US2244272A - Stenciling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

June 3, 1941. K, VOLLSTORF 2,244,272

STENCILING APPARATUS Fil ed March so, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 K13. Val Z Zaw/ INVENTOR M 9 Q? 1 ATTORNE June 3, 1941. K. B. voLLs'roRF STENCIL-INC: APPARATUS .2 Sheets-Sheet 2' Filed March 30, 1940 0 A. z A? e '0 i" d 3 9 I. 2 2 8 Z My a 0 H 3 2 z 1 a 8 3 a Vallalrf INVENTOR ATTORNEY:

atented June 3, 1941 STENCILING APPARATUS Karl B. Vollstorl', Toledo, Ohio, assignor to Libbey Glasscompany, a corporation of Ohio Application March 30, 1940, -Serial No. 326,943

' '2 Claims.

The present invention relates toimprovements in screen type stenciling apparatus by means of which decorative designs or lettering in a ceramic enamel composition are applied to articles of glassware such as tumblers, bottles, jars, and the like. More particularly, the invention is con cerned with the provision of a stencil screen embodying means for segregating coloring materials deposited thereon whereby in a single operation, several colors may be applied simultaneously or in succession to the articles being decorated.

It is an object of the invention to provide novel means whereby separate designs of difierent colors may be applied to an article in one operation of the apparatus.

Another object is the provision. of means for regulably controlling the path of travel of the stenciling members as the colors are applied.

A further object is the provision of means whereby a continuous spirally arranged design may be applied to an article without the usual difllculties arising from smearing the wet color when the design overlaps the circumference of the article.

Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a decorating apparatus of which the present invention forms a part.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. 1

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of a tumbler decorated in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken stantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a plan view illustrating a modified form of my invention.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of a tumbler decorated in accordance with the latter form of my invention.

The present invention may be applied to any suitable decorating machine embodying the silk screen method of color application. Such a machine is disclosed in Patent #2,113,605 to H. R. Schutz, dated April 12, 1938, to which reference may be had for a detailed description of the apparatus and its operation and to which my invention is applied. Heretofore the application of more than a single color to an article required a separate decorating operation for each color. Under ordinary circumstances it is necessary that each color "set or dry before the article may again be handled for further decorating in order sub.-

rolling contact with the article.

not to smear the coloring material first applied. Accordingly, I have provided an especially constructed screen and squeegee mechanism therefor, the operation of which permits the application of two or more separate designs, each of a different color located in-circumferential alignment around the article. The apparatus further includes means for regulably controlling the path of travel of the squeegee on the screen, such means also being adaptable to transfer a continuous and overlapping spirally arranged design (a oand for example) to an article in a manner that precludes the possibility of smearing the wet color.

The decorating machine illustrated herein includes generally a base Ill (Fig. 1) on which a screen carrier H and squeegee mechanism l2 are supported. The carrier ll comprises a rectangular frame having transverse end bars l3 and longitudinal side bars l3". The end bars are provided with rollers l4 outwardly thereof which run on an arcuate horizontal track l5 mounted on the base. The inner ends of the bars i3 are connected by telescoping rods to a common hinge pin l6'which is adjustable toward and away from the screen carrier, thus permitting the carrier to swing through the desired arc. The radius of the swinging carrier is governed by the angularity of the tapering side walls of the article.

The squeegee mechanism l 2 is supported on the base l0 and is adapted to project outwardly and over the path of the carrier. An article holder l'l (Figs. 2' and 4) is positioned beneath the squee- .gee mechanism and is provided with rollers i8 upon which the articles, suchias a tumbler T, are rotatively supported, as will be brought out presently.

The screen carrier I I as adapted to support a screen 20 insuch a manner that it may be reciprocated horizontally between the squeegee mechanism and an article in the holder and have In accordance with the present invention, the screen 20 is provided withlongitudinal and substantially parallel partitions 2| dividing the screen surface into independent definitely segregated paths 22 or areas. A pair of designs 23 is cut into the screen in such a manner thatwhen a coloring material is forced therethrough onto an article, the designs created the length of the screen (Fig. 1). Thus the designs are separated and the individual colors are retained by the partitions 2| A squeege 25 formed of suitable material is adapted for wiping engagement with the screen in both of the paths or areas simultaneously. A notch 26 formed in the lower edge of the squeegee provides an opening for straddling the center partition 2|. The squeegee 2B is maintained vertically over the center of the article by means of a holder 21 to which it is attached. The holder comprises a horizontally disposed bar 28 (Figs. 1 and 4) having upstanding guides 29 formed thereon. The guides 29 slidably support the holder on parallel rods 30 carried by a sq "egee supporting arm 8|. The arm is pivo for vertical swinging movement on a pin 32 which is carried by a stationary bracket 33 bolted to the base ID. A bar 34 which is bolted to the arm ll, projects outwardly beyond the end of the latter and is adapted to maintain the squeegee holder in a substantially horizontal plane by means of an adjustable set screw 35 which is carried by said bar and bears against the track I.

The holder 21 is normally forced in an outwarddirection by a coil spring 31 supp ited on a rod 3! carried by the arm 3| between the rods 30 and projecting through an ear 3! formed on the bar 2|. The movement of the holder under spring pressure is controlled by a cam 40 which is adjustably secured to the inner longitudinal bar l3 of the screen carrier and a cam roller ll mounted on the bar 28. The shape of the cam 40 is such that as the screen is moved from one side to the other during the decorating operation, the squeegee moves in and out transversely of the screen, thus following the paths defined by the partitions 2|.

' tached to the carrier frame II and move therewith. The screen frame is provided with a pair of parallel partitioning bars 46 spaced apart to form a relatively narrow channel 41 therebetween. The bars are disposed within the frame at an angle to the longitudinal axis thereof, the design ll as indicated being in the form of a continuous straight line. The area of the screen normally contacted by the tumbler or other article during the decorating operation, is indicated by broken lines I. By using partitioning bars, the surface contact of screen and tumbler is materially reduced, thereby permitting an overlapping of the design without smearing the portion previously applied.

A squeegee I for operating within the channel 41 may be supported in a holder Ii similar to the holder 21 previously described. A cam H for guiding the squeegee along the channel may be secured to the carrier II to engage a cam roller 53 on the squeegee holder. Operation of of the mechanism is identical with the preferred form previously described.

Modifications may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A stenciling apparatus of the character described comprising a stencil screen adapted for horizontal oscillation about a pivot, partition members arranged within said screen to form substantially parallel zigzag channels along the upper surface thereof, a holder mounted beneath the screen and adapted to support an article in rolling contact therewith, a squeegee, a support for said squeegee movable transversely of said channels, a roller carried by said support, and a cam carried by the screen for engaging said roller whereby said squeegee is guided along the channels during oscillation of the screen.

2. Stenciling apparatus comprising an open elongated substantially rectangular frame, a normally imperforate flexible sheet attached to the frame and spanning the opening, said sheet having a perforate area extending generally diagonally of the screen, a squeegee arranged for wiping engagement with one face of the screen, said screen and squeegee being movable relatively in the plane of the sheet, a holder for the squeegee and cam means cooperating withthe holder for guiding the squeegee along said perforate area.

KARL B. VOLLSTORF.

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