High speed number printer

Claim 2

A machine for successively placing symbols at predetermined places on a web as said web moves along a path said machine including: a first numbering wheel having a plurality of distinct symbols distributed along a periphery thereof; said first numbering wheel being mounted iN said machine on a first side of said path, with one of said plurality of distinct symbols on said periphery thereof adjacent to said path; a second numbering wheel having a plurality of distinct symbols distributed along the periphery thereof; said second numbering wheel being mounted in said machine adjacent to said first numbering wheel on said first side of said path, with one of said plurality of distinct symbols on said periphery thereof adjacent to said path; means responsive to a control signal, mounted in said machine on a second side of said path, for impelling said web against one of said symbols on said periphery of said first and second numbering wheels adjacent to said path; first means rendered effective by said control signal responsive to a first number signal for positioning a predetermined one of said plurality of symbols on said periphery of said first numbering wheel adjacent to said path; and second means rendered effective by said control signal responsive to a second number signal for positioning a predetermined one of said plurality of symbols on said periphery of said second numbering wheel adjacent to said path.

Claim 3

The machine as defined in claim 1 in which said first numbering wheel positioning means includes: means responsive to a first gate signal for generating a first pulse train to advance said first numbering wheel a fixed angular increment for each pulse in said first pulse train. a first accumulator for accumulating occurrences of said control signal to provide a first accumulator output signal; a second accumulator for accumulating pulses in said first pulse train to provide a second accumulator output signal; and means responsive to a difference between said first and second accumulator output signals for providing said first gate signal.

Claim 4

The machine as defined in claim 2 in which said first accumulator output signal will increase a first predetermined amount in response to one occurrence of said control signal while said second accumulator output signal will increase said first predetermined amount in response to a first plurality of pulses in said first pulse train.

Claim 5

The machine as defined in claim 3 in which said first and second accumulator output signals will advance from a first value to a second value and then recycle back to said first value.

Claim 6

The machine as defined in claim 4 in which said second numbering wheel positioning means includes: means responsive to a second gate signal for generating a second pulse train to advance said second numbering wheel a fixed angular increment for each pulse in said second pulse train; a third accumulator for accumulating cycles of said first accumulator to provide a third accumulator output signal; a fourth accumulator for accumulating pulses in said second pulse train to provide a fourth accumulator output signal; and means responsive to a difference between said third and fourth accumulator output signals for providing said second gate signal.

Claim 7

The machine as defined in claim 5 in which said third accumulator output signals will increase a second predetermined amount in response to one cycle of said first accumulator while said second and fourth accumulator output signal will increase said second predetermined amount in response to a second plurality of pulses in said second pulse train.

Claim 8

The machine as defined in claim 6 in which said first and second accumulator output signals will advance from said first value to said second value and the result to said first value.

Claim 9

The machine as defined in claim 7 in which said first plurality is equal to said second plurality.

Claim 10

The machine as defined in claim 1 in which said control signal increments said first number signal and said first number signal increments said second number signal.

Claim 11

A machine as defined in claim 1 in which said web has markings thereon to indicate where said symbols are to be placed; said machine also including: meaNs responsive to said markings on said web passing a predetermined place on said path for generating said control signal.

Claim 12

The machine as defined in claim 10 in which said control signal generating means includes: a light source mounted on said machine to shine on said web; and a photocell mounted on said machine to detect light reflected from said web to provide said first control signal.

Claim 13

The machine as defined in claim 10 in which said first numbering wheel positioning means includes: means responsive to a first gate signal for generating a first pulse train to advance said first numbering wheel a fixed angular increment for each pulse in said first pulse train.

Claim 14

The machine as defined in claim 12 in which said first accumulator output signal will increase a first predetermined amount in response to one occurrence of said control signal while said second accumulator output signal will increase said first predetermined amount in response to a first plurality of pulses in said first pulse train.

