US4091910A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for embossing cards and sheets
Assignee: DBS Inc
•
Filing: 1975-12-15
•
Granted: 1978-05-30
•
Expires: 1995-12-15
Abstract
Abstract An electronically controlled embossing machine for embossing alpha-numeric characters on flexible sheets such as, for example, plastic or metal credit cards or nameplates. Embossing is accomplished by two constantly rotating embossing wheels which carry radially movable embossing molds about their peripheries. One embossing wheel carries male or projecting embossing molds; the second wheel carries matching female or intaglio embossing molds. Selection of a certain character via a keyboard, or by electrical signals from any data source, causes the appropriate male and female molds to be moved radially outwardly on each wheel by mechanical mold cam levers. A flexible sheet, such as a plastic credit card blank, interposed in the bite of the two embossing wheels, is embossed by the radially extended embossing molds in a rolling-squeezing process. After the embossing of a selected character on the flexible sheet, the previously selected embossing molds are returned inwardly to their original positions and the flexible sheet is indexed to the proper position for embossing of the next character. An electronic system senses the instantaneous position of the embossing wheels and controls the timing of the embossing sequence including actuation of solenoids for the selection and extension of desired embossing molds.
Inventors
- 👤 Edgar A. Bolton
- 👤 Gust A. Olson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:59
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J3/00; B41J3/38; B41J3/385; B41J3/387
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 99
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
In a machine for embossing characters in flexible sheets, the combination comprising, first and second embossing wheels mounted for coplanar synchronous rotation about constantly spaced adjacent parallel axes, with their peripheries spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of said flexible sheets, first and second corresponding sets of embossing molds respectively mounted about the peripheries of said first and second embossing wheels, means for moving during rotation of said wheels a selected matching pair of embossing molds, one of said pair from each of said first and second sets, along radii of said wheels to extend radially outwardly from said embossing wheels, whereby a character borne by the selected matching pair of embossing molds is embossed in a flexible sheet placed between the embossing wheels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a machine for embossing characters in flexible sheets, the combination comprising, first and second embossing wheels mounted for coplanar synchronous rotation about constantly spaced adjacent parallel axes, with their peripheries spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of said flexible sheets, first and second corresponding sets of embossing molds respectively mounted about the peripheries of said first and second embossing wheels, means for moving during rotation of said wheels a selected matching pair of embossing molds, one of said pair from each of said first and second sets, along radii of said wheels to extend radially outwardly from said embossing wheels, whereby a character borne by the selected matching pair of embossing molds is embossed in a flexible sheet placed between the embossing wheels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The embossing machine of claim 1, further comprising, first and second meshing ring gears respectively mounted about said first and second embossing wheels, and, means for constantly rotating said first and second embossing wheels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The embossing machine of claim 2, wherein said means for constantly rotating comprises an electric motor having a gear on its armature shaft meshing with one of said ring gears.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The embossing machine of claim 1, further comprising a machine base plate to which is attached first and second upwardly extending cylindrical shafts, and, wherein said first and second embossing wheels comprise first and second circular disks respectively rotatably mounted on said first and second upwardly extending shafts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The embossing machine of claim 4, further comprising, first and second meshing ring gears respectively mounted about said first and second circular disks, and, means for constantly rotating said first and second circular disks.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The embossing machine of claim 5, wherein said means for constantly rotating comprises an electric motor having a gear on its armature shaft meshing with one of said ring gears.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
The embossing machine of claim 1, wherein, each of said embossing wheels includes radially extending cavities located about its periphery, and, wherein each of said sets of embossing molds comprises a plurality of mold bodies, each body bearing on its outer face the representation of a character for embossing and mounted in one of said cavities for selective radial movement from a first position relatively toward the axis of said embossing wheel in which it is mounted to a second position extending radially outwardly from said embossing wheel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The embossing machine of claim 7, wherein, said radially extending cavities comprise equally spaced rectangular holes placed in the outer rim of each of said embossing wheels, and, each of said mold bodies comprise rectangular blocks mounted in one of said rectangular holes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
152 words
