US3961575A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printing apparatus for use on plastic containers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-04-12
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Granted: 1976-06-08
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Expires: 1994-04-12
Abstract
Abstract A printing apparatus having a back plate integrally connected to a ram capable of reciprocating or being stationary. The back plate has a surface that corresponds to the printing surface. A die carrying indicia is made to adjust to the contour of the printing surface automatically by use of spring bias means or resilient padding. Insert heaters are connected to each die. They allow flexibility of design and provide each die and/or decoration with a constant differing heat. Therefore, printing and decorating can be done on various sizes and shapes of plastic surfaces in a variety of colors.
Inventors
- 👤 Rowena Ann Rodabaugh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 03:12
CPC Classifications
B; B44; B44B; B44B5/00; B44B5/02; B44B5/026; B41; B41F; B41F17/00; B41F17/08; B41F17/14; B44B5/028
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A printing device for applying indicia to the surface of a workpiece including a backing member having a frontal surface which generally conforms to the configuration of said surface of the workpiece, a resilient member attached to said frontal surface of the backing member, a heater assembly disposed upon and attached to said resilient member, insulation means interposed between said heater assembly and said resilient member, a rigid, permanent-configuration die member attached to said heater assembly and disposed in heat transfer relationship with said heater assembly, a sheet of printing material having on one side thereof a coating of heat sensitive material, said sheet of printing material being disposed between said die member and said workpiece with said coating being on the side adjacent said workpiece, and motive means for moving the die member into registry with said workpiece to compress a portion of said sheet of printing material against the workpiece, whereby the heated die member causes that area of heat sensitive material overlying the die member to be released from the sheet of printing material and to be deposited on the work piece and, whereby movement of said die members into engagement with the workpiece by said motive means causes an automatic alignment of said die members with the workpiece due to the presence of the resilient means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
A printing device for applying indicia to the surface of a workpiece including a backing member having a frontal surface which generally conforms to the configuration of said surface of the workpiece, a resilient member attached to said frontal surface of the backing member, a heater assembly disposed upon and attached to said resilient member, insulation means interposed between said heater assembly and said resilient member, a rigid, permanent-configuration die member attached to said heater assembly and disposed in heat transfer relationship with said heater assembly, a sheet of printing material having on one side thereof a coating of heat sensitive material, said sheet of printing material being disposed between said die member and said workpiece with said coating being on the side adjacent said workpiece, and motive means for moving the die member into registry with said workpiece to compress a portion of said sheet of printing material against the workpiece, whereby the heated die member causes that area of heat sensitive material overlying the die member to be released from the sheet of printing material and to be deposited on the work piece and, whereby movement of said die members into engagement with the workpiece by said motive means causes an automatic alignment of said die members with the workpiece due to the presence of the resilient means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of resilient members, a like plurality of heater assemblies, and a like plurality of die members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 2, further including control means, operatively associated with each heater assembly for selecting and maintaining a heat for each heater assembly independently of the heat of the other heater assemblies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said heater assemblies each comprise a cartridge heater, at least one of said cartridge heaters being of a different size than the other of said cartridge heaters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 4, wherein the length of the die members is such as to space the workpiece a sufficient distance from the heater assemblies so that heat from the heater assemblies is essentially applied to the workpiece only through the die member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 5, wherein certain die members are aligned in a row adjacent one another, and wherein one or more of said die members other than said certain die members have indicia in the form of letters or decoration, and are located out of said row.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein said resilient member is a flexible pad.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, further including a die holder attachment secured on said backing member and being disposed around each of said heater assemblies for maintaining predetermined alignment of said die members while permitting limited movement of said die members to conform to the workpiece surface configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said motive means moves at least one die member at two or more sides of a work piece simultaneously and automatically.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 with magnetic means for mounting at the side of the die member to attract magnetic means mounted at the side of another die member on the other side of the workpiece to draw said die members toward each other with a constant pull during each printing operation.
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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) | 1979-06-08 | 1979-12-08 | 1980-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-08 | 1983-12-08 | 1984-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-08 | 1987-12-08 | 1988-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |