US3007396A - Stencilling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

W. L. GOVAN STENCILLING APPARATUS Nov. 7, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 11, 1960 INVENTOR WILLIAM L. GOVAN AGENT.

Nov. 7, 1961 w. GOVAN 3,007,396

STENCIL-LING APPARATUS Filed March 11, 1960 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 F IG. 2.

DATA INTERPRETATION 2 AND STORAGE DEVICE INVENTOR WILLIAM L. GOVAN AGENT.

Nov. 7, 1961 w. GOVAN STENCILLING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 11, 1960 mm J c c INVENTOR WIIAM L. GOVAN AGENT m oc States Patented Nov. 7, 1961 3,007,396 STENCILLING APPARATUS William L. Govan, Hicksville, N.Y., assignor to Baldwin- Lima-Hamilton Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Mar. 11, 1960, Ser. No. 14,335 8 Claims. (Cl. 101-42) This invention relates to stencilling apparatus for marking data on an article and more particularly to apparatus of the type in which in a first step characteristics of the article are determined, e.g., the weight and/ or length thereof, and then stencil means are automatically set to indicate these characteristics.

A stencilling machine of the aforesaid type is disclosed in the copending application of Adrian Phillips et al. for Stencilling Machine, Serial No. 553,474, filed December 16, 1955, now US. Patent No. 2,943,- 562, issued July 5, 1960. According to the copending application, individual stencil devices are positioned by means of cams and pairs of electric contacts.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved stencilling apparatus which is particularly suitable for rugged service and requires little maintenance.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved stencilling apparatus in which fluid motors are used to set individual stencil devices, and in which the arrangement is such that the required number of stencil positions are obtained by means of a minimum number of motors.

'It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved stencilling apparatus in which the stencil devices move directly from one position to another without sensing the adjustment of controls at intermediate positions.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved stencilling apparatus in which the stencil devices are positively stopped in their adjusted positions without the use of latching means.

Various other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the invention by way of example,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of stencilling apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partly diagrammatic end view taken in the direction of the arrow 2 of MG. 1, accessories such as flexible hoses being omitted and certain parts being broken away for better illustration;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section generally taken on line 33 of FIG. 2 and showing various parts in their Zero positions;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3, some parts being broken away;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a section similar to FIG. 3 but showing the parts in. different positions;

FIG. 7 is a section taken on line 77 of FIG. 4 but with the parts positioned in accordance with FIG. 6.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, it is herein described in connection with marking the weight and length upon a pipe or tube, but it will be readily apparent that the machine may be arranged to handle other articles or to indicate diflerent data.

Referring to the drawings, a ipe or tube is shown at 10 (FIG. 2) in phantom in its data generating position where characteristics thereof are determined by a weigh bridge 12 and a length measuring device generally indicated at 14. The latter may be of the type disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,831,254 of Adrian Phillips et al.

issued April 22, 1958. The mechanism of the length measuring device is here arranged above the weigh bridge 12 and supported on a framework 16, the ends of the pipe being engaged by feelers indicated at 18.

Transfer members 20 are arranged to be lifted as shown in chain lines at 20' and serve in conjunction with skid bars 22 to move the pipe from the data generating position 10 onto stands 23 carrying motorized rollers 24 which advance the pipe axially so that it will arrive at its stencilling station indicated at 10 where the end of the pipe rests on a support 26 (FIG. 1). The pipe will remain in this position until it is removed therefrom by arms 27. V

A stationary frame -30 has a horizontally disposed, boomlike portion 32 which extends over the end of pipe 10 in cantilever fashion so that the pipe may be moved freely to and across the stencilling position. Frame 30 supports an actuator in the form of a double-acting fluid motor indicated at 34 which is provided with guiding means 38, 40 and connected to a turnbuckle 42 adjustable by means of a handwheel 44. Secured to the turnbuckle is a clevis 46 (FIG. 2) to carry a stencil casing generally indicated at 50. Spaced rods 52 attached to upper portion 54 of casing 50 are movable in perforated lugs 56 of frame 30 to guide the casing and prevent it from turning.

Intermediate or tie members 58 in the form of channel sections are secured to the upper portion 54 of casing 50 to carry a bottom or lower portion generally indicated at 60, the tie members being amply spaced from each other so as to facilitate access to the interior of the casing. The bottom portion 60 comprises a solid rear wall 62 and solid lateral walls 64 (FIG. 3). At the front end, a bar '66 is fixed to the top of the lateral walls 64, and another bar 68 (FIG. 4) is fixed to the underside of the lateral walls, leaving portions of the front end of bottom 60 open to facilitate the mounting and dismounting of parts to be inserted thereinf Intermediate walls 70 (FIG. 5) cooperate with each other and with the lateral walls 64, as Well as with rails 72 attached to the walls, to form relatively large parallel slideways 74 (FIG. 5) and smaller Ways 76.

A frame-like holder 78 (FIGS. 4 and 7) having openings 79 therein is attached to each of the lateral walls 64 to carry a masking member 80 at a substantial distance from the lower face of bottom portion 60. The arrangement is such that ample space is provided for the passage of spraying equipment between bottom 60 and member 80 as described later. Masking member 80 which is shaped to conform to the surface of pipe 10 has windows 82. therein and may be considered as representing the stenciling station.

A plurality of series, or of rows, of fluid motors generally indicated at A to G (FIG. 3) are arranged in the slideways 74 of bottom portion 60 and may be pneumatically operated, the motors of each series having a single common axis, i.e., the axes of the motors coincide. The series A comprises double-acting fluid motors or units A-l, A-2, A-3, A-4 arranged in tandem; series B comprises double-acting fluid motors B-l, 13-2, 13-3, B-4 likewise arranged in tandem, etc. Fluid motor or unit A-1 has a cylinder designated A1c and a piston designated A-1p, the next fluid motor A-2 has a cylinder A-Zc and a piston A-Zp and so forth.

As used herein, the term piston includes both the piston head and the piston rod. Further, depending upon which part performs the stroke movement of an individual fluid motor, either its cylinder or its piston will be referred to as being active, the other part being considered the passive member of the unit though this part may be taken along when adjacent active members perform their movements.

In the series indicated at A, the first cylinder A40 is active as it is reciprocable over and floating on the first piston A-lp. Secured to head 92 of the first cylinder is a block 94 which is movable in the respective slideway 74 of casing 50. Block 94 serves to support and guide the first cylinder and also has a downwardly directed extension 96 (compare FIGS. 4 and thereon to drive parts described later. The first piston A417 is passive within its unit A4 but secured to the second piston A-2p by means of a coupling 100 so that the passive first piston will participate in movements of the second piston which in turn is active and reciprocable in the second cylinder A2c. This second cylinder represents the passive member of its unit though it will be taken along when succeeding units are actuated. Secured to the head 92 of the second cylinder is a movable intermediate support block 104 which is generally similar to block 94 and likewise guided in the respective slideway 74 but has no downward extension. The third cylinder A-3c has its head 92 fastened to block 104 and is active in that it is reciprocable over and floating on the passive third piston A-3p secured to the active fourth piston A-4p at 100. Piston A-4p is reciprocable in the passive last or fourth cylinder A-4c, the head 92 of which is anchored to casing 50 by means of a clevis block 108. The latter is positioned close to, but at a short distance from, the rear wall 62. It will be clear from the foregoing description that each passive member is mounted to remain stationary relative to casing 50 upon actuation of the respective motor only. As indicated in FIG. 6, each of the cylinders is provided with a port 112 controlling forward movement, and a port 114 for reversal.

A plurality of variable data stencil devices are generally indicated at A420 to G420 (FIGS. 4 and 7), each of the devices being connected to one of the series of fluid motors A to G. As certain details of the stencil devices are identical, it will be sufficient to describe these details in connection with one of the devices, i.e., the assembly E420 shown in FIG. 4. To some extent, the shape of the device is similar to that of a bow of a violin. Thus, stencil device E420 comprises a strip or bar E422 representing the back of the bow, a pair of arms E424 fastened to the bar, and a stencil element E-130. One of the ends of bar E422 is secured to the downwardly directed extension 96 of the respective movable block 94. To guide the other end and intermediate portions of bar E422 for rectilinear movement in casing 50, a pair of transverse members 132 are secured to the top of the bar and engage one of the slideways 76 of casing 50. Stencil element E430 which is preferably made from flexible sheet metal is attached to the arms E424 by means of clevises 136 and a turnbuckle 138 adjusted so that the stencil element will engage the underside of masking member 80 snugly.

Referring now to the stencil element A430 cooperating with the fluid motor series A, a plurality of symbols are cut therethrough to represent the digits 0 to 9. The individual symbols are equally spaced from each other and to simplify the matter, it will be assumed here that the distance from the center of one symbol to the center of the next symbol amounts to one inch, though the spacing may be somewhat larger in practice. To bring individual symbols selectively into registry with the respective window 82 of masking member 80 at the stencilling station, fluid motor A4 has a stroke of one inch, motor A-2 a stroke of two inches, motor A-3 a stroke of three inches, and motor A-4 a stroke of four inches, based on the assumed uniform distance of one inch between the centers of the symbols. Thus, the stroke of fluid motor A4 is equal to the uniform distance be tween symbol centers, and the stroke of each of the other motors of the series is a multiple of this distance.

In the example illustrated, weight of the pipes is within the range from zero to 3999 pounds and is indicated by means of the stencil devices A420 to D420 which form a group. To cover this range of weight, the stencil devices A420 to C420 representing digits, tens, and hundreds of pounds, respectively, are of identical design, while the stencil device D420 representing thousands of pounds is shorter, its stencil element D430 carrying the symbols 1 to 3 only and having a blank space at its Zero area. In accordance therewith, the fluid motor series A, B and C are identical, except for the fact that the series B has an elongated clevis block 109 which for ease of mounting is disposed in a staggered position relative to the adjacent blocks 108 and may abut rear wall 62 as shown. The fluid motor series D is limited to motor D4 having a stroke of one inch, and motor D-2 having a stroke of two inches, the clevis block 108 of series D being mounted close to the center of the bottom portion 60 of casing 50. In all other respects the series D is similar to the series A.

Length of the pipes handled on the apparatus shown is within the range from zero to 59 ft. 11 in. Stencil device E- serves to show inches measured and its element E430 has symbols therein in the form of numerals 00 to 11. Digits of feet are indicated by means of stencil device F420 which is identical with devices A420 to C420 and carries the symbols 0 to 9 on its element F430, while tens of feet are shown by stencil device G420 which is relatively short as its stencil element G430 carries the symbols 1 to 5 only, a blank space being provided at its zero area. In accordance therewith, the fluid motor series B comprises unit E-1 having a stroke of one inch, unit E-2 having a stroke of two inches, and units E-3 and E4 each having a stroke of four inches, the clevis block 108 of series E abutting the rear wall 62. Otherwise, the series E is similar to the series A. Fluid motor series F is identical with the series A, whereas fluid motor series G is identical with the series A up to and including its third unit only. No fourth unit is required for the series G in view of the relatively short length of the associated stencil element G430, the piston of motor F-3 being anchored to casing 50 by means of a clevis block 110.

The chief characteristics of the various motor series and of the associated stencil elements are summarized in the following table:

Series Symbols Strokes o1 Motors As indicated in FIG. 2, the weigh bridge 12 and length measuring device 14 have connections at 146 and 148, respectively, for transmitting input signals to a data interpretation and storage device 150 of any well-known type which may include a computer and digital translator. When the device 150 is discharged, it is capable of transmitting a plurality of signals representing weight and length figures, through a plurality of output circuits indicated at 152. In the embodiment illustrated, the signals are in the form of voltages.

Mounted on frame 30 are a plurality of valves 156 operated by double solenoids 157. Some of the valves are positioned on one side of the frame with the other valves being arranged on the opposite side (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The solenoids 157 are connected to the circuits 152. Each valve 156 controls one of the fluid motors of series A to G by means of flexible hoses 158 leading to the openings 112, 114 at opposite ends of the individual cylinders.

In addition to the variable data stencil devices described,

soo /yen the apparatus may comprise means for indicating a message which remains fixed during a production run. Such message may include the name of the manufacturer, nominal size of the pipe, grade of material or the like. A stencil device for this purpose is generally indicated at 170. This device extends longitudinally of the pipe and is arranged to be lifted and lowered by an actuator in the form of a fluid motor indicated at 172. Details of the stencil device 170 for the fixed message are not described here as they are not necessary for the understanding of the invention.

Equipment for applying a marking substance or fluid to the stencil devices is mounted on a pair of rigid rods 180 which are suspended from frame 30, and to which a beam 182 is secured. A spray gun carriage 184 of any suitable type is movable along beam 182 through means such as a motor-driven chain drive (not shown) and has a pair of nozzles 186 attached thereto for the discharge of marking fluid.

Operation It will be clear from the foregoing description that when a pipe is in the position shown in phantom at in FIG. 2, signals will be generated in accordance with the weight and length of the pipe and will be transmitted to the data interpretation and storage device 150 through the connections 146, 148. After the required data have been stored, the transfer arms are operated to move the pipe over skid bars 22 onto the motorized rollers 24 so that the pipe will be advanced axially thereon and its end will rest on support 26 in the position shown in full lines at 10. At this time, stencil casing 50 and stencil device 170 are in elevated positions as indicated in chain lines at 50 and 170" so that pipes of various sizes may be deposited onthe rollers 24 without interference and, further, the stencil devices A-120 to G-120 are free to move for adjustment relative to their casing 50 without contacting the pipe to be stencilled.

While the pipe travels to the position 10, or when it has reached this position, the device 150 is caused to dis. charge and deliver signals through its output circuits 152 to the solenoid-operated valves 156. These valves will thus be adjusted in accordance with characteristics of the pipe and will actuate certain fluid motors of series A to G to set individual stencil devices properly.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the parts positioned to indicate certain exemplary weight and length figures. Due to adjustment of the respective valve, port 112 of motor A-1 communicates with a source of fluid pressure (not shown) while port 114 of this motor is connected to exhaust. Accordingly, cylinder A-1c which is the active member of this unit has been caused to move forward through its stroke of one inch so that the symbol 1 of element A-130 is at the stencilling station. At the same time, motors A-2, A-3 and A-4 have their ports 112 connected to exhaust and their ports 1 14 closed or connected to the source of fluid pressure so that these motors are prevented from carrying out a forward stroke and in eifect their cylinders and pistons are locked in their positions relative to each other. The other series of fluid motors are operated in a similar manner for either single or cumulative action of their individual units as will be apparent from the following table in which all actuated units are indicated to denote a weight of 3421 pounds and a length of 59 ft. 11 in.:

Efieetive Symbol D-1 and D-2.

11-1 to E-4 incl. F-2 to F-4 incl. G2 and G-3.

Weight:

Distances which individual blocks 94 travel from zero position in shifting symbols 1, 2, etc., to the stencilling station, are indicated by correspondingly numbered chain lines at the righthand side of FIG. 6.

It will be evident that the described arrangement of a limited number of fluid motors permits a comparatively large numberof adjustments. In the case of series B, for example, only four fluid motors are required to obtain eleven adjusted positions of the stencil elements.

The total number of possible combinations of actuated motors in one series equals 2 1, wherein n represents the number of motors. Thus, in the case of series G the total number of possible combinations is One of these combinations amounts to a duplication for the purposes of this invention as the simultaneous actuation of motors G1 and G-2 would result in a total stroke of three inches as likewise obtained by the actuation of motor G-3 alone. Further, actuation of all three motors of this series is not required in the example described in view of the limited length of the tubes to be handled. The remaining combinations of series G are all fully utilized to obtain five different adjusted positions of stencil element 6-130.

It should also be noted that the stencil devices are caused to move directly from one location to another without sensing the adjustment of controls at intermediate positions as would be required with certain types of electric setting circuits. Another advantage resides in the fact that the stencil devices are positively stopped in their required positions when the respective fluid motors reach their stroke limits so that no latching elements or the like are necessary to prevent over-travel. All the motors are of the same general design and differ only in the lengths of their strokes so that, in principle, all units may be of the same type which will facilitate manufacture or procurement thereof.

With the variable data stencil devices A420 to G429 set properly and the pipe positioned at 10, casing 50 is lowered by means of fluid motor 34. If turnbuckle 42is properly adjusted in accordance with the size of pipe 10, the masking member will cause the stencil elements A- to G-130 to contact the pipe smoothly and conform substantially to the surface thereof. At the same time, the fixed-message stencil device 170 is lowered by means of fluid motor 172 so that it will likewise contact the pipe. 'The spray gun 184 is now actuated and'the nozzles 186 are caused to travel over the stencil device 170, through the adjacent opening 79 and over the masking member 80 so that marking fluid is applied to the fixed-message and variable data stencil devices to indicate the required information on the pipe. After the'nozzles 186 have been withdrawn to the left in FIG. 1 and the stencil casing 50 and stencil device 170 have been returned to the positions indicated at 50' and 170' in FIG. 2, the finished pipe is removed from rollers 24 by the arms 27 rocked as indicated at 27 While the stencilling operation is carried out in the manner described, the next pipe may simultaneously be weighed and measured in the position 10 and the respective data stored in the device 15%) whereupon this pipe is ready for transfer to the stencilling position 10. The device is again discharged to reset the stencil devices with the casing positioned at 50'. During the resetting, some of the fiuidniotors may be reversed to withdraw their active members, other motors may be actuated to perform a forward stroke, and still others may be retained in their previous condition. When the next pipe is positioned at 10, it will be marked with its characteristics as set forth hereinbefore.

The apparatus may operate in a completely automatic manner by means of suitable control elements including limit switches. Thus, the pipe when reaching the position 10 may actuate the weigh bridge 12 which in turn may cause the device 14 to measure the length of the pipe, etc.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described, it will be understood that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the signals for operating the individual fluid motors may be produced by pushbuttons manually operated in accordance with characteristics of the object to be stenciled.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for stencilling variable data on an article, comprising a structure supporting the article, means for transmitting signals conformant to the data to be stencilled, a casing having a stencilling station, at least one stencil device mounted for substantially rectilinear movement relative to said casing and carrying a plurality of individual symbols; a plurality of pressure fluid operated motors arranged in series along a single axis and each having a cylinder member and a piston member, one of the members of each motor being passive and mounted to remain stationary relative to said casing upon admission of pressure fluid to its motor alone and the other member being active, the first motor of the series having its active member connected to said stencil device, each other active member of the series being secured to the preceding passive member, and the passive member of the last motor of the series being anchored to said cas ing; control means responsive to said signals for selectively actuating said fluid motors to shift said stencil device andbring at least one of its symbols conformant to said signals into registry with said stencilling station, and means for feeding a marking substance to said stencil device at the stencilling station to mark said article.

2. Apparatus for stencilling variable data on a pipe and the like, comprising a structure supporting the pipe, means for determining characteristics of said pipe including the weight and length thereof and for transmitting signals conformant to said characteristics, a casing movable relative to said supporting structure and normally positioned remote therefrom, said casing having a stencilling station thereon, a plurality of adjacent stencil devices each mounted on said casing for rectilinear movement relative thereto and carrying a plurality of individual symbols; a plurality of series of double-acting pressure fluid operated motors, the motors of each series being arranged coaxially in tandem and each of said motors having a cylinder member and a piston member with one of its members being passive and mounted to remain stationary relative to said casing upon admission of pressure fluid to the respective motor alone and the other member being active, the active member of the first motor of each series being connected to one of said stencil devices, the passive member of the last motor of each series being anchored to said casing, and each other passive member being secured to the succeeding active member of the respective series; control means responsive to said signals for selectively actuating said fluid motors to shift said adjacent stencil devices and bring symbols thereof conformant to said signals into registry with said stencilling station while said casing is remote from said supporting structure and pipe, the adjacent registering symbols at the stencilling station conjointly representing the characteristics to be stencilled; power means for moving said casing toward said supporting structure and the pipe thereon; and spraying means cooperating with all of the adjacent symbols registering with the stencilling station to mark said pipe.

3. Apparatus for stencilling variable data on an object, comprising a structure supporting the object, means for transmitting signals conformant to the data to be stencilled, a casing having a stencilling station, at least one stencil device mounted for rectilinear movement relative to said casing, said stencil device carrying a plurality of individual symbols; a plurality of cylinder and piston units arranged coaxially in tandem for individual and cumulative movements, the first cylinder being connected to said stencil device and reciprocable over the first piston, the second piston being secured to said first piston and reciprocable in the second cylinder, the third cylinder being secured to said second cylinder and reciprocable over the third piston, said third piston being connected to said casing, at least two of said units having different strokes; control means responsive to said signals for selectively actuating said units to shift said stencil device and adjust the position of its symbols relative to the stencilling station in accordance with said signals, and spraying means cooperating with said stencil device at the stencilling station to mark said object.

4. Apparatus for stencilling variable data on an object, comprising a structure supporting the object, means for transmitting signals conformant to the data to be stencilled, a casing having a stencilling station, at least one stencil device mounted for rectilinear movement relative to said casing, said stencil device carrying a plurality of individual symbols with their centers substantially uniformly spaced in the direction of said movement; a plurality of cylinder and piston units arranged coaxially in tandem, the first cylinder being connected to said stencil device and reciprocable over the first piston, the second piston being secured to said first piston and reciprocable in the second cylinder, the third cylinder being secured to said second cylinder and reciprocable over the third piston, the fourth piston being secured to said third piston and reciprocable in the fourth cylinder, said fourth cylinder being connected to said casing, at least one of said units having a stroke substantially equal to the uniform distance between the centers of said symbols, the strokes of the other units being a multiple of said distance; control means responsive to said signals for selectively actuating said units to shift said stencil device and adjust the position of its symbols relative to the stencilling station in accordance with said signals, and spraying means cooperating with said stencil device at the stencilling station to mark said object;

5. Apparatus as specified in claim 4, in which said second and third cylinders are fastened to a common block arranged thereb'etwee'n, said casing having a slideway for supporting and guiding said block.

6. Apparatus for stencilling variable data on an object, comprising a structure supporting the object, means for transmitting electric signals conformant to the data to be stencilled, a casing having a stencilling station, at least one stencil device slideably mounted on said casing for substantially rectilinear movement and carrying a plurality of individual symbols; a plurality of double-acting pressure fluid operated motors arranged in series along a single axis and each having a cylinder member and a piston member, one of the members of each motor being passive and mounted to remain stationary relative to said casing upon admission of pressure fluid to the respective motor alone and the other member being active, the first mot-or of the series having its active member connectcd to said stencil device, each other active member of the series being secured to the preceding passive member, and the passive member of the last motor of the series being anchored to said casing; solenoid-controlled valves responsive to said signals for selectively actuating said fluid motors to shift said stencil device and bring at least one of its symbols conformant to said signals into registry with said stencilling station, and means for feed ing a marking substance to said stencil device at the stencilling station to mark said object.

7. Apparatus for stencilling variable data on an elongated object, comprising a structure supporting the object, a frame extending over said structure and object, an actuator mounted on said frame; a casing suspended from said actuator and movable thereby between an initial upper position and a lower operative position adjacent said structure and object, said casing including a top portion, intermediate members spaced from each other, a bottom portion having a plurality of adjacent parallel slideways therein, and a masking member representing a stencilling station; a plurality of adjacent stencil devices mounted for rectilinear movement relative to said casing, each of said stencil devices carrying a plurality of individual symbols; a plurality of rows of double-acting (fluid motors, each of said rows being positioned in one of said slideways, the motors of each row being arranged coaxially in tandem and each of said motors having a cylinder member and a' piston member with one of its members being passive and mounted to remain stationary relative to said casing upon admission of pressure fluid to its motor alone and the other member being active, the first mot-or of each row having its active member connected to one of said stencil devices, each other active member of each row being secured to the preceding passive member, and the passive member of the last motor of each row being anchored to said casing; control means for selectively actuating said fluid motors to shift said stencil devices and bring symbols thereof into registry with said stencilling station while said casing is in its upper position, and spraying means cooperating with all of the adjacent symbols at the stencilling station to mark the object when said casing is in its lower position.

8. Apparatus as specified in claim 7, in which a block movable in one of said slideways is provided for each of said rows, and in which said block is secured to the first active member of the respective row to support said member and has an extension thereon for connection to the stencil device associated with said row.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,561,342 Martin Nov. 10, 1925 1,965,751 Rush July 10, 1934 2,077,962 Smith Apr. 20, 1937 2,943,562 Phillips et a1. July 5, 1960

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