Rotary Patents (Class 101/36)
  • Patent number: 6371585
    Abstract: A ring-mark printing device for identifying electrical cables includes a printer box having a feed axis and configured to pass an electrical cable along the feed axis. The printer box includes an ink shield including a concentrically arranged double structured tube. The double structured tube includes an outer tubular body, and an inner tubular body, the inner tubular body being held such that it can freely slide within the outer tubular body. The outer tubular body includes outer ink-orifices at positions facing marking drums. The inner tubular body also includes inner ink-orifices. By sliding the inner tubular body, an inner ink-orifice can be joined with an outer ink-orifice, so that the electrical cable is ready to be printed with ink ejected from the marking drum, or the inner orifice can be moved away from the outer ink-orifice, so that the electrical cable is impeded from printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisashi Kurachi
  • Patent number: 6220154
    Abstract: A rotary printing machine for the printing of synthetic cork stoppers of the type having a surface which is normally non-ink receptive. A Ferris wheel mechanism is provided, having a plurality of evenly spaced carriers mounted a predetermined radial distance from and parallel to the axis of rotation for the Ferris wheel mechanism, each carrier for rotatably holding a synthetic cork stopper. An indexing drive system controls incremental rotation of the Ferris wheel mechanism through a predetermined sequence of steps, and a cork feeder introduces a single synthetic cork stopper into each of the carriers as empty ones of the carriers are presented one-by-one at the cork feeder. A corona discharger treats the surface of each synthetic cork stopper prior to being printed with sufficient energy to alter the surface energy of the cork sufficiently to permit receptivity of printing ink. A rotary printing system rotatably imprints with ink the surface of each held synthetic cork stopper with an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Apex Machine Company
    Inventor: Gregg O. Coningsby
  • Patent number: 6047755
    Abstract: An improved labeler includes a housing and a bellows drive gear and cassette drive sprocket spaced apart and each rotatably supported in the housing. A stepper motor is mounted in the housing and has an output shaft. A first drive gear is affixed to the shaft and engages the bellows drive gear. A second drive gear is affixed to the shaft. A drive train is interposed between and engages the second gear and the cassette drive sprocket. The stepper motor is positioned between the bellows drive sprocket and the cassette drive sprocket whereby the footprint of the labeler is minimized. Each individual bellows has a marker. A position sensor detects each of the markers. A first sensor detects a fruit. The stepper motor is responsive to the fruit sensor to advance the bellows wheel in response to detection of a fruit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: David N. Anderson, Wayne C. Sherman
  • Patent number: 5849082
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary glazing machine, in particular for ceramic tiles, which comprises a mobile rest plane for tiles on which the tiles are translated in a predetermined direction, and a rotary glazing apparatus situated superiorly to the rest plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Ronflette S.A.
    Inventor: Franco Stefani
  • Patent number: 5842411
    Abstract: A printer which prints information on articles such as filter cartridge assemblies, minimizes ink splattering and increases speed by shielding the lower portion of ink pickup rollers with an ink shielding plate. By utilizing the ink shielding plate, the speed at which the printer operates is doubled and cleanup of splattered ink is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Johnson
  • Patent number: 5829351
    Abstract: An improved labeler includes a housing and a bellows drive gear and cassette drive sprocket spaced apart and each rotatably supported in the housing. A stepper motor is mounted in the housing and has an output shaft. A first drive gear is affixed to the shaft and engages the bellows drive gear. A second drive gear is affixed to the shaft. A drive train is interposed between and engages the second gear and the cassette drive sprocket. The stepper motor is positioned between the bellows drive sprocket and the cassette drive sprocket whereby the footprint of the labeler is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: David N. Anderson, Wayne C. Sherman
  • Patent number: 5813325
    Abstract: A marking device for applying markings to the insulating sheathing of a wire comprising two color disks alternatingly moved between active and inactive positions by a common carrier to selectively apply markings to the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Medek & Schurner Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Kurt Descovich
  • Patent number: 5806420
    Abstract: A printing device for the printing of individual, flat print substrates, such as compact discs, in a multi-color print, uses a plurality of print units. These print units are arranged in a common frame and each has a print position. The distance between print positions in adjacent print units is less than the lengths or diameter of one of the print substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Metronic - Geratebau GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Helmut Erhard, Georg Schneider
  • Patent number: 5771797
    Abstract: A printing machine comprises a frame, a turntable or other object circulating device on the frame for carrying an object support to a print head. The object support includes a plate with a plurality of suction ports opening onto a receiving surface of the plate. A suction source is connected to the suction ports by a conduit. Elastically deformable bellows is connected to the pipe. The bellows has a closed free end. A displacement detector is responsive to the position of the free end of the bellows for detecting the presence of an object on the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Societe d'Exploitation des Machines Dubuit
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Dubuit
  • Patent number: 5727459
    Abstract: A printing apparatus for a cassette accommodating a recording medium such as a tape-shaped recording medium or the like or a cassette accommodating case includes a cylindrical member and a cylindrical pad. The cylindrical member is supplied with an ink which contains an inorganic filler having a comparatively large particle size. The ink is added with a titanate coupling agent or an aluminate coupling agent. The cylindrical member has the concave printing plate formed on its peripheral surface and is supported rotatable. The ink on the concave printing plate is transferred to the cylindrical pad. The cylindrical pad is supported rotatably. The cylindrical pad is brought in contact with the concave printing plate and the surface of the conveyed cassette accommodating the recording medium or the conveyed cassette accommodating case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Shimokuni
  • Patent number: 5709770
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying heat transfer labels, disposed on a web, to containers. In one embodiment, the apparatus is intended for round, non-tapered containers and comprises a continuously rotating turret, a container transport system for continuously delivering containers to and away from the turret and a web transport system for moving a web containing heat-transfer labels into position for label transferring. The turret includes a rotably driven shaft and a plurality of cup assemblies arranged in a circle around the shaft and coupled thereto. Each cup assembly includes a cup used to hold a container, the cup being rotably driven independently of the shaft and in a required direction. A nozzle assembly is associated with each cup assembly and is used to secure a container within its respective cup and, if necessary, to inflate the container to impart sufficient rigidity thereto for labelling. Each cup assembly and its associated nozzle assembly together define a container holding station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Syed A. Asghar, Joseph F. Callinan
  • Patent number: 5671667
    Abstract: Two opposed inkjet print heads direct ink droplets to opposite sides of a cylindrical elongated plastic straw containing biological products such as semen or ova. The print heads are controlled by a computer to print multiple lines of text or data as the straw is advanced by dual parallel drive belts through a bridge which has an straw-directing infeed channel. The straw is discharged from the channel through an unobstructed window in the bridge which is positioned in the path of the two print heads. Downstream of the window the straw passes over portions of the bridge which form a shelf with open sides, on which the straw is supported until it is engaged by the outfeed portions of the dual belts which remove the printed straw from the bridge. The construction of the bridge ensures accurate positioning of the straw, while minimizing disturbances to the freshly applied ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Minitube of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Ludwig O. Simmet
  • Patent number: 5657690
    Abstract: An offset printing head includes, mounted to rotate parallel to each other and spaced from each other on a common carriage that is itself mounted to be mobile in translation on a frame, an inking roller and a blanket cylinder. As it moves to and fro, the carriage sweeps across a plate support which receives a plate and an object support which receives an object to be printed. The inking roller and/or the blanket cylinder are each driven by an individual drive system specific to it and independent of the movement of the carriage. Applications include printing machines combining an offset printing head with a silkscreen printing head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Societe d'Exploitation des Machines Dubuit
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Douville, Jean-Louis Dubuit
  • Patent number: 5477781
    Abstract: The invention comprises a mobile rest plane for tiles on which operates a matrix cylinder provided with an elastically deformable peripheral part having a smooth external skin made of an elastomer material, on which a matrix, in the form of microscopic cavities, is cut. A doctor, arranged in order to be in contact with the skin, has the task of scraping away excess glaze and any impurities deposited on the skin as well as the task of remixing the glaze such as at least partially to replenish the cavities with freshened glaze. The matrix cylinder is positioned on the rest plane such as to roll thereon without dragging on a tile upper surface as the tile transits on the rest plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Syfal S.r.l.
    Inventor: Franco Stefani
  • Patent number: 5231925
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for making a decorative, essentially planar sheet of material having a design applied to one side, with the design being viewed through the sheet from the opposite side. A foreground component of the design is produced on a first resilient roller, and the first roller is rotated about its cylindrical axis. A second resilient roller rotates adjacent to the first resilient roller to form a nip with the first cylindrical roller. The planar sheet is fed through the nip formed between the first and second resilient rollers so that the foreground component of the design on the first resilient roller is transferred to the opposite side of the planar sheet. A background component of the design is produced on a third resilient roller, and the third roller is rotated about its cylindrical axis. A fourth resilient roller rotates adjacent to the third roller to form a nip with the third roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Inventors: Frank W. Roberts, W. Calvin Roberts, Krisjon G. Roberts, Kyler G. Roberts, Richard A. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5162119
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for making printed foods such as cookies, crackers, and snacks at high production speeds on a continuous basis. The apparatus includes a rotary printer which is synchronized with dough forming apparatus such as a rotary cutter or rotary molder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Nabisco, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Pappas, Daniel A. Koppa, Roger E. Skeels, Agostino Aquino
  • Patent number: 5160940
    Abstract: An ink jet printing machine for elongate cylindrical articles such as tubes or straws for biological fluids, includes an automatically controlled ink-jet printing station. The printing station includes a printing head, handling apparatus for the straws or tubes comprising an admission passage for receiving, guiding and feeding straws or tubes, a wall panel, a suction port disposed in the wall panel at a downstream end of the admission passage and connected to a source of vacuum, a transfer plunger mounted for reciprocating along the wall panel between the suction port and a conveyor, the leading straw or tubes being transferred from the suction port to the conveyor by displacement of the transfer plunger toward the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Inventors: Robert Cassou, Maurice Cassou, Bertrand Cassou
  • Patent number: 4967663
    Abstract: An unengraved metering roll made of porous ceramic material is described for depositing measured amounts of liquid as a coating on a substrate such as a metal can. The coating liquid is contained within the pores of the ceramic roll and deposited upon the object or a transfer roll without the use of metering cells which are ordinarily provided by engraving a pattern on the outer surface of the roll. The pores are of a substantially uniform size and are distributed substantially uniformly throughout the ceramic roll. The metering roll of porous ceramic material may be more easily resurfaced merely by grinding in a conventional manner to remove the original outer surface and replacing it with a new outer surface having pores which open to such outer surface for receipt of the coating liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Coors Porcelain Company
    Inventor: Robert L. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 4911072
    Abstract: A wiper for use in a high speed cable printer having a rotatably mounted high speed printing wheel includes a wiper blade holder and at least one wiper blade detachably mounted in the holder for wiping at least one of the side surfaces of the printing wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Charles E. Dixon, Geoffrey S. Honeybun
  • Patent number: 4850273
    Abstract: A printer is disclosed for marking packages or objects having a printing drum, which is carried by a return mechanism, with an ink supply for applying ink to the printing drum. The return mechanism includes a base plate which is rotatable about a central axis and an eccentric member which is constrained to move in a circular path on rotation of the base plate. A spring acts on the eccentric member so as to bias the member to a predetermined position in order to bias the base plate and the printing drum to a corresponding initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Nichol International Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Barry J. Nichol
  • Patent number: 4729313
    Abstract: A flexible type segment formed of elastomeric material and in an initially flat condition, and adapted for mounting on the cylindrical surface of a printing roll that engages the surface of an object to be marked, and prints indicia thereon. The segment has an elongated base with generally flat, parallel top and bottom surfaces and a raised print face formed on the top surface. The print face defines indicia to be inked and thereafter to apply an ink imprint to the respective surface to be marked. A plurality of recesses are formed in the bottom surface of the base, the recesses extending into the material a major portion of the depth of the base. The recesses reduce the section of the base so that flexing of the segment when it is mounted on the roll and force variations between the print face and the surface to be marked produce a minimum of distortion of the print face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: Lincoln Logotype Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lester R. Medlen, James J. Nickels
