Patent US3880074A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3880074A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for automatically positioning and printing with respect to an index mark
Assignee: Optical Apparatus Co Inc
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Filing: 1972-01-12
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Granted: 1975-04-29
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Expires: 1992-01-12
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for automatically positioning and printing on an elongated element. The elongated element may be a pipette having an index mark thereon. In one embodiment, the pipette is rotated at a first work station in order to place the index mark in a predetermined rotational position for easy detection at a second work station. At the second work station, the pipette is moved longitudinally until the index mark is detected. The pipette is then automatically moved into contact with a printing device which prints a scale on the pipette.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L Seifert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:02
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41F; B41F17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
264 words
Apparatus for automatically silk screening indicia upon transparent tubular members in precise registration with reference marks previously incorporated thereon as a measure of calibrated internal capacity, each of said reference marks being in the form of an opaque short arcuate line on the outer tubular wall normal to the tubular axis, comprising a silk screen stencil having calibrated spaced openings therein disposed along a predetermined axis, including a squeegee for pressing paint through such openings, conveyor menas for transporting the tubular members so that the axes thereof are arranged in substantially parallel disposition with the axis of the stencil openings, first photoelectric means interposed at a first station in the path of travel of the tubular members, manipulating means for rotating said tubular members in a predetermined direction at the first station until the arcuate reference line on such tubular member intercepts the first photoelectric means and orients the arcuate reference line in a predetermined direction, second photoelectric means interposed at a second station in the path of travel of said tubular members, second manipulating means for shifting the tubular members axially within said conveyor means until the reference line intercepts said second photOelectric means so that the reference mark on such tubular member is displaced to a position in registration with the calibrated spaced openings of the stencil, carriage means for relatively moving one tubular member at a time into contact with said stencil, and means for drawing said stencil over the tubular member in registered contact therewith so that the squeegee forces paint through the calibrated openings and imprints said tubular member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
264 words
Apparatus for automatically silk screening indicia upon transparent tubular members in precise registration with reference marks previously incorporated thereon as a measure of calibrated internal capacity, each of said reference marks being in the form of an opaque short arcuate line on the outer tubular wall normal to the tubular axis, comprising a silk screen stencil having calibrated spaced openings therein disposed along a predetermined axis, including a squeegee for pressing paint through such openings, conveyor menas for transporting the tubular members so that the axes thereof are arranged in substantially parallel disposition with the axis of the stencil openings, first photoelectric means interposed at a first station in the path of travel of the tubular members, manipulating means for rotating said tubular members in a predetermined direction at the first station until the arcuate reference line on such tubular member intercepts the first photoelectric means and orients the arcuate reference line in a predetermined direction, second photoelectric means interposed at a second station in the path of travel of said tubular members, second manipulating means for shifting the tubular members axially within said conveyor means until the reference line intercepts said second photOelectric means so that the reference mark on such tubular member is displaced to a position in registration with the calibrated spaced openings of the stencil, carriage means for relatively moving one tubular member at a time into contact with said stencil, and means for drawing said stencil over the tubular member in registered contact therewith so that the squeegee forces paint through the calibrated openings and imprints said tubular member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
157 words
Apparatus for positioning a transparent elongated element having an index mark thereon located within a predetermined portion of the length of the elongated element, comprising: means for rotating the elongated element about its elongated axis; an optical source of energy means mounted for passing light through the transparent elongated element; an array of optical detectors receiving light from said optical source means, said array of optical detectors being comprised of a plurality of optical detectors arranged to detect the light over a predetermined area; means for stopping said rotating means in response to at least one of said optical detectors of said optical array detecting said index mark in a predetermined position relative to a second optical detecting means; means for moving the elongated element lengthwise; and means for stopping said moving means in response to said second optical detecting menas detecting said index mark whereby said transparent elongated element is positioned in a predetermined longitudinal position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
157 words
Apparatus for positioning a transparent elongated element having an index mark thereon located within a predetermined portion of the length of the elongated element, comprising: means for rotating the elongated element about its elongated axis; an optical source of energy means mounted for passing light through the transparent elongated element; an array of optical detectors receiving light from said optical source means, said array of optical detectors being comprised of a plurality of optical detectors arranged to detect the light over a predetermined area; means for stopping said rotating means in response to at least one of said optical detectors of said optical array detecting said index mark in a predetermined position relative to a second optical detecting means; means for moving the elongated element lengthwise; and means for stopping said moving means in response to said second optical detecting menas detecting said index mark whereby said transparent elongated element is positioned in a predetermined longitudinal position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 including means for printing on the elongated transparent element after it has been positioned.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for positioning an elongated element having an index mark thereon, comprising: a work station having means for receiving the elongated element; first means at said work station for detecting the index mark on the elongated element; means at said work station for rotating the elongated element, said rotating means stopping in response to said first detecting means detecting the index mark in a predetermined rotational position; second means at said work station for detecting the index mark on the elongated element; and means at said work station for moving the elongated element longitudinally, said moving means ceasing to move the elongated element in response to said second detecting means detecting the index mark in a predetermined longitudinal position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for positioning an elongated element having an index mark thereon, comprising: a work station having means for receiving the elongated element; first means at said work station for detecting the index mark on the elongated element; means at said work station for rotating the elongated element, said rotating means stopping in response to said first detecting means detecting the index mark in a predetermined rotational position; second means at said work station for detecting the index mark on the elongated element; and means at said work station for moving the elongated element longitudinally, said moving means ceasing to move the elongated element in response to said second detecting means detecting the index mark in a predetermined longitudinal position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus for positioning an elongated element as recited in claim 4 including means for printing on the elongated element after it has been positioned.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus for positioning an elongated element as recited in claim 5 wherein said printing means includes a silk screen printing apparatus for printing scale indicia on the elongated element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus for positioning an elongated element as recited in claim 5 including means for conveying the elongated element to said work station and away from said work station after printing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus for positioning an elongated element as recited in claim 4 wherein said first and second detecting means include photocells illuminated by light passing through the elongated element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus for positioning an elongated element as recited in claim 4 wherein said rotating means includes at least one roller of a pair of rollers being rotated by a motor, the elongated element being supported by said pair of rollers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus for positioning an elongated element as recited in claim 4 wherein said moving means includes means for vertically moving said receiving means, a member for causing the elongated element to move longitudinally as said receiving means moves vertically and means for retracting said member when said second detector means detects the index mark in a predetermined longitudinal position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for positioning an elongated element having an index mark thereon, comprising: a first work station having means for receivinG the elongated element; means for conveying the elongated element, said conveying means conveying the elongated element to said first work station; first means at said first work station for detecting the index mark on the elongated element; means at said first work station for rotating the elongated element, said rotating means stopping in response to said first detecting means detecting the index mark in a predetermined rotational position; a second work station, said conveying means conveying the elongated element from said first work station to said second work station; second means at said second work station for detecting the index mark on the elongated element; and means at second work station for moving the elongated element longitudinally, the movement caused by said moving means stopping in response to said second detecting means detecting the index mark in a predetermined longitudinal position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for positioning an elongated element having an index mark thereon, comprising: a first work station having means for receivinG the elongated element; means for conveying the elongated element, said conveying means conveying the elongated element to said first work station; first means at said first work station for detecting the index mark on the elongated element; means at said first work station for rotating the elongated element, said rotating means stopping in response to said first detecting means detecting the index mark in a predetermined rotational position; a second work station, said conveying means conveying the elongated element from said first work station to said second work station; second means at said second work station for detecting the index mark on the elongated element; and means at second work station for moving the elongated element longitudinally, the movement caused by said moving means stopping in response to said second detecting means detecting the index mark in a predetermined longitudinal position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus for positioning an elongated element as recited in claim 11 including means for printing on the elongated elements after it has been positioned.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus for positioning an elongated element as recited in claim 12 wherein said printing means includes a silk screen printing apparatus for printing indicia on the elongated element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus for positioning an elongated element as recited in claim 12 including means for conveying the elongated element to said second work station and away from said second work station after printing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus for positioning an elongated element as recited in claim 11 wherein said first and second detecting means include photocells illuminated by light passing through the elongated element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus for positioning an elongated element as recited in claim 11 wherein said rotating means includes at least one roller of a pair of rollers being rotated by a motor, the elongated element being supported by said pair of rollers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus for positioning and elongated element as recited in claim 11 wherein said moving means includes means for vertically moving said receiving means, a member for causing the elongated element to move longitudinally as said receiving means moves vertically and means for retracting said memeber when said second detector means detects the index mark in a predetermined longitudinal position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
257 words
Apparatus for automatically printing a scale on a transparent elongated element having an index mark thereon, said scale being printed relative to said index mark, comprising: a base; means for reciprocally moving said base in a first and a second direction; a first work station having means for receiving the elongated element, said first work station being mounted on said base; a second work station having means for receiving the elongated element, said second work station being mounted on said base; means for conveying the elongated element to said first and second work stations in sequence, the elongated element being removed from said conveying means when said reciprocally moving means moves in said first direction and replaced on said conveying means when moved in said second direction; first means at said first work station for detecting the index mark on the elongated element; means at said first work station for rotating the elongated element, said rotating means stopping in response to said first detecting means detecting the index mark in a predetermined rotational position; second means at said second work station for detecting the index mark on the elongated element; means at said second work station for moving the elongated element longitudinally, the movement caused by said moving means stopping in response to said second detecting means detecting the index mark in a predetermined longitudinal position; and means for printing on said elongated element, said printing means being contacted by said elongated element when said reciprocally moving means reaches its limit of travel in saiD first direction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
257 words
Apparatus for automatically printing a scale on a transparent elongated element having an index mark thereon, said scale being printed relative to said index mark, comprising: a base; means for reciprocally moving said base in a first and a second direction; a first work station having means for receiving the elongated element, said first work station being mounted on said base; a second work station having means for receiving the elongated element, said second work station being mounted on said base; means for conveying the elongated element to said first and second work stations in sequence, the elongated element being removed from said conveying means when said reciprocally moving means moves in said first direction and replaced on said conveying means when moved in said second direction; first means at said first work station for detecting the index mark on the elongated element; means at said first work station for rotating the elongated element, said rotating means stopping in response to said first detecting means detecting the index mark in a predetermined rotational position; second means at said second work station for detecting the index mark on the elongated element; means at said second work station for moving the elongated element longitudinally, the movement caused by said moving means stopping in response to said second detecting means detecting the index mark in a predetermined longitudinal position; and means for printing on said elongated element, said printing means being contacted by said elongated element when said reciprocally moving means reaches its limit of travel in saiD first direction.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein said moving means at said second work station comprises a member having a pivoted end and a free end, said free end being slanted toward said receiving means in said first direction, and means for moving said free end away from said receiving means in response to said second detecting means detecting the index mark in a predetermined longitudinal position.
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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) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |