US2542063A - Machine for transfer printing onto curved surfaces - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 20, 1951 v. J. TENETY ,5

AMACHINE FOR TRANSFER PRINTING ONTO CURVED SURFACES Filed May 6, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet l Lu v INVENTOR Vmcmf J7me? ATTORNEY Feb. 20, 1951 v. J. TENETY 63 MACHINE FOR TRANSFER PRINTING ONTO CURVED SURFACES Filed May 6, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 N l\ m 8 w INVENTOR. mm! J. The? BYMXUW .v. J. TENETY 2,542,063

MACHINE FOR TRANSFER PRINTING ONTO CURVED SURFACES Feb. 20, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 6. 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 MQN aw INVENTOR.

V. J. TENETY NNN Feb. 20, 1951 MACHINE FoR TRANSFER PRINTING ONTO CURVED SURFACES Filed May 6. 194'? w mm RN @N mmw mm\ mm RN 3 V. J. TENETY Feb. 20, 1951 MACHINE FOR TRANSFER PRINTING ONTO CURVED SURFACES 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 6. 1947 2N mawl 3 NN NN 3 mm VN MN Qm mw mNN MNN NNN INVENTOR. Vmrani J. 72082? BY 4 V. J. TENETY Feb. 20, 1951 MACHINE FOR TRANSFER PRINTING ONTO CURVED SURFACES 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 6. 1947 INVENTOR. 7102012? J. Tnezfy Patented Feb. 20, 1951 MACHINE FOR TRANSFER PRINTING ONTO CURVED SURFACES Vincent J. Tenety, Jersey City, N. vJ.; Helen M. Tenety executrix of said Vincent J. Tenety, de-

ceased Application May 6, 1947, Serial No. 746,358

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to a new improved machine for transfer printing onto curved surfaces, especially of containers and the like.

Although it is known to print onto plane surfaces of rectangular containers, for instance, by

aligning such plane surfaces on the bed of a conventional fiat-bed proof press, of the type known in the paper printing art, with an impression plate, and thereupon transferring the design onto said plane surface by means of an offset blanket roller traveling on the longitudinal tracks of said proof press, this economical and simple method is not possible of application where curved surfaces are to be printed. This drawback has now been eliminated by the machine of myinvention,

wherein mechanical means are provided which compels a transfer roller into releasably engageable printing contact with a rotated blade. supported curved surface and rotates said roller, while maintained in such contact, through an angle sufdcient to contact all of the design carried by said roller with said surface.

The application of my machine is by no means limitedto printing on cylindrical or symmetrically curved surfaces, my machine being especially well suited for pressure printing onto irregularly curved surfaces. Among its other advantages are its capability of simultaneously printing multi-color impressions onto a plurality of curved surfaces, the exactness of registration of the printed impression possible with respect to any protuberance, such as a handle or the like, on the curved surface to be printed, its simplicity of design and operation and its economy of manufacture, and the fact that the impression borne by the transfer roller may be obtained from flat rather than curved impression plates. Further advantages and characteristics of my invention will appear from the following description read in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a left side view of one embodiment of the machine of my invention with certain parts removed;

Fig. 2 is a left side View of the embodiment of Fig. 1 shown in printing position with certain parts removed;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the showing of Fig. 1 with certain parts removed;

Fig. 4 is a front view of the showing of Fig. 2 with certain parts removed;

5 is a front view of the showing of Fig. 1 with certain parts removed;

Fig. 6 shows a detail of part of the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5;

r 2 Fig. 7 shows a detail of another part of the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5;

Fig. 8 is a side view of the showing of Fig. 7, in printing position;

Fig. 9 is a partial left side view of another e-mbodiment of the machine of my invention;

Fig. 10 is a front view of the showing of Fig. 9 with certain parts removed;

Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation corresponding to plane. -11 of Fig. 9 but showing the machine in printing position;

Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation along the plane i2-l2 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged side view, with certain parts removed, of part of the showing ofFig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view along plane I l-l4 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a detail of part of the construction shown in Figs. 9 to 14;

Fig. 16 shows a detail of part of the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 12, and v,

Fig. 1'7 is a cross-section along the plane 11-! I of Fig. 16.

Referring to the drawing (Figs. 1 to 12), the framework of the machine consists of angle-iron legs I, 2, 3 and 4 held together by cross members 5- inc. Impression plates 15 and I6 (Figs. 3, 4, 5, l0 and 11) shown for the purpose of illustration in duplicate in the drawing and compris ing together the design to be printed, are secured to beds I! and I8 respectively by clamping mem-- bers I9, 20, 21; 22, respectively (Fig. 3). These beds are so located within the framework of the machine that inked impression plates l5 and I6 transfer their ink impressions, registered, onto transfer roller 25 (see especially Figs. 3, 6 and 10) which travels over racks 21 and 28 (secured to the outside of longitudinal cross members 5 and 8 respectively) via pinions 30 and 3| splined onto the ends of shaft 32 of roller 25. As shown in Fig. 6 but omitted from the other figures, handle 26 may be provided on the end of shaft 32 to facilitate its movement. Beds l1 and 18 (Figs.

1, 2, 3, 5 and 11) are secured in this position, forinstance by pairs of straps 33 and 34 respectively holding angles 35 and 36 respectively, onto which beds I1 and I8 are attached, against'cross members 38 by means of wing nuts 39. r

The curved surface, for instance urn-shaped container 40 (Figs. 4, 5, 10 and 11) onto which the composite impression obtained from impression plates I5 and [6 (Fig. 3) is transferred via transfer roller 25, is rotatably supported on bed 3 width so that a plurality of containers 49 can be mounted parallel to each other thereon. Thus the machine of my invention is by no means limited to the illustrative showing of the drawing of two containers 40 arranged in parallel. Suitable means for this rotatable support is shown in Figs. 16'and 1'7. It comprises plates 5| and 52 adjustably secured to block 53 (which in turn is secured to bed plate ll) by screws 54 passing through slots 55. These plates bear hinged to their outer ends plates 56 and 51 respectively,each bearing a pair of rolls 58, 59 and 5t, 5! respectively, serving for the rotatable support of the curved surface to be printed, here shown as cylindrical container 31 provided with a protruding handle 42. Conventional means (not shown in the drawing) are provided to enable p1ates56 and 51 to be locked in any desired position of inclination. Due to this manner of construction, curved-sur faces of any dimensions within a wide range can be rotatably supported merely by changing the relative positions of plates 56 and 51. Furthermore, this manner of construction makes possible such a supporting of the curved surface to be printed that the part to be printed of said curved surface offers a maximum parallelism to shaft 32 of transfer roller 25 (see especially Figs. 4, 5, 10 and 11).

For transferring the impression carried by roller 25 onto the curved surface, for instance urn-shaped containers 4!] (Figs; 4; 5, 10 and 11) roller 25 is brought, by means hereinafter to be described, into position above said curved surface 40 whereupon it is compelled into printing engagement therewith by means" of arms 65, 69 (Figs. 1 to 5 and 9 to 12, incl.) bearing roller pairs 23 and 24, the center line between each pair of which lies in the same vertical plane as the center line of shaft 32 of roller 25. These arms act via these roller pairs on opposite ends respectively of the top of shaft 32 of said roller 25. The force exerted by these arms is sufiicient to bring the surface of roller 25 into intimate contact with curved surface 40 to be printed. To assure such printing contact when non-cylindrical curved surfaces are printed, roller 25 preferably consists of a resiliently deformable material. In such case the force exerted by arms 65 and 66 on shaft 32 serves to resiliently deform said roller to such an extent that all parts to be printed of the nonber is attached to the bottom ends of said rods 61 and B8 insuring that cross-arms 65 and 56 move together. For the reciprocation of rods 61 and 58 and of cross-arms 55 and 66 carried respectively thereby, plunger rod 94 of air cylinder 93 rigidly connected to cross-member I l is bolted to the center of cross-member 15. Upon the admission of air under pressure into this cylinder, plunger rod 94 is forced downward-s, carrying with it crossepiece 15 and rods 6'! and 68 so'th-at arms 65 and 6'6 are brought down onto shaft -32 of transfer roller 25, compelling the latter into, printingre'ciprocates in cylinder 83.

4 contact with curved surface 40. When said air is allowed to discharge from cylinder 93, springs 95 and as, one end of which is connected to cylinder 93 and the other to cross-piece "l5, serve to return plunger rod '94 into ai cylinder 93, thus raising arms 65 and 66 and releasing shaft 32 of roller 25. The admission and discharge of air into and from cylinder 93 is effected by valve 15 actuated by foot pedal H (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10 and 11). Upon depression of foot pedal 17, main air line 99 coming from the compressed air source (riot shown in'th drawing) is placed in communication with line 98 and air under pressure is allowed to fiovv' into cylinder 93 through Y-connectioris 91 and line 89. When foot pedal H is again in raised position the communication between line 98 and main air line 99 is broken and line 98 is placed in communication with the atmosphere', whereby the air in cylinder 93 is vented.

Various means may be employed for the positioning of transfer roller 25 above the curved surface 49 to' be printed. In one embodiment, shown in Figs. 1 to 8 of the drawing, this means comprises parallel identical plates 46 and 41 (see especially Figs. 2, '7 and 8) secured to and extending above cross-members 5 and 9 respectively and each provided with opening 49 (Fig. 7) of sufficient size to receive shaft 32 of roller 25 and to secure it against any substantial lateral movement. When shaft 32 is seated in these openings (Figs. 2, 4 and 8) roller 25- lies directly above the curved surface 49' to be printed with which it is brought into printing contact by arms 65 and 65 as described above. In this position pinion 35 on shaft 32 engages spur wheel 62. Shaft 63 carrying the latter is journalled in bearing 54 (Figs. 1-5) which is supported by bracket 69 secured to leg 2 and cross-member 5. To pin projecting from the face of spur wheel 62 there is connected in a freely rotatable manner one end of angles'haped link 32, the other end of which is rigidly attached to the free end of rod 8! connected to the plunger (not shown in the drawing) which The latter is pivotally carried in bracket '84 supported by plate I09 mounted on cross-member 7 (Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5). Upon the admission of air under pressure into said cylinder 83, rod 9! is forced downward thus rotating spur wheel 62' and, via pinion 39, roller 25. When the air is permitted to discharge from cylinder 83 rod 8| is returned to its upper position by compression spring 85 surrounding same.

The relation between the number of teeth of wheel 62 and of pinion 39 and the stroke of rod 85 can of course be selected so as to impart any desired amount of rotation to roller 25 although this rotation will in general preferably be a maximum of 360. With such relation determined, the amount of rotation of the roller can be decreased by a suitable stop, thus limiting the rotation of said roller 25 to anamount just sufficient to contact all the impression carried thereby with the curved surface 49. This, for instance, may be advisable where there is a protuberance on the curved surface, such as a handle or the like.

The admission of air into cylinder 83 is so controlled that it takes place only when cross-arms 65 and 66 have compelled roller 25, via shaft 32, into printing contact with curved surface 49 to be printed. In this position of the roller, pin 29 (Figs. 7 and 8), slidably mounted in bracket 45 secured to the inside of plate 46, is depressed against the action of sprin 10 surrounding said 5., pin, one end of said spring being firmly connected to said pin and the other end resting against bracket 45. Upon the upward motion of arms 65 and 66, pin 29 is forced upward by spring 70, thus releasing pinion 30 from engagement with spur wheel 62.

The control of the air feed for cylinder 83 (Figs. 1-5 incl.) is effected by means of valve 92 carried by bracket 18 extending downward from crossmember 9. The means of actuation of this valve is as follows: Just before rod 94, and hence rods 6'! and 68 reciprocated thereby, has traveled its maximum downward distance, shoulder 90 (Figs. 4 and 5), rigidly attached to rod 68, contacts handle 9| of valve 92, opening said valve and placing airline 8! in communication with line 88, which (pedal H bein depressed) is filled with air under pressure, via Y-connection es and line 98, so that air can flow into cylinder 83, thereby rotating roller 25. When pedal Ti is again in raised position the air in cylinder 83 is vented to the atmosphere via 3-way valve 16 and as rods 61 and 68 move upwards under the action of springs 95 and 96, shoulder 96 ceases to press down on handle 9| which then, under spring action, returns upward closing valve 92 again.

Where it is desired to register the printing on the curved surface with respect to some point thereon, for instance a handle (such as 42 of curved surface 31 shown in Figs. 16 and 1'7) or an irregularity in the curve of suchsurface, or otherwise where the rotation imparted transfer roll 25 is less than 360, it is necessary that roller 25 be so positioned in slot 48 of opening 49 of plates 46 and 4'! (Fig. 7), before it is compelled into printing engagement by arms 65, 66 with the curved surface 40 to be printed (Figs. 1-5) and hence before it is rotated via spur wheel 62, that upon rotation thereby the entire impression carried by said roller 25 will be contacted with curved surface 40. For this purpose slots 48 (Fig. '7) are formed of a width less than the diameter of shaft 32 of roller 25 to cooperate with flats I and II]! (Fig. 6) to hold the shaft of said roller 25 against rotation and to determine that position in which the surface of said roller initially contacts curved surface 49 (Figs. l--8). It is to be noted that this position will not coincide in general with the position of said rol1er25 when in printing contact with curved surface '40 although such coincidence may take place where the curved surface to be printed is cylindrical. To further assist in registration the edges of plates 46 and 41 disposed towards impression plate l and [6 (Figs. 1, 2,3 and '7) are sloped to provide a guide surface for flats IOI and I00 (Fig. 6) against which said flats may be slid into slots 48. The junction of these sloped guide surfaces of plates 46 and 4'! with longitudinal crossmembers ,5 and 6 respectively is so positioned that when roller 25 is moved, via pinions 30 and 3|, over racks 2'1 and 28 toward said plates, flats I09 and NH come to rest against these guide surfaces (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6 and '7). Thus when printing is terminated, roller 25 is removed from slots 48, and pinions 39 and 3| are returned into engagement with racks 27 and 28 by sliding fiats I00 and HH of roller shaft 32 down along said guide surfaces of plates 45 and 41. In this way it is assured that when roller 25 is again moved via racks 21 and 28 over impression plates and I6 (Fig. 3) the impression received on said roller is exactly registered with the last impression.

Thus the method of operation of this embodimer t of the machine of my invention is as 101- lows: The objectsdefinirlg the curved surfaces to be printed (46, Figs. 4 and 5) are placed on 7 32 of said roller come to rest against plates 46 Iii and 41 respectively (Figs. l-8). The roller is then further moved with these flats in contact with the foreward guide surfaces of these plates and placed, via said flats, into slots 48, said roller thus coming to rest with its surface in contact with the curved surface to be printed (46). The operator then depresses foot pedal H, arms 65 and 66 move down compelling roller into printing contact with the curved surface, whereupon said roller is rotated via spur wheel 62 to an extent sufficient to bring all of the impression carried by said roller into printing contact with said curved surface. When the rotation forward has terminated, the operator releases foot pedal 11. whereupon spur wheel 62 returns roller 25 to its initial position, and arms-65 and 66 move upwards releasing roller 25. The operator then removes roller 25 from slot 48, returning it on to the table of the machine by sliding flats I00, IDI of shaft 32 down the guide surfaces of plate 46, 41 respectively until pinions and 3| enter into engagement with racks 21 and 28 respectively. The roller is then moved back on said racks to the far end of the machine, the objects defining the printed curved surfaces (49, Figs. 4 and 5) are removed from rollers 58, 59 and 60, 6|, new objects are inserted and the machine is now ready for the printing operation to be repeated. In the event that the object defining the curved surface to be printed bears a protuberance, for instance a handle (such as 42 of curved surface 31 shown in Figs. 16 and 17), an adjustable stop 50 (Figs. 16 and 17) may be provided on plate 5|. Said stop is so positioned as to provide an abutment surface for handle 42 of container 31, thus delimiting the possible rotation of said container. The container is placed on the'rotatable supports defined by rollers 58, 59 and 69, 6! in such a manner that handle 42 rests against the front side of stop 59. In this way an exact registration of the printing with respect to said handle 42 is assured.

In another embodiment cf the machine of my invention, shown in Figs. 9-15 inclusivathe means for positioning transfer roller 25 above curved surface 46 to be printed comprises, similar to the first embodiment described above, parallel, identical plates I32, :33 (Fig. 15) secured to crossmembers 5 and 6 respectively, The top of these plates, however, lies below the horizontal plane tangent to the bottom of shaft 92 of roller 25, so that said roller may, while traveling over racks 2'! and 28 via pinions 36 and 3! respectively, pass over said plates until shaft 62 of said roller abuts against vertical extensions i356 and i3? carried by plates G62 and I33 respectively. Said plates (Fig. 15) bear roller pairs !38 and 39 respectively, which serve to rotatably support transfer roller 2 5 when the latter is compelled into printing contact with curved surface 46 by arms 65 and 56 acting on the ends of shaft 32 (Figs. 9-15). Said roller pairs I36 and i2 9 are so positioned that shaft 32 of transfer roller 25 does not contact them until said roller is compelled downward into printing contact with curved surface 49 by arms 65 and 66 (as described above). In order to avoid any interference by plates 2 .2 and N53 with the seating of shaft 32 on the nip of said amass-s roller pairs I33 and, I39, said: plates. are pro.- vided-respectively with recesses I36andv I31 (Fig. 15).. Thus when shaft 32. moves downward under the action of arms 65 and. 66 it, slides against extensions I34 and. I35 ofplates 46, and 41 respectively to seat. itself. on roller. pairs I38 and I39.

In this embodiment of my inventionthe means for the printing rotation of roller 25; comprises spaced-racks Ill; H8 and H9, I20 respectively mounted on slides I68,- I II. and I42, I43 respectively (Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13; 1.4). Theseracks are held apart by. springs I24, I25, I26surrounding pins I2I, I22, I23 (Figs.,9, 10,11, 13 and 14), the, ends of which slide inv borings I34; and I45, I46 and I41, I48 andv I49; respectively, provided in slides I40, I41 and I42; I43 respectively. Said slides are held in vertical alignment by lateral plate I28 and by cross-member gand the downward. extension thereof provided by. plate. I21 secured to cross-member 5 by. plate I50 (Fig. 14). Plate I 28 is secured to plate I2? by: means of block; I23 (Figs. 13 and 14). Shoulder Iii on plate I28 forms the surface over which slide I42 carrying rack I I9 moves, while flange IS'Qof said plate I28. servesto limit the'upward displacement of slide I46 carrying rack: I I57.

This double rack device is so arranged on each side of the machine that when flange I33 contacts, slide I48 (the normal position), racks II! and H3 form extensions of longitudinal racks 21 and 23 secured to cross-members 5 and 8 respectively, on which racks pinions sfi-and 3I of transfer roller 25 travel. (Figs. 3, 9 and 13). However, whcn roller 25 is clamped by arms 65' and 55 into printingcontact with the curved surface 49'. to be printed, and is thus forced downwards, racks I I7 and I I8 also descend to a corresponding extent due to the resilient mounting provided bysprings I24, I25 and I26 (Figs. 11, 13 andzle). Upon release, 1. e. upward motion, of arms 65 and 56* thesesprings serve to force roller 25 upwards and thus out of printing contact with curved surface 48, and similarly toforce slides Ito; MI upwards against flange I30 of plate I28, and: thus force racks II! and H8 into alignment once more with longitudinal racks 21' and 28 respectively (Figs. 9,

Plate I21 and block I29 are cut out to permit bottom racks I I9 and I28 to engage with spur wheels III and H2 (Figs. 9, 12 and 13). Said spur wheels are arranged on each side of the machine, and are mounted on common axle II'3, supported in bearings II and H5 respectively (Figs. 10 and 11). These bearings are mounted on brackets I5! and I52 respectively, secured to cross members 6 and 9 respectively. Spur wheels III and II 2 are connected by eccentric rod IE8 parallel to axle II3 (Figs; 9, 10, 11, 12). To the midpoint of rod I68 there is a pivotly connected rod I65 reciprocated by the plunger of air cylinder H32, which latter is supported in a pivotal manner in bracket IE3, secured to the top of crossbeam I66 mounted on cross-members I and II) (Fig. 11). Spring IE? surrounding rod I85 abuts against collar I3! carried thereby. The actuation of this plunger is identical to that described in the foregoing in connection with the first embodiment and the principles there set forth are of equal application here. Spur wheels III and I I2 are thus rotated to a given extent, translating racks He and I28 and thereby racks II? and III; away from longitudinal racks 27 and 28. As during the rotation, of spur wheels III and H2 roller 25 is clamped in printing contact with curved surface. 4.0, and as.- further translational movement of said roller is prevented, said roller is causedito r ate. due to the translation of'said racks III; and M8, to an extent sufficient to contact all ofthe impression carried by said roller 25 with curved surface 41];

The-method ofoperating this second embodiment; of the machineof my invention is exactly the same as in, connection ,Wit-hthe first, embodiment, describedabove. The objects defining the curvedsurfaces to be printed (48., Figs. 10 and 11) are. placed on the rotatable supports defined by rollers 58,59 and 60,- 6| (Figs. 10, 11, 16 and 17). If the object defining the curved surface to be printed'is provided with a protuberance, such as handle 42 (on curved surface 37 in Figs. 16, and 17), adjustable stop 50. (Figs. 16 and 17) is first put inrsuch positionon plateSI as to assure the desired registration of the handle with said stop, and the object defining the curved surface to be printed (81 in Figs. 16 and 17) is rotated on rollers 58, 59; (Miami 6| until handle 42 rests against the front face ofstop 50. Roller 25 (Figs. 9-15) is moved overinked impression plates I5 and I6 (Fig. 3), via racks 2'1 and 28 (Figs. 3, 9 and 13), and then into contact with extensions I34 and I35 of plates-I32and I33'respective1y (Figs. 9, 12, 13-. and 15), via racks II! and H8 forming extensions of racks 27' and 28 respectively. The operator then depresses foot pedal 7?, arms 65, '66 move downwards and compel shaft 32 of roller 25" onto roller pairs I38 and I39 borne by plates I32and I 33-respectively (Figs. 945), thus bringing roller 25'into printing contact" with the curved r surfaces IIl'to beprinted. As racks I I1 and H3 are resiliently supported by springs I25, I25, I26 they are: likewise depressed due to the action of arms 65 and 66. Printing contact having been thus effected between transfer roller 25 and curved surfaces 40, spur wheels III and H2 commence their rotation (Figs. 10, 11, 12), whereby racks II! and II8 move out, and roller 25 is rotated to an extentsufficient to contact all of the impression carried by said roller 25 with said curved" surface Mi. When the rack has terminated its outward motion, the operator releases foot pedal 'I-I, whereupon racks I I? and H3 are returned to their initial position by the backward rotation of spur wheels III and H2 respectively, arms 65 andBG move upwards releasing roller 25, and racks II I and I I8 return into alignment with longitudinal racks 21 and 28 respectively. The operator then moves roller 25'back over racks III and 21., and H8 and 28 via pinions Stand 31 respectively to the far end of the-machine, removes the objects defining the printed curved surfaces II} from their holders, inserts new ones, and the machine is again ready for another printing operation.

In conclusion of this description of the machine of my invention it should be pointed out it is possible therewith to simultaneously print any numberof curved surfaces, from one to a number limited solely by the dimensions of the machine. The fact that twoobjects defining curved surfaces are shown in the drawing (Figs. 4, 5, 10 and 11) as simultaneously being printed in no way limits thegenericscope of my invention. Nor is the particular shape of the glass surfaces shown in the drawing (Figs. 4, 5, 10, 11, 16 and 1'7) intended toiri any way restrict the breadth of my invention, it being again emphasized here that any shape of curved surface can be printed by the machine of my invention. Furthermore, as is obvious, the particular means shown by me for the actuation of spur wheels 62 (Figs. 1-5), and Ill and I 12 (Figs. 9-14) and of clamping arms 65 and 66 (Figs. 1-5, 9-12) is not limitative, electrical means, hydraulic means, mechanical means or known operating means of any knid being possible of use rather than the compressed air means shown and described by me herein.

The foregoing description is merely by way of illustration and not of limitation, it not being my intention that my invention be limited by any thing save the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine for printing on an article bearing a curved surface, including a flat inked impression plate, means rotatably supporting such an article, a roller, an axle for said roller, at least one pinion on said axle, first means guiding said axle in a plane to bring said roller into rolling contact with and beyond said impression plate thereby imparting a transfer surface to said roller, at least one stop coactive with said first means guiding delimiting the end position of said axle in said plane, second means guiding said roller from said end position into printing contact with said such article, and means for turning said axle adapted to engage said pinion when said roller is in said printing contact, whereby said transfer surface is transferred to said such article.

2. In a machine according to claim 1 the improvement that a gear constitutes said means for turning.

3. In a machine according to claim 1, the improvement that a reciprocable rack constitutes said means for turning and the portion of said first means guiding adjacent said stop.

4. In a machine for printing on an article hearing a curved surface, including a, flat inked impression plate, means rotatably supporting such an article, a roller, an axle for said roller, at least one pinion on said axle, first means guiding said axle in a plane to bring said roller into rolling contact with and beyond said impression plate, thereby imparting a transfer surface to said roller, at least one stop coactive with said first means guiding delimiting the end position of said axle in said plane, second means guiding said roller from said end position into printing contact with said such article and adapted to positively maintain contact between said transfer surface and said such article, and means turning said axle adapted to engage said pinion when said roller is in said printing contact, whereby said transfer surface is transferred to said such article.

5. In a machine according to claim 4 the improvement that a gear constitutes said means for turning.

6. In a machine according to claim 4, the improvement that a reciprocable rack constitutes said means for turning and the portion of said first means guiding adjacent said stop.

7. In a machine according to claim 6, the improvement that said rack is resiliently mounted for movement in the direction corresponding to the direction from said end position into printing contact.

8. In a machine for printing on an article bearing a curved surface, including a fiat inked impression plate, means rotatably supporting such an article, a roller, 3, resiliently deformable covering on said roller, an axle for said roller, at least one pinion on said axle, first means guiding said axle in a plane to bring said deformable covering into rolling contact with and beyond said impression plate, thereby imparting a transfer surface to said covering, at least one stop coactive with said first means guiding delimiting the end position of said axle in said plane, second means guiding said roller from said end position into contact with said such article and maintaining sufiicient force between said transfer surface and said such article to deform such deformable covering into intimate printing contact with said article, and means for turning said axle adapted to engage said pinion when said deformable covering is in said intimate printing contact, whereby said transfer surface is transferred to said such article.

9. In a machine according to claim 8 the improvement that a gear constitutes said means for turning.

10. In a machine according to claim 8, the imr provement that a reciprocable rack constitutes said means for turning and the portion of said first means guiding adjacent said stop.

11. In a machine according to claim 8, the improvement that said rack is resiliently mounted for movement in the direction corresponding to the direction of application of said force onto said such article.

VINCENT J. TENETY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 900,073 Johnson Sept. 29, 1908 1,382,171 Corson June 21, 1921 1,904,332 Sidebotham Apr. 18, 1933 2,015,086 Paynter Sept. 24, 1935 2,015,669 Gravely Oct. 1, 1935 2,341,409 McDonell Feb. 8, 1944 2,442,102 Tenety May 25, 1948

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