  • Patent number: 4580492
    Abstract: A code wheel for imprinting legends on packages traveling along a conveyor line has a U-shaped slot therein through which the code wheel is coaxially positioned on a drive sleeve rotatable with the line and drive pins engage the sleeve to index the code wheel thereon as resiliently held thereagainst by a releasable collar. Print type carried on the outer surface of the code wheel are independently secured by individual spring detents. A roller having an outer resilient cover is pivotally supported on the conveyor line and spring biased toward the code wheel for establishing the printing pressure on the packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: The Stouffer Corporation
    Inventors: Peter B. Troyan, Kenneth G. Koltas, Daniel P. Golkowski
  • Patent number: 4480540
    Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention includes a rotatably driven turret carrying one or more collector means at selected radial and angular positions, and transfer means synchronously driven with said turret for depositing on each of said collector means a design configuration. The turret and each of the transfer means share a common point of rotation along respective central axes thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Assignee: Corning Glass Works
    Inventors: William E. Lock, Donald C. Peters
  • Patent number: 4444102
    Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention includes a self aligning applicator/doctor blade assembly having at least two working surfaces adapted to engage an ink carrying conical roll wherein the working surfaces lie along the roll surface. A geometric apex for the cone and the working surfaces are coincident. An inking device circulates ink along a path including a zone adjacent to at least one working surface and the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: Corning Glass Works
    Inventors: Edwin E. Clark, William E. Lock, Paul E. Paiement, deceased, by Paula J. Miles, executrix
  • Patent number: 4391189
    Abstract: A code dater for coding tray blanks being formed into trays in a tray forming machine comprising means attached to said machine for maintaining each of said tray blanks in a semi-rigid condition as said blanks move through said machine, and means for printing coded information on said blanks as they are maintained in said semi-rigid condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Assignee: Champion International Corporation
    Inventor: David Anenson
  • Patent number: 4327635
    Abstract: A marking apparatus is provided having a wheel with a plurality of radial slots for receipt of stamps having marking indicia thereon. An internal axially rotatable disc has a cam engageable with the stamp ends causing selected ones to protrude from the wheel periphery. A slot in the disc receives a lateral extension from each stamp for retaining them in retracted position. A segment of the slot adjacent the cam curves radially outward to allow the stamp contacted by the cam to slide outward and protrude from the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: United States Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Calvin E. Kelly, Robert A. Wilshire
  • Patent number: 4299163
    Abstract: Conductor coding apparatus operable at high speed to code a conductor with distinct identifying markings in one or more colors. The apparatus features simplicity, ease of adjustment and servicing, provision for separately collecting all excess coding fluid and for returning excess fluid to the respective supplies thereof, and simple provision for holding the fluid collecting shrouds detachably about each coding disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1981
    Assignee: Formulabs Industrial Inks, Incorporated
    Inventor: Jerald C. Raahauge
  • Patent number: 4262312
    Abstract: A magnetic recording and printing device for card mediums, having a magnetic recording section and a printing section, wherein the card mediums are transferred along the peripheral surface of a rotary cylinder which serves as a platen for printing, and during the transfer of the card mediums, data are magnetically recorded and read out by a magnetic head stationarily disposed close to but separated from the peripheral surface of the rotary cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Assignees: Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Limited
    Inventors: Kazumi Fukuda, Takeshi Horino, Katsuhiro Komorida
  • Patent number: 4145967
