Marking apparatus

Claim 3

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus further includes: control means for sequentially operating said first and second actuation means in response to a predetermined signal to move said shutter to said clearance position and said marking means to said extended position, and for moving said marking means to said retracted position and said shutter to said closed position upon cessation of said signal.

Claim 4

An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said fluid supply means is operated by said control means to supply marking fluid to said porous pad only when said control means is receiving said predetermined signal.

Claim 5

An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said marking means includes: a support for supporting said porous pad and mounted on said frame for movement between a first position to place said support and said porous pad in said retracted position within said chamber, and a second position extending through said opening to place said porous pad in said extended position; means for mounting said porous pad on said support for movement from said extended position toward said support; and means for biasing said porous pad to said extended position relative to said support.

Claim 6

A mechanism for marking a continuously moving web, said mechanism comprising in combination: a conveyor adapted for continuously moving a said web along a predetermined path; and a marking means for wiping a marking fluid along selected lengths of said web moving along said path, said marking means comprising: a frame mounted adjacent said cOnveyor along said path, said frame being formed with a chamber communicating with the outside of said frame through an opening; marking means including a porous pad having a contact surface and being mounted on said frame for movement between a retracted position within said chamber to define an evaporation control cavity about said porous pad, and a position extended from said chamber through said opening to afford engagement of said contact surface to wipe along the moving web, and fluid supply means for supplying marking fluid to said porous member to mark the engaged web; first actuation means supported by said frame and connected to said marking means for moving said porous pad between said retracted and extended positions; shutter means mounted adjacent said chamber opening for movement between a clearance position for permitting movement of said porous pad to said extended position through said opening, and a sealing position over said opening for enclosing said porous pad within said chamber when said marking means is in the retracted position, said shutter means including means for sealing said evaporation control cavity when said shutter means is in the sealing position to restrict evaporation of said marking fluid from said porous pad; second actuation means supported by said frame and connnected to said shutter means for moving said shutter means between said sealing and clearance positions; control means for sequentially operating said first and second actuation means in response to a predetermined signal to move said shutter to said clearance position and said marking means to said extended position, and for moving said marking means to said retracted position and said shutter to said closed position upon cessation of said signal; and signal means adapted for manual activation for providing said predetermined signal for said control means.

Claim 7

A mechanism for marking a continuously moving web, said mechanism comprising in combination: a conveyor adapted for continuously moving a said web along a predetermined path; and a marking means for wiping a marking fluid along selected lengths of said web moving along said path, said marking means comprising: a frame mounted adjacent said cOnveyor along said path, said frame being formed with a chamber communicating with the outside of said frame through an opening; marking means including a porous pad having a contact surface and being mounted on said frame for movement between a retracted position within said chamber to define an evaporation control cavity about said porous pad, and a position extended from said chamber through said opening to afford engagement of said contact surface to wipe along the moving web, and fluid supply means for supplying marking fluid to said porous member to mark the engaged web; first actuation means supported by said frame and connected to said marking means for moving said porous pad between said retracted and extended positions; shutter means mounted adjacent said chamber opening for movement between a clearance position for permitting movement of said porous pad to said extended position through said opening, and a sealing position over said opening for enclosing said porous pad within said chamber when said marking means is in the retracted position, said shutter means including means for sealing said evaporation control cavity when said shutter means is in the sealing position to restrict evaporation of said marking fluid from said porous pad; second actuation means supported by said frame and connnected to said shutter means for moving said shutter means between said sealing and clearance positions; control means for sequentially operating said first and second actuation means in response to a predetermined signal to move said shutter to said clearance position and said marking means to said extended position, and for moving said marking means to said retracted position and said shutter to said closed position upon cessation of said signal; and signal means adapted for manual activation for providing said predetermined signal for said control means.

Claim 8

A mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said marking means includes: a support for supporting said porous pad and mounted on said frame for movement between a first position to place said support and said porous pad in said retracted position within said chamber, and a second position extending through said opening to place said porous pad in said extended position; means for mounting said porous pad on said support for movement from said extended position toward said support; and means for biasing said porous pad to said extended position relative to said support.

Claim 9

A mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said fluid supply means is operated by said control means to supply marking fluid to said porous pad only during activation of said signal means.

Claim 10

A mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said porous pad has a rectangular contact surface, and said frame is mounted to afford rotational movement of said porous pad about an axis normal to said contact surface to change the width of a mark made upon a said moving web.