US4155229A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-09-01
•
Granted: 1979-05-22
•
Expires: 1997-09-01
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of sleeves extends through a printing-medium chamber; each sleeve has one or more openings through which its interior can communicate with the chamber. In each sleeve a plunger is reciprocable between a retracted position in which the opening is exposed so that printing medium can enter from the chamber, and a printing position in which the plunger closes the opening and the printing medium in the sleeve is applied to a workpiece. A drive reciprocates the plungers individually. The chamber may be pressurized to cause more rapid entry of printing medium into the sleeves. The quantity of printing medium applied during each plunger reciprocation may be selectively varied.
Inventors
- 👤 Mathias Mitter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:02
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41F; B41F31/00; B41F31/02; B41F17/00; B41F17/003; B41F17/38; D; D06; D06B; D06B11/00; D06B11/0056; D06B11/0066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A printing apparatus, comprising means for supporting a web to be printed; means forming a chamber for a body of printing medium and in part bounded by a wall juxtaposed with said supporting means; a plurality of sleeves extending through said chamber and each having an open end facing said supporting means and a port inwardly spaced from said open end by a predetermined distance and communicating its interior with said chamber; a plurality of plungers each reciprocably received in one of said sleeves and each having a leading end, said plungers each being movable between a retracted position in which said leading end at least in part uncovers the associated port so that printing medium can enter the sleeve and an advanced printing position in which said leading end is located forwardly of the associated port and the plunger closes the same; and means for reciprocating said plungers individually between said positions thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A printing apparatus, comprising means for supporting a web to be printed; means forming a chamber for a body of printing medium and in part bounded by a wall juxtaposed with said supporting means; a plurality of sleeves extending through said chamber and each having an open end facing said supporting means and a port inwardly spaced from said open end by a predetermined distance and communicating its interior with said chamber; a plurality of plungers each reciprocably received in one of said sleeves and each having a leading end, said plungers each being movable between a retracted position in which said leading end at least in part uncovers the associated port so that printing medium can enter the sleeve and an advanced printing position in which said leading end is located forwardly of the associated port and the plunger closes the same; and means for reciprocating said plungers individually between said positions thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said sleeves is provided with at least one additional port spaced lengthwise of the respective sleeve from the first-mentioned port.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 2, said reciprocating means being selectively operable to effect reciprocation of respective plungers to and from said retracted position and to and from an additional retracted position in which latter said leading end uncovers both of said ports.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said sleeves is provided with at least one additional port spaced from said open end by substantially said predetermined distance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 1; further comprising a variable-output pump for supplying printing medium to said chamber; and conduit means connecting said pump with said chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 1, said chamber being a pressurizable chamber; further comprising a variable-output pump for supplying printing medium under pressure into said chamber; and conduit means connecting said pump with said chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 1; and further comprising control means for controlling the operation of said reciprocating means to reciprocate said plungers singly or in groups.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said plungers are sealingly received in the associated sleeves to operate analogously to pump pistons.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said leading ends of said plungers are pointed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said reciprocating means comprise devices for reciprocating said plungers at high speed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said leading ends contact a web on said supporting means when said plungers are in said printing position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said leading ends penetrate at least in part into a web on said supporting means when said plungers are in said printing position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 1, said chamber-forming means comprising an elongated working beam; and further comprising means on said beam for pressurizing the body of printing medium in said chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 13, said pressurizing means comprising a plurality of pneumatic springs.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 13, said pressurizing means comprising a plurality of hydraulic springs.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 13, said pressurizing means comprising a plurality of devices each having a fluid-filled container provided with an open side, and adapted to bear upon the printing medium in said chamber so as to transmit thereto pressure from the fluid in said container.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 16; further comprising a pump having a continuously variable output and being connected with said chamber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 16; further comprising means for pressurizing the fluid in said containers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 18, said pressurizing means including means for generating pressure and applying it to the fluid in said containers, and means for maintaining said pressure at a selected level.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 16, said plungers each having a leading end which is in contact with the web to be printed when the respective plunger is in said printing position thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 16, said plungers each having a leading end which at least partly penetrates the web to be printed when the respective plunger is in said printing position thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 1, said reciprocating means comprising means for temporarily arresting the respective plungers in said retracted position for selectable periods of time to permit filling of the associated sleeve with printing medium prior to movement of the plunger to said printing position thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
