Patent US4647863A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3868899A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Balloon printing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-04-30
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Granted: 1975-03-04
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Expires: 1993-04-30
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for printing on balloons including a conventional printing press including a driven rotary printing cylinder, and an endless driven conveyor positioned to be moved through a course including a portion adjacent and tangent to a portion of the periphery of the cylinder. Balloons are attached to the conveyor and then automatically inflated to be moved past the printed cylinder and be pressed thereagainst to receive a printed impression therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman H Nye
- 👤 Arthur T Medkeff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:32
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41F; B41F17/00; B41F17/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
270 words
Apparatus for printing on balloons and including in combination a printing press comprising a rotary printing cylinder for carrying an inked printing plate and apparatus for moving inflated balloons through a path tangent to said printing cylinder and characterized by an endless conveyor movable through a fixed course including a straight portion adjacent a portion of the periphery of said cylinder and which straight portion would be tangent to said portion of the periphery of said cylinder but is spaced therefrom, drive means for said cylinder and said conveyor to drive them at correlated speeds, a balloon positioning means on said conveyor having a balloon engaging tube extending in the direction of movement of said conveyor, a fixed source of a compressed gas, rotary seal joint means connected to said gas source, and flexible tube means connecting said rotary seal joint means to said balloon engaging tube to connect to the interior of a balloon positioned on said engaging tube to connect the balloon to said gas source or to atmosphere to control the pressure in the balloon and inflate it prior to movement past said cylinder, the balloon being pressed against said cylinder for receiving a printed impression therefrom by said straight portion of said conveyor, said balloon engaging tube positioning any said balloon to extend directly rearwardly therefrom in relation to the direction of movement of said conveyor, to pull a balloon past said printing cylinder while held thereagainst by said straight portion of the fixed course of said conveyor, the conveyor and the periphery of said printing cylinder being adapted to be moved at substantially equal speeds.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
270 words
Apparatus for printing on balloons and including in combination a printing press comprising a rotary printing cylinder for carrying an inked printing plate and apparatus for moving inflated balloons through a path tangent to said printing cylinder and characterized by an endless conveyor movable through a fixed course including a straight portion adjacent a portion of the periphery of said cylinder and which straight portion would be tangent to said portion of the periphery of said cylinder but is spaced therefrom, drive means for said cylinder and said conveyor to drive them at correlated speeds, a balloon positioning means on said conveyor having a balloon engaging tube extending in the direction of movement of said conveyor, a fixed source of a compressed gas, rotary seal joint means connected to said gas source, and flexible tube means connecting said rotary seal joint means to said balloon engaging tube to connect to the interior of a balloon positioned on said engaging tube to connect the balloon to said gas source or to atmosphere to control the pressure in the balloon and inflate it prior to movement past said cylinder, the balloon being pressed against said cylinder for receiving a printed impression therefrom by said straight portion of said conveyor, said balloon engaging tube positioning any said balloon to extend directly rearwardly therefrom in relation to the direction of movement of said conveyor, to pull a balloon past said printing cylinder while held thereagainst by said straight portion of the fixed course of said conveyor, the conveyor and the periphery of said printing cylinder being adapted to be moved at substantially equal speeds.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 where said balloon positioning means include clamp members for securing a said balloon to said balloon positioning means, means to release said clamp members after a said balloon has been moved past said cylinder, and means are operatively connected to said balloons for slowly releasing the pressure in a said balloon about as it is receiving a printing impression and continuing the air release after said clamp members are released so that a said balloon will blow itself off of said balloon positioning means on release of said clamp members.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-03 | 1978-09-02 | 1979-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-03 | 1982-09-02 | 1983-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-03 | 1986-09-02 | 1987-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |