Patent US3727547A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3727547A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-adjusting coding apparatus
Assignee: HC Industries Inc
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Filing: 1971-06-17
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Granted: 1973-04-17
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Expires: 1991-06-17
Abstract
Abstract Marking apparatus for applying indicia to capped bottles or other containers of varying heights. The device consists of a rim having a print ring on the outer perpheral surface held in frictional engagement with a drive wheel that also performs a function of supplying ink to the print ring and is maintained in frictional engagement through a smaller diameter wheel engaging the inner surface of the rim. A substantial point contact between the inner surface of the rim and the outer surface of the support wheel allows the rim to move vertically to compensate for bottles of varying heights passing under the rim. While not necessary to the practice of the invention, an idler roller may engage the inner surface of the rim at the location spaced from the contact with the second wheel to provide additional support for the rim during its normal rotational movement.
Inventors
- 👤 S Wilde
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:51
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41F; B41F17/00; B41F17/24; B41F17/26; B41F17/08; B41F17/14; B41F17/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
Marking apparatus for printing indicia on the top surface of an advancing procession of containers moving along a path comprising: a support member located above said path; a drive wheel supported on a fixed axis on said support member; drive means for rotating said wheel; a second wheel; support means on said support member for locating the periphery of said second wheel in spaced relation to the periphery of said drive wheel; a printing rim having an outer surface in driving engagement with the peripheral surface of said drive wheel and an inner surface engaging the peripheral surface of said second wheel, said inner surface having a diameter greater than the diameter of said second wheel and said wheels being circumferentially spaced from the area of contact between the peripheral surface of the printing rim and the containers moving along the path to allow vertical movement of said rim and accommodate containers of varying height advancing along said path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
Marking apparatus for printing indicia on the top surface of an advancing procession of containers moving along a path comprising: a support member located above said path; a drive wheel supported on a fixed axis on said support member; drive means for rotating said wheel; a second wheel; support means on said support member for locating the periphery of said second wheel in spaced relation to the periphery of said drive wheel; a printing rim having an outer surface in driving engagement with the peripheral surface of said drive wheel and an inner surface engaging the peripheral surface of said second wheel, said inner surface having a diameter greater than the diameter of said second wheel and said wheels being circumferentially spaced from the area of contact between the peripheral surface of the printing rim and the containers moving along the path to allow vertical movement of said rim and accommodate containers of varying height advancing along said path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
Marking apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a roller carrried by said support means, said roller having a peripheral surface normally engaging the inner surface of said rim, said roller having a diameter substantially less than the diameter of said inner surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
Marking apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including adjustment means between said support member and said support means for varying the spacing between said wheels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
Marking apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including flange means extending from the periphery of said second wheel and frictionally engaging the periphery of said drive wheel for driving said second wheel in response to rotation of said drive wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Marking apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which said rim has a resilient compressible portion adjacent the peripheral surface of said second wheel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
157 words
Marking apparatus for applying indicia to tops of containers supported for movement along a path comprising a support adjacent said path; a drive wheel rotated about a fixed axis on said support above said path; ink supply means for maintaining a supply of ink on the periphery of said wheel; and transfer means for receiving ink from said wheel and delivering said ink to the tops of the containers, the improvement of said transfer means including a circular rim having an inner and outer surface; indicia means on said outer surface; and contact means engaging said inner surface and maintaining said indicia means in engagement with the periphery of said wheel, said contact means and rim cooperating at a location circumferentially spaced from the point of contact between the outer surface of said rim and the containers moving along the path to allow vertical movement of the bottom of said rim to accommodate containers of varying heights.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
157 words
Marking apparatus for applying indicia to tops of containers supported for movement along a path comprising a support adjacent said path; a drive wheel rotated about a fixed axis on said support above said path; ink supply means for maintaining a supply of ink on the periphery of said wheel; and transfer means for receiving ink from said wheel and delivering said ink to the tops of the containers, the improvement of said transfer means including a circular rim having an inner and outer surface; indicia means on said outer surface; and contact means engaging said inner surface and maintaining said indicia means in engagement with the periphery of said wheel, said contact means and rim cooperating at a location circumferentially spaced from the point of contact between the outer surface of said rim and the containers moving along the path to allow vertical movement of the bottom of said rim to accommodate containers of varying heights.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
Marking apparatus as defined in claim 6, in which said contact means includes a second wheel having a diameter substantially less than the diameter of said inner surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
Marking apparatus as defined in claim 7, further including a support plate supporting said second wheel for rotation about a fixed axis, and adjustable means between said support and support plate for varying the spacing between said wheels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
Marking apparatus as defined in claim 8, further including an idler support for rotation about an axis on said plate that is spaced from the axis for said second wheel, said second wheel and roller engaging the inner surface of said rim at circumferentially spaced locations.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
Marking apparatus as defined in claim 9, in which said rim has an outer compressible portion with said indicia means on the outer surface thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-16 | 1976-10-16 | 1977-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-16 | 1980-10-16 | 1981-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-16 | 1984-10-16 | 1985-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |