Cartridge-type ink supply device for labeling machines

Claim 2

In an ink supply device for supplying ink onto a type surface of a printing mechanism of a labeling machine, said printing mechanism being used for printing inscriptions on each of a series of labels fed by indexed movement along a travel path thereof within the machine and said ink supply device comprising holding means adapted for supporting and attaching the device onto the machine; said ink supply device comprising an inking roller cartridge having at least one inking roller and a U-shaped inking roller support for supporting said inking roller, said U-shaped inking roller support having engaging means, said holding means comprising a cartridge holder adapted for holding said inking roller cartridge, said cartridge holder having a first part adapted to be detachably engaged with a part of the labeling machine and with a second part adapted to be detachably engaged with said former engaging means of said U-shaped inking roller support to support thereby said inking roller cartridge; said engaging means of said U-shaped inking roller support comprises mortise means, said second part of said cartridge holder having tenon means adapted to be detachably engaged with said mortise means to support detachably said inking roller cartridge, said first part of said cartridge holder having a structure adapted to be detachably engaged with a part of the labeling machine and for urging the inking roller of said cartridge onto a type surface of the printing mechanism of the labeling machine.

Claim 3

In an ink supply device for supplying ink onto a type surface of a printing mechanism of a labeling machine, said printing mechanism being used for printing inscriptions on each of a series of labels fed by indexed movement along a travel path thereof within the machine and said ink supply device comprising holding means adapted for supporting and attaching the device onto the machine; said ink supply device comprising an inking roller cartridge having at least one inking roller and a U-shaped inking roller support for supporting said inking roller, said U-shaped inking roller support having engaging means, said holding means comprising a cartridge holder adapted for holding said inking roller cartridge, said cartridge holder having a first part adapted to be detachably engaged with a part of the labeling machine and with a second part adapted to be detachably engaged with said former engaging means of said U-shaped inking roller support to support thereby said inking roller cartridge; said engaging means of said U-shaped inking roller support comprising mortise means, said second part of said cartridge holder having tenon means adapted to be detachably engaged with said mortise means to support detachably said inking roller cartridge, said first part of said cartridge holder having a structure adapted to be detachably engaged with a part of the labeling machine and for urging the inking roller of said cartridge onto a type surface of the printing mechanism of the labeling machine, said engaging means of said U-shaped inking roller support comprising a mortise capable of being detachably engaged with the engaging means of the cartridge holder, the first part of the cartridge holder comprising a pin fixedly supported by frames of the labeling machine so as to be parallel to the axis of the printing mechanism, a first fingerhold tab formed at one end of said cartridge holder and having at least one first gripping jaw, a second fingerhold tab pivotable with respect to said first fingerhold tab and having second gripping jaw which cooperates with said first gripping jaw for relatively loose gripping engagement of said pin, and spring means biasing said first and second gripping jaws toward each other, whereby said cartridge holder can be mounted on and dismounted from said pin when said first and second gripping jaws are manipulated into and out of gripping engagement with said pin while a compressing pressure is being exerted on said first and second fingerhold tabs against the bias of said spring means, aligning means for causing said inking roller cartridge to be mounted on said tenon means of said cartridge holder in a position of correct alignment with said cartridge holder, said aligning means comprising a projection formed on said tenon means, and an indentation formed in the U-shaped inking roller support of the inking roller cartridge, said projection having a shape releasably engaged in said indentation when said cartridge holder is attached to said inking roller support, said projection comprising a leaf spring, an open-top cartridge box having a chamber for housing a plurality of inking roller cartridges identical with said inking roller cartridge, said box having a shape providing for easy removal and insertion of an inking roller cartridge from and into said box, said cartridge box including a side wall thicker than other side walls and having a plurality of guide channels formed transversely in its top surface in parallel spaced relationship, said guide channels having shapes for guiding therethrough the tenon provided in the engaging means of the cartridge holder into the mortises of the respective inking roller cartridges housed in said cartridge box, said cartridge box comprising a cover slidable between opening and closing positions thereof.

Claim 4

In an ink supply device for supplying ink onto a type surface of a printing mechanism of a labeling machine, said printing mechanism being used for printing inscriptions on each of a series of labels fed by indexed movement along a travel path thereof within the machine and said ink supply device comprising holding means adapted for supporting and attaching the device onto the machine; said ink supply device comprising an inking roller cartridge having at least one inking roller and a U-shaped inking roller support for supporting said inking roller, said U-shaped inking roller support having engaging means, said holding means comprising a cartridge holder adapted for holding said inking roller cartridge, said cartridge holder having a first part adapted to be detachably engaged with a part of the labeling machine and with a second part adapted to be detachably engaged with said former engaging means of said U-shaped inking roller support to support thereby said inking roller cartridge; said engaging means of said U-shaped inking roller support comprising mortise means, said second part of said cartridge holder having tenon means adapted to be detachably engaged with said mortise means to support detachably said inking roller cartridge, said first part of said cartridge holder having a structure adapted to be detachably engaged with a part of the labeling machine and for urging the inking roller of said cartridge onto a type surface of the printing mechanism of the labeling machine, said engaging means of said U-shaped inking roller support comprising a mortise capable of being detachably engaged with the engaging means of the cartridge holder, the first part of the cartridge holder comprising a pin fixedly supported by frames of the labeling machine so as to be parallel to the axis of the printing mechanism, a first fingerhold tab formed at one end of said cartridge holder and having at least one first gripping jaw, a second fingerhold tab pivotable with respect to said first fingerhold tab and having second gripping jaw which cooperates with said first gripping jaw for relatively loose gripping engagement of said pin, and spring means biasing said first and second gripping jaws toward each other, whereby said cartridge holder can be mounted on and dismounted from said pin when said first and second gripping jaws are manipulated into and out of gripping engagement with said pin while a compressing pressure is being exerted on said first and second fingerhold tabs against the bias of said spring means, aligning means for causing said inking roller cartridge to be mounted on said tenon means of said cartridge holder in a position of correct alignment with said cartridge holder, said aligning means comprising a projection formed on said tenon means, and an indentation formed in the U-shaped inking roller support of the inking roller cartridge, said projection having a shape releasably engaged in said indentation when said cartridge holder is attached to said inking roller support, said projection comprising a leaf spring, an open-top cartridge box having a chamber for housing a plurality of inking roller cartridges identical with said inking roller cartridge, said box having a shape providing for easy removal and insertion of an inking roller cartridge from and into said box, said cartridge box including a side wall thicker than other side walls and having a plurality of guide channels formed transversely in its top surface in parallel spaced relationship, said guide channels having shapes for guiding therethrough the tenon provided in the engaging means of the cartridge holder into the mortises of the respective inking roller cartridges housed in said cartridge box, said cartridge box comprising a cover slidable between opening and closing positions thereof.

Claim 5

In an ink supply device for supplying ink onto a type surface of a printing mechanism of a labeling machine, said printing mechanism being used for printing inscriptions on each of a series of labels fed by indexed movement along a travel path thereof within the machine and said ink supply device comprising holding means adapted for supporting and attaching the device onto the machine; said ink supply device comprising an inking roller cartridge having at least one inking roller and a U-shaped inking roller support for supporting said inking roller, said U-shaped inking roller support having engaging means, said holding means comprising a cartridge holder adapted for holding said inking roller cartridge, said cartridge holder having a first part adapted to be detachably engaged with a part of the labeling machine and with a second part adapted to be detachably engaged with said former engaging means of said U-shaped inking roller support to support thereby said inking roller cartridge; said engaging means of said U-shaped inking roller support comprising mortise means, said second part of said cartridge holder having tenon means adapted to be detachably engaged with said mortise means to support detachably said inking roller cartridge, said first part of said cartridge holder having a structure adapted to be detachably engaged with a part of the labeling machine and for urging the inking roller of said cartridge onto a type surface of the printing mechanism of the labeling machine; said attaching mechanism first part of the cartridge holder comprises a pin fixedly supported by frames of the labeling machine so as to be parallel to the axis of the printing machine, a first fingerhold tab formed at one end of said cartridge holder and having at least one first gripping jaw, a second fingerhold tab pivotable with respect to said first fingerhold tab and having second gripping jaw which cooperates with said first gripping jaw for relatively loose gripping engagement of said pin, and spring means biasing said first and second gripping jaws toward each other, whereby said cartridge holder can be mounted on and dismounted from said pin when said first and second gripping jaws are manipulated into and out of gripping engagement with said pin while a compressing pressure is being exerted on said first and second fingerhold tabs against the bias of said spring means.

Claim 6

In an ink supply device for supplying ink onto a type surface of a printing mechanism of a labeling machine, said printing mechanism being used for printing inscriptions on each of a series of labels fed by indexed movement along a travel path thereof within the machine and said ink supply device comprising holding means adapted for supporting and attaching the device onto the machine; said ink supply device comprising an inking roller cartridge having at least one inking roller and a U-shaped inking roller support for supporting said inking roller, said U-shaped inking roller support having engaging means, said holding means comprising a cartridge holder adapted for holding said inking roller cartridge, said cartridge holder having a first part adapted to be detachably engaged with a part of the labeling machine and with a second part adapted to be detachably engaged with said former engaging means of said U-shaped inking roller support to support thereby said inking roller cartridge; said engaging means of said U-shaped inking roller support comprising mortise means, said second part of said cartridge holder having tenon means adapted to be detachably engaged with said mortise means to support detachably said inking roller cartridge, said first part of said cartridge holder having a structure adapted to be detachably engaged with a part of the labeling machine and for urging the inking roller of said cartridge onto a type surface of the printing mechanism of the labeling machine; said attaching mechanism first part of the cartridge holder comprises a pin fixedly supported by frames of the labeling machine so as to be parallel to the axis of the printing machine, a first fingerhold tab formed at one end of said cartridge holder and having at least one first gripping jaw, a second fingerhold tab pivotable with respect to said first fingerhold tab and having second gripping jaw which cooperates with said first gripping jaw for relatively loose gripping engagement of said pin, and spring means biasing said first and second gripping jaws toward each other, whereby said cartridge holder can be mounted on and dismounted from said pin when said first and second gripping jaws are manipulated into and out of gripping engagement with said pin while a compressing pressure is being exerted on said first and second fingerhold tabs against the bias of said spring means.

Claim 7

In an ink supply device for supplying ink into onto a type surface of a printing mechanism of a labeling machine, said printing mechanism being used for printing inscriptions on each of a series of labels fed by indexed movement along a travel path thereof within the machine and said ink supply device comprising holding means adapted for supporting and attaching the device onto the machine; said ink supply device comprising an inking roller cartridge having at least one inking roller and a U-shaped inking roller support for supporting said inking roller, said U-shaped inking roller support having engaging means, said holding means comprising a cartridge holder adapted for holding said inking roller cartridge, said cartridge holder having a first part adapted to be detachably engaged with a part of the labeling machine and with a second part adapted to be detachably engaged with said former engaging means of said U-shaped inking roller support to support thereby said inking roller cartridge; said engaging means of siad U-shaped inking roller support comprising mortise means, said second part of said cartridge holder having tenon means adapted to be detachably engaged with said mortise means to support detachably said inking roller cartridge, said first part of said cartridge holder having a structure adapted to be detachably engaged with a part of the labeling machine and for urging the inking roller of said cartridge onto a type surface of the printing mechanism of the labeling machine; aligning means for causing said inking roller cartridge to be mounted on said tenon means of said cartridge holder in a position of correct alignment with said cartridge holder.

Claim 8

In an ink supply device for supplying ink into onto a type surface of a printing mechanism of a labeling machine, said printing mechanism being used for printing inscriptions on each of a series of labels fed by indexed movement along a travel path thereof within the machine and said ink supply device comprising holding means adapted for supporting and attaching the device onto the machine; said ink supply device comprising an inking roller cartridge having at least one inking roller and a U-shaped inking roller support for supporting said inking roller, said U-shaped inking roller support having engaging means, said holding means comprising a cartridge holder adapted for holding said inking roller cartridge, said cartridge holder having a first part adapted to be detachably engaged with a part of the labeling machine and with a second part adapted to be detachably engaged with said former engaging means of said U-shaped inking roller support to support thereby said inking roller cartridge; said engaging means of siad U-shaped inking roller support comprising mortise means, said second part of said cartridge holder having tenon means adapted to be detachably engaged with said mortise means to support detachably said inking roller cartridge, said first part of said cartridge holder having a structure adapted to be detachably engaged with a part of the labeling machine and for urging the inking roller of said cartridge onto a type surface of the printing mechanism of the labeling machine; aligning means for causing said inking roller cartridge to be mounted on said tenon means of said cartridge holder in a position of correct alignment with said cartridge holder.

Claim 9

The ink supply device as recited in claim 4, wherein said aligning means comprises a projection formed on said tenon means, and an indentation formed in the U-shaped inking roller support of the inking roller cartridge, said projection having shape which is releasably engaged in said indentation when the cartridge holder is attached to said inking roller support.

Claim 10

The ink supply device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said projection consists of a leaf spring.

Claim 11

In a ink supply device for supply ink onto a type surface of a printing mechanism of a labeling machine, said printing mechanism being used for printing inscriptions on each of a series of labels fed by indexed movement along a travel path thereof within the machine and said ink supply device comprising holding means adapted for supporting and attaching the device onto the machine; said ink supply device comprising an inking roller cartridge having at least one inking roller and a U-shaped inking roller support for supporting said inking roller, said U-shaped inking roller support having engaging means, said holding means comprising a cartridge holder adapted for holding said inking roller cartridge, said cartridge holder having a first part adapted to be detachably engaged with a part of the labeling machine and with a second part adapted to be detachably engaged with said former engaging means of said U-shaped inking roller support to support thereby said inking roller cartridge; an open-top cartridge box having a chamber for housing a plurality of inking roller cartridges identical with said inking roller cartridge, said box having a shape for causing easy removal and insertion of any of the inking roller cartridges from and into said box; said cartridge box including a side wall which is thicker than other side walls and which has a plurality of guide channels formed transversely in its top surface in parallel spaced relationship, said guide channels having shapes for guiding therethrough a tenon provided in engaging means of the cartridge holder into mortises of the respective inking roller cartridges housed in said cartridge box.

Claim 12

In a ink supply device for supply ink onto a type surface of a printing mechanism of a labeling machine, said printing mechanism being used for printing inscriptions on each of a series of labels fed by indexed movement along a travel path thereof within the machine and said ink supply device comprising holding means adapted for supporting and attaching the device onto the machine; said ink supply device comprising an inking roller cartridge having at least one inking roller and a U-shaped inking roller support for supporting said inking roller, said U-shaped inking roller support having engaging means, said holding means comprising a cartridge holder adapted for holding said inking roller cartridge, said cartridge holder having a first part adapted to be detachably engaged with a part of the labeling machine and with a second part adapted to be detachably engaged with said former engaging means of said U-shaped inking roller support to support thereby said inking roller cartridge; an open-top cartridge box having a chamber for housing a plurality of inking roller cartridges identical with said inking roller cartridge, said box having a shape for causing easy removal and insertion of any of the inking roller cartridges from and into said box; said cartridge box including a side wall which is thicker than other side walls and which has a plurality of guide channels formed transversely in its top surface in parallel spaced relationship, said guide channels having shapes for guiding therethrough a tenon provided in engaging means of the cartridge holder into mortises of the respective inking roller cartridges housed in said cartridge box.