Claim 15

The machine as defined in claim 1 in which: said distinct symbols along said periphery of said first numbering wheel form a sequence with physically adjacent symbols having a predetermined spacing therebetween; said symbols being arranged along said periphery of said first numbering wheel in two interspersed series wherein the sequence proceeds in opposite directions in the two series so that sequentially adjacent symbols within each series are physically separated by twice said predetermined spacing while sequentially adjacent symbols which fall one in each series are physically separated by said predetermined spacing; and said first positioning means includes: means responsive to the position of said numbering wheel for providing a first position signal when a symbol is adjacent to said path which is in the same series as the next symbol in the sequence and a second position signal when a symbol is adjacent to said path which is not in the same series as the next symbol in the sequence; and means rendered effective by said control signal responsive to said first position signal for moving said first numbering wheel twice said predetermined spacing with respect to said path; said first moving means being further responsive to said second position signal for moving said first numbering wheel said predetermined spacing with respect to said path.

Claim 16

A machine as defined in claim 14 in which said first positioning means also includes: means responsive to a first gate signal for generating a first pulse train to advance said first numbering wheel a fixed angular increment for each pulse in said first pulse train; a first accumulator for accumulating occurrences of said control signal to provide a first accumulator output signal; a second accumulator for accumulating pulses in said first pulse train to provide a second accumulator output signal; and means responsive to a difference between said first and second accumulator output signals for providing said first gate signal.

Claim 17

The machine as defined in claim 15 in which said first accumulator output signal will increase a first predetermined amount in response to one occurrence of said control signal while said second accumulator output signal will increase said first predetermined amount in response to a first plurality of pulses in said first pulse train.

Claim 18

In combination: means for defining a first path along which a web is continuously advanced; means for defining a second path along which a printed ribbon is advanced; said second path being adjacent to said first path at a numbering position thereof; a plurality of numbering wheels mounted on a first side of said paths adjacent to said numbering position; said numbering wheels each being independently settable to predetermined positions; means mounted on a second side of said paths adjacent to said numbering position of said paths for impelling said web and said ribbon aGainst said plurality of numbering wheels; said numbering wheels have a sequence of symbols arranged thereon with physically adjacent symbols having a predetermined spacing therebetween; said symbols being arranged in two interspersed series wherein the sequence proceeds in opposite directions in the two series so that sequentially adjacent symbols within each series are physically separated by twice said predetermined spacing while sequentially adjacent symbols which fall one in each series are physically separated by said predetermined spacing; and each of said plurality of numbering wheels are positioned by: means responsive to the position of said numbering wheel for providing a first position signal when a symbol is at said predetermined position which is not in the same series as the next symbol in the sequence; and means rendered effective by a control signal responsive to said first position signal for moving said numbering wheel twice said predetermined spacing with respect to said predetermined position; said moving means being further responsive to said second position signal for moving said numbering wheel said predetermined spacing with respect to said predetermined position.

Claim 19

In combination: means for defining a first path along which a web is continuously advanced; means for defining a second path along which a printed ribbon is advanced; said second path being adjacent to said first path at a numbering position thereof; a plurality of numbering wheels mounted on a first side of said paths adjacent to said numbering position; said numbering wheels each being independently settable to predetermined positions; means mounted on a second side of said paths adjacent to said numbering position of said paths for impelling said web and said ribbon aGainst said plurality of numbering wheels; said numbering wheels have a sequence of symbols arranged thereon with physically adjacent symbols having a predetermined spacing therebetween; said symbols being arranged in two interspersed series wherein the sequence proceeds in opposite directions in the two series so that sequentially adjacent symbols within each series are physically separated by twice said predetermined spacing while sequentially adjacent symbols which fall one in each series are physically separated by said predetermined spacing; and each of said plurality of numbering wheels are positioned by: means responsive to the position of said numbering wheel for providing a first position signal when a symbol is at said predetermined position which is not in the same series as the next symbol in the sequence; and means rendered effective by a control signal responsive to said first position signal for moving said numbering wheel twice said predetermined spacing with respect to said predetermined position; said moving means being further responsive to said second position signal for moving said numbering wheel said predetermined spacing with respect to said predetermined position.

Claim 20

The combination as defined in claim 17 in which said web has markings thereon to indicate where said symbols are to be placed, said combination also including: means responsive to said markings on said web passing a predetermined place on said path for generating said control signal.

Claim 21

The combination as defined in claim 18 in which said control signal is employed for actuating said impelling means.

Claim 22

In combination: a numbering wheel having a sequence of symbols arranged thereon with physically adjacent symbols having a predetermined spacing therebetween; said symbols being arranged in two interspersed series wherein the sequence proceeds in opposite directions in the two series so that sequentially adjacent symbols within each series are physically separated by twice said predetermined spacing while sequentially adjacent symbols which fall one in each series are physically separated by said predetermined spacing; means for movably mounting said numbering wheel so that each of said symbols may be individually positioned adjacent to a predetermined point; and means for positioning said numbering wheel; said positioning means including: means responsive to the position of said numbering wheel for providing a first position signal when a symbol is adjacent to said predetermined point which is in the same series as the next symbol in the sequence and a second position signal when a symbol is adjacent to said predetermined point which is not in the same series as the next symbol in the sequence; and means rendered effective by a control signal responsive to said first position signal for moving said numbering wheel twice said predetermined spacing with respect to said predetermined point; said moving means being further responsive to said second position signal for moving said numbering wheel said predetermined spacing with respect to said predetermined point.

Claim 23

In combination: a numbering wheel having a sequence of symbols arranged thereon with physically adjacent symbols having a predetermined spacing therebetween; said symbols being arranged in two interspersed series wherein the sequence proceeds in opposite directions in the two series so that sequentially adjacent symbols within each series are physically separated by twice said predetermined spacing while sequentially adjacent symbols which fall one in each series are physically separated by said predetermined spacing; means for movably mounting said numbering wheel so that each of said symbols may be individually positioned adjacent to a predetermined point; and means for positioning said numbering wheel; said positioning means including: means responsive to the position of said numbering wheel for providing a first position signal when a symbol is adjacent to said predetermined point which is in the same series as the next symbol in the sequence and a second position signal when a symbol is adjacent to said predetermined point which is not in the same series as the next symbol in the sequence; and means rendered effective by a control signal responsive to said first position signal for moving said numbering wheel twice said predetermined spacing with respect to said predetermined point; said moving means being further responsive to said second position signal for moving said numbering wheel said predetermined spacing with respect to said predetermined point.

Claim 24

The combination as defined in claim 20 in which said positioning means is further responsive to said first position signal for advancing said numbering wheel in a first direction and further responsive to said second position signal for advancing said numbering wheel in a second direction.

Claim 25

The combination as defined in claim 21 in which said positioning means further includes: means responsive to a first gate signal for generating a first pulse train to advance said first numbering wheel a fixed angular increment for each pulse in said first pulse train; a first accumulator for accumulating occurrences of said control signal to provide a first accumulator output signal; a second accumulator for accumulating pulses in said first pulse train to provide a second accumulator output signal; and means responsive to a difference between said first and sEcond accumulator output signals for providing said first gate signal.

Claim 26

The combination as defined in claim 20 in which said positioning means also includes means responsive to the position of said numbering wheel for providing a third position signal when a symbol is adjacent to said predetermined point which is in the same series as the preceding symbol in the sequence and a fourth position signal when a symbol is adjacent to said predetermined point which is not in the same series as the preceding symbol in the sequence; and means for rendering said moving means responsive to said third and fourth position signals and nonresponsive to said first and second position signals respectively.

Claim 27

The combination as defined in claim 23 in which said positioning means is further responsive to said first position signal for advancing said numbering wheel in a first direction and further responsive to said second position signal for advancing said numbering wheel in a second direction.