IE873026L

IE873026L - An imprinter for credit cards

Info

Publication number: IE873026L
Application number: IE873026A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Philip Robinson; Callaghan Joseph O; David Macmanus; Timothy Sheehy
Original assignee: Credit Card Systems Ltd
Priority date: 1987-11-11
Filing date: 1987-11-11
Publication date: 1989-05-11
Also published as: IE61143B1; GB2212104A; GB8822778D0; ZA878598B

Abstract

An imprinter comprises a base member 2 in which a well (20), Fig 6, is provided. A credit card receiving member 21 and a merchants card receiving member 23 are adjustably mounted in the well (20) by means of screws (30) Fig 7, which enable the plane of the credit card surface to be raised or lowered relative to the surface of base member 2. A carriage housing 10 is pivotal on the base member 2. An imprinter roller 67 in a roller carriage 62 imprints data from a credit card onto a docket. The roller carriage 62 is movable in track slots 60 in the carriage housing 10 by a pivot arm 77 through linkages 82 and 84. The dockets may be of any width, and the imprinter roller 67 may be inked; the device can also be used for imprinting data from credit cards onto the back of cheques. <IMAGE> [GB2212104A]

Description

61 i 4p - 2 - The present invention relates to an imprinter and in particular to an imprinter for imprinting data embossed on a credit card onto a docket, cheque or the like. 5 In general, there are two types of imprinters. One is referred to as a flat bed imprinter, and the other to a pump action or open head imprinter. Flat bed imprinters, in general, comprise a bed and a carriage comprising an imprinter roller, the carriage being 10 movable from one end of the bed to the other. A credit card and a merchants card are placed on the bed. A docket is placed on the bed over both. On movement of the carriage from one end of the bed to the other and back again, embossed data on the credit 15 card and merchants card is imprinted by the imprinter roller onto the docket. These flat bed imprinters are exclusively used in credit card transactions, in other words, for imprinting data from a credit card onto a credit card docket. 20 The second type of imprinter, namely the pump action or open head imprinter is normally used for validating cheques. In other words, they are used for imprinting and in most cases printing embossed data on a cheque card onto the back of a cheque and/or invoice. These - 3 - imprinters comprise a flat bed also on which the credit card and cheque are placed. A carriage housing is pivotally mounted at one end of the bed, and the housing is pivotal from a position exposing the bed to 5 enable a cheque card and cheque to be placed on the bed to a position where the carriage housing extends over and rests on the bed. A roller carriage is movable on tracks within the carriage housing, and an imprinter roller is rotatable within the roller 10 carriage. Accordingly, as the roller carriage moves from one end of the carriage housing to the other with the housing in the operable position, imprinting is achieved. A hand operated pivot arm is pivotally mounted within the carriage housing and is operatively 15 connected to the roller carriage. Thus, on applying downward pressure to the pivot arm the roller carriage and imprinter roller are moved over the cheque and bank card to imprint the embossed data from the card onto the cheque thereby validating it. 20 The problem with both these types of imprinters is that each of them are only suitable for a specific function. The flat bed imprinter is only suitable for handling credit card transactions while the open head imprinter is only suitable for cheque validating. 25 This has considerable disadvantages in that in most stores space is at a premium, and in particular, space is at a premium around the cash register area. Thus, 4 in order to be able to validate cheques and also to deal with credit card transactions it is necessary to have at least two imprinters, one an open head imprinter and the other a flat bed imprinter. 5 There is therefore a need for an imprinter which overcomes these problems. The present invention is directed towards providing such an imprinter.

According to the invention there is provided an imprinter for imprinting data from a credit card onto a 10 docket, the imprinter comprising a base member forming a bed having an upwardly facing surface, which defines a credit card receiving area, and a docket receiving area, a well being provided in the credit card receiving area, and a credit card receiving member 15 comprising a credit card receiving surface being mounted in the well, the credit card receiving member being adjustable in the well so that the level of the plane of the credit card receiving surface is variable relative to the plane of the surface of the bed, a 20 carriage housing pivotally mounted on the base member and pivotal from a position exposing the bed to an operating position whereby the carriage housing rests on the bed, a roller carriage movable in tracks in the carriage housing over at least portion of the credit 25 card receiving area of the bed, an imprinter roller rotatable in the roller carriage for imprinting data from the credit card onto the docket, as the roller carriage moves over the credit card receiving area, and a drive means for moving the roller carriage along the 30 tracks, wherein the credit card receiving member 5 comprises sidewardly extending lugs extending therefrom remote from the credit card receiving surface, the credit card receiving member being connected to the base member by screws extending through holes in the 5 lugs into the base member, and a biasing means being provided acting between the base member and the credit card receiving member to retain the lugs in engagement with the screw heads.

In one embodiment of the invention a merchants card 10 receiving member is mounted in the well adjacent the credit card receiving member, the merchants card receiving member having a merchants card receiving surface and being adjustably mounted in the well, so that the level of the plane of- the merchants card 15 receiving surface is variable relative to the plane of the surface of the bed.

Preferably, the merchants card receiving member comprises sidewardly extending lugs extending therefrom remote from the merchants card receiving surface, the 20 merchants card receiving member being connected to the base member by screws extending through holes in the lugs into the base member, and a biasing means being provided acting between the base member and the merchants card receiving member to retain the lugs in 25 engagement with the screw heads. Advantageously, the well is provided with a step change in cross sectional area, the lower portion of the well being of greater cross sectional area for accommodating the lugs than the cross sectional area of the portion of the well 30 adjacent the upwardly facing surface of the bed.

In another embodiment of the invention, the carriage housing is provided by an elongated inverted channel member having a main web and a pair of downwardly extending side webs from the main web, a track being 5 provided by an elongated slot extending longitudinally in each side web. Preferably, the roller carriage comprises a pair of side members joined by a cross member mounted within the channel member, a bearing roller member rotatably mounted on each side member in 10 rolling engagement with a corresponding elongated track slot, and a stabilising roller to prevent the roller carriage rotating about the bearing roller axis being provided on one side member, the stabilising roller being spaced apart from the bearing roller, and 15 in rolling engagement with the track, the stabilising roller being of diameter substantially similar to the width of the track slot.

Advantageously, the stabilising roller and bearing rollers are rotatable on stub shafts extending from 20 the side members.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a printing mask of resilient sheet material is mounted on the carriage housing by releasable mounting means, the printing mask extending between the side webs of the 25 carriage housing beneath the imprinter roller, an - 7 - opening being provided in the printing mask to permit the imprinter roller to communicate with the docket.

Advantageously, the printing mask extends along the carriage housing substantially the length of the track 5 slots, the ends of the resilient sheet member being bent upwardly to releasably engage corresponding mounting slots in the side webs adjacent each end thereof. Preferably, the ends of the resilient sheet member extend upwardly inwardly towards each other and 10 the mounting slots also extend upwardly inwardly towards each other in the side webs.

In another embodiment of the invention, centering members extend from the end of the resilient sheet member, the centering members abutting the inner faces 15 of the side webs for centering the printing mask.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 20 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an imprinter according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of portion of the imprinter of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the portion of Fig. 1 in a different position, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the portion of Fig. 2 in a still further different position, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of portion of the imprinter of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is an underneath perspective view of another portion of the imprinter of Fig. 1, Fig. 7 is a partly cut-away perspective view of a detail of the imprinter of Fig. 1, Fig. 8 is a sectional view of portion of the imprinter of Fig. 1 on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 4, Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a further detail of the imprinter of Fig. 1, Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a still further detail of the imprinter of Fig. 1, and Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the detail of Fig. 10 from a different direction. - 9 - Referring to the drawings there is illustrated an imprinter according to the invention indicated by the reference numeral 1. In this case, the imprinter 1 is suitable for imprinting embossed data on a credit card 5 onto a docket and/or imprinting and/or printing embossed data from a cheque card onto a cheque, invoice or the like. The imprinter 1 comprises a base , member 2 of injection moulded plastics material which forms a bed 3 having an upwardly facing surface 5 and 10 defining a credit card receiving area 6, a merchants card receiving area 7, and a docket receiving area 9. These are described in more detail below. A carriage housing 10, also described in more detail below, is pivotally connected to the base member 2 by a pivot 15 shaft 12 which extends through a bore 14 through a mounting block 16 integrally injection moulded with the base member 2. A cover housing 18 of injection moulded plastics material is provided over the carriage housing 10. The carriage housing 10 is 20 pivotal from a position illustrated in Fig. 4 exposing the bed 3 to enable a credit card, docket and the like to be positioned on the bed 2 to an operable position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 where imprinting takes place. 25 Dealing now with the base member 2 a well 20 extends through the base member 2 to accommodate a credit card - 10 - receiving member 21 and a merchants card receiving member 23, both of injection moulded plastics material. The credit card receiving member 21 is provided with a card receiving surface 22 and the 5 merchants card receiving member 23 is provided with a card receiving surface 24. Both card receiving members 21 and 23 are adjustably mounted in the well 20. The well 20 comprises a lower portion 25 of cross sectional area greater than an upper portion 26, see 10 Figs. 6 and 7. The lower portion 25 accommodates lugs provided by sidewardly extending members 28 at each end of the card receiving members 21 and 23. Holes 29 through the side members 28 accommodate screws 30 which engage threaded bosses 31 extending from the 15 base member 2 into the lower portion 25 of the well 20. Biasing means provided by compression springs 33 are mounted round each boss to bias the side members 28 against heads 34 of the screws 30.