The embossing machine of claim 1, further comprising a machine base plate to which is attached first and second upwardly extending cylindrical shafts, wherein said first and second embossing wheels comprise first and second circular disks respectively rotatably mounted on said first and second upwardly extending shafts, first and second meshing ring gears respectively mounted about said first and second circular disks, means for constantly rotating said first and second circular disks, wherein each of said circular disks include radially extending cavities located about its periphery, and, wherein each of said sets of embossing molds comprises a plurality of mold bodies, each body bearing on its outer face the representation of a character for embossing and mounted in one of said cavities for selective radial movement from a first position relatively toward the axis of said disk in which it is mounted to a second position extending radially outwardly from said disk.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The embossing machine of claim 9, wherein said means for constantly rotating comprises an electrical motor having a gear on its armature shaft meshing with one of said ring gears.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The embossing machine of claim 9, wherein said radially extending cavities comprise equally spaced rectangular holes placed in the outer rim of each of said first and second circular disks, and, each of said mold bodies comprise rectangular blocks mounted in one of said rectangular holes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
123 words
The embossing machine of claim 1, wherein, each of said first and second embossing wheels include radially extending cavities located about its periphery, each of said sets of embossing molds comprises a plurality of mold bodies, each body bearing on its outer face the representation of a character for embossing and mounted in one of said cavities for selective radial movement from a first position relatively toward the axis of the embossing wheel in which it is mounted to a second position extending radially outwardly from said embossing wheel, and, said means for moving comprises a plurality of cam means each operable against the face of one of said mold bodies nearest the axis of the embossing wheel on which it is mounted.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
71 words
The embossing machine of claim 12, wherein each of said cam means comprises a lever rotatable about a radius of said embossing wheel from a first position free of said mold body to a second position against the face of the mold body nearest to the axis of the embossing wheel on which it is mounted, whereby the said mold body is cammed outwardly along a radius of said embossing wheel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The embossing machine of claim 13, further comprising means to rotate each of said cam means from said first position to said second position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The embossing machine of claim 14, wherein said means to rotate each of said cam means comprises an electrical solenoid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
The embossing machine of claim 12, wherein each of said cam means is mounted for movement parallel to said parallel axes from a first position to a second position for causing, when in said second position, said selected matching pair of embossing molds to extend radially outwardly from said embossing wheels.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The embossing machine of claim 16, further comprising ramp means mounted below each of said embossing wheels for slidably contacting said cam means to move said cam means from said first position to said second position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
72 words
The embossing machine of claim 16, wherein said cam means comprises first means having a shape relatively thin at its upper end and relatively thick at its lower end, and, second means depending from said first means and free to pivot through arcs along radii of said wheels so that the lower ends thereof may move between a first inward position along said radii and a second outward position along said radii.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The embossing machine of claim 18, further comprising ramp means mounted below each of said embossing wheels for slidably contacting the lower ends of said second means when said second means are in said first inward position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The embossing machine of claim 19, further comprising selection means for selectively moving said second means from said second outward position to said first inward position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The embossing machine of claim 20, wherein said selection means comprises impeller means for rotating from a rest position to an impact position for moving said second means to said first inward position, and, motor means for rotating said impeller means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The embossing machine of claim 1, further comprising means for transporting a flexible sheet to be embossed along perpendicular axes between said embossing wheels.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
96 words
The machine of claim 1, further comprising, means for sensing the angular position of said embossing wheels and developing an electrical output proportional thereto, means for generating a unique electrical output determined by the character to be embossed, means for generating a selection signal when a pre-determined relationship between the unique electrical output and the output proportional to the angular position of said embossing wheels is found to exist, and, means connected to receive said selection signal for causing said moving means to extend said selected pair of embossing molds radially outwardly from said embossing wheels.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
The machine of claim 23, wherein said means for sensing comprises, means for generating electrical pulses having a frequency proportional to the speed of rotation of said embossing wheels, and, digital counter means for generating a binary number corresponding to the number of generated electrical pulses.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The machine of claim 23, wherein said means for generating a unique electrical output comprises a manual keyboard having one electrical output line for each different character which may be embossed.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The machine of claim 24, wherein said means for generating a selection signal comprises a decoder for generating an output if a pre-determined binary number is found to have been generated by said digital counter means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
45 words
The machine of claim 26, wherein said means for generating a selection signal comprises a plurality of AND gates, each AND gate connected to receive as its input the output of said decoder and the unique electrical output determined by the character to be embossed.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
68 words
The machine of claim 23, wherein, said means for sensing comprises means for generating electrical pulses having a frequency proportion to the speed of rotation of said embossing wheels, and, digital counter means for generating a binary number of received electrical pulses, and, said means for generating a unique electrical output comprises a manual keyboard having one electrical output line for each different character which may be embossed.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
71 words
The machine of claim 23, wherein said means connected to receive said selection signal for causing said moving means to extend said selected pair of embossing molds comprises, cam means mounted between each of the sets of embossing molds and the axis of said embossing wheel on which said molds are mounted, and, solenoid means energizable by said selection signal for causing said cam means to extend said selected embossing molds.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The machine of claim 29, wherein said cam means comprises a plurality of levers mounted for rotation about a radius of said embossing wheel.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
161 words
In a machine for embossing characters in flexible sheets, the combination comprising, first and second embossing wheels mounted for coplanar synchronous rotation about constantly spaced adjacent parallel axes, each of said wheels including radially extending cavities located about its periphery, said peripheries spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of said flexible sheets, first and second corresponding sets of embossing molds, each set comprising a plurality of mold bodies, each of said bodies mounted for movement within one of said cavities, and, cam means for moving a selected matching pair of embossing molds, one of said pair from each of said first and second sets, from a first position relatively toward the axis of the embossing wheel on which it is mounted to a second position extending radially outwardly from said wheel during rotation of said wheels, whereby a character borne by the selected matching pair of embossing molds is embossed in a flexible sheet placed between the embossing wheels.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
161 words
In a machine for embossing characters in flexible sheets, the combination comprising, first and second embossing wheels mounted for coplanar synchronous rotation about constantly spaced adjacent parallel axes, each of said wheels including radially extending cavities located about its periphery, said peripheries spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of said flexible sheets, first and second corresponding sets of embossing molds, each set comprising a plurality of mold bodies, each of said bodies mounted for movement within one of said cavities, and, cam means for moving a selected matching pair of embossing molds, one of said pair from each of said first and second sets, from a first position relatively toward the axis of the embossing wheel on which it is mounted to a second position extending radially outwardly from said wheel during rotation of said wheels, whereby a character borne by the selected matching pair of embossing molds is embossed in a flexible sheet placed between the embossing wheels.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
70 words
The embossing machine of claim 31, wherein each of said cam means comprises a lever rotatable about a radius of said embossing wheel from a first position free of said mold body to a second position against the face of the mold body nearest the axis of the embossing wheel on which it is mounted, whereby the said mold body is cammed outwardly along a radius of said embossing wheel.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The embossing machine of claim 32, further comprising first means to rotate each of said levers from said first position to said second position.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The embossing machine of claim 33, wherein said means to rotate said levers comprises an electrical solenoid.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
41 words
The embossing machine of claim 32, wherein each of said levers is provided with a cammed surface on the side of the lever adjacent the face of the mold nearest the axis of the embossing wheel on which it is mounted.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
44 words
The embossing machine of claim 35, further comprising second means for rotating each of said levers from said second position to said first position whereby the mold body may move radially inwardly toward the axis of the embossing wheel on which it is mounted.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The embossing machine of claim 36, wherein said second means for rotating comprises a cam surface impacted by each of said levers in said second position.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
51 words
The embossing machine of claim 31, wherein each of said cam means is mounted for movement parallel to said parallel axes from a first position to a second position for causing, when in said second position, said selected matching pair of embossing molds to extend radially outwardly from said embossing wheels.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
36 words
The embossing machine of claim 38, further comprising ramp means mounted below each of said embossing wheels for slidably contacting said cam means to move said cam means from said first position to said second position.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
71 words
The embossing machine of claim 38, wherein said cam means comprises first means having a shape relatively thin at its upper end and relatively thick at its lower end, and second means depending from said first means and free to pivot through arcs along radii of said wheels so that the lower ends thereof may move between a first inward position along said radii and a second position along said radii.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
37 words
The embossing machine of claim 40, further comprising ramp means mounted below each of said embossing wheels for slidably contacting the lower ends of said second means when said second means are in said first inward position.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
The embossing machine of claim 41, further comprising selection means for selectively moving said second means from said second outward position to said first inward postion.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
41 words
The embossing machine of claim 42, wherein said selection means comprises impeller means for rotating from a rest position to an impact position for moving said second means to said first inward position, and, motor means for rotating said impeller means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
222 words
In a machine for embossing characters in flexible sheets, the combination comprising, base place means to which is attached first and second upwardly extending cylindrical shafts, said shafts having constantly spaced adjacent parallel axes, first and second embossing wheels respectively mounted for rotation on said shafts, each of said wheels including radially extending cavities located abouts its periphery, said peripheries spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of said flexible sheets, first and second meshing ring gears respectively mounted about said first and second embossing wheels, means for constantly rotating said first and second embossing wheels, first and second corresponding sets of embossing molds bodies, each body bearing on its outer face the representation of a character for embossing and mounted in one of said cavities for selective radial movement from a first position relatively toward the axis of the embossing wheel on which it is mounted, to a second position extending radially outwardly from said wheel, and, cam means for moving a selected matching pair of said mold bodies, one of said pair from each of said first and second sets, along radii of said wheels during rotation of said wheels outwardly from said embossing wheels, whereby a character borne by the selected matching pair of embossing mold bodies is embossed in a flexible sheet placed between the embossing wheels.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
222 words
In a machine for embossing characters in flexible sheets, the combination comprising, base place means to which is attached first and second upwardly extending cylindrical shafts, said shafts having constantly spaced adjacent parallel axes, first and second embossing wheels respectively mounted for rotation on said shafts, each of said wheels including radially extending cavities located abouts its periphery, said peripheries spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of said flexible sheets, first and second meshing ring gears respectively mounted about said first and second embossing wheels, means for constantly rotating said first and second embossing wheels, first and second corresponding sets of embossing molds bodies, each body bearing on its outer face the representation of a character for embossing and mounted in one of said cavities for selective radial movement from a first position relatively toward the axis of the embossing wheel on which it is mounted, to a second position extending radially outwardly from said wheel, and, cam means for moving a selected matching pair of said mold bodies, one of said pair from each of said first and second sets, along radii of said wheels during rotation of said wheels outwardly from said embossing wheels, whereby a character borne by the selected matching pair of embossing mold bodies is embossed in a flexible sheet placed between the embossing wheels.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
36 words
The embossing machine of claim 44, wherein said means for constantly rotating said first and second embossing wheels comprises an electric motor having a gear on its armature shaft meshing with one of said ring gears.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
The embossing machine of claim 44, further comprising means for transporting a flexible sheet to be embossed along perpendicular axes between said embossing wheels.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
91 words
The embossing machine of claim 44, further comprising means for sensing the angular position of said embossing wheels and developing an electrical output proportional thereto, means for generating a unique electrical output determined by the character to be embossed, means for generating a selection signal when a predetermined relationship between the unique electrical output and the output proportional to the angular position of said embossing wheels is found to exist, and, means connected to receive said selection signal for causing said cam means to move said matching pair of mold bodies.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
56 words
The embossing machine of claim 47, wherein said means for sensing the angular position of said embossing wheels comprises means for generating an electrical pulse upon the passage of each tooth of a toothed disc rotating with said embossing wheels, and digital counter means for generating a binary number corresponding to the number of generated pulses.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
32 words
The embossing machine of claim 47, wherein said means for generating a unique electrical output comprises a manual keyboard having one electrical output line for each different character which may be embossed.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
43 words
The embossing machine of claim 49, wherein said means for generating a selection signal comprises a plurality of decoder modules, each decoder module for generating an output if a predetermined binary number is found to have been generated by said digital counter means.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
197 words
In a machine for embossing characters in flexible sheets, the combination comprising, a first embossing wheel, a plurality of first embossing molds mounted around the periphery of said first embossing wheel, each of said embossing molds movable along a different radius of said first embossing wheel to extend outwardly from said wheel in a radial direction, each embossing mold bearing a single male character for embossing, a second embossing wheel, a plurality of second embossing molds mounted around the periphery of said second embossing wheel, each of said embossing molds movable along a different radius of said second embossing wheel to extend outwardly from said wheel in a radial direction, each embossing mold bearing a single female character matching one of said male characters, said peripheries spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of said flexible sheets, means for constantly rotating said first and second embossing wheels about constantly spaced adjacent parallel axes, and, means for selectively moving a selected matching pair of said first and second embossing molds outwardly from said first and second embossing wheels to emboss the character borne by the selected embossing molds in a flexible sheet placed between the embossing wheels.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
197 words
