US3071071A

US3071071A - Printing device

Info

Publication number: US3071071A
Application number: US64396A
Authority: US
Inventors: Millard B Beaver
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-10-24
Filing date: 1960-10-24
Publication date: 1963-01-01
Anticipated expiration: 1980-01-01

Description

Jan. 1, 1963 M. B. BEAVER PRINTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 24. 1960 I LEE-=- l INVENTOR. MILLARD B. BEAVER ATTORNEYS ilnited rates 3,tl'71,671l PRENTENG DEVECE Millard B. Beaver, 21M. Lawndale Ave, Fort Wayne, Ind. Filed (Bat. 24, 1966, Ser. No. 64,396 '7 Claims. (til. Nib-380) This invention relates generally to printing devices, and more particularly to a printing device employing type formed of resilient material, such as rubber, for printing indicia on fiat, irregular or curved surfaces.

Commodities such as beverages, lotions, creams, pastes and the like are conventionally packaged in metal, plastic and cardboard containers and it is frequently desirable to imprint on such containers certain variable indicia, such as a date code indicating the date of packaging. While printing devices employing rubber type have been provided for flat surfaces or surfaces having a predetermined curvature, to the best of the present applicants knowledge such prior printing devices have not been capable of providing a satisfactorily distinct impression at a high rate of speed and on all types of surfaces.

It is accordingly an object of my invention to provide an improved printing device employing type formed of resilient material for distinctly printing indicia at a high rate of speed on surfaces which may be fiat, irregular or curved.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved type holder capable of supporting type formed of resilient material in such a manner that type will not be distorted thereby producin smearing when the printing is performed on a flat, irregular or curved surface.

Other objects will become apparent as the description proceeds.

My invention in a broader aspect provides a printing device having a rigid type holder member and a segment of type formed of resilient material having a generally H-shaped cross-section with the base and top legs thereof joined by a bar portion. The type holder member has means for supporting the base leg of the type segment and a portion undercut beneath the base leg so that the base leg may deform downwardly into the undercut portion while the ends of the base leg slide in the supporting means responsive to the application of downward force on the top leg of the type segment whereby the top leg is not distorted during the application of the downward force.

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of my invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the printing device which incorporates my invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

MG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2 showing the type in its normal position; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the type in its printing position.

Referring now to Fl GS. 1 and 2, there is shown a wheellike type holder member, generally identified at 10, having an outer rim portion 12 with a web portion 14 integrally adjoined thereto, rim and

web portions

12 and 14 being formed of any suitable metal, such as steel. A central hub portion 16 is provided, likewise formed of suitable metal, such as steel, having a portion 18 seated in opening 2%} in web 14 and a flange portion 22 engaging one surface of web 14 and being secured thereto by a plurality of suitable threaded fastening members 24, as shown. Type holder member 10 has a radial .11 26 formed therein extending inwardly through rim 12;, web 14 and hub member 16 with its inner surface 28 being concentric with the center of curvature 3% of wheel ll slot 26 per mits mounting the member 10 upon a rotatable shaft (not shown) without the necessity for threading the same over the end of the shaft. In order to provide for rotating the member in, a plurality of pins 32 are provided seated in holes 34 in the hub member 16 and extending outwardly on one side thereof, as seen in FIG. 2, for engaging corresponding openings in a driving member secured to the shaft on which the member ll) is to be mounted.

Referring now additionally to FIG. 3, rim 12 of type holder member It) has a radially downwardly extending slot 36 formed in its outer face 38 having opposite side walls 453 and 42 and a bottom wall 44. A pair of annular slots 46 and 43 are respectively formed in side walls 4t; and 42 of slot 36, slot 46 having radially outer and inner side walls 5t and 52 and bottom wall 54, and slot 455 likewise having radially outer and inner side walls 56 and 58 and bottom wall 60. It will be seen that bottom wall 44- of slit 36 is spaced radially inward from

inner walls

52 and 58 of

slot

46 and 48 respectively thereby defining an undercut portion 62.

A segment of type 64 is provided formed of suitable resilient material, such as rubber, and having a generally Hshaped cross-section as shown; it will be understood that a plurality of such segments 64 may be provided in predetermined spaced apart angular relationship as best seen in FIG. 1.

Type segment has

ends

66 and 68 of its base leg '70 seated in the

annular slots

46 and 48 and normally in engagement with the respective side and bottom walls. Bar portion 72 of type segments 64 extends upwardly through slot 36 between side walls 40 and 42 and has top le 74 joined thereto. The

ends

76 and 78 of top leg 74 are spaced from side walls 4! and 42 of slot 36. It will be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 that in the normal position of type segments 64 i.e. its position when a printing operation is not being performed, the outer face 80 of base leg 79 is spaced from bottom wall 44 of slot 36 and the outer face- 82 of top leg '72 which has type face 84 formed thereon is spaced outwardly from face 33 of rim 12.

Referring now to FIG. 4, when the type face 34 engages a surface 86 upon which an impression is to be made, downward force in the direction shown by the arrow 83 is exerted upon the type segment 6-; thereby causing base leg 79 to deform downwardly into the undercut portion 62 and the

ends

66 and 68 of base leg 70 to slide away from bottom walls 64 and 6d of

slots

46 and 48 thereby preventing distortion of the top leg 7 and the type face 84.

It will now be readily seen that my invention permits the type to be forceably pressed against the surface being printed without causing the type face to distort and thereby produce a smear instead of a clear imprint, all the distortion being taken by the base leg 70 which deflects downwardly into the undercut portion 62. An important feature of my invention is the capability of the

ends

66 and 68 of the base leg 76) sliding in the

slots

46 and 48 during the application of downward force on the type segment and thus, since these ends are not restrained, there is no substantial stretching of the base leg 70 thereby eliminating fatigue of the rubber from which the type segment is formed. It will be seen that the provision of the undercut portion 62. and rim 12 of type holder member 10 eliminates the cushion or lost motion springs commonly provided in prior printing devices which become clogged with ink thus necessitating frequent cleaning. I have further found that the width of the

inner sides

52 and 58 of

slots

46 and 48 determines the character and degree of flexibility of the type. Thus, by making

sides

52 and 58 relatively large, the flexibility of the type is decreased, a desirable characteristic when printing on absorbent material wherein a more forceable impre sion is required. Contrariwise, when the Width of the sides 52; and 58 is made relatively small, the flexibility of the type segment is increased as is required when printing on hard surfaces such as metal or plastic where no smearing can be tolerated and where only a kiss impression is desired.

While my improved printing device has been shown as being incorporated in a wheel-like type holder useful in the production line imprinting of indicia upon containers or packages, it will be readily understood that my invention is not limited to such an arrangement and that my improved printing device may be incorporated in a hand-operated device.

It will be readily understood that type segments 64- are removably inserted in

slots

36, 46 and 48 by initially inserting one end of base leg 7% in a respective slot 36, 6t) and distorting this segment until the other end snaps into its corresponding slot.

While I have described above the principles of my invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation of the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A printing device comprising: a rigid type holder having a first downwardly extending slot formed in one face thereof, said first slot having opposite side walls and a bottom wall, the side walls of said first slot respectively having second and third slots formed therein intermediate their ends and each having opposite side walls and a bottom wall, the bottom wall of said first slot defining an undercut portion with the adjacent side walls of said second and third slots, said second and third slots extending transversely with respect to said first slot and being in alignment; and a segment of type formed of resilient material and having a generally H-shaped crosssection, said segment having a base leg With its ends respectively removably seated in said second and third slots and normally engaging the side and bottom walls thereof, the outer surface of said base leg being normally spaced from said bottom wall of said first slot, said segment having a bar portion joined thereto and extending upwardly from said base leg between said side walls of said first slot, said segment having a top leg joined to said bar portion and normally having its outer face spaced outwardly from said one face of said typeholder, said top leg being shorter than said base leg with its ends respectively spaced from said side Walls of said first slot, said base leg deforming downwardly into said undercut portion and the ends of said base leg respectively sliding in said second and third slots away from the bottom walls thereof responsive to application of downward force on said top leg.

2. A printing device comprising: a wheel-like member having an outer rim portion with a first annular slot formed in its outer face and extending radially inward, said first slot having opposite side walls and a bottom wall, the side walls of said first slot respectively having second and third annular slots formed therein intermediate their ends and each having radially inner and outer side walls and a bottom wall, said second and third slots being in transverse alignment, said bottom wall of said first slot being radially innermost thereby defining an undercut portion with the inner side walls of said second and third slot, said member having a central opening for rot-stably mounting the same on a shaft; and a segment of type formed of resilient material and having a generally H-shaped cross-section, said segment having a base leg with its ends respectively removably seated in said second and third slots and normally engaging the side and bottom walls thereof, the outer surface of said base leg being normally spaced from said bottom wall of said first slot, said segment having a bar portion joined thereto and extending upwardly from said base leg between said side walls of said first slot, said segment having a top leg joined to said bar portion and normally having its outer face spaced outwardly from said one face of said typeholder, said top leg being shorter than said base leg with its ends respectively spaced from said side walls of said first slot, said base leg deforming downward into said undercut portion and the end of said base leg respectively sliding in said second and third slots away from the bottom walls thereof responsive to application of downward force on said top leg.

3. A printing device comprising: a rigid type holder having a downwardly extending slot formed in a face thereof; and a segment of type formed of resilient material and having a generally H-shaped cross-section with base and top legs joined by a bar portion; said type holder having means for slid-ably supporting the ends of said base leg in said slot with the outer face of said base leg normally spaced from the bottom or" said slot and with the outer face of said top leg normally spaced outwardly from said face of said type holder, said top leg having its ends spaced from the sides of said slot; said base leg deforming downwardly toward the bottom of said slot and the ends of said base leg sliding in said supporting means responsive to application of downward force on said top leg.

4. A printing device comprising: a rigid type holder member; and a segment of type formed of resilient material and having a generally H-shaped cross-section with base and top legs joined by a bar portion; said member having means for slida'oly supporting said base leg, said member having a portion undercut beneath said base leg whereby said base leg deforms downwardly into said undercut portion and the ends of said base leg slide in said supporting means responsive to the application of "downward force on said top leg.

5. A printing device comprising: a rigid type holder member having a first slot extending downwardly from one face and having opposite side walls, the side walls of said first slot respectively having transversely extending second and third slots formed therein each having opposite sidewalls and a bottom Wall of said first slot having an undercut portion formed therein; and a segment of type formed of resilient material and having a generally l-l-shaped cross-section with base and top legs joined by a bar portion, said base leg having its ends respectively seated in said second and third slots and normally in engagement with the walls thereof, the outer surface of said base leg being normally spaced from said undercut portion, said bar portion extending upwardly in said first slot and said top leg having its outer face normally spaced above said one face of said member, said top leg having its ends respectively spaced from the side walls of said first slot; said base leg deforming into said undercut portion and the ends of said base leg sliding in said second and third slots responsive to the application of downward force on said top leg.

6. A printing device comprising: a wheel-like member having an outer rim portion with a first annular slot formed in its outer face and extending radially inward, said first slot having opposite side walls and a bottom wall, the side walls of said first slot respectively having second and third annular slots formed therein intermediate their ends and each having radially inner and outer side walls and a bottom wall, said second and third slots being in transverse alignment, said bottom wall of said first slot being radially innermost there-by defining an undercut portion with the inner side walls of said second and third slots; and a segment of type formed of resilient material, said segment having a base leg with its ends respectively removably seated in said second and third slots and normally engaging the side walls thereof, the outer surface of said base leg being normally spaced from said bottom wall of said first slot, said segment having a bar portion joined thereto and extending upwardly from said base leg between said side walls of said first slot, said segment having a top portion joined to uni-- said bar portion and normally having an outer face spaced outwardly from said one face of said typeholder, said base leg deforming downward into said undercut portion and the ends of said base leg respectively sliding in said second and third slots away from the bottom walls thereof responsive to application of downward force on said top portion.

7. A printing device comprising: a rigid type holder member having a first slot extending downwardly from one face and having opposite side walls, the side walls of said first slot respectively having transversely extending second and third slots formed therein each having opposite sidewalls and a bottom wall of said first slot having an undercut portion formed therein; and a segment of type formed of resilient material, said segment having 15 a base leg having opposite ends respectively seated in said second and third slots and normally in engagement 6 with the walls thereof, the outer surface of said base leg being normally spaced from said undercut portion, a bar portion joined to said base leg between the ends thereof, said her portion extending upwardly in :said first slot, a top portion on said bar portion which has an outer face normally spaced above said one face of said member; said base leg deforming into said undercut portion and the ends of said base leg sliding in said second and third slots responsive to the application of downward force on 10 said top portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNiTED STATES PATENTS 1,039,131 Howard Sept. 24, 1912 1,669,909 Morse May 15, 1928 1,680,030 Warnock Aug. 7, 1928 1,701,348 Wright Feb. 5, 1929

Claims

1. A PRINTING DEVICE COMPRISING: A RIGID TYPE HOLDER HAVING A FIRST DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING SLOT FORMED IN ONE FACE THEREOF, SAID FIRST SLOT HAVING OPPOSITE SIDE WALLS AND A BOTTOM WALL, THE SIDE WALLS OF SAID FIRST SLOT RESPECTIVELY HAVING SECOND AND THIRD SLOTS FORMED THEREIN INTERMEDIATE THEIR ENDS AND EACH HAVING OPPOSITE SIDE WALLS AND A BOTTOM WALL, THE BOTTOM WALL OF SAID FIRST SLOT DEFINING AN UNDERCUT PORTION WITH THE ADJACENT SIDE WALLS OF SAID SECOND AND THIRD SLOTS, SAID SECOND AND THIRD SLOTS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY WITH RESPECT TO SAID FIRST SLOT AND BEING IN ALIGNMENT; AND A SEGMENT OF TYPE FORMED OF RESILIENT MATERIAL AND HAVING A GENERALLY H-SHAPED CROSS-SECTION, SAID SEGMENT HAVING A BASE LEG WITH ITS ENDS RESPECTIVELY REMOVABLY SEATED IN SAID SECOND AND THIRD SLOTS AND NORMALLY ENGAGING THE SIDE AND BOTTOM WALLS THEREOF, THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID BASE LEG BEING NORMALLY SPACED FROM SAID BOTTOM WALL OF SAID FIRST SLOT, SAID SEGMENT HAVING A BAR PORTION JOINED THERETO AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID BASE LEG BETWEEN SAID SIDE WALLS OF SAID FIRST SLOT, SAID SEGMENT HAVING A TOP LEG JOINED TO SAID BAR PORTION AND NORMALLY HAVING ITS OUTER FACE SPACED OUTWARDLY FROM AND NORMALLY HAVING ITS OUTER FACE SPACED OUTWARDLY FROM SAID ONE FACE OF SAID TYPEHOLDER, SAID TOP LEG BEING SHORTER THAN SAID BASE LEG WITH ITS ENDS RESPECTIVELY SPACED FROM SAID SIDE WALLS OF SAID FIRST SLOT, SAID BASE LEG DEFORMING DOWNWARDLY INTO SAID UNDERCUT PORTION AND THE ENDS OF SAID BASE LEG RESPECTIVELY SLIDING IN SAID SECOND AND THIRD SLOTS AWAY FROM THE BOTTOM WALLS THEREOF RESPONSIVE TO APPLICATION OF DOWNWARD FORCE ON SAID TOP LEG.