    Abstract: A relatively large supply of fast drying ink is stored by an ink supply device having an elongated tubular housing connected at one axial end to a transversely enlarged ink reservoir extension. A wick extends from the ink in the reservoir through a restricted passage formed in the tubular housing by an indentation to conduct capillary flow of ink to a foam filler retained by the indentation in contact with a filter assembly closing the other opened end of the tubular housing through which the ink is dispensed to a marking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Inventor: Alfred A. Marozzi
  • Patent number: 4126090
    Abstract: An inking ring and wheel for code daters, the ring being formed as an elongate length of ink absorbent strip material of generally rectangular cross-section arranged secured end to end to define a ring, said ring being seated in a thin wall U-shaped shell whereby the outer portion of the ring extends radially from the shell so that a portion thereof is disposed outward of the shell. Preferably, the strip is formed of foam rubber and the shell is formed of uncured rubber. A slurry of a solvent and uncured rubber is used as an adhesive for joining the ends of the strip, as well as the strip to the shell. The assembly is vulcanized to effect permanent securement. The thus formed inking ring is mounted upon a cylindrical hub and a pair of side plates retained thereon on both sides of the inking ring to define an inking wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1978
    Assignee: Kiwi Coders Corporation
    Inventor: James G. McKay
  • Patent number: 4047479
    Abstract: A high speed machine for imprinting code indicia consecutively upon individual articles moving in a line along the upper reach of a conveyor to an imprinting zone arranged along the conveyor path. The imprinting is performed by plural printing heads carried by an imprinting wheel. The speed of rotation of the imprinting wheel being correlated with the speed of the conveyor and the number of printing heads carried by the imprinting wheel. The articles are spaced uniformly one from the other a predetermined distance with their lateral movement being restricted during passage of the articles through the imprinting zone, a positive force being directed downward upon the top of each article at least at the time the imprint is applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1977
    Assignee: Kiwi Coders Corporation
    Inventors: James G. McKay, deceased, by Allen J. McKay, executor
  • Patent number: 4022124
    Abstract: A machine for printing letters, numbers, symbols and the like on banding or other flexible material of extended length includes a drive wheel and a printing wheel, as well as pressure rollers for pressing the banding against the two wheels. The drive wheel is driven by the banding as the banding is drawn through the machine, and the printing wheel is connected to the drive wheel through a belt such that the two wheels have the same peripheral velocity. Thus, the printing wheel, which has raised characters around its periphery, rotates as the banding passes over it. The raised characters of the printing wheel further pass over the periphery of an ink transfer wheel, all but a small segment of which is contained within a sealed case of an inking unit. The surface of the ink transfer wheel is pitted, and where that wheel emerges from the case, seals are provided to form a vapor barrier which isolates the interior of the case from the surrounding atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1977
    Assignee: McKenna Equipment Company Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Knudsen
  • Patent number: 4000690
    Abstract: A coder for imprinting the tops of crowns, closures or the like which includes a floating print roll which is independently fine turnable to accomodate height variations in the items being encoded, said print roll being lever supported for quick release from an ink metering roll upon being raised by the item to be imprinted. The print roll is rotatably driven by the items to be imprinted and the metering roll and inking roll of the coder are both preferably driven to relieve wear between the inking and metering rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1977
    Assignee: Dennison Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Friedrich Henri Herman Geurtsen, Maurice Desire Pichel
  • Patent number: RE34134
    Abstract: A flexible type segment formed of elastomeric material and in an initially flat condition, and adapted for mounting on the cylindrical surface of a printing roll that engages the surface of an object to be marked, and prints indicia thereon. The segment has an elongated base with generally flat, parallel top and bottom surfaces and a raised panel print face formed on the top surface. The print face defines indicia to be inked and thereafter to apply an ink imprint to the respective surface to be marked. A plurality of recesses are formed in the bottom surface of the base, the recesses extending into the material a major portion of the depth of the base. The recesses reduce the section of the base so that flexing of the segment when it is mounted on the roll and force variations between the print face and the surface to be marked produce a minimum of distortion of the print face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Porelon, Inc.
    Inventors: Lester R. Medlen, James J. Nichols