Accordingly, on adjusting the screws 30 inwardly and 20 outwardly of the bosses 31 the card receiving surfaces 22 and 24 of the card receiving members 21 and 23 can be adjusted relative to the surface 5 of the bed 3. This enables fine adjusting of the card receiving areas 6 and 7 of the bed 3 to achieve relatively even 25 imprinting. Ribs 35 strengthen the base member 2. - 11 - The longitudinal limits of the card receiving area 6 are defined by a pair of upwardly extending spuds 36 from the surface 5 of the base member 2 which are integrally injection moulded with the base member 2. 5 A ridge 38 integrally injection moulded with the merchants card receiving member 23 defines one side limit of the credit card receiving area 6 while a side rib 39 defines the other side edge of the card receiving area 6. Portion of the rib 39 and base 10 member 2 are relieved at 40 to accommodate placing and removing a credit card in the credit card receiving area 6. The ridge 38 and a second ridge 41 also integrally injection moulded with the merchants card receiving member 23 define two adjacent edges of the 15 merchants card receiving area 7. A pair of threaded holes 42 in the merchants card receiving member 23 receive screws 43 for securing the merchants card, which is normally of metal foil to the carriage receiving member 23. 20 The upper surface 5 of the bed 3 is adapted to receive two different sizes of dockets. Spuds 44 and 45 integrally injection moulded with the base member 2 define one side edge of the docket recieiving area 9. A spud 46 defines one end of the docket receiving area 25 9. A slot 47 accommodates dockets and prevents them being displaced during imprinting. A spud 48 integrally injection moulded with the base 2 with a - 12 - slot 49 defines the other end of the docket receiving area 7 for a short docket. A spud 51 also integrally injection moulded with the base member 2 with a slot 52 defines the end of the docket receiving area 9 for 5 a long docket. A pair of spuds 53 integrally injection moulded with the base member 2 form stops for the carriage housing 10 as will be described below.

Dealing now with the carriage housing 10, the carriage 10 housing 10 is formed by an inverted channel member 55 having a main web 56 with a pair of downwardly extending side webs 57. A pair of holes 58 in the side webs 57 engage the pivot shaft 10. Cir-clips 59 secure the pivot shaft 12 in the mounting block 16 and 15 side webs 57. A pair of elongated track slots 60 extending in the side webs 57 form tracks for an imprinter roller carriage 62 to traverse longitudinally along the channel member 55. The roller carriage 62 comprises a U-shaped member 63 20 having a pair of side members 64 joined by a cross member 65, see Figs. 10 and 11. An imprinter roller 67 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 68 engaged in the U-shaped member 63. The shaft 68 engages in a pair of recesses 69 and is retained in the recesses 69 by a 25 spring 70. Bearing rollers 72 rotatable on stub shafts 73 engage the track slot 60 with rolling engagement. A stabilising roller 74 rotatable on a - 13 - stub shaft 75 on one side member 64 and engages the corresponding track slot 60 with rolling engagement. The stabilising roller 74 stabilises the roller carriage 62 and prevents it rotating about the axis of 5 the bearing rollers 72.

Drive means for driving the roller carriage 62 from one end of the track slot 60 to the other is provided by a hand operated pivot arm 77 pivotal on a shaft 78 extending between the side webs 57 of the channel 10 member 55. The pivot arm 77 terminates in a handle 79. A connecting arm 80 rigidly extending from the pivot arm 77 engages a pivot shaft 81 which supports a pair of linkage brackets 82. The linkage brackets 82 pivotally engage the stub shafts 73 of the bearing 15 rollers 72, thereby connecting the pivot arm 77 to the roller carriage 62. A pair of side brackets 84 are pivotal on the pivot shaft 78 and the pivot shaft 81. A torsion spring 85 on the pivot shaft 78 biases the pivot arm 77 in the direction of the arrow A, see Fig. 20 3. The free ends 86 of the spring 85 engage the bottom of the main web 56 of the channel member 55 and a central loop 87 engages the connecting arm 80.

Accordingly, as the pivot arm 77 is pivoted downwardly in the direction of the arrow B, the roller carriage 25 62 and in turn the imprinter roller 67 are moved in the direction of the arrow C to cause imprinting, see - 14 - Figs. 2 and 3. Returning the pivot arm 77 in the direction of the arrow A returns the carriage 62 and imprinter roller 67 in the direction of the arrow D.

End portions of the side webs 57 are shaped at 94 to 5 abut the spuds 53 on the base member 2 when the carriage housing 10 is pivoted downwardly to rest on the base 2.

A bracket 90 on the channel member 85 with a threaded hole 91 supports the cover housing 18, and receives a 10 securing screw 92 to secure the cover housing 18. A slot 93 is provided in the cover housing 18 to accommodate the pivot arm 77.

A printing mask 95 of resilient metal foil is provided beneath the imprinter roller 67 to avoid smudging the document to be imprinted with ink where an ink imprinter roller 67 is used, see Figs. 5 and 9. The mask 95 is provided with an opening 96 which allows the imprinter roller 67 to communicate with the docket in the areas where imprinting and/or printing is required. The mask 95 is releasably mounted to the channel member 55 by end mounting member 97, which engage slots 98 in the side webs 57. As can be seen, the slots 98 are directed towards each other to further facilitate a snap-on clipping action.

Centering portions 99 extend from the end mounting 15 20 25 - 15 - members 97 and abut the inner faces of the side webs 57 for centering the printing mask 95.

In use, where an ink imprinter roller is to be used, the printing mask 95 is secured to the channel member 5 55. The merchants card (not shown) is secured to the merchants card receiving member 23 by the screws 43. Where it is desired to imprint from a credit card onto a credit card docket, the credit card is placed in the credit card receiving area 6 and the appropriate 10 docket is placed over the credit card and merchants card in the docket receiving area 9. The handle 79 of the pivot shaft 78 is gripped and the carriage housing 10 is pivoted downwardly so that the carriage housing 10 lies over the bed 3 of the base member 2 with the 15 portions 94 resting on the spuds 53. Further pressure is then applied to the handle 79, thereby pivoting the pivot arm 77 downwardly in the direction of the arrow B. This moves the roller carriage 62 and imprinter roller 67 in the direction of the arrow C over the 20 docket and cards, thereby imprinting. When the roller carriage 62 has reached the end of the track slots 60, the handle 79 is released, and the pivot arm 77 returns under the spring biasing of the torsion spring 85. The carriage member 10 is then pivoted upwardly 25 away from the bed 3 and the card and docket removed.

Where it is desired to imprint data such as for example, a cheque card number from a cheque card onto the back of a cheque, the cheque card is placed in the card receiving area 6 and the cheque is placed over it. For convenience, the cheque would normally be placed in the card receiving area so that the cheque would cover the embossed data on the cheque card. The carriage housing 10 is then pivoted downwardly to lie over the bed 3. The handle 79 and pivot arm 77 are pivoted downwardly in the direction of the arrow B, and imprinting again takes place. In many cases, it will also be necessary to imprint data from either a credit card or a cheque card onto a large invoice, which would be of considerably greater size than the bed 3 of the base member 2. In this case, the carriage housing 10 is pivoted upwardly to expose the bed 3 and the card is placed in the card receiving area. The invoice is placed over the card so that the data embossed on the card will be imprinted in the desired position on the invoice. The imprinting operation is similar to that already described.

The advantages of the imprinter according to the present invention are many. However, the main advantage is that by virtue of the fact that the imprinter is an open head type imprinter and capable of receiving dockets of any size, the imprinter is ideally suited for handling large dockets for - 17 - transferring embossed data on a credit card, or indeed on any other card or member onto the docket. Furthermore, because of the construction of the base member 2, the imprinter 1 is also ideally suited for 5 imprinting from a credit card onto a credit card docket. This has not been possible before. Because of the construction of open head imprinters known heretofore, it has not been possible to imprint from a credit card onto a credit card docket. Further, 10 because of the construction of a flat bed imprinter, it has not been possible to imprint onto a docket larger than the width of the bed of the imprinter.

Accordingly, the present invention overcomes the problems of imprinters known heretofore, and provides 15 a single imprinter which enables it to be used with both credit cards and credit card dockets, and any other type of cards from which data is to be imprinted onto a large document or small docket, and in particular a docket or document of considerably larger 20 area than the area of the bed of the imprinter.

It will, of course, be appreciated that while a particular construction of drive means for driving the roller carriage has been described, any other suitable drive means could be used. Indeed, in certain cases, 25 it is envisaged that an automatic drive means may be provided, such as for example, a drive means provided - 18 - by an electric motor or the like.

It will also, of course, be appreciated that in certain cases the printing mask may be dispensed with, particularly where the imprinter is to be used with a 5 dry imprinter roller.

Similarly, while a particular construction of track and carriage housing have been described, any other suitable carriage housing and track arrangement could be used without departing from the scope of the 10 invention.

It will also, pf course, be appreciated that base members of other construction besides that described could be used. The main thing is, however, that the base member should be provided with a well or a 15 suitable recess means to accommodate a credit card receiving member and a merchants card receiving member, both of which are adjustable relative to the base member.

Further, it will be appreciated that while a 20 particular construction of roller carriage has been described, any other suitable construction could be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say, it will be appreciated that the imprinter may be used with an inked imprinter - 19 - roller or a non-inked or dry imprinter roller. 20

Claims

1. An imprinter for imprinting data from a credit card onto a docket, the imprinter comprising a base member forming a bed having an upwardly facing surface, which 5 defines a credit card receiving area, and a docket receiving area, a well being provided in the credit card receiving area, and a credit card receiving member comprising a credit card receiving surface being mounted in the well, the credit card receiving member 10 being adjustable in the well so that the level of the plane of the credit card receiving surface is variable relative to the plane of the surface of the bed, a carriage housing pivotally mounted on the base member and pivotal from a position exposing the bed to an 15 operating position whereby the carriage housing rests on the bed, a roller carriage movable in tracks in the carriage housing over at least portion of the credit card receiving area of the bed, an imprinter roller rotatable in the roller carriage for imprinting data 20 from the credit card onto the docket, as the roller carriage moves over the credit card receiving area, and a drive means for moving the roller carriage along the tracks, wherein the credit card receiving member comprises sidewardly extending lugs extending therefrom 25 remote from the credit card receiving surface, the credit card receiving member being connected to the base member by screws extending through holes in the lugs into the base member, and a biasing means being 21 provided acting between the base member and the credit card receiving member to retain the lugs in engagement with the screw heads.

2. An imprinter as claimed in Claim 1 in which a 5 merchants card receiving member is mounted in the well adjacent the credit card receiving member, the merchants card receiving member having a merchants card receiving surface and being adjustably mounted in the well, so that the level of the plane of the merchants 10 card receiving surface is variable relative to the plane of the surface of the bed.

3. An imprinter as claimed in Claim 2 in which the merchants card receiving member comprises sidewardly extending lugs extending therefrom remote from the 15 merchants card receiving surface, the merchants card receiving member being connected to the base member by screws extending through holes in the lugs into the base member, and a biasing means being provided acting between the base member and the merchants card 20 receiving member to retain the lugs in engagement with the screw heads.

4. An imprinter as claimed in Claim 3 in which the well is provided with a step change in cross sectional area, the lower portion of the well being of greater 25 cross sectional area for accommodating the lugs than 22 the cross sectional area of the portion of the well adjacent the upwardly facing surface of the bed.

5. An imprinter as claimed in Claim 3 or 4 in which the biasing means is provided by a compression spring.

6. An imprinter as claimed in Claim 5 in which a compression spring is provided around each screw between the base member and lug.

7. An imprinter as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 7 in which four screws are provided to connect each card receiving member to the base.

8. An imprinter as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 7 in which each lug is provided by an elongated member extending substantially the width of the card receiving member, two holes being provided in each member.

9. An imprinter as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 8 in which the portion of greater cross sectional area of the well defines the area of the card receiving members and their lugs.

10. An imprinter as claimed in any preceding claim in which the carriage housing is provided by an elongated inverted channel member having a main web and a pair of downwardly extending side webs from the main web, a 23 track being provided by an elongated slot extending longitudinally in each side web.

11. An imprinter as claimed in Claim 10 in which the roller carriage comprises a pair of side members joined 5 by a cross member mounted within the channel member, a bearing roller member rotatably mounted on each side member in rolling engagement with a corresponding elongated track slot, and a stabilising roller to prevent the roller carriage rotating about the bearing 10 roller axis being provided on one side member, the stabilising roller being spaced apart from the bearing roller, and in rolling engagement with the track, the stabilising roller being of diameter substantially similar to the width of the track slot. 15

12. An imprinter as claimed in Claim 11 in which the diameter of each bearing roller is substantially similar to the diameter of the stabilising roller.

13. An imprinter as claimed in Claim 11 or 12 in which the stabilising roller is rotatably mounted on the side 20 member.

14. An imprinter as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 13 in which the stabilising roller and bearing rollers are rotatable on stub shafts extending from the side members. 24

15. An imprinter as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 14 in which the imprinter roller is rotatable on a shaft extending between the side members of the roller carriage. 5

16. An imprinter as claimed in Claim 15 in which the imprinter roller shaft is vertically below the rotational axis of the bearing rollers.

17. An imprinter as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 16 in which the drive means comprises a hand operated 10 pivot arm pivotally mounted in the inverted channel member, the pivot axis being transverse of the track slots, a connecting arm rigidly extending from the pivot arm to pivotally engage a linkage bracket which is pivotally connected to the roller carriage, so that 15 on movement of the pivot arm in one direction the roller carriage moves in one direction along the tracks, and on movement of the pivot arm in the opposite direction the roller carriage moves in the return direction along the tracks. 20

18. An imprinter as claimed in Claim 17 in which a pair of spaced apart linkage brackets pivotally engage the stub shafts of the bearing rollers, and a pivot shaft extending between the linkage brackets at the other end thereof pivotally engages the connecting arm. 25

19. An imprinter as claimed in Claim 17 or 18 in which a stabilising member extends from the pivot shaft of the pivot arm to the pivot shaft of the linkage brackets. 5

20. An imprinter as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 19 in which a printing mask of resilient sheet material is mounted on the carriage housing by releasable mounting means, the printing mask extending between the side webs of the carriage housing beneath the imprinter 10 roller, an opening being provided in the printing mask to permit the imprinter roller to communicate with the docket.

21. An imprinter as claimed in Claim 20 in which the printing mask extends along the carriage housing 15 substantially the length of the track slots, the ends of the resilient sheet member being bent upwardly to releasably engage corresponding mounting slots in the side webs adjacent each end thereof.

22. An imprinter as claimed in Claim 21 in which the 20 ends of the resilient sheet member extend upwardly inwardly towards each other and the mounting slots also extend upwardly inwardly towards each other in the side webs.

23. An imprinter as claimed in Claim 22 in which 26 centering members extend from the end of the resilient sheet member, the centering members abutting the inner faces of the side webs for centering the printing mask.

24. An imprinter as claimed in Claim 23 in which a centering member extends from each end of the resilient sheet member, the length of the centering member corresponding to the distance between the side webs, the ends of the centering member abutting the side webs.

25. An imprinter as claimed in any of Claims 20 to 24 in which the resilient sheet member is of metal foil.

26. Imprinter apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Dated this 11th day of November 1987 F.F. GORMAN & CO. BY: EXECUTIVE Agents for the applicants, Clifton House, Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2.