A printing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the volumetric content of each of said sleeves is selected in accordance with the printing-medium absorbing ability of a web which it is intended to print.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for printing on a web, comprising means for confining a body of printing medium; a plurality of plungers; means mounting the plungers for reciprocation towards and away from the general plane of the web and through the body of printing medium, including sleeves in which the respective plungers reciprocate and which each communicate with said body and each have an open end facing the web; means for retracting said plungers in direction away from the web in the respective sleeves so as to segregate from the body of printing medium a metered amount of such medium, and for thereafter advancing the plungers towards the web; and means for applying segregated printing medium to the web on advancing of the plungers, including a portion of each plunger which expels the segregated printing medium through the respective open end onto the web.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for printing on a web, comprising means for confining a body of printing medium; a plurality of plungers; means mounting the plungers for reciprocation towards and away from the general plane of the web and through the body of printing medium, including sleeves in which the respective plungers reciprocate and which each communicate with said body and each have an open end facing the web; means for retracting said plungers in direction away from the web in the respective sleeves so as to segregate from the body of printing medium a metered amount of such medium, and for thereafter advancing the plungers towards the web; and means for applying segregated printing medium to the web on advancing of the plungers, including a portion of each plunger which expels the segregated printing medium through the respective open end onto the web.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein said applying means comprises a leading end on each plunger which contacts the web and transfers the entrained printing medium to the same on advancement of the respective plunger.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for printing on a web, comprising means for confining a body of printing medium; a plurality of plungers; means mounting said plungers for reciprocation towards and away from the general plane of the web, including for each plunger a sleeve having an open end facing the web and at least one port which is openable during reciprocation of the respective plunger for communication of the interior of the sleeve with said body of printing medium; means for pressurizing the body of printing medium to speed its entry into the sleeves through the opened ports; means for retracting said plungers in direction away from the web to segregate a metered quantity of printing medium from said body, and for thereafter advancing the plungers towards the web; and means for applying the segregated printing medium to the web prior to subsequent to advancing of the plungers.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for printing on a web, comprising means for confining a body of printing medium; a plurality of plungers; means mounting said plungers for reciprocation towards and away from the general plane of the web, including for each plunger a sleeve having an open end facing the web and at least one port which is openable during reciprocation of the respective plunger for communication of the interior of the sleeve with said body of printing medium; means for pressurizing the body of printing medium to speed its entry into the sleeves through the opened ports; means for retracting said plungers in direction away from the web to segregate a metered quantity of printing medium from said body, and for thereafter advancing the plungers towards the web; and means for applying the segregated printing medium to the web prior to subsequent to advancing of the plungers.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
157 words
An apparatus for printing on a web, comprising means for confining a body of printing medium of high viscosity; a plurality of plungers; means mounting the plungers for reciprocation towards and away from the general plane of the web and through the body of printing medium, including sleeves in which the respective plungers are reciprocable and which have openable ports for communication with the body of printing medium; means for temporarily arresting the respective plungers in their retracted position for a period of time sufficient for the highly viscous printing medium to enter the associated sleeves through the opened ports thereof; means for retracting said plungers in direction away from the web to segregate from the body of printing medium through said ports a metered quantity of the medium, and for thereafter advancing the plungers towards the web; and means for applying the segregated printing medium to the web prior or subsequent to advancing of the plungers.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
157 words
An apparatus for printing on a web, comprising means for confining a body of printing medium of high viscosity; a plurality of plungers; means mounting the plungers for reciprocation towards and away from the general plane of the web and through the body of printing medium, including sleeves in which the respective plungers are reciprocable and which have openable ports for communication with the body of printing medium; means for temporarily arresting the respective plungers in their retracted position for a period of time sufficient for the highly viscous printing medium to enter the associated sleeves through the opened ports thereof; means for retracting said plungers in direction away from the web to segregate from the body of printing medium through said ports a metered quantity of the medium, and for thereafter advancing the plungers towards the web; and means for applying the segregated printing medium to the web prior or subsequent to advancing of the plungers.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
133 words
An apparatus for printing on a web, comprising means for confining a body of printing medium; a plurality of plungers; means mounting said plungers for reciprocation towards and away from the general plane of the web, including for each plunger a sleeve having an open end facing the web and at least one port which is opened and closed by the associated plunger during reciprocation of the same for communication of the interior of the sleeve with said body of printing medium; means for reciprocating said plungers in said sleeves to segregate through the respective opened ports a metered quantity of the printing medium from said body; and means for applying the segregated printing medium to the web prior or subsequent to reciprocation of the plungers towards said general plane of the web.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
133 words
An apparatus for printing on a web, comprising means for confining a body of printing medium; a plurality of plungers; means mounting said plungers for reciprocation towards and away from the general plane of the web, including for each plunger a sleeve having an open end facing the web and at least one port which is opened and closed by the associated plunger during reciprocation of the same for communication of the interior of the sleeve with said body of printing medium; means for reciprocating said plungers in said sleeves to segregate through the respective opened ports a metered quantity of the printing medium from said body; and means for applying the segregated printing medium to the web prior or subsequent to reciprocation of the plungers towards said general plane of the web.
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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) | 1982-05-21 | 1982-11-20 | 1983-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-05-21 | 1986-11-20 | 1987-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-05-21 | 1990-11-20 | 1991-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |