Pivotable inking device with guard means for code dating apparatus

Claim 2

A rotary inking device for package marking apparatus employing a rotary printing member for marking packages in succession and at least one ink transfer roller in surface engagement with said printing member and an inking wheel, said inking wheel operatively engageable with said transfer roller in frictional surface to surface relationship therewith, plate means for supporting said inking device, first shaft means defining the rotational axis of said inking wheel, second shaft means defining a pivot axis for pivotal movement of said first shaft means normal to said rotational axis, coupling means for said first and second shaft means, said first and second shaft means being in spaced parallel planes and journal means secured to said plate means for receiving said second shaft means, said first shaft means being movable about said pivot axis whereby to displace said inking wheel from its operatively engaged position with said transfer roller to a disengaged position physically displaced from said transfer roller, said pivot axis being located physically offset from the rotational axis of said inking wheel and guard means secured to said first shaft means for movement therewith, said guard means extending over a portion of the periphery of said inking wheel to shield same and being movable with said inking wheel, said guard means being disposed in interference free relation relative to said plate means.

Claim 3

The inking device as claimed in claim 1 in which said guard means comprises an arcuate cover plate member and an arm permanently securing said cover plate member to said first shaft means, said cover plate spaced from the periphery of said inking wheel and being of a dimension sufficient to extend over a substantial portion thereof.

Claim 4

The inking device as claimed in claim 1 and limit means for limiting the extent of movement of said first shaft means between said positions.

Claim 5

The inking device as claimed in claim 1 in which said plate means includes a plate member having an edge and a slot defined in said plate member opening to said edge, said journal means being secured to said plate member at a location adjacent to said slot with said first shaft means being movable within said slot during movement of said wheel between said positions.

Claim 6

The inking device as claimed in claim 4 and a collar mounted to said first shaft means adjacent said coupling means, said collar being engageable with said plate member at the interior of said slot, the depth of said slot being selected so that said collar engages said plate means when the inking wheel is oriented in operative position operably engaged with said transfer roller.

Claim 7

The inking device as claimed in claim 4 in which said journal means includes a clamping device for receiving said second shaft means journaled therein and said coupling means comprises a crank member secured to said first shaft means, said second shaft means being secured to said crank member at a location so that the first and second shaft means are in spaced parallel planes and said first shaft means being aligned with said slot.

Claim 8

For use in rotary printing apparatus for marking individaul packages moving in a line past a rotary printing member, a rotary inking wheel operable upon at least one transfer roller to transfer ink to the printing member, guard means for said inking wheel extending about a substantial portion of the periphery thereof, a common shaft member, said inking wheel and said guard means together being secured to said common shaft member, means for enabling pivotal movement of said common shaft in a direction normal to the rotational axis of the inking wheel about a pivot axis spaced from thE rotational axis of the inking wheel and between a first position with the inking wheel operatively engaged with the transfer roller and second position offset from said first position about 90* and stop means for limiting the extent of movement of the common shaft member, a plate member for mounting said apparatus, said plate member having an outwardly opening elongate slot having an inner edge and said means for enabling pivotal movement of said inking wheel and guard means together relative to said plate member comprising coupling means, a second shaft defining said pivot axis, and journal means for receiving said second shaft, said coupling means comprising a crank member secured upon said common shaft member, said second shaft being secured to said coupling means so that said common shaft and second shaft lie in spaced parallel planes for movement of said common shaft member relative to said plate member in a direction normal to the rotational axis of said inking wheel, said common shaft being movable within said slot and said stop means including means carried by said coupling means.

Claim 9

For use in rotary printing apparatus for marking individaul packages moving in a line past a rotary printing member, a rotary inking wheel operable upon at least one transfer roller to transfer ink to the printing member, guard means for said inking wheel extending about a substantial portion of the periphery thereof, a common shaft member, said inking wheel and said guard means together being secured to said common shaft member, means for enabling pivotal movement of said common shaft in a direction normal to the rotational axis of the inking wheel about a pivot axis spaced from thE rotational axis of the inking wheel and between a first position with the inking wheel operatively engaged with the transfer roller and second position offset from said first position about 90* and stop means for limiting the extent of movement of the common shaft member, a plate member for mounting said apparatus, said plate member having an outwardly opening elongate slot having an inner edge and said means for enabling pivotal movement of said inking wheel and guard means together relative to said plate member comprising coupling means, a second shaft defining said pivot axis, and journal means for receiving said second shaft, said coupling means comprising a crank member secured upon said common shaft member, said second shaft being secured to said coupling means so that said common shaft and second shaft lie in spaced parallel planes for movement of said common shaft member relative to said plate member in a direction normal to the rotational axis of said inking wheel, said common shaft being movable within said slot and said stop means including means carried by said coupling means.

Claim 10

The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which said means carried by said coupling means includes a collar mounted on said common shaft, said collar having a flattened side engaging the said plate member when said inking wheel is in the first position.

Claim 11

A rotary inking device for package marking apparatus employing a rotary printing member for marking packages in succession and at least one ink transfer roller in surface engagement with said printing member and an inking wheel, said inking wheel operatively engagable with said transfer roller in frictional surface to surface relationship herewith, first shaft means for carrying said inking wheel for rotary movement thereabout, plate means for supporting the inking device, means to permit movement of said first shaft means in a direction normal to the rotaional axis of said inking wheel and physically offset from the rotational axis of said inking wheel and including second shaft means, means coupling one end of said second shaft means to said first shaft means and spaced therefrom with the respective axes thereof being at 90* one relative to the other and journal means secured to said plate means, said journal means receiving the other end of said second shaft means, said first and second shaft means are in spaced parallel planes and arcuate guard means secured to said first shaft means.

Claim 12

A rotary inking device for package marking apparatus employing a rotary printing member for marking packages in succession and at least one ink transfer roller in surface engagement with said printing member and an inking wheel, said inking wheel operatively engagable with said transfer roller in frictional surface to surface relationship herewith, first shaft means for carrying said inking wheel for rotary movement thereabout, plate means for supporting the inking device, means to permit movement of said first shaft means in a direction normal to the rotaional axis of said inking wheel and physically offset from the rotational axis of said inking wheel and including second shaft means, means coupling one end of said second shaft means to said first shaft means and spaced therefrom with the respective axes thereof being at 90* one relative to the other and journal means secured to said plate means, said journal means receiving the other end of said second shaft means, said first and second shaft means are in spaced parallel planes and arcuate guard means secured to said first shaft means.