US2889767A

US2889767A - Marking apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2889767A
Application number: US554834A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hirschey Malcolm; Jr Andrew J Alessi
Original assignee: Adolph Gottscho Inc
Current assignee: Adolph Gottscho Inc
Priority date: 1955-12-22
Filing date: 1955-12-22
Publication date: 1959-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 1976-06-09

Description

June 9, 1959 M. HIRSCHEY ET AL 2,88 7 MARKING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 22, 1 955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 w IQA'B/DREWJ 141E554 TR June 9, 1959 M. HIRSCHEY ET AL 2,889,767

MARKING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 22, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 M ZYVENTORS.

fiLcoLM IRSCHEY a 4 EWJ. 14LESS/ J gimme June 9, 1959 M. HIRSCHEY ETAL MARKING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 22, 1955 INVENTORSQ M M04504 WSW/E 5 fi/VDREW J. 4555/, J

F :77 My June 9, 1959 M. HIRSCHEY ETAL 2,889,767

MARKING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 22, 1955 Waco ND EW mm 198)? United States Patent 2,889,767 MARKING APPARATUS Malcolm Hirschey, Woodbridge, and Andrew J. Alessi, Jr., Colonia, N.J., assignors to Adolph Gottscho, Inc., Hillside, N.J., a corporation of New York Application December 22, 1955, Serial No. 554,834 13 Claims. (Cl. 10135) The present invention relates generally to marking apparatus, and more particularly is directed to apparatus for applying inked markings or impressions to successive containers, cartons, boxes or other individual articles or to continuous strip, web or sheet materials conveyed past the marking apparatus.

Heretofore, various types of marking apparatus have been developed for the above purpose, but each of these types has certain characteristics that limit the use thereof and are disadvantageous when attempts are made to apply the apparatus to other uses or applications. For example, in an existing apparatus having a die wheel carrying the die or marking elements, a metering roll and an ink supplying roll connected to each other for simultaneous, positively driven rotation, so that the ink supplying roll applies ink to the surface of the metering roll, in some cases from an ink fountain or other source, and the metering roll transfers the ink to the face of the die or marking element, the employment of such an apparatus in connection with an intermittently moving conveyor results in the periodic halting of the system of rolls supplying ink to the die or marking element, at which time heavy lines of ink build up on the halted rolls and produce uneven inking of the die when operation is resumed. Further, with such apparatus, the repeat of the inked marking or impression, for example, when applied to a continuous web, strip or sheet, is determined by the circumference of the die wheel, and any changes in the distance between the successive markings or impressions require replacement of the die wheel. When apparatus of the kind mentioned above is employed for the marking of containers, boxes, cartons or other articles pushed by lugs or the like extending from a chain conveyor, the circumference of the die wheel has to be some wholemultiple of the distance between the successive conveyed articles. It is also to be noted that, if the conveyed articles are intermittently advanced, while the die wheel and its inking roll system are independently and continuously rotated to achieve uniform application of ink to the die or marking element, the synchronization of the speed of the article with the surface speed of the die wheel, at the instant when the marking or impression is being applied, is diflicult to achieve and thus blurred markings or impressions frequently occur.

In another type of existing apparatus, the die wheel and its inking system are driven by frictional contact of bearer rims on the die Wheel with the individual articles to be marked as such articles are conveyed past the apparatus. However, such frictional drive will result in some relative movement between the die or marking element and the article being marked when the intermittent motion of the article involves large accelerations or decelerations, and further fails to provide precision positioning of the imprint on the article.

In still another existing apparatus, a separate conveyor is included in the apparatus to ensure the proper timing of the movement of the successive articles in relation to the rotation of the die wheel. Such apparatus requires i metering rolls and the die 2,889,767 Patented June 9, 1959 an interruption in the production conveyor to accommodate the marking apparatus and, in many places where installations are to be made, there is no room in the production line for the additional conveyor. Further, since the die wheel and its inking roll system rotate continuously, a gap or halt in the line of articles fed to the marking apparatus conveyor 'will produce an objectionable build-up of ink on the die or marking element. Further, the inclusion of a separate conveyor in the marking apparatus results in a relatively high cost for such equipment, and the whole apparatus must be retimed and its conveyor respaced when the dimensions of the articles to be marked, in the direction of their movement through the apparatus, are changed.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide marking apparatus having extreme flexibility with respect to variations in the dimensions of, or spacing between, the articles to be marked, or to the spacing between the repeated markings applied to a continuous strip, web or sheet, and capable, under all circumstances, of applying clear inked markings or impressions having the quality of printing and precisely located with respect to the surface being marked.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a marking apparatus capable of employing fast drying, pigmented inks, even when the marking operation is effected intermittently.

Another object is to provide marking apparatus that can be attached to an existing machine or conveyor to mark the products of the machine or articles advanced by the conveyor without requiring any substantial alteration of the associated machine or conveyor.

Further, an object of the invention is to provide 'a marking apparatus that permits the spacing between successive markings to be made independent of the circumference of the die wheel so that such spacing can be adjusted or varied without replacement of the die wheel, and so that the gaps between the successive conveyed articles can be reduced to a minimum, in marking independent conveyed articles, thereby to permit eflicient utilization of the conveyor. j

A marking apparatus embodying the present invention is featured by the continuous rotation of the inking roll system so that pigmented inks may be used and the pigments held in suspension, even when the marking operation is intermittent. The die or marking element on the die wheel is adapted to receive ink from the meter ing roll which, in turn, receives ink from the ink supplying roll dipping into an ink fountain or reservoir. A gear transmission is provided for driving the ink supplying and wheel, and an electro-magnetically operated friction clutch is interposed between the gear transmission and the die wheel and is engaged only when an article or the like, to be marked, is advanced past the marking apparatus. An electro-magnetically operated lock or latch is also associated with the die wheel and operated simultaneously with the clutch so that, normally, the die Wheel is held against rotation in a position where the die or marking element thereon is spaced from both the continuously rotated metering roll and the path of the articles or the like to be the objectionable build-up of ink on the die or marking element during the periods between marking operations. As an article or the like is conveyed toward the marking apparatus, both the clutch and latch are electro-magnetically operated so that the die wheel is then connected to the driving gear transmission and freed for rotation. Thus, the die wheel is accelerated to a speed substantially equal to that of the conveyed article and marks the latter. Preferably, in accordance with the present invention', a pawl and ratchet arrangement is provided between marked thereby preventing tile friction clutch and the die wheel so that, if the speed of the article being marked is greater than that of the die wheel at the instant of marking, the die Wheel can be further accelerated by contact with the article to avoid any relative motion between the die or marking element and the article at the instant of marking of the latter and, thereby, to prevent blurring of the inked marking or impression. Similarly, if the speed imparted to the die wheel through the gear transmission is greater than the speed of the article at the instant of marking, the friction clutch can slip to permit the contact of the die or marking element with the article to retard the rotation of the die wheel. Upon completion of the marking operation, the clutch is disengaged and the latch again becomes operative to stop the rotation of the die wheel in a predetermined position to ensure proper registration of the inked marking or impression applied during the next marking operation. The electromagnetieally operated clutch and latch may be controlled either by the articles to be marked, for example, by contact of the successive articles with an actuator of a controlling micro-switch, or by the associated machine or conveyor, for example, through actuation of the controlling micro-switch by a cam or the like provided on a timing shaft of the associated machine or conveyor.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent in the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, and wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of marking apparatus embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial front elevational view, partly in section, and taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, detail view of a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly broken away and in section, showing the side of the apparatus opposed to that shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 66 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along the line 7--7 of Fig. l;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 99 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 10 is a schematic representation, in side. elevation, of a gear transmission included in the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5 thereof, a marking apparatus embodying the present invention is there illustrated and generally identified by the reference numeral 10. Marking apparatus 10 includes a mounting plate 12 adapted to be secured to a supporting structure (not shown) on a conveyor handling cartons, boxes, containers or other articles to be marked or at the outlet of a wrapping or package handling machine or a machine producing a continuous web or strip of sheet material so that the apparatus 10 is positioned to apply inked impressions or markings either to successive individual articles, or repeated markings or impressions to a continuous strip or web of sheet material. Support arms 14 and 16 extend forwardly, that is, in the direction of movement of the articles or sheet material to be marked, from the opposite ends of the mounting plate 12 and, at their forward or free ends, carry bearings 18 (Fig. 6) rotatably supporting a drive shaft 20.

The frame of the marking apparatus includes a side plate 22 disposed alongside the support arm 16 and rockably mounted on the related bearing 18, a top plate 24 extending laterally from the top edge of the side plate 22, and a hanger 26 depending from the edge portion of the top plate 24 remote from the side plate and rockably mounted upon the bearing 18 carried by the support arm 14. In order to angularly position the marking apparatus frame with respect to the support arms 14 and 16, the support arm 16 is provided with a downward extension 16a which is bifurcated or forked at its lower end to define legs 28 (Fig. 5) between which a pin 30, projecting from the side plate 22, loosely extends. A bolt 32 is threaded through one of the legs 28 and bears against the pin 30 to act as a stop in limiting the angular movement of the apparatus frame relative to the support arms in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5. A helical tension spring 34 extends between

anchoring pins

37 and 39 on the support arm 16 and the side plate 22, respectively, to urge the apparatus frame in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5, that is, to urge the frame to rock about the shaft 21) in the direction for contacting the pin 30 with the stop bolt 32. The frame of the marking apparatus is completed by a backplate 36 depending from the back edge of the top plate 24 and secured, along one side edge, to the back edge of the side plate 22.

The marking apparatus 10 further includes a die wheel assembly, generally identified by the reference numeral 38, an ink fountain assembly, generally identified by the reference numeral 40, and a metering roll assembly, generally identified by the reference numeral 42, for receiving ink from the fountain assembly 40 and transferring such ink to a die or marking element carried by the die wheel assembly 38.

The ink fountain assembly 40, as seen in Figs, 1 and 6, includes an upwardly open fountain or reservoir 44 adapted to contain a supply of ink, and having ears 46 extending upwardly from its side walls adjacent the back end of the reservoir for pivotal mounting upon a pin 48 and a co-axial bolt 50 carried by lugs 52 and 54, respectively, extending forwardly from the back plate 36. Thus, the reservoir 44 is rockable about the common axes of the pin 48 and bolt 50. Such rocking of the reservoir is limited by a stop bolt 56 having a knurled head which threadably extends through a lug on the lower portion of the back plate 36.

V The ink fountain assembly 40 further includes a shaft 58 journaled in bearings carried by the opposite side walls of the reservoir 44 and having an ink supplying roll 60 fixed thereon, for example, by set screws, so that, as the shaft 58 is rotated, the ink supplying roll 60 will dip into a supply of ink contained in the reservoir and pick up such ink for transfer to a metering roll 62 included in.

the metering roll assembly 42.

As seen in Fig. 7, the metering roll assembly further includes a shaft 64 extending from one side of the side plate 22 and fixed with respect to the latter. The metering roll 62 is joined to a spacing sleeve 66 and, with the latter, is rotatable on bearings 68 carried by the shaft 64. It is apparent that rocking of the reservoir 44 of the ink fountain assembly, by adjustment of the stop bolt 56, will be effective to vary the radial distance between the

shafts

58 and 64, thereby causing adjustment of the contact pressure between the ink supplying roll 60 and the metering roll 62.

Rotation of the ink supplying roll and the metering roll is effected bya gear transmission extending from the drive shaft 20 to the

respective shafts

58 and 64 and including a gear 70 fixed on the drive shaft 20, and a gear 72 rotatable on a bearing 68 of the metering roll assembly and meshing with the gear 70. The gear 72 is free to rotate independently of the metering roll 62 and meshes with a gear 74 which is keyed to the shaft 58 of the ink supplying roll. A second gear 76 is also keyed to the shaft 58 and meshes with a gear 7 8 which is secured to the spacing sleeve 66 to drive the latter and the metering roll 62. The numbers of teeth on the several gears are selected so that the ink supplying roll 60 and the metering roll 62 will be rotated in-opposite directions at the same surface speed, preferably, at the same angular speed as;

the drive shaft 20. For example, gear 70 may have 40' teeth, gear 72 may have 74 teeth, gear 74 may have 40 teeth, gear 76 may have 57 teeth, and gear 78 may also have 57 teeth.

Referring in detail to Fig. 2 of the drawing, it will be seen that the die wheel assembly 38 of the illustrated embodiment of the invention includes a shaft 80 extending from one side of the side plate 22 and fixed with respect to the latter. An eccentric sleeve82, that is, a sleeve having cylindrical inner and outer surfaces with the centers of such surfaces being eccentrically located, relative to each other, is rotatably mounted upona reduced diameter portion 80a of the shaft 80 which extends from a location intermediate the'ends of the latter to the free end of the shaft 80. Rotatably mounted upon the outer surface of the sleeve 82 is a hollow cylindrical die. wheel arbor 84 having external threads upon at least its opposite end portions. A die or type holding sleeve 86 is secured on the arbor 84 between clamping nuts 89 threaded upon the latter. As shown in Fig. 2, the die or marking element or elements 88 may be formed of rubber type or logotype secured or held upon the sleeve 86 by an arrangement of the kind disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,643,609, issued to Ira Gottscho on June 30, 1953, for Holder for Rubber Type, or alternatively, the die or marking element may be merely adhesively secured to the sleeve 86 in the conventional manner.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that each die or marking element 88 is freely rotatable with its holding sleeve 86 and the die wheel arbor 84 upon the outer cylindrical surface of the eccentric sleeve 82, and that the radial distance between the axis of rotation of the die or marking element and the axis of rotation of the metering roll 62 can be adjusted, for varying the contact pressure between the die or marking element and the surface of the metering roll, merely by angularly adjusting the eccentric sleeve 82 with respect to the fixed shaft 80. The end of the sleeve 82 closest to the side plate 22 bears against a retaining washer 90 to prevent axial displacement of the eccentric sleeve in the direction toward the side plate. At the end of the eccentric sleeve 82 remote from the side plate 22, the sleeve 82 is provided with radial slots 92 receiving axially extending tongues 94 on a tubular eccentric adjusting member 96 having a knurled head on the end thereof extending out of the cylindrical arbor 84. Thus, the head of the member 96 may be manually rotated to effect corresponding rotational adjustment of the eccentric sleeve 82. In order to hold the eccentric sleeve in its angularly adjusted position, a locking bolt 98 extends axially through the tubular adjusting member 96 and is threaded into a suitably tapped blind bore in the end of the fixed shaft 80. The locking bolt 98 has a knurled head adapted to bear against the head of the member 96 so that, when the bolt 98 is screwed into the shaft 80, the eccentric adjusting member 96 is clamped against rotation between the head of the bolt 98 and the adjacent end of the shaft 80.

In accordance with the present invention, the die wheel arbor 84, and hence the die or marking element, is rotated only during the actual marking operation, that is, when an article, sheet material or the like to be marked is presented adjacent the marking apparatus for the application thereto of an inked impression or marking by the latter. In order to effect such rotation of the arbor 84, the marking apparatus 10 further includes a gear 100 (Figs. 2 and 3) which is rotatably mounted upon the fixed shaft 80 and meshes with the gear 72. Preferably, the gear 100 has the same number of teeth as the gear 70 on the drive shaft 20 and the gear 74 on the shaft 58 of the ink supplying roller, which also meshes with the gear 72, so that, when the rotation ofthe gear 100 is transmitted to the die wheel arbor, the latter willbe rotated in the same direction as the ink supplying roll a esa 4 i6 V. and atthe same angular speed as the metering and supplying rolls., An axially arranged series of friction clutch discs 102 are disposed at the side of the gear facing away from the side plate 22 and alternate discs of the series are constrained to rotate with the gear 100 by means of pins 104 which extend axially from the gear and are received in suitable peripheral notches or recesses of those clutch discs. A sleeve 106 is rotatable on the shaft 80 independently of the friction discs 102 and carries a yoke ring 108 which is axially movable relative to the sleeve 106, but held against rotation rela tive to the latter, for example, by a key 110 (Fig. 3). The yoke ring 108, at the side thereof facing toward the clutch disc 102, is provided with an annular, axially projecting rib 112 which is engageable with the adjacent end of the series of clutch discs when the yoke ring is displaced axially in the direction toward the latter thereby to compact or compress the discs in the axial direction and communicate or transmit the rotation of the gear 100 to the sleeve 106. A ratchet wheel 114 is fixed upon the end of the sleeve 106 remote from the clutch discs for rotation with the sleeve 106. A radially directed flange 116 is secured to the end of the arbor 84 adjacent the retaining washer 90 and, at its periphery, supports an axial stud 118 upon which a pawl 120 is rockably mounted (Fig. 9) for engagement with the toothed periphery of the ratchet wheel 114. A torsion spring 122 is interposed between the flange 116 and the pawl 120 to yieldably urge the latter in the direction eifecting its engagement with the ratchet wheel. The pawl 120 and the teeth of the ratchet wheel 114 are arranged so that rotation of the sleeve 106 will be transmitted thereby to the arbor 84. However, if the arbor 84 is rotated at an angular speed greater than that of the gear 100, the ratchet wheel 114 and pawl 120 will disengage or move relative to each other in order to permit such relatively fast rotation of the arbor.

It will be seen that the yoke ring 108 and the disc 102 form parts of a friction clutch for transmitting the rotation of gear 100 to the ratchet wheel 114, and that such clutch can be engaged and disengaged by effecting axial movement of the yoke ring 108 along the sleeve 106. In order to effect such axial movement of the yoke ring 108, the marking apparatus 10 includes a yoke member 124 (Figs. 2 and 5) which, at its upper end, is pivotally mounted on a bolt 126 carried by a hanger 128' depending from a support plate 130 mounted upon the top plate 24. The yoke member 124, at its lower end, is provided with a semi-circular extension 132 which, at its the radial flanges of the yoke ring 108. Accordingly,- the rollers 134, without resisting rotation of the yoke ring 108, will effect axial displacement of the latter in response to rocking of the yoke member 124. When the yoke member 124 hangs freely from the bolt 126 forming its pivot, as in Fig. 2, the yoke ring 108 is positioned axially with its rib 112 out of contact with the end clutch disc. However, when the yoke member 124 is rocked in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, the rib 112 of yoke ring 108 acts axially against the clutch discs 102 thereby compressing or compacting the latter so that the clutch will be engaged and transmit rotation from the gear 100 to the yoke ring 108, and hence to the sleeve 106 and ratchet Wheel 114.

Rocking of the yoke member 124 in the clockwise direction, that is, in the direction for effecting engagement of the clutch, is effected by a cam member 136 carried by a cam holder 138 and acting against a roller 140 rotatably supported by a bracket 142 on the yoke mem- The cam holder 138 is vertically slidable, that is, in the direction normal to the support plate 130, in suitably arranged guides 146 carried by a bracket 148 depending from the plate 130. The cam member 136 is pivotallymounted, adjacent its upper, end, on the. cam holder 138 and is urged in the direction toward the cam follower roller 140 by a spring 150 (shown in broken images 12) interposed betweenthe holder 1 38 and thc'rh member; The edge or face of the cam member 18'6"efigaged bythe follower roller 140 is provided with aieces's 152', which'receives the roller 14? when the holder138 is in its lower position, as shown in Fig. 2, an'iiiclined plane 154 extending downwardly from the reces's'I'o'Tand upon which the roller 148 rides during upward movement of the cam holder so that the yoke member 1241s then'rocked in the direction for effecting engagement of the "above described clutcha Upward movements; the cam holder 136 is limited by a bolt 156 extending a'djustably' downward from a bracket 158 upon the plate 130' 'through aii opening 160 in the latter, so th'at the'head of the bolt 156 is 'engageable by a portion ofthe catr'f'holder'138- at the upward limit of the movementqfthe latter. I

jrneup erend of the cam holder 138 also extends throu'gh"the opening 160 and is'subjected, above the plate"1;3 0, to the'd'ownward force of a return leaf spring 162 (Figsf 2 and' 4) supported by a bracket 164 upon the top' surface of the plate 130 (Fig/4). Thus, the camholder 1381s normally urged downwardly, by the spring 162, to a position wherein the' clutch between gear '19s =and'ratchet"wh'eel '114 is disengaged, and, in accordance with the present invention, the upward movement otthe cam holder, -tor' engaging thatclutch, is effectedby electro-magneticallyoperated means.

In the marking apparatuslfi, such electric-magnetically operated means includes a solenoid 166 having its armature 168 connected, as 'by a pivoted link 170, to one end of a double armed lever 172 whichis pivotally supported, intermediate its-ends,upon a pivot pin 174 carried by a standard 176extending upwardly from the plate 130, and which,-at its'op'posite end, is connected to one end of a helical tension spring 178 having its other end connected to an' eye bolt 180 threaded adjustably into the upper end of the cam holder 138. v

Y1 When the solenoid 166 is energized, the armature 168 thereof -'is in'stantaneously' retracted, or moved 'downwa'rdly, to rock the lever 172 in the clockwise direction, asviewed in Fig. 2,thereby increasing the tension' in the spring 17 8, and such increased tension in the spring then isku'flicient' to overcome the weight of the cam holder andthe force exerted on the latter'by the'return spring l62:for'effecting upward movement of'the cam holder. The employment of the'spring 178 permits instantaneous action of the solenoid and avoids the overloading and heating'ofthe solenoid that would result if the load of the cam holder and the force-ofthe return spring 162 were'directly'transmitt'edto the armature of the solenoid. -The'==movement of'the' cam holder 138 by the spring 162in"one direction, and by the solenoid 166, in the opposite direction, in addition to eflecting the disengagement-and engagement, respectively, of the clutch between the-gear 100 and the ratchet wheel 114, is also 'eflective to respectively engage and release a latch mechanism (Fig. ill-provided in the marking apparatus, for ensuring the proper positioning of the'die or marking element on thearbor 84 at thecommencement of each marking operation; Such latch mechanism includes a roller 182 rotatably mounted in a forked lower end 184 of the cam holder-138 and riding upon the periphery of the radial flange 116 of the arbor 84. The flange 116 is provided with one or more radially opening-notches 186 in the periphery thereof, the number of such notches depending upon the number of dies or marking elements provided upon the arbor 84. The flange 116 and its notch or notches186 are'dimensioned so that, when the roller 182 ridesupon the outerperiphery of the flange, the

cam holder l38 is thereby maintained in its elevated position corresponding to the engaged condition of the clutch and,when the roller 182 is receivedin a notch 186, 'assuming'that the solenoid 166 is then deenergized, the return'spring" 62 is; free to urgethe camholde'r 138 vs a t-J: rm: {E *1; i1 3 i downwardly to a position where the clutch is disengaged, while the engagement of the when 182 in the notch-186 angularly positions the ilange-116 and hence the arbor 84 and the marking element or elements 88 on the latter. In the embodiment of' the invention illustrated in the drawings,-three marking elements 88 are shown provided on the, arbor 84 of the die wheel. assembly 38 (Fig. l.) and, accordingly, the flange 116 is provided with .three notches or recesses 186 in the periphery thereof. In any case, the number of notches 186 in the periphery of the flange 116 will correspond to the number of marking elements and such notches are circumferentially located so that, whenever the roller 182 is received in a notch 186, to halt the rotation of the die wheel, the marking element or elements 88 carried by the die wheel will be out of contact or spaced from the surface of the metering roll 62 as well as from the path of travel of the successive articles-or sheet material to be marked, as represented by the arrow 188 on Fig. 1.

The solenoid 166 is controlled by an electrical circuit,

shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1, that includes a source of electrical energy 190, a microswitch 192, a conductor 194 extending'from one terminal of the micro-switch to one side of the source 190, a conductor 196 extending from the other terminal of the micro-switch to one terminal of the solenoid 166, and a conductor 198 extending from the other terminal of the solenoid to the other side of the electrical source so that the micro-switch is connected in series with the solenoid and the latter is energized only when the micro-switch 192 is in its closed condition. The micro-switch 192 is of the kind that 'is normally open and may be associated with an actuating member 200 that is rocked toward the housing of the swit'chto close the contacts of the latter whenever the marking operation of the apparatus 10 is to be commenced. Themicro-switch -192 may be supported adjacent the path of travel of the successive-conveyed articles to be marked, for example, the switch 192 may be mounted upon a bracket 202 having a slot 204 receivingmo'u'riting bolts that secure the switch to the bracket and'p'ermit adjustment of the switch along the path of travel, thereby varying the location of a conveyed article relative to the marking apparatusat the instant when the article first engages the actuator 200 for the purpose of closing the micro-switch and effecting energization of the solenoid 166. t. i Although the control of the solenoid 166, in the illustratedembo'diment'ot the invention, is made dependent upon the engagement of the actuating member 200 by the individual articles to be marked, it is to be noted that control of the'operation of the marking apparatus embodying this invention'is not limited to such an arrangement, since the switch actuating member 209 may be intermittently engaged by a cam or the like provided on a timing shaftlnot shown) incorporated in a packaging or other machine with which the marking apparatus may be associated thereby to synchronize the operation of the marking apparatus with the output of the associated packaging or'other'machine. In any case, it will beapparent that, each time an article or the like to be marked approaches the location of the die wheel assembly 38, or, in the eased the marking of sheet material, each timeamarking'operation is to be commenced, energizetionof "thesolenoid 166 will cause release of the latch mechanism and simultaneous engagement of the clutch so that, the die wheel, having been freed of the rotational restraint normally'imposed' thereon by the latch mechanism, will be rotated in response to the continuous rotation of the gear 188. -Further, it is obvious that the positioning of'the inked marking or impression applied tothe article maybe 'varied'by. adjusting the position of the sw'itch l92 along the path of travel of the conveyed articles, or by otherwise adjusting the timing of the closing of the micro-switchin'relation to the traveLof-the artic1e'td;b'emarkedL- i In order to eflfect the continuous rotation ofthe-ink supplying roll 60, the metering roll 62 and the gear 100 of the arrangement for driving the die wheel assembly, the drive shaft 20 is provided with a sprocket 206 secured on an end thereof and engaged by an endless chain 208 (Fig. 6) which also runs around a sprocket 210 on the output shaft 212 of a conventional variable speed changing device 214. The chain 208 is further engaged by an idler sprocket 216 which is adjustably mounted on the plate 130 for maintaining the required tension in the chain 268. The speed changing device 214 is mounted upon the plate 130 and has its input shaft 218 connected, as by a flexible coupling 220, to the shaft 222 of an electric motor 224 also mounted upon the support plate 130. Although, in the preferred illustrated embodiment of the invention, the marking apparatus 10 is driven by a motor 224 which is independent of the associated conveyor or machine handling the'articles or the like to be marked, it is to be noted that, if desired, the motor 224 may be eliminated and the shaft 20 driven from the associated conveyor or machine.

The marking apparatus 10 described above, operates as followsi The variable speed changing device 214 is adjusted to provide a speed at the surface of the die or marking element 88 which is substantially equal to the surface speed of the article or sheet material to' be marked. The motor 224, being continuously energized, effects continuous rotation of the ink supplying roll 60 and metering roll 62, so that, if pigmented inks are employed for the marking operation, the continuous rotation of the ink supplying and metering roll will maintain the pigments in suspension. Further, the continuous rotation of the ink supply and metering mu will prevent the buildup of thick lines of ink at the contacting surfaces of such rolls, as would be the case if the ink supplying and metering rolls were only intermittently rotated. Although the gear 100 -is also continuously rotated, the arbor 84 of the die wheel assembly 38 and the die or marking elements 88 on the arbor are normally at rest, with the die or marking elements, as explained above, being then spaced from both the surface of the metering roll 62 and the path of travel of the surface to be marked of the successive articles or sheet material. Thus, during the periods between successivemarking operations, there'is no possibility .of a continuing transfer of ink from the metering roll 62 to the surfaces of the die-or marking elements, and the objectionable build-up of excessive ink on'the latter is avoided. 7 When an article or the like to be marked approaches the marking station adjacent the die wheel assembly 38,- the micro-switch 192 is closed to energize the solenoid 16.6i.which, as explained above, causes release of the latch mechanism normally restraining rotation of the die wheel mechanism and engagement of the clutch so that the rotation of gear 100 is then transmitted to the'ratchet wheel 114. By reason of the cooperation between "the ratchet wheel 114 and the pawl 120 on the'flange 116,- the rotation of the ratchet wheelis transmitted to the. die supporting arbor 84. During the initial part .of the rotation of the arbor 84, the metering roll 62 transfers ink to'the surface of the die or' marking element moved into rolling contact therewith and, as the article or the like to be marked passes below-the die wheel assembly 38, the inked-die or marking element applies an inked'marking or impression to the surface of the article. If the actual linear speed of the article, at the instant of mark.- ing, is exactly equal'to the surface speed of the die or marking element, as' produced by rotation of the gear 100, the clutch, made up of the discs 'I02'and the yoke ring 108, and the co perating ratchet Wheel 11 4, and pawl 1245 act as a rigid transmission between the gear 100 and the arbor 84 of the die wheel assembly. 'However, if at the instant of marking, the article is advancing at a linear speed greater than the surfacespeed of the die or marking element resulting from transmission of the rotation of gear 100, the ratchet wheel 114 and the pawl permit the die or marking element to be speeded up by its frictional contact with the article being marked thereby to avoid any relative motion between the article and die or marking element at the instant of marking and the blurring of the inked marking or impression that would thereby result. If, on the other hand, at the instant of marking, the surface speed of the article to be marked is less than the surface speed of the marking element resulting from the rotation of gear 100, the clutch discs 102 are capable of slipping relative to each other to permit slowing down of the rotational speed of the die or marking element in response to frictional contact of the latter with the article being marked. In order to increase the-action of the frictional contact of the die wheel with the article being marked in exactly adjusting the surface speed of the die or marking element to the surface speed of the article, the die wheel assembly 38 may be provided with bearer rims (not shown) ro tatable with the arbor 84 and disposed at the opposite sides of the die or marking element, such bearer rims being sufficiently spaced apart, in the axial direction, to avoid the transfer of ink thereto by the metering roll 62.

It is apparent that, after the micro-switch 192 has been momentarily closed in order to initiate the rotation of arbor 84 and its flange 116, the roller 182 of the latch mechanism will ride upon the outer periphery of the flange 116 and thereby maintain the cam holder 138 inits raised position for continuing the engagement of the clutch until the arbor 84 has been rotated to a position wherein the roller 1182 again registers with, and can be received in, one of the peripheral notches 1 86. Accordingly, it is apparent that the solenoid does not have to be energized throughout the marking period, and such energization is required only for the period of time necessary to effect rotation of the flange 116 away from the position where a notch 186 thereof is registered with the latch roller 182.

The above described marking apparatus has a further important advantage in that it permits a spacing between the successive markings applied either to individual articles or to a continuous web or strip of sheet material that is independent of the circumference of the die wheel. It is apparent that a spacing between successive markings greater than the circumference of the die wheel, where only a single die or marking element is carried by the latter, or greater than the circumferential distance between the dies or marking elements, where several marking elements are carried by the die wheel, as in the illustrated embodiment, can be obtained merely by delaying the periodic energization of the solenoid 166. However, it is also possible, by adjustment of'the variable speed changing device 214 to provide" a surface speed of the die or-marking element substantially greater than the speed of travel of the successive articles or sheet material past the apparatus to-achieve a spacing between the successive markings that is smaller than the circumference of the die wheel or the circumferential spacing between the several marking elements on the die wheel.

the die wheel by the roller 182 and simultaneous engagement of the friction clutch, the die wheel is rotated at a relatively great speed until the die or marking element contacts the relatively slow moving surface to be marked, whereupon, the friction clutch slips to permit travel of the die or marking element at the speed of the surface to be marked during the actual marking of the latter. Immediately after completion of the marking, the marking element moves out of contact with the surface of the marked article or sheet material and the die wheel is accelerated up to the high speed set by the speed changing device forrapid return to a position, determined by engagement of the roller 182 in a notch 186, where the die wheel is 'setfor commencement of the next marking operation. Thus, the die wheel will move from one rest position :to the-next rest position at a greater average speed than the speed at'which thearticle or sheet material to be marked is conveyed therepast. From the foregoing, it will be seen that the spacing between successive markings has been made substantially independent of the size of the die wheel thereby providing an apparatus of great operational flexibility.

Further, it will be apparent that the described apparatus, by reason of its inclusion of a friction clutch and a ratchet and pawl arrangement in the drive for the die wheel, is capable of synchronizing the surface speed of the marking element with that of the conveyed article, at the instant of marking, without requiring any direct synchronizing connection with the associated conveyor or packaging or other machine, thereby greatly facilitating the installation of the marking apparatus and widely expanding the situations in which it can be used.

Although the illustrative embodiment of the invention described in detail herein is intended for the marking of horizontal top surfaces of articles or sheet material conveyed past the apparatus, it is to be understood that alterations in the disclosed system for supplying inkto the die or marking element, which system, alone, forms no part of the present invention, will adapt the apparatus for the marking of either the bottom surface or the vertical side surfaces of the conveyed articles.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein, it should be further understood that the present invention is not limited to that precise embodiment, and that various changes and modifications can be effected in the latter without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the apended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for applying inked markings to a surface of an article conveyed along a path extending past the apparatus and comprising a die wheel having at least one marking element on a portion of the periphery thereof for rolling and marking contact with the surface to be marked of the conveyed article, a metering roll positioned for rolling contact with said marking element as said die wheel and metering roll are rotated, means for supplying ink to the surface of said metering roll so that the latter, during rolling contact with the marking element, transfers ink to the surface of the element, drive means for rotating said die wheel, friction clutch means including a driving part connected to said drive means and a driven part disengageable and frictionally engageable with said driving part, means for engaging and disengaging said driving and driven parts of the friction clutch means, and pawl and ratchet means interposed between said die wheel and said driven part so that said die wheel is rotated from said drive means only when said driving and driven parts are engaged and, in the event that the speed of the surface to be marked of the conveyed article is greater than the surface speed of said marking element caused by said drive means, said pawl and ratchet means permit said marking element to be carried along by contact with the surface to be marked at the speed of the latter and, in the event that the speed of the surface to be marked is less than the surface speed of said marking element caused by said drive means, said driving and driven parts of the friction clutch means can slip relative to each other to permit reduction of the surface speed of the marking element by contact of the latter with the surface to be marked.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1; wherein said drive means includes a motor, variable speed changing means driven by said motor, and transmission means between the output of said variable speed changing means and said driving part of the friction clutch means so that said variable speed changing means permits adjustment of the surface speed of the marking element caused by said drive means to substantiallythe speed. of the surface to be marked; 1

3. Apparatus for applying inked markings to a surface of an article conveyed along a path extending past the apparatus and comprising a die wheel having at least one marking element on a portion of the periphery thereof for rolling and marking contact with the surface to be marked of the conveyed article, a metering roll positioned for rolling contact with said marking element as said die wheel and metering roll are rotated, means for supplying ink to the surface of said metering roll so that the latter, during rolling contact with the marking element, transfers ink to the surface of the element, drive means for rotating said die wheel, friction clutch means including a driving part connected to said drive means and a driven part disengageable and frictionally engageable with said driving part, meansfor engaging and disengaging said driving and driven parts of the friction clutch means, pawl and ratchet means interposed between said die wheel and said driven part so that said die wheel is rotated from said drive means only when said driving and driven parts are engaged and, in the event that the speed of the surface to be marked of the conveyed article is greater than the surface speed of said marking element caused by said drive means, said pawl and ratchet means permit said marking element to be carried along by contact with the surface to be marked at the speed of the latter and, in the event that the speed of the surface to be marked is less than the surface speed of said marking element caused by said drive means, said driving and driven parts of the friction clutch means can slip relative to each other to permit reduction of the surface speed of the marking element by contact of the latter with the surface to be marked, and positioning means operated with said clutch means to hold said die wheel against rotation in a position where said marking element is spaced both from the surface of said metering roll and the path of the surface to be marked of the conveyed article when said driving and driven parts are disengaged, and to free said die wheel for rotation when said driving and driven parts are engaged. t

4. Apparatus for applying inked markings to a surface of an article conveyed along a path extending past the apparatus and comprising a die wheel having at least one marking element on a portion of the periphery thereof for rolling and marking contact with the surface to be marked of the conveyed article, a metering roll positioned for rolling contact with said marking elementas said die wheel and metering roll are rotated, an ink supplying roll in rolling contact with said metering roll for applying ink to the surface of the latter, continuously operable drive means rotating said metering and ink supplying rolls, friction clutch means including a driving part connected to said drive means and a driven part disengageable and frictionally engageable with said driving part, means for engaging and disengaging said driving and driven parts of the friction clutch means, pawl and ratchet means interposed between said die wheel and said driven part so that said die wheel is rotated from said drive means only when said driving and driven parts are engaged and, in the event that the speed of the surface to be marked of the conveyed article is greater than the surface speed of said marking element caused by said drive means, said pawl and ratchet means permit said marking element to be carried along by contact with the surface to be marked at the speed of the latter and, in the event that the speed of the surface to be marked is less than the surface speed of said marking element caused by said drive means, said driving and driven parts of the friction clutch means can slip relative to each other to permit reduction of the surface speed of the marking element by contact of the latter with the surface to be marked, and positioning means operated with said clutch means to hold said die wheel against rotation in a position where. said marking element is spaced both from the surface of said metering roll and the path of the surface to-be marked of. the conveyed article when said driving and. driven parts aredisengaged, andto free said die are engaged.

.5. Apparatus for applying inked markings to a surface of an' article conveyed along a path extending past the apparatus and comprising a die wheel having at least one marking element on a portion of the periphery thereof for rolling and marking contact with the surface to be. marked of the conveyed article, a metering roll pos1- tioned for rolling contact with said marking element as said die wheel and metering roll are rotated, means for supplying ink to the surface of said metering roll so that the latter, during rolling contact with the marking element, transfers ink to the surface of the element, drive means for rotating said die wheel, engageable and disengageable friction clutch means interposed between said die wheel and said drive means so that said die' wheel is rotated only when said clutch means is engaged, an actuating member movable in one direction to engage said clutch means and in the opposite direction to disengage said clutch means, electro-magnetically driven means operative; when-energized, to move said actuating member in said one direction, spring means urging said actuating member in said opposite direction, and positioning latch means connected to said actuating member for operation by the latter to hold said die wheel against rotation in a position where said marking element is spaced from both said-metering roll and the path of the surface to'be marked when said clutch means is disengaged and to free said die wheel for rotation by said drive means when said clutch means is engaged.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5; wherein said electro-ma'gnetically driven means includes a solenoid having a movable armature, and means connecting said armature to said actuating member including a tension spring in which the tension is increased upon movement of said armature by energization of the solenoid so that the increased tension of the spring is then effective to move said actuating member in said one direction, whereby the solenoid is relieved from the inertia load of said actuating member and can act instantaneously to avoid over-heating of the solenoid.

7. Apparatus for applying inked markings to a surface of an article conveyed along a path extending past the apparatus and comprising a die wheel having at least one marking element on a portion of the periphery thereof for rolling and marking contact with the surface to be marked of the conveyed article, a metering roll positioned for rolling contact with said marking element as said die wheel and metering roll are rotated, means for supplying ink to the surface of said metering roll so that the latter, during rolling contact with the marking element, transfers ink to the surface of the element, drive means for rotating said die wheel, engageable and disengageable friction clutch means interposed between said die wheel and said drive means so that said die wheel is rotated only when said clutch means is engaged, an actuating member movable in one direction to engage said clutch means and in the opposite direction to disengage said clutch means, electro-magnetically driven means operative, when energized, to move said actuating member in said one direction, spring means urging said actuating member in said opposite direction, a latch member connected to said actuating member for movement with the latter, and keeper means rotatable with said die wheel and receiving said latch member when said actuating member is moved in said opposite direction to hold said die wheel against rotation in a position where said marking element is spaced from both the surface of said metering roll and the path of the surface to be marked during disengagement of said clutch means, and to prevent movement of said actuating member in said opposite direction and consequent disengagement of the clutch means when said die wheel is angularly spaced from said position.

8. Apparatus for applying inked markings to a surface offa'n article conveyed along a path extending past the apparatus and comprising a die wheel having at least onemarking element ona portion of the periphery thereof for rolling and marking contact with the surface to be marked of the conveyed article, a metering roll positioned for rolling contact with said marking element as said die wheel and metering roll are rotated, means for supplying ink. to .the surface of said metering roll so that the latter, during rolling contact with the marking element, transfers ink to the surface of the element, drive means for rotating said die wheel, engageable and disengageable friction clutch means interposed between said die wheel and said drive means so that said die wheel is rotated only, when said clutch means is engaged, an

actuating member movable in one direction to engage said clutch means and in the opposite direction to disengage said clutch means, electro-magnetioally driven means operative, when energized, to move said actuating memher in said one direction, spring means urging said actuating member in said opposite direction, a flange fixed to said die. wheel for rotation with the latter, said flange having at least one notch in the periphery thereof, and a latch member connected to said actuating member and urged against the periphery of said flange by the movement of said actuating member in said opposite direc tion, said latch member being receivable in said notch to hold said die wheel against rotation in a position where said marking element is spaced from both the surface of said metering rollandthe path of the surface to be marked and being withdrawn from said notch to free the die wheel for rotation when said actuating member is moved in said one direction for engaging the clutch means, whereupon, said latch member rides on the periphery of said flange and prevents the return of said actuating member in said opposite direction until said latch member again registers with a notch of said flange.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8; further comprising a pawl on said flange, and a ratchet wheel rotated by said clutch means when the latter is engaged and contacted, at its toothed periphery, by said pawl so that, in the event that the speed of the surface to be marked is greater than the surface speed of the marking element caused by said drive means at the instant of marking, said marking element can be carried along by contact with the surface to be marked at the speed of the latter.

10. Apparatus according to claim 5; wherein said clutch means includes a driving part rotated by said drive means, a yoke ring movable axially toward and away from said driving part and frictionally driven by the latter upon movement of said yoke ring toward the driving part, a rockable yoke member engaging said yoke ring, a cam follower on said yoke member, and a cam on said actuating member engaged by said follower to effect rocking of said yoke member in response to movements of said actuating member by said spring means and said electro-magnetically driven means.

Apparatus according to claim 10; further comprising a ratchet wheel rotatable with said yoke ring, and a pawl rotatable with said die wheel and engaging the toothed periphery of said ratchet wheel to transmlt the rotation of said yoke ring to said die wheel so that, the event that the speed of the surface to be marked is greater than the surface speed of the marking element caused by said drive means at the instant of marking, said marking element can be carried along by contact with the surface to be marked at the speed of the latter.

12. Apparatus for applying inked markings to a surface of an article conveyed along a path extending past the apparatus and comprising a die wheel having at least one marking element on a portion of the periphery thereof for rolling and marking contact with the surface to be marked of the conveyed article, means for supplying ink to the surface of said marking element as said die wheel is rotated, drive means for rotating said die wheel, en-

gageable and disengageable f riction clutch means interposedbetween said drive mean and s die. wheel so that ,the latter is rotated by said driv earislbrilygyiiheu said clutch means is engaged, positiom in'ieansi'operative to hold said die Wheel against lrotation a lpo's i: tion where said marking element is spacedlioth firom the, surface to be marked of the certified articleinnd from said e s o supplying, n eq a ng: mm ber connected to said clutch means and positioning-means and, yieldably urged in the direction tor dise nfgaging clutch means and for operating; said positioningfmeafis, a solenoid having a movable armature, means-ton nect ing said movable armature to said actuatingimernh r including a spring whichis loaded upontenerg iiatiorifof the solenoid so that the load of the spfingr islfllen effectiveto move said actuating member in adirection'tdengage said clutch means and to render inoperative positioning means, wherebyv saidsolenoid is reliex iedfloi the; inertia load of said actuating member and canactinstantaneously toavoid over-heatingpt solenoid. 1. r v 13, Apparatus for applying inked tea surface of an article conveyed alonga patheitzt endin g past the apparatus and comprising a die wheel having at east one marking element on a portion of the peripheryftliereof, for rolling and marking contact withi tlie urfacelto be marked of the conveyed article, meansf or supplying ink to the surface of said marking element: wheel is rotated, drive means for rotating said die vvhe el, engageable and disengageable frictionclutch means interposed between said drive means and said ,die wheels so 16 that the latter is rotated by, said drive means only when said clutch means is engaged, a flange fixed to said die vgheel ior rotation with the latter and. having at least one notch intfiefperiphery thereofl'alatch member riding on thepe riphery of said flange and being receivable in said :notch to hold said die Wheel against rotation in a position where said marking element is spaced both from said means forsupplying ink and the surface to be markedf of. the conveyed article, an actuating'membi' movable in onedirection to engage said clutch means and toivithdraw said latch member from said notch being yieldably urged in, the opposite direction to disengage References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED, STATES PATENTS 2,213,426 Anderson et al. Sept. 3, 1940 2,595,279 McKay May 6, 1952 2,632,383 Gottscho et a1. Mar. 24, 1953 2,645,174 Levin July 14, 1953 said clutch meansand to permit the entry of said latch: