US4269874A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for marking parts
Assignee: Sensor Adaptive Machines Inc
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Filing: 1979-08-08
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Granted: 1981-05-26
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Expires: 1999-08-08
Abstract
Abstract A spray of ink, paint, or other marking liquid is formed and sprayed through a stencil member for marking a part with a stencil character. Various means are provided to periodically move the stencil member for removal of marking fluid to keep the system clean. In one system, the stencil member is rotatable and marking fluid is removed periodically by centrifugal force by rotating the member at a sufficient speed. Removal of the marking fluid may be facilitated by the application of solvent or fresh marking fluid. In another embodiment, the stencil member is moved to a marking liquid removal location where the marking liquid is removed by suction, solvent action, and the like. The removed marking liquid may be collected by providing an absorbent member positioned to receive the removed liquid, or by providing collecting gutters or the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy R. Pryor
- 👤 David M. Alway
- 👤 Omer L. Hageniers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:27
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05D; B05D1/00; B05D1/32; B05B; B05B12/00; B05B12/16; B05B12/20; B05B12/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of marking an object comprising: (a) providing means for forming a spray of marking liquid; (b) providing a rotatable stencil member adjacent said spraying means for receiving said spray of marking liquid, said stencil member having at least one opening therein forming at least one stencil character; (c) positioning an object to be marked adjacent said stencil member; (d) positioning said stencil member such that a stencil character is interposed between said spraying means and said object; (e) spraying said marking liquid to form said spray to mark the object with a mark corresponding to said stencil character; and (f) periodically rotating said stencil member sufficiently rapidly to effect removal of marking liquid therefrom by centrifugal force.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of marking an object comprising: (a) providing means for forming a spray of marking liquid; (b) providing a rotatable stencil member adjacent said spraying means for receiving said spray of marking liquid, said stencil member having at least one opening therein forming at least one stencil character; (c) positioning an object to be marked adjacent said stencil member; (d) positioning said stencil member such that a stencil character is interposed between said spraying means and said object; (e) spraying said marking liquid to form said spray to mark the object with a mark corresponding to said stencil character; and (f) periodically rotating said stencil member sufficiently rapidly to effect removal of marking liquid therefrom by centrifugal force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein a cleaning liquid is applied onto said stencil member to facilitate removal of said marking liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said cleaning liquid comprises marking fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the step of collecting the removed marking liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the removed marking liquid is collected in an absorbent member positioned about the periphery of said stencil member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said object is moved during step (e) and wherein said stencil member is simultaneously moved therewith to facilitate marking said object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus for marking objects comprising: (a) means for forming a spray of marking liquid; (b) a rotatable stencil member positioned adjacent said spraying means for receiving said spray of marking fluid, said stencil member having at least one opening therein forming at least one stencil character; (c) means for positioning an object to be marked adjacent said stencil member; (d) means for positioning said stencil member such that a stencil character is interposed between said spraying means and said object; (e) means for spraying said marking liquid to form said spray to mark the object with a mark corresponding to said stencil character; and (f) means for periodically rotating said stencil member sufficiently rapidly to effect removal of marking fluid therefrom by centrifugal force.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus for marking objects comprising: (a) means for forming a spray of marking liquid; (b) a rotatable stencil member positioned adjacent said spraying means for receiving said spray of marking fluid, said stencil member having at least one opening therein forming at least one stencil character; (c) means for positioning an object to be marked adjacent said stencil member; (d) means for positioning said stencil member such that a stencil character is interposed between said spraying means and said object; (e) means for spraying said marking liquid to form said spray to mark the object with a mark corresponding to said stencil character; and (f) means for periodically rotating said stencil member sufficiently rapidly to effect removal of marking fluid therefrom by centrifugal force.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for collecting removed marking liquid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising an absorbent member positioned about the periphery of said rotatable stencil member for collecting removed marking liquid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising means for moving said object and means for simultaneously moving said stencil member therewith to facilitate marking said object.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of marking an object comprising (a) providing means for forming a spray of marking liquid; (b) providing a stencil member adjacent said spraying means for receiving said spray of marking liquid, said stencil member having at least one opening therein forming at least one stencil character; (c) positioning an object to be marked adjacent said stencil member; (d) positioning said stencil member such that a stencil character is interposed between said spraying means and said object; (e) spraying said marking liquid to form said spray to mark the object with a mark corresponding to said stencil character; (f) periodically moving said stencil member for removal of marking liquid therefrom; and (g) applying a cleaning liquid to said periodically moved stencil member to remove marking liquid therefrom, said cleaning fluid comprising said marking liquid.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of marking an object comprising (a) providing means for forming a spray of marking liquid; (b) providing a stencil member adjacent said spraying means for receiving said spray of marking liquid, said stencil member having at least one opening therein forming at least one stencil character; (c) positioning an object to be marked adjacent said stencil member; (d) positioning said stencil member such that a stencil character is interposed between said spraying means and said object; (e) spraying said marking liquid to form said spray to mark the object with a mark corresponding to said stencil character; (f) periodically moving said stencil member for removal of marking liquid therefrom; and (g) applying a cleaning liquid to said periodically moved stencil member to remove marking liquid therefrom, said cleaning fluid comprising said marking liquid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
164 words
Apparatus for marking objects comprising: (a) means for forming a spray of marking liquid; (b) a stencil member positioned adjacent said spraying means for receiving said spray of marking lfuid, said stencil member having at least one opening therein forming at least one stencil character; (c) means for positioning an object to be marked adjacent said stencil member; (d) means for positioning said stencil member such that a stencil character is interposed between said spraying means and said object; (e) means for spraying said marking liquid to form said spray to mark the object with a mark corresponding to said stencil character; (f) means for periodically moving said stencil member for removal of marking fluid therefrom; (g) means for applying a cleaning liquid to said periodically moved stencil member for removing marking liquid therefrom, said cleaning liquid comprising said marking liquid; and (h) means for supplying marking fluid from a common supply to said spray forming means and to said cleaning liquid applying means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
164 words
Apparatus for marking objects comprising: (a) means for forming a spray of marking liquid; (b) a stencil member positioned adjacent said spraying means for receiving said spray of marking lfuid, said stencil member having at least one opening therein forming at least one stencil character; (c) means for positioning an object to be marked adjacent said stencil member; (d) means for positioning said stencil member such that a stencil character is interposed between said spraying means and said object; (e) means for spraying said marking liquid to form said spray to mark the object with a mark corresponding to said stencil character; (f) means for periodically moving said stencil member for removal of marking fluid therefrom; (g) means for applying a cleaning liquid to said periodically moved stencil member for removing marking liquid therefrom, said cleaning liquid comprising said marking liquid; and (h) means for supplying marking fluid from a common supply to said spray forming means and to said cleaning liquid applying means.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of marking an object comprising: (a) providing means for forming a spray of marking liquid; (b) providing a rotatable stencil member adjacent said spraying means for receiving said spray of marking liquid, said stencil member having at least one opening therein forming at least one stencil character; (c) positioning an object to be marked adjacent said stencil member; (d) automatically rotating said stencil member such that a stencil character is interposed between said spraying means and said object; (e) spraying said marking liquid substantially horizontally to form said spray to mark the object with a mark corresponding to said stencil character; (f) periodically rotating said stencil member such that a portion thereof bearing marking liquid is moved through a body of cleaning liquid at a marking liquid removal location for removal of marking liquid therefrom; and (g) minimizing relative motion of said object and stencil member during step (e).
Claim 18
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of marking an object comprising: (a) providing means for forming a spray of marking liquid; (b) providing a rotatable stencil member adjacent said spraying means for receiving said spray of marking liquid, said stencil member having at least one opening therein forming at least one stencil character; (c) positioning an object to be marked adjacent said stencil member; (d) automatically rotating said stencil member such that a stencil character is interposed between said spraying means and said object; (e) spraying said marking liquid substantially horizontally to form said spray to mark the object with a mark corresponding to said stencil character; (f) periodically rotating said stencil member such that a portion thereof bearing marking liquid is moved through a body of cleaning liquid at a marking liquid removal location for removal of marking liquid therefrom; and (g) minimizing relative motion of said object and stencil member during step (e).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for marking objects comprising: (a) means for forming a spray of marking liquid; (b) a rotatable stencil member positioned adjacent said spraying means for receiving said spray of marking fluid, said stencil member having at least one opening therein forming at least one stencil character; (c) means for positioning an object to be marked adjacent said stencil member; (d) means for automatically rotating said stencil member such that a stencil character is interposed between said spraying means and said object; (e) means for spraying said marking liquid substantially horizontally to form said spray to mark the object with a mark corresponding to said stencil character; (f) means for periodically rotating said stencil member such that a portion thereof bearing marking liquid is moved through a body of cleaning liquid at a marking liquid removal location for removal of marking liquid therefrom; and (g) means for minimizing relative motion of said object and stencil member during step (e).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for marking objects comprising: (a) means for forming a spray of marking liquid; (b) a rotatable stencil member positioned adjacent said spraying means for receiving said spray of marking fluid, said stencil member having at least one opening therein forming at least one stencil character; (c) means for positioning an object to be marked adjacent said stencil member; (d) means for automatically rotating said stencil member such that a stencil character is interposed between said spraying means and said object; (e) means for spraying said marking liquid substantially horizontally to form said spray to mark the object with a mark corresponding to said stencil character; (f) means for periodically rotating said stencil member such that a portion thereof bearing marking liquid is moved through a body of cleaning liquid at a marking liquid removal location for removal of marking liquid therefrom; and (g) means for minimizing relative motion of said object and stencil member during step (e).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-05-25 | 1984-11-24 | 1985-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-05-25 | 1988-11-24 | 1989-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-05-25 | 1992-11-24 | 1993-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |