US3217638A

US3217638A - Hot die roll leaf marking apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3217638A
Application number: US334157A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ira S Gottscho
Original assignee: Adolph Gottscho Inc
Current assignee: Adolph Gottscho Inc
Priority date: 1963-12-30
Filing date: 1963-12-30
Publication date: 1965-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 1982-11-16

Description

Nov. 16, 1965 Filed Dec. 30, 1963 1. s. GOTTSCHO 3,217,638

HOT DIE ROLL LEAF MARKING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 /00 III I 0 6 O O INVENTOR. fir GorrsCI-IO ATTORNEY Nov. 16, 1965 I. s. GOTTSCHO 3,217,638

HOT DIE ROLL LEAF MARKING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 50, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 OOO OO O O INVENTOR. Av: S Gorrsc #0 Fig 2.

Nov. 16, 1965 l. s. GOTTSCHO 3,

HOT DIE ROLL LEAF MARKING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 50, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fi .i

INVENTOR //F# 8 G0 TTSCHO United States Patent Cfifice 3,217,638 Patented Nov. 16, 1965 3 217 638 HOT pin norm LEAF IviARKiNG APPARATUS Ira S. Gottscho, Milhurn, N..I., assignor to Adolph Gottsclio, Inc, Hillside, N1, a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 30, 1963, Ser. No. 334,157 14 Claims. (Cl. 101-27) This invention relates generally to marking apparatus, and more particularly is directed to improvements in marking apparatus of the type wherein imprints are applied to a web or individual lengths of sheet material from hot roll leaf stamping tape which is pressed against the sheet material by a heated die.

vMarking apparatus of the foregoing type is employed for marking webs or sheets of plastic material having a glossy surface to which permanent inked markings cannot be conveniently applied. In such apparatus, an unused portion of the tape is exposed to the action of the heated die during each of the successive marking operations. In order to achieve the foregoing, the heated die is moved away from the web or sheet material to be marked during the intervals between successive marking operations, at which time feeding of the hot roll leaf stamping tape is effected, and the tape is at rest during each marking operation so as to avoid blurring of the marking or imprint.

In existing marking apparatus employing hot roll leaf stamping tape, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Letters Patent No. 3,022,724, issued February 27, 1962, to Francis C. Worth, the sheet material to be marked is intermittently advanced between a fixed platen or support and a heated die which is movable toward and away from the platen, and the hot roll leaf stamping tape is fed along a path extending laterally with respect to the direction of movement of the material to be marked from a supply reel or spool carrying fresh tape and being rotatably mounted at one side of the path of movement of the material to be marked to a take-up reel or spool rotatably mounted at the other side of the path of movement of the material to be marked and which has the used tape rewound thereon.

In practice, the above described apparatus has a number of disadvantages, among which are the following:

If it is desired to apply a plurality of markings or legends at locations spaced apart laterally across the web or sheet material during each marking operation, the feeding of the tape laterally with respect to the direction of movement of the material to be marked will result in waste of those portions of the tape disposed between the regions corresponding to the spaced apart markings. Further, by reason of the lateral feeding of the tape with respect to the direction of movement of the web or other sheet material, it is impossible to employ different colors for the laterally spaced apart markings applied during each marking operation of the apparatus. Since the unused tape is wound on a supply reel or spool, and the used tape is rewound on a take-up reel or spool, changes in the color, or width of the tape cannot be easily achieved. Further, since the platen is fixed, there is the possibility that due to distortions in the frame of the apparatus or wear, the pressure of the heated die against the web over the platen will not be uniform throughout the area of contact, whereby the applied marking may not be of uniform intensity.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus applying markings from hot roll leaf stamping tape to an intermittently advanced web or sheet material, which apparatus is capable of applying a plurality of markings or legends at locations spaced apart laterally across the web during each marking operation,

while avoiding any waste of the tape, and further is capable of applying such markings in different colors.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the described character having an improved, simplified arrangement for holding the supply of hot roll leaf stamping tape and for taking up the used tape, such arrangement being particularly suited for the convenient replacement of the tapes in the event of a change in the colors of the markings to be applied or in the Width of such markings extending across the web.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the described character with an improved arrangement for ensuring separation of the hot roll leaf stamping tape from both the heated die or dies and from the web which has been marked, thereby to avoid interference with movement of the web following the marking thereof and also with the feeding movements of the tape.

Still another object is to provide an apparatus of the described character with improved means defining adjustable back-up surfaces against which the web is marked, thereby to ensure that each heated die exerts uniform pressure against the respective portions of the Web, even when the latter is to be marked at a number of locations spaced apart laterally with respect to the direction of movement of the web.

In accordance with an aspect of this invention, fresh hot roll leaf stamping tape is unwound from a roll which merely rests in a first trough extending laterally above the web to be marked, and each tape is guided downwardly from the trough and then in the direction of movement of the material to be marked between a related heated die carried by a vertically movable head and a platen or impression pad which is adjustably mounted on a support. The used tape is guided upwardly into frictional contact with a feeding roller before being rewound in a roll within a take-up trough. The roll of rewound or used tape in the take-up trough merely rests on a pair of parallel, continuously rotated take-up rollers effective to maintain tension in the tape as it is rewound, and thereby permitting reuse of the rewound tape in the event that the applied markings do not extend across the entire width of the tape. Since the hot roll leaf stamping tape is fed over the web or sheet material in the direction of movement of the latter, it is apparent that individual tapes may be used for the several markings to be spaced apart across the web, thereby to avoid any waste in the hot roll leaf stamping tape by reason of the lateral spacing between the markings, and further permitting the several laterally spaced apart markings to be in different colors.

In accordance with a further feature of this invention, each hot roll leaf stamping tape is guided between the related heated die and impression pad by a guide assembly which is spring-urged to a relatively elevated position so that, when the heated die is raised after a. marking opera tion, the hot roll leaf stamping tape is displaced upwardly, and thereby separated or stripped from the marked web to avoid any interference with subsequent movement of the Web, whereas the vertically movable head carrying the heated die or dies is effective to depress the guide assembly for the tape during the marking operation, thereby to apply the tape against the web for action thereon by the heated die.

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. 1 is a side elevational view of a marking apparatus embodying this invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the marking apparatus as viewed in the direction of the arrows 22 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 33 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 44 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 55 on FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, axial sectional view showing the driving mechanism for the feeding roller of the marking apparatus; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 77 on FIG. 6.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 thereof, it will be seen that the marking apparatus embodying this invention, and generally identified by the reference numeral 10, is there shown mounted on a pair of parallel, laterally spaced apart horizontal rails 12 between which the web or sheet material, indicated at W on FIGS. 1 and 3, is intermittently advanced.

The illustrated apparatus has opposite side frame members 14 extending vertically at the inside of the rails 12. Each side frame member 14 has an enlarged head 16 projecting outwardly at its upper end to define a downwardly facing surface 18 which bears slidably on a bearing strip 20 provided along the top edge of the ad jacent rail 12. Each side frame member 14 further has an outwardly directed lug 22 extending under the lower edge of the adjacent rail 12 and a set screw 24 threaded into a bore in the lug 22 for engagement with the rail, thereby to lock the side frame member in an adjusted position along the rail.

The lower end portions of side frame members 14 are joined by a lower cross member 26 (FIGS. 2 and 3), and the upper ends of the side frame members are joined by a top cross member 28 which is in the form of a laterally elongated plate having a downwardly open channel 30 against its underside to increase the rigidity of the top cross member between the side frame members. A laterally extending shaft 32 is journalled in the heads 16 of side frame members 14 and has spur gears 34 secured on its end portions and meshing with gear racks 36 secured along the outer surface of rails 12. A hand wheel 38 is secured on one end of shaft 32 to provide means by which the latter may be manually rotated after loosening of set screws 24, thereby to displace the frame of apparatus 10 along rails 12.

A cross head 40 (FIGS. 2 and 3) extends laterally between side frame members 14 above the lower cross member 26 and has bearings 42 in its opposite end portions 0 which are slidable 'on vertical guide rods 44 extending between the top cross member 28 and projections 46 at the inner sides of side frame members 14. The end portions of cross head 40 are further slidable on, and guided by tie rods 48 disposed inwardly with respect to the guide rods 44 and having their upper end lower ends respectively secured, as by nuts 50, to top cross member 28 and, as by nuts 52, to brackets 54 which extend inwardly from the lower end portions of side frame members 14. Such brackets 54 further support the end portions of the lower cross member 26 through which the tie rods 48 also extend.

Mounted centrally on upper cross member 28 is a pneumatically operated cylinder 56 (FIGS. 1 and 3) having a ram or piston rod 58 which extends downwardly through aligned openings in cross member 28 and channel 30 and has its lower end suitably secured to the center of cross head 40. Thus, by suitable control of the supplying of compressed air or other fluid under pressure to cylinder 56 in synchronism with the operation of an associated machine, for example, an article wrapping machine, to which the web W is intermittently fed, the cylinder 56 can be made to effect downward movement of cross head 40 toward lower cross member 26 whenever the web W is at rest, and to return the cross head 40 upwardly away from lower cross member 26 prior to the resumption of movement of the web.

A laterally elongated plate 60 and channel member 62 are secured to the underside of cross head 40, as by screws 64 (FIG. 3), and a laterally elongated heating block 66 having electrical heating elements 68 (FIG. 2) embedded therein is secured to the underside of channel member 62, as by screws 70 (FIG. 3). Dies 72 for applying a plurality of laterally arranged markings to the web W during each marking operation are secured to the underside of block 66 so as to be heated by the latter. As shown on FIG. 3, each of the dies 72 has flanges extending along its front and back edges so that the dies may be conveniently secured to the block 66 by means of undercut bars 74 engaging the flanges of the dies 72 and secured to block 66 by screws '76. When it is desired to replace or exchange the dies 72, it is only necessary to loosen the screws 76 to permit slidable removal of the dies from between the securing bars 74. As is apparent on FIG. 2, the several dies 72 may have different lateral dimensions and may be arranged in end abutting relationship or with lateral spacing therebetween.

An impression pad or platen 78 is provided under each die 72. Each impression pad 78 is secured or held downwardly on the lower cross member 26 by means of a central screw 80 (FIG. 3) extending upwardly through a relatively larger bore in member 26 and tapped into a central hole in the impression pad. Further, each impression pad '78 is adjustably leveled so that its upper surface will be exactly parallel to the marking surface of the associated die 72 by means of four screws 82 seating in sockets formed in the underside of the impression pad adjacent the four corners of the latter, and being threaded through blocks 84 which seat on ledges formed at the top of cross member 26. Thus, by turning the screws 82, the respective corners of the impression pad '78 can be raised or lowered relative to the supporting cross member 26. Since the impression pads 78 are individually adjustable with respect to the supporting cross member 26, it is possible to ensure that the several dies 72 will apply uniform pressure to the respective portions of the web W against the related impression pads when head 40 is moved downwardly by the operation of cylinder 56. Thus, even though the markings to be applied to the web may be extended over a substantial lateral distance, there is no danger that the markings wil not be of uniform intensity by reason of any distortion or inaccuracies in construction of the frame of apparatus 10.

In accordance with this invention, the hot roll leaf stamping tape T from which markings are applied to the web W by the pressure of heated dies is fed in the direction of movement of the web during the intervals between successive marking operations so that unused tape is exposed to the action of the heated dies during each marking operation. Since the tape is fed in the direction of movement of the web past the dies, an individual tape can be provided for each of the dies 72 arranged laterally across the path of movement of the web. In the interval between successive marking operations of apparatus 10, all the tapes T are fed a distance equal to the largest dimension of any of the markings in the direction of movement of the web, and the length of such feeding movement is not at all governed by the lateral spacing between the dies 72. Thus, even when dies 72 are spaced apart laterally to provide correspondingly spaced apart markings, there is no need to waste portions of the hot roll leaf stamping tape by providing corresponding unused areas of the tape between the portions used for the markings. Further, the use of separate tapes for the several dies makes it possible to employ differently colored tapes for forming the several markings arranged laterally across the web W.

In the illustrated apparatus 10, the supply of fresh tape to be used in marking the web W is in the form of rolls S thereof which merely rest in an upwardly opening, substantially semi-cylindrical trough 86 supported, at its opposite ends, by brackets 88. The brackets 88 are, in turn, secured to side frame plates 90, as by screws 92, and the plates 90, as shown on FIG. 1, have lower legs or horizontal portions thereof secured, as by screws 94, on top of upper cross member 28 adjacent the ends of the latter. As shown on FIG. 3, each tape T is unwound from the bottom of its supply roll S and passes under and then over a pair of

rods

96 and 98 which extend parallel to each other between brackets 88 above the back edges of trough 86 so as to frictionally tension the tapes being drawn from the several supply rolls. In order to axially locate the several supply rolls S within the trough 86, a rod 100 extends between bracket 88 adjacent the forward edge of trough 86, and spacers or guide members 102 are mounted on the rod 100 and extend into the trough 86 at the opposite sides of each roll S. Each spacer or guide member 102 has a set screw 104 engageable with the rod 100 to hold the guide member in an adjusted axial position within the trough 86. Thus, the guide members 102 are adjustably arranged to locate the several supply rolls S in alignment with the respective heated dies 72 in the direction extending laterally across the marking appartus.

After passing around the tensioning rod 08, the several tapes T run downwardly in back of upper cross member 28 and head 40 and under a guide roll 106 which extends laterally above the path of movement of web W at a location in back of the cross member 26 on which the impression pads 78 are mounted. The tapes T extend forwardly from guide rod 106, that is, in the direction of movement of the web W, and under a guide rod 108 which extends laterally across the Web W in front of the lower cross member 26 (FIG. 3). Intermediate guide rode 106 and 108, the tapes T pass over the laterally extending portions of generally

U-shaped guide wires

110 and 112 extending radially from collars 114 which are adjustably secured on

guide rods

106 and 108, respectively (FIG. 5). It will be apparent that the individual tapes T are laterally guided in passing around the

rods

106 and 108 by the collars 114 supporting the

respective guide wires

110 and 112.

As shown particularly on FIG. 4 with respect to guide rod 108, the ends of both guide

rods

106 and 108 have flattened sides, as at 116, and are vertically slidable in elongated slots 118 formed in support brackets 120. The brackets 120 are generally L-shaped and are secured, as by screws 122, to elongated support members 124 which extend laterally in front and in back of the lower cross member 26 (FIG. 3) and have their ends secured,

as by screws 128, to side frame members 14 (FIGS. 2

and 5). Thus, the

guide rods

106 and 108 and the

respective guide wires

110 and 112 are movable vertically relative to the lower cross member 26 and the impression pads 78 mounted on the latter. Springs 130 are provided in the brackets 120 and act upwardly on the respective ends of

guide rods

106 and 108 to yieldably urge the latter to raised positions at which the laterally extending portions of

guide wires

110 and 112 are spaced upwardly from the path of movement of the web W, as shown on FIG. 4. The raised positions of the

guide rods

106 and 108 are adjustably determined by set screws 132 provided in the brackets 120 and projecting into the slots 118 for limiting the upward travel of the ends of the guide rods within such slots.

During the intervals between successive marking operations, that is, when the head 40 is moved upwardly by cylinder 56 and the web W is moved over the impression pads, the upward movement by spring 130 of

guide rods

106 and 108 and the

respective guide wires

110 and 112 ensures that the several tapes T will be vertically separated from the web and thereby avoid any interference with the advancement of the latter. However, upon downward movement of head 40 during each marking operation, actuating members, for example, in the form of

screws

134 and 136 depending adjustably from blocks 138 secured to the back and front, respectively, of the opposite end portions of channel member 62, act downwardly on the opposite end portions of

guide rods

106 and 108, respectively, so as to move the latter downwardly until the guide wires and 112 rest upon the impression pads 78, as shown on FIG. 3. Thus, when the heated dies 72 are lowered to press the tapes against the web resting on the impression pads 78, the hot roll leaf stamping tapes are disposed closely adjacent to the web and thereby any pulling of the tape by reason of the marking operation is avoided. Upon the conclusion of each marking operation, the initial upward movement of the head 40, and hence of the

screws

134 and 136 permits the

rods

106 and 108 to return to their normal raised positions, as shown on FIG. 4, thereby effecting separation of the tapes from the web, as previously described herein, and further upward or return movement of head 40, following contact of the guide rods with abutment screws 132, serves to separate the heated dies from the hot roll leaf stamping tapes. Thus, there is no danger that, during the intervals between successive marking operations, adherence of the tapes to the heated dies 72 will interfere with the feeding movement of the several tapes.

The used tapes travel upwardly from guide rod 108 and pass over the upper half of the circumference of a feeding roller 140 which is rotated during each interval be tween successive marking operations, as hereinafter described in detail, to positively elfect the feeding of a predetermined length of each of the tapes T in the direction from guide rod 106 to guide rod 108, that is, in the direction of movement of the web W. In order to ensure adequate frictional contact between the surface of feeding roller 140 and the tapes T, the latter are pressed against roller 140, at the front of the latter, by a freely rotatable pressure roller 142 (FIGS. 2 and 3) which is journalled in arms 144 pivotally suspended, as at 146, from side frame plates 90. The arms 144 are acted upon by springs 148 (FIG. 3) effective to urge pressure roller 142 against feeding roller 140. The several tapes T travel under pressure roller 142 and then upwardly and over the back edge of an upwardly opening, substantially semi-cylindrical trough 150 which extends laterally between side frame plates 90 at a location in front of, and below the trough 86 receiving the supply rolls S. The used tape T is rewound within trough 150 so as to form rolls R. The rewound rolls R merely rest within the trough 150 in rolling contact with a pair of laterally extending rewinding rollers 152 which project upwardly through slots extending laterally across the bottom of trough 150. The shafts 154 of rollers 152 are journalled in side frame plates 90 and, at one end, carry sprockets 156 engaged by an end less chain 158 driven by a sprocket 1:56 on the shaft of a motor 162. The motor 162 is supported by a bracket 164 extending from the adjacent side frame plate 90. The motor 162 is continuously operated, thereby to continuously rotate the rewinding rollers 152. By reason of the frictional rolling contact of the rewinding rollers 152 with the rolls R of rewound tape in the trough 150, such rolls R are continuously urged to rotate in the direction for rewinding the used tape, thereby to maintain the desired tension in the latter between feeding roller 140 and the rewound rolls. Thus, the tape is rewound tightly on the rolls R so as to permit the reuse of such tape in the event that the markings applied therefrom have not extended across the entire width of the tape. Guide members 16-6, which are similar to the previously mentioned guide members 102, are provided in the trough 150 for axially locating the rewound rolls R. The guide members 166 are adjustably mounted on a rod 168 extending laterally between side frame plates 90 above the front edge of trough 150. The used tapes may be rewound merely on cores, in which case the rollers 152 directly contact the periphery of rolls R, or the used tape may be rewound on reels having circular cheeks engaged, at their peripheries, by rollers 152.

As shown on FIG. 6, the feeding roller 140 includes a tubular body 170 having a rubber or other layer 172 thereon providing a good frictional grip with respect to the tapes T. The tubular body 170 is fixed on a sleeve 174 which telescopes over a drive shaft 176 and is rotatably mounted with respect to the latter by means of bearings 178. Thus, the feeding roller 140 may remain at rest while its drive shaft 176 continues to turn. The drive shaft 176 is journalled, at its opposite ends, in side frame plates 90 and a spur gear 180 is rotatably coupled to one end of drive shaft 176 through a conventionl one-way clutch 182 (FIG. 6). The spur gear 180 is in meshing engagement with a gear rack 184 (FIG. 1) which is vertically movable in a guide 13-6 secured to the adjacent side frame plate 90. The gear rack 184 is further in meshing engagement with a spur gear 188 which is freely rotatable on a stub shaft 190 extending from an upright support 192. The upright support 192 is adjustably mounted on a bracket 194 (FIGS. 1 and 2) which is, in turn, secured to the front side of channel member 62 adjacent one end of the latter. Thus, spur gear 188 is moved vertically with head 40 during the downward and upward strokes of the latter by cylinder 56. Spur gear 188 also meshes with a fixed gear rack 196 (FIG. 1) secured to the same side frame plate 90 as the guide 186 for movable gear rack 184.

At the conclusion of each marking operation, the upward movement of head 40 from the position shown on FIG. 3 causes spur gear 188 to move vertically upward and to roll along fixed gear rack 196. During such upward movement of gear 188, the meshing engagement of the latter with gear rack 184 also causes upward displacement of the latter, but through a distance which is twice as large as the upward displacement of the axis of gear 188. Further, the meshing engagement of gear rack 184 with gear 180 effects turning of the latter in response to the upward displacement of rack 184. When gears 180 and 188 have the same pitch diameter, as in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the described arrangement of the gears and gear racks causes turning of the gear 180 through an angle twice as large as the angular displacement of gear 188. Thus, a relatively short upward stroke of the head 40 is effective to produce a relatively large angular displacement of the gear 180 secured to drive shaft 176.

In order to effect the positive intermittent rotation of the feeding roller 140 from the drive shaft 176, a ratchet wheel 198 is secured on one end of sleeve 174 and is intermittently engaged by a pawl assembly 200 that turns with the drive shaft 176. The pawl assembly 200 includes an arm 202 extending radially from shaft 176 and being secured to the latter, as by a set screw 204. A pawl member 206 is rockably mounted, at one end, on a pivot 208 carried by the free end of arm 202 and has a nose engageable with the peripheral teeth of ratchet wheel 198. A tension spring 210 is connected between the pawl 206 and arm 202 to urge the pawl member to rock relative to its arm for engaging the nose of the pawl with the teeth of the ratchet wheel. So long as the nose of pawl member 206 engages the teeth of ratchet wheel 198, as shown on FIG. 7, the feeding roller 140 is positively driven from the drive shaft 176. However, the apparatus further includes a radial cam assembly 212 which is fixedly mounted on a sleeve 214 secured in the adjacent frame plate 90 and forming a holder for bearings 216 in which an end portion of drive shaft 176 is rotatably mounted. The periphery of cam assembly 212 is engaged by a cam follower roller 218 which is rotatable on an axle extending laterally from the free end of pawl 206. Thus, when the cam follower roller 218 rides on a radially enlarged portion of the cam assembly 212, the pawl 206 is rocked relative to the arm 202 in the direction for disengaging the nose of the pawl from the teeth of ratchet wheel 198. On the other hand, when the cam follower roller engages the portion of the cam assembly 212 having relatively small radial dimensions, the spring 210 can then act to rock the pawl 206 so as to engage the nose of the latter with the ratchet wheel teeth.

It will be seen that the distance through which the tapes T are advanced during each interval between succesive marking operations of apparatus 10 will depend upon the angular extent of the radially large portion of the cam assembly 212 which determines the portion of the angular displacement of drive shaft 176 during which the pawl assembly 200 is disengaged from the ratchet wheel 198. In order to permit the distance through which the tapes are advanced to be adjusted so as to substantially correspond to the dimension of the dies 72 in the direction of movement of the web, which dimension may vary by replacement of the dies, the cam assembly 212 preferably includes two radial cams 220 aand 222 disposed side by side with the cam 220 having a hollow hub turnable on the sleeve 214 and the cam 222 having a larger hollow hub which is turnable on the hub of cam 220. The cam 220 is secured adjustably on sleeve 214 by a set screw 224, while the cam 222 is adjustably secured relative to cam 220 by a set screw 226. Thus, the cam 222 can be angularly adjusted relative to the cam 220 in order to vary the effective overall angular extent of the radially raised portions of both cams.

It will be apparent that, with the apparatus 10, the web W can have a plurality of markings applied thereacross during each marking operation, that is, during each period when the web is at rest. Since an individual tape T is associated with each of the heated dies '72, the width of such tape can be selected to correspond substantially to the lateral dimension of the associated die, thereby to most economically utilize the hot roll leaf stamping tape. Further, as previously mentioned, the several supply rolls S of tape may be of different colors, thereby permitting the simultaneous marking of the web in different colors. Further, since the several tapes are fed in the direction of movement of the web, the distances through which the several tapes are fed after each marking operation are determined only by the dimensions of the heated dies in the direction parallel to the movement of the web, and, therefore, relatively large lateral spacings between the several dies need not cause waste in the tape material. Further, it will be seen that the described arrangement occupies only a small space along the path of movement of web W, and thus may be employed for marking the latter at locations where a substantial distance along the path is not freely available.

Although an illustrative embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to that precise embodiment, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, except as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for applying markings from hot roll leaf stamping tape to a web advanced intermittently along a path of movement, said apparatus comprising back-up means disposed below said path of movement of the web to support the latter during the marking thereof,

heated die means mounted above said back-up means for substantially vertical movement toward and away from the latter,

means for moving said heated die means downwardly toward said back-up means from an inoperative position raised from the latter and for returning said die means to said inoperative position during intervals between successive advancements of the web,

first and second upwardly open, substantially semicylindrical troughs mounted above said path of movement of the web,

at least one supply roll of fresh hot roll leaf stamping tape resting in said first trough for unwinding of fresh tape therefrom,

a take-up roll in said second trough for each supply roll in said first trough and on which used tape is rewound,

guide means leading the tape from each supply roll in said first trough along a path extending to the related take-up roll in said second trough and which includes an intermediate portion between said die means and said path of movement of the web, which intermediate portion is in the direction of the intermittent advancement of the web,

continuously rotated take-up roller means projecting into said second trough and peripherally engaging each take-up roll in the latter to urge said take-up roll to rewind used tape thereon, and

feeding roller means engaging each tape at a location along said path of the latter between said intermediate portion and said second trough, said feeding roller means being turned in response to the return of said die means to said inoperative position, thereby to draw a predetermined length of each tape from the supply roll for exposing unused tape to said die means.

2. Apparatus for applying markings from hot roll leaf stamping tape to a web advanced intermittently along a path of movement, said apparatus comprising back-up means disposed below said path of movement of the web to support the latter during the marking thereof,

means for moving said heated die means downwardly toward said back-up means from an inoperative position raised from the latter and for returning said die means to said inoperative position during intervals between successive movements of the web,

at least one supply roll of stamping tape mounted for unwinding of the tape therefrom,

a take-up roll for each supply roll and being mounted for rewinding of the tape thereon,

guide means leading the tape from each supply roll to the related take-up roll along a path having an intermediate portion extending in the direction of said path of movement of the web and being disposed between the latter and said die means, said guide means being movable to a limited extent toward and away from said path of movement of the web in response to the movement of said die means downwardly from said inoperative position and the return movement to said inoperative position, respectively, thereby to ensure separation of the tape from the web and the heated die means,

means urging each take-up roll to rotate in the direction J for rewinding used tape thereon, and

feeding roller means engaging each tape at a location along said path thereof between said intermediate portion and said take-up roll, and being turned in response to the return of said die means to said inoperative position, thereby to draw a predetermined length of each tape from the supply roll for exposing unused tape to said heated die means.

3. Apparatus for applying markings from hot roll leaf stamping tape to a web advanced intermittently along a path of movement, said apparatus comprising back-up means disposed below said path of movement of the web to support the latter during the marking thereof,

heated die means mounted above said back-up means 10 for substantially vertical movement toward and away from the latter,

means for moving said heated die means downward-1y toward said back-up means from an inoperative po sition raised from the latter and for returning said die means to said inoperative position during intervals between successive movements of the web,

guide means leading the tape from each supply roll in said first trough to the related take-up roll in said second trough along a path having an intermediate portion extending in the direction of said path of movement of the web and being disposed between the latter and said die means, said guide means being movable to a limited extent toward and away from said path of movement of the web in response to the movement of said die means downwardly from said inoperative position and the return movement to said inoperative position, respectively, thereby to ensure separation of the tape from the web and the heated die means,

4. Apparatus for applying a plurality of markings laterally across a web advanced intermittently along a path of movement, said apparatus comprising frame means through which said path of movement extends,

back-up means mounted in said frame means below said path of movement of the web to support the latter during the marking thereof,

a plurality of dies arranged laterally with respect to said path of movement and being mounted above said back-up means for substantially vertical movement relative to said frame means toward and away from said back-up means,

means for moving said dies downwardly toward said back-up means from an inoperative position raised from the latter and for returning saidl dies to said inoperative position during intervals between successive movements of the web,

first and second upwardly open, substantially semicylindnical troughs mounted on said frame, means above said path of movement of the web and extending laterally relative to the latter,

a plurality of supply rolls of stamping tape arranged laterally and resting loosely in said first trough for unwinding of fresh tape therefrom,

a plurality of take-up rolls arranged laterally in said second trough and on which used tape from the respective supply rolls is rewound,

guide means leading the tape from each supply roll in said first trough along a path extending to the related take-up roll in said second trough and which includes an intermediate portion between said die means and said path of movement of the the web,

which intermediate portion is in the direction of the intermittent advancement of the web,

continuously rotated take-up roller means projecting into said second trough and peripherally engaging said take-up rolls in the later to urge said take-up rolls to rewind used tape thereon, and

feeding roller means engaging the tapes at a location along said path of the latter between said intermediate portion and said second trough, said feeding roller means being turned in response to the return of said dies to said inoperative position, thereby to draw predetermined lengths of the tapes from said supply rolls for exposure of unused tape to said dies.

5. Apparatus for applying a plurality of laterally arranged markings to a Web advanced intermittently along a path of movement, said apparatus comprising frame means through which said path of movement extends,

back-up means mounted in said frame below said path of movement of the web to support the latter during the marking thereof,

a laterally extending head mounted above said backup means for substantially vertical movement toward and away from the latter,

a plurality of dies arranged along the bottom of said head,

means for vertically stroking said head, thereby to move said dies downwardly toward said back-up means from an inoperative position raised from the latter and to return said die means to said inoperative position during intervals between successive movemeans of the web,

a supply roll of stamping tape for each of said dies,

means supporting the supply rolls on said frame for turning about laterally extending axes,

a take-up roll for rewinding the tape from each supply roll,

means supporting the take-up rolls for turning about laterally extending axes,

guide means leading the tapes from the supply rolls to the related take-up rolls along parallel paths having intermediate portions extending in the direction of said path of movement of the web and being disposed between the latter and said dies,

means urging said take-up rolls to rotate in the direction for rewinding used tape thereon, and

feeding roller means engaging the tapes at a location along said path thereof between said intermediate portion and said take-up rolls, and being turned in response to the return of said dies to said inoperative position, thereby to draw predetermined lengths of tape from the supply rolls for exposing unused tape to said dies.

6. Apparatus as in claim wherein said frame includes a cross-member, and said back-up means includes impression pads arranged under said dies on said cross-member, and means individually adjusting each of said impression pads relative to said cross-member.

7. Apparatus as in claim 5;

wherein said guide means includes laterally extending guide rods arranged in front and in back of the plane of vertical movement of said head and having the tapes passing under said guide rods, guide wires extending from said guide rods and having laterally extending portions over which the tapes pass, means mounting said guide rods for limited vertical movement relative to said frame, means yieldably urging said guide rods upwardly to space the tapes passing over said guide wires from the web, and means extending from said head and engageable with said guide rods to move the latter downwardly upon downward stroking of said head.

8. Apparatus as in claim 5; wherein said means supporting the supply rolls includes a laterally extending,

upwardly open trough of substantially semi-cylindrical cross-section in which the supply rolls rest, and guide members extending across said trough at locations spaced apart along the latter to axially locate said supply rolls in the trough.

9. Apparatus as in claim 5;

wherein said means supporting the take-up rolls includes a laterally extending, upwardly open trough of substantially semi-cylindrical cross-section in which the take-up rolls rest, and guide members extending across said trough at locations spaced apart along the latter to axially locate said take-up rolls in the trough.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9; wherein said means urging the take-up rolls to rotate includes a pair of laterally extending rollers rotatably mounted below said trough, said trough having slots in the bottom thereof through which said rollers project upwardly for rolling contact with said take-up rolls, and means for effecting substantially continuous rotation of said pair of rollers.

11. Apparatus as in claim 5;

wherein said feeding roller means includes a laterally extending shaft journalled in said frame means, a roller freely rotatable on said shaft and having its surface in contact with the tapes, a first gear coaxial with said shaft, means rotatably coupling said first gear with said shaft, a vertically movable gear rack meshing with said first gear to turn the latter, a second gear meshing with said movable gear rack, means mounting said second gear for vertical movement with said head, a fixed gear rack also meshing with said second gear so that vertical movement of the latter causes relatively increased vertical movement of said movable gear rack, and means for coupling said roller to said shaft during turning of the latter through an adjustably predetermined angle.

12. Apparatus for applying a plurality of laterally arranged markings from hot roll leaf stamping tape to a web advanced intermittently along a path of movement, said apparatus comprising frame means through which said path of movement of the web extends,

a laterally extending head mounted above said back-up means for substantially vertical movement toward and away from the latter and having a heated block,

a plurality of dies arranged laterally along the bottom of said block and being releasably secured to the latter for heating by said block,

means for vertically stroking said head, thereby moving said heated dies downwardly toward said backup means from an inoperative position raised from the latter and for returning said dies to said inoperative position during intervals between successive movements of the web,

first and second upwardly open, substantially semicylindrical troughs mounted on said frame means above said path of movement of the web and extending laterally relative to the latter,

a plurality of supply rolls of fresh hot roll leaf stamping tape resting in said first trough for unwinding of fresh tape therefrom.

a plurality of take-up rolls in said second trough and on which used tape is rewound from the respective supply rolls,

guide means leading the tapes from said supply rolls in said first trough to the related take-up rolls in said second trough along parallel paths having intermediate portions extending in the direction of said path of movement of the Web between the latter and said dies,

continuously rotated take-up roller means projecting into said second trough and peripherally engaging said take-up rolls in the latter to urge said take-up rolls to rewind used tape thereon, and

feeding roller means engaging said tapes at a location along said paths of the latter between said intermediate portions and said second troughs, said feed ing roller means being turned in response to the return of said dies to said inoperative position, thereby to draw predetermined lengths of tape from said supply rolls for exposure of unused tape to said dies.

13. Apparatus as in claim 12;

wherein each of said dies has flanges extending along the front and back edges thereof, and further comprising undercut bars releasably secured to the underside of said block and engaging said flanges of the dies for holding the latter to said block.

14. Apparatus as in claim 12;

wherein said frame means includes a cross-member extending below said path of movement of the web and having laterally spaced bores extending vertically therethrough; and said back-up means includes a generally rectangular impression pad for each of said dies and having a central tapped hole,

an anchor screw extending loosely through one of said bores of the cross-member and threaded into said central tapped bore of the impression pad, four adjustment screws for each pad engaging the latter adjacent the corners of the latter, and nuts on said adjustment screws resting on said cross-member to permit angular adjustment of each pad relative to the respective die.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,978,790 10/1934 Gould et al. 101--27 2,011,949 8/1935 Roberts 101-27 2,621,435 12/1952 Weber 101-27 2,884,094 7/1958 Gruver 101134.5 2,925,773 2/1960 Kingsley 10111 3,022,724 2/1962 Worth 10127 3,075,457 1/1963 Worth 101-27 3,135,198 6/1964 Kingsley l01407 WILLIAM B. PENN, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. APPARATUS FOR APPLYING MARKINGS FROM HOT ROLL LEAF STAMPING TAPE TO A WEB ADVANCED INTERMITTENTLY ALONG A PATH OF MOVEMENT, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING BACK-UP MEANS DISPOSED BELOW SAID PATH OF MOVEMENT OF THE WEB TO SUPPORT THE LATTER DURING THE MARKING THEREOF, HEATED DIE MEANS MOUNTED ABOVE SAID BACK-UP MEANS FOR SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE LATTER, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID HEATED DIE MEANS DOWNWARDLY TOWARD SAID BACK-UP MEANS FROM AN INOPERATIVE POSITION RAISED FROM THE LATTER AND FOR RETURNING SAID DIE MEANS TO SAID INOPERATIVE POSITION DURING INTERVALS BETWEEN SUCCESSIVE ADVANCEMENTS OF THE WEB, FIRST AND SECOND UPWARDLY OPEN, SUBSTANTIALLY SEMICYLINDRICAL TROUGHS MOUNTED ABOVE SAID PATH OF MOVEMENT OF THE WEB, AT LEAST ONE SUPPLY ROLL OF FRESH HOT ROLL LEAF STAMPING TAPE RESTING IN SAID FIRST TROUGH FOR UNDWINDING OF FRESH TAPE THEREFROM, A TAKE-UP ROLL IN SAID SECOND TROUGH FOR EACH SUPPLY ROLL IN SAID FIRST TROUGH AND ON WHICH USED TAPE IS REWOUND, GUIDE MEANS LEADING THE TAPE FROM EACH SUPPLY ROLL IN SAID FIRST TROUGH ALONG A PATH EXTENDING TO THE RELATED TAKE-UP ROLL IN SAID SECOND TROUGH AND WHICH INCLUDES AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION BETEEN SAID DIE MEANS AND SAID PATH OF MOVEMENT OF THE WEB, WHICH INTERMEDIATE PORTION IS IN THE DIRECTION OF THE INTERMITTENT ADVANCEMENT OF THE WEB, CONTINUOUSLY ROTATED TAKE-UP ROLLER MEANS PROJECTING INTO SAID SECOND TROUGH AND PERIPHERALLY ENGAGING EACH TAKE-UP ROLL IN THE LATTER TO URGE SAID TAKE-UP ROLL TO REWIND USED TAPE THEREON, AND FEEDING ROLLER MEANS ENGAGING EACH TAPE AT A LOCATION ALONG SAID PATH OF THE LATTER BETWEEN SAID INTERMEDIATE PORTION AND SAID SECOND TROUGH, SAID FEEDING ROLLER MEANS BEING TURNED IN RESPONSE TO THE RETURN OF SAID DIE MEANS TO SAID INOPERATIVE POSITION, THEREBY TO DRAW A PREDETERMINED LENGTH OF EACH TAPE FROM THE SUPPLY ROLL FOR EXPOSING UNUSED TAPE TO SAID DIE MEANS.