In a machine for embossing characters in flexible sheets, the combination comprising, a first embossing wheel, a plurality of first embossing molds mounted around the periphery of said first embossing wheel, each of said embossing molds movable along a different radius of said first embossing wheel to extend outwardly from said wheel in a radial direction, each embossing mold bearing a single male character for embossing, a second embossing wheel, a plurality of second embossing molds mounted around the periphery of said second embossing wheel, each of said embossing molds movable along a different radius of said second embossing wheel to extend outwardly from said wheel in a radial direction, each embossing mold bearing a single female character matching one of said male characters, said peripheries spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of said flexible sheets, means for constantly rotating said first and second embossing wheels about constantly spaced adjacent parallel axes, and, means for selectively moving a selected matching pair of said first and second embossing molds outwardly from said first and second embossing wheels to emboss the character borne by the selected embossing molds in a flexible sheet placed between the embossing wheels.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
30 words
The embossing machine of claim 51, further comrpsing machine base means with first and second upwardly extending cylindrical shafts with said first and second embossing wheels respectively rotatable mounted thereon.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
56 words
The embossing machine of claim 52, further comprising a ring gear mounted about the periphery of each of said embossing wheels, each of said gears in mesh with the other, and, wherein said means for constantly rotating comprises an electric motor having a gear on its armature shaft in mesh with one of said ring gears.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
43 words
The embossing machine of claim 51, wherein said first and second embossing wheels include cavities equally spaced around their peripheries, with one embossing mold mounted for radial movement relative to the embossing wheel in which it is mounted in each of said cavities.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
21 words
The embossing machine of claim 54, wherein said cavities comprise rectangular holes and each of said embossing molds comprise rectangular bodies.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
52 words
The embossing machine of claim 51, in which said means for selectively moving comprises cam means, with a single cam means rotatably mounted about a radius of the wheel to which it is attached from a first position away from an embossing mold to a second position in contact with said mold.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
22 words
The embossing machine of claim 56, further comprising means for rotating said cam means from said second position to said first position.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
59 words
The embossing machine of claim 51, in which said means for selectively moving comprises cam means mounted adjacent to the inward face of said embossing molds mounted for movement parallel to said parallel axes from a first position to a second position for causing said selected matching pair of embossing molds to extend radially outwardly from said embossing wheels.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
36 words
The embossing machine of claim 58, further comprising ramp means mounted below each of said embossing wheels for slidably contacting said cam means to move said cam means from said first position to said second position.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
85 words
The embossing machine of claim 58, wherein said cam means comprises first means having a shape relatively thin at its upper end and relatively thick at its lower end mounted for slidable contact with the said inward face of said embossing molds, and second means depending from said first means and free to pivot through arcs along radii of said wheels so that the lower ends thereof may move between a first inward position along said radii and a second outward position along said radii.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
37 words
The embossing machine of claim 60, further comprising ramp means mounted below each of said embossing wheels for slidably contacting the lower ends of said second means when said second means are in said first inward position.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
86 words
The embossing machine of claim 51, further comprising means for sensing the angular position of said embossing wheels and developing an electrical position output determined thereby, means for generating a unique electrical output corresponding to the character to be embossed, means for determining whether a predetermined relationship exists between said electrical position output and said unique electrical output and for generating a selection signal if said relationship is found, and, means for causing operation of said means for selectively moving in response to said selection signal.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
54 words
The embossing machine of claim 62, wherein said means for sensing the angular position of said embossing wheels comprises, means for generating electrical pulses having a frequency proportional to the speed of rotation of said embossing wheels, and, digital counter means for generating a binary number to indicate the number of electrical pulses counted.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
27 words
The embossing machine of claim 62, wherein said means for generating a unique electrical output comprises a manual keyboard having one output line for each operable key.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
14 words
The embossing machine of claim 62, wherein said causing means comprises an electrical solenoid.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
93 words
In a machine for embossing characters in flexible sheets, the combination comprising, first and second disks mounted for constant synchronous co-planar rotation about constantly spaced adjacent parallel axes, embossing molds mounted about the peripheries of said disks for movement along radii of said disks during rotation of said disks from a first position relatively toward the axis of the disk in which they are mounted to a second position radially extended from the disk in which they are mounted, said peripheries spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of said flexible sheets.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
93 words
In a machine for embossing characters in flexible sheets, the combination comprising, first and second disks mounted for constant synchronous co-planar rotation about constantly spaced adjacent parallel axes, embossing molds mounted about the peripheries of said disks for movement along radii of said disks during rotation of said disks from a first position relatively toward the axis of the disk in which they are mounted to a second position radially extended from the disk in which they are mounted, said peripheries spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of said flexible sheets.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
16 words
The embossing machine of claim 66, further comprising means for rotating said first and second disks.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
26 words
The embossing machine of claim 66, further comprising ring gears mounted in mesh about the first and second disks, and, motor means for rotating said disks.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
46 words
The embossing machine of claim 66, wherein, said first and second disks are provided with radially extending cavities equally spaced along their peripheries, and said embossing mold means comprises a plurality of mold bodies, each mold body mounted for radial movement within one of said cavities.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
27 words
The embossing machine of claim 66, further comprising means for selectively moving selected ones of said embossing mold means from said first position to said second position.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
50 words
The embossing machine of claim 70, wherein said means for selectively moving comprises cam means mounted for rotation about a radius of the disk on which it is mounted from a first position away from said embossing mold means to a second position in contact with said embossing mold means.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
55 words
The embossing machine of claim 70, wherein said means for selectively moving comprises cam means mounted adjacent to said embossing mold means mounted for movement parallel to said parallel axes from a first position to a second position for causing said selected matching pair of embossing molds to extend radially outwardly from said embossing wheels.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
80 words
The embossing machine of claim 72, wherein said cam means comprises first means having a shape relatively thin at its upper end and relatively thick at its lower end mounted for slidable contact with said embossing molds, and second means depending from said first means and free to pivot through arcs along radii of said wheels so that the lower ends thereof may move between a first inward position along said radii and a second outward position along said radii.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
36 words
The embossing machine of claim 73, further comprising ramp means mounted below each of said disks for slidably contacting the lower ends of said second means when said second means are in said first inward position.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
32 words
The embossing machine of claim 66, further comprising a machine base plate to which is attached first and second upwardly extending cylindrical shaft means for rotatably mounting said first and second disks.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
46 words
The embossing machine of claim 75, wherein, said first and second disks are provided with radially extending cavities spaced equally along their peripheries, and, said embossing mold means comprises a plurality of mold bodies, each mold body mounted for radial movement within one of said cavities.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
92 words
The embossing machine of claim 66, further comprising, means for sensing the angular position of said disks and developing an electrical output proportional thereto, means for generating a unique electrical output determined by the character to be embossed, means for generating a selection signal when a predetermined relationship between the unique electrical output and the output proportional to the angular position of said disks is found to exist, and, means connected to receive said selection signal for causing said embossing mold means to move from said first position to said second position.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
46 words
The embossing machine of claim 77, wherein said means for sensing comprises, means for generating electrical pulses having a frequency proportional to the speed of rotation of said disks, and, digital counter means for generating a binary number corresponding to the number of received electrical pulses.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
43 words
The embossing machine of claim 78, wherein said means for generating a selection signal comprises a plurality of decoder modules, each decoder module for generating an output if a pre-determined binary number is found to have been generated by said digital counter means.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
49 words
The embossing machine of claim 79, wherein said means for generating a selection signal comprises a plurality of AND gates, each AND gate connected to receive as its input the output of one of said decoder modules and the unique electrical output determined by the character to be embossed.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
32 words
The embossing machine of claim 77, wherein said means for generating a unique electrical output comprises a manual keyboard having one electrical output line for each different character which may be embossed.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
55 words
The embossing machine of claim 77, wherein said means connected to receive said selection signal comprises, cam means mounted between each of the embossing mold means and the axis of said disks, and, solenoid means energizable by said selection signal for causing said cam means to move said embossing mold means to said second position.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
25 words
The embossing machine of claim 82, wherein said cam means comprises a plurality of levers each mounted for rotation about a radius of said disks.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
23 words
The embossing machine of claim 66, further comprising means for transporting a flexible sheet to be embossed along perpendicular axes between said disks.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a method of embossing characters in flexible sheets, wherein embossing molds are mounted for selective radial movement about the peripheries of first and second embossing wheels, said peripheries spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of said flexible sheets, the steps of, constantly rotating the first and second embossing wheels in the same plane about constantly spaced parallel adjacent axes and at a distance between their adjacent edges slightly greater than the thickness of said flexible sheets to be embossed, placing a flexible sheet to be embossed in the bite of the two rotating embossing wheels, and, radially extending one embossing mold from corresponding angular positions of each of said embossing wheels so that a character carried by said extended embossing molds if embossed in said flexible sheet in a rolling-squeezing process.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a method of embossing characters in flexible sheets, wherein embossing molds are mounted for selective radial movement about the peripheries of first and second embossing wheels, said peripheries spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of said flexible sheets, the steps of, constantly rotating the first and second embossing wheels in the same plane about constantly spaced parallel adjacent axes and at a distance between their adjacent edges slightly greater than the thickness of said flexible sheets to be embossed, placing a flexible sheet to be embossed in the bite of the two rotating embossing wheels, and, radially extending one embossing mold from corresponding angular positions of each of said embossing wheels so that a character carried by said extended embossing molds if embossed in said flexible sheet in a rolling-squeezing process.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 85, further comprising the steps of electronically sensing the instantaneous angular positions of said first and second embossing wheels and generating an electrical position signal corresponding thereto, generating a unique electronic signal determined by the character to be embossed, and performing said extending step if a predetermined relationship is found between said electrical position signal and said unique electrical signals.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 86, wherein the step of electronically sensing comprises the steps of, generating electrical pulses proportional to the speed of revolution of said embossing wheels, and, counting said pulses for each resolution of said wheels and generating binary number corresponding thereto.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 86, wherein the step of generating a unique electrical signal comprises the step of manual operation of a keyboard to indicate the character to be embossed.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a machine for embossing characters in flexible sheets, the combination comprising, first and second embossing wheels mounted for co-planar synchronous rotation about constantly spaced adjacent parallel axes, first and second corresponding sets of embossing molds respectively mounted about the peripheries of said first and second embossing wheels, which peripheries are spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of said flexible sheets, means for moving during rotation of said embossing wheels a selected matching pair of embossing molds, one of said pair from each of said first and second sets, along radii of said wheels to extend radially outwardly from said embossing wheels, said means comprising cam means mounted adjacent to the inward face of said embossing molds mounted for movement parallel to said parallel axes from a first position to a second position for causing said selected matching pair of embossing molds to extend radially outwardly from said embossing wheels, whereby a character borne by the selected matching pair of embossing molds is embossed in a flexible sheet placed between the embossing wheels.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a machine for embossing characters in flexible sheets, the combination comprising, first and second embossing wheels mounted for co-planar synchronous rotation about constantly spaced adjacent parallel axes, first and second corresponding sets of embossing molds respectively mounted about the peripheries of said first and second embossing wheels, which peripheries are spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of said flexible sheets, means for moving during rotation of said embossing wheels a selected matching pair of embossing molds, one of said pair from each of said first and second sets, along radii of said wheels to extend radially outwardly from said embossing wheels, said means comprising cam means mounted adjacent to the inward face of said embossing molds mounted for movement parallel to said parallel axes from a first position to a second position for causing said selected matching pair of embossing molds to extend radially outwardly from said embossing wheels, whereby a character borne by the selected matching pair of embossing molds is embossed in a flexible sheet placed between the embossing wheels.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
36 words
The embossing machine of claim 89, further comprising ramp means mounted below each of said embossing wheels for slidably contacting said cam means to move said cam means from said first position to said second position.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
85 words
The embossing machine of claim 90, wherein said cam means comprises first means having a shape relatively thin at its upper end and relatively thick at its lower end mounted for slidable contact with the said inward face of said embossing molds, and second means depending from said first means and free to pivot through arcs along radii of said wheels so that the lower ends thereof may move between a first inward position along said radii and a second outward position along said radii.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
26 words
The embossing machine of claim 91, further comprising selection means for selectively moving said second means from said second outward position to said first inward position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1149151A
Cited
US2221424A
Cited
US2250567A
Cited
US2980014A
Cited
US3138092A
Cited
US3358593A
Cited
US3001469A
Cited
US3059750A
Cited
US3024723A
Cited
US3236352A
Cited
US3757684A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-05-29 | 1981-11-28 | 1982-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-29 | 1985-11-28 | 1986-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-29 | 1989-11-28 | 1990-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |