stamping of eggs and articles having other than flat surfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

334,735. Hanna, A. Sept. 30, 1929. Printing on eggs, fruit, and like articles; platen machines. - In apparatus for printing on articles having other than flat surfaces, such as eggs or fruit, in which the articles arranged on a tray or other support are brought below a battery of stamps, one for each article, each stamp is arranged at the end of a plunger movably supported, the plunger and stamp being adapted to accommodate themselves to the size and shape of the articles being stamped. In one form, Fig. 2, eggs are arranged in rows in a tray 12 supported on a table 6 so that the eggs are under a corresponding number of plungers 4 slidable in holes in fixed plates 2, 3 and provided with heads 4<a> normally resting on the plate 2. Each plunger consists of a weighted brass tube provided with a resilient printing-surface, preferably rubber, supported by a soft rubber cushion 4<c> so as to conform to the shape of the egg. The table 6 is raised to press the eggs against the stamps by means of a treadle 7 connected by a link 8 to levers 9, 10 pivoted at 9<a>, 10<a> and provided with rollers 9<b>, 9<c> on which the table rests. The machine is mounted on rollers 1<a> so as to be portable. In the form shown in Fig. 4, the eggs are arranged in a tray 12 supported by a fixed table 13. Stamp plungers 14 are slidably mounted in fixed tubes 17 and have reduced parts 14b passing through holes in a plate 16 and provided with heads 14<a>. The plate 16 is fixed to rods 16<a> mounted in vertical guides 1<b> and reciprocated by means of a treadle 20 connected thereto by links to lower the stamps on to the eggs. Balance weights 18 counterbalance the weight of the plungers. In both cases, the stamps are inked by inserting a pad in place of the tray 12. The treadle arrangement may be replaced by hand or mechanical operating-means, and the printing-surfaces may be removable and interchangeable.