A DEVICE FOR MARKING SHEET-SHAPED OBJECTS

Abstract: A device for marking of comparatively stiff, bendable sheets (21) by means of a stationary write head (13), which sheets by means of a driving device are displaceable relative to the write head (3) along a linear guiding path (12, 13), said device comprising means (27) for feeding the sheets one at a time from a magazine (9). The sheets (21) are arranged to cooperate with a guiding member (17) movable to-and-fro in the longitudinal direction of the guiding path (12, 13) by the driving device (28). The feeding means (27) consist of a sliding track (8) which inclines against the guiding path (12, 13), and arranged in connection to said magazine (9). In the extension of the sliding track (8) above the guiding path (12, 13) there is arranged a driving wheel (24) for feeding the front edge of the sheets (21) along the guiding path until the rear edge of the sheets leaves the sliding track and are completely located on the guiding path and in cooperation with the guiding device (17).

Description: A DEVICE FOR MARKING SHEET-SHAPED OBJECTS The present invention relates to a device for marking of comparatively stiff, bendable sheets by means of a stationary write head, which sheets by means of a drive mechanism are displaceable relative to the write head along a linear guiding path. and which device comprises a member for feeding sheets one at time from a magazine. Background of the invention On the market today there can be found different types of marking systems for electrical wires, pipes and likewise. There are rules for how these markings should be performed and look like and the marking must be made in a lasting manner and visually well preserved way. When marking larger installations as for exampel parts in a large machine or a complete construction it is very important to have control over that all wires really become marked. The easiest way to achieve this, is that only the correct number of markings required are produced, and after the marking it is controlled that all marking objects have been used. It is therfore important to obatin for each marking situation unique marking objects in a rational way and print the marking objects which should be used at the installation. Earlier this has been done through a manual routine which is relatively difficult to handle or through a conventional printing process. Summary and advantages of the invention The purpose of the present invention is to achieve a system for rational marking of the marking object, which should be comparatively cheap, simple and reliable. The system should also very rapidly produce a large number of marking objects. Another purpose is to achieve a feeding means for the device which should be marked. This is obtained through that the sheets are arranged to cooperate with a guiding member movable to-and-fro in the longitudinal direction of the guiding path by the driving device, that the feeding means consist of a sliding track which inclines against the guiding path, and arranged in connection to said magazine and that in the extension of the sliding track above the guiding path there is arranged a driving wheel for feeding the front edge of the sheets along the guiding path until the rear edge of the sheets leaves the sliding track and are completely located on the guiding path and in cooperation with the guiding device. Description of the drawings The invention will in the following be described with reference to the enclosed drawings. Fig. 1 shows a side view of the marking device according to the invention. Fig. 2 shows in perspective a view obliquely from above of a part of the marking device in accordance with fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a section according to the line III-III in fig 4. Fig. 4 shows the device's drive mechanism in a view from above. Description of the invention The device according to the invention consists of a table set 1 with control means 2 and a write head 3 arranged above the same for example an ink beam writer, which is fixed on a telescopic displaceable arm , which is vertically adjustable by means of an erected object 5 arranged on a pillar 6. On the table set 1 a plate 7 is arranged, which can be adjusted in horizontal direction (in Y-direction) by means of a stepping motor 26 along guides 29 ( fig .3 ) by way of an endless band 30. Above the plate 7 there is arranged a feeding device 27, consisting of a sliding track 8 which leads from a magazine 9. At the other end of the table set 1 there is arranged a collecting vessel 10. To the head 3 of the ink beam writer there is connected a bunch of wires 11 , which are conneted to a not shown equipment for the provision of ink to the ink beam writer and guidance of the ink-squirts. The table set is controlled by means of a not shown computer, for exa pel a IBM PC. In figure 2 a part of the plate 7 arranged on the table set 1 is shown more in detail. On the plate there is arranged a guiding path mainly consisting of two in cross section T-shaped rules 12 provided with an up-right guiding flange 13a and a side shank 13b and 13c each arranged transverse to the guiding flange. The rules 12 can be adjusted in the apparatus' Y-direction by means of, for example screws 14 provided with finger nuts, which run in grooves 15. In the plate 7 there is arranged an oblong track 16 which extend in the X-direction of the plate 7 and in the track a peg 17 is adjustable. The peg is fixed on an endless belt 18, which can be moved in the apparatus' X-direction by means of a second stepping motor 28 (fig.4). The write head 3 can manually be adjusted in relation to the board 7 so that the best marking result is obtained. This is achieved by the telescopically displaceable arm 4, which can be fixed with a wheel 19. The write head can be adjusted in height by raising or lowering the erected object 5 and its optimum position is locked by the locating screw 20. In fig. 3 is shown more in detail how the feeder 27 for the marking objects 21 is constructed. In the magazine 9, which is inclined from the sliding track, a number of sheets 21 have been placed, which one at the time are to be fed into the apparatus by means of a feeding wheel 22 placed resiliently on an arm 23. When a sheet has been lifted up high enough it falls down by its own weight on the sliding track 8 and slides forward to a driving wheel 24, which rotates clockwise and pulls the sheet forward. The sheet will thereby, with its front edge, cling to the side shanks 13b of the guiding path 12 and since the driving wheel 24 is placed so that its forwarding surface is located under the end edge of the sliding track 8 the sheet 21 will become somewhat bent. This bending leads to that a good grip is obtained between the driving wheel 24 and the sheet 21 and when this has advanced so far that its rear end slides off the sliding track 8 the rear edge of the sheet "snaps" down against the exactly positioned peg 17, which thereby engages in a therefore intended hole 25 in the sheet 21. The hole 25 can be one of the many holes which normally can be found on the sheet 21 which are used for fastening of a marking label on a wire or likewise, which marking label is removable from the sheet. When feeding forward a sheet from the magazine 9 the feeding wheel 22 will just before the sheet leaves the magazine, feed forward parts of the next sheet. In order to be able to control the initial position of the sheets the driving means 31 of the feeding wheels 22 is reversable and in the wheel a retaining mechanism is located, which allows the wheel only to rotate in one direction, in the arrow's direction. At a short reverse of the driving means 31 the arm 23 will therefore be lifted in the direction from the sheet 21, so that the too far fed-out sheet can slide back to its initial position. The sheet 21 is now effectively guided on the guiding path 12 and adjustable along this to the exact position by means of the peg 17. When marking the sheet 21 this is advanced by means of the belt 18 and the peg 17 in X-direction and by means of the plate 7 and the rules 12 in Y-direction. Through minimizing the material for the plate, the belts, the peg etc., displacements can be carried out very fast. When the marking is completed , the sheet 21 is advanced against the other end of the plate 12 facing away from the magazine 9 and when the sheet 21 has advanced far enough over the edge it tilts over and ends up in the collecting vessel 10. In the embodiment described and shown in the drawings the guide means for the displacement of the sheet consists of a peg 17, but it is also possible to choose for guiding means a frame or box corresponding to the shape of the sheets, in which box or frame the sheets are fed in the above described way. The invention is not limited to the above described embodiments, but a number of alternative embodiments are possible within the scope of the claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A device for marking of comparatively stiff, bendable sheets (21) by means of a stationary write head (3) , which sheets by means of a driving device are displaceable relative to the write head (3) along a linear guiding path (12, 13) , said device comprising means (27) for feeding the sheets one at the time from a magazine (9), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the sheets (21) are arranged to cooperate with a guiding member (17) movable to-and-fro in the longitudinal direction of the guiding path (12,13) by the driving device (28) , that the feeding means (27) consist of a sliding track (8 ) which inclines against the guiding path (12,13), and arranged in connection to said magazine (9) and that in the extension of the sliding track (8) above the guiding path (12,13) there is arranged a driving wheel (24) for feeding the front edge of the sheets (21) along the guiding path until the rear edge of the sheets leaves the sliding track and are completely located on the guiding path and in cooperation with the guiding device ( 17) . 2. A device according to claim 1 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the sheets (21) are provieded with at least one hole (25) for cooperation with at least one guiding peg (17) which is movable to-and-fro by the driving device. 3. A device according to claim 1 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the guiding members (17) consists of a frame within which the sheet (21) is loosely attachable. 4. A device according to claim 1 and 2, or 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the guiding track (12,13) with its driving device (18,20) is displaceable forward and back transversely to the direction of motion of the guiding path. 5. A device according to any of the previous claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the feeding means comprises a magazine (9) for the sheets (21) inclined in the opposite direction against the sliding path (8) and also a feeding wheel (22) for -Feeding of one sheet at the time towards the sliding track. 6. A device according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the feeding wheel (22) is rotatably supported by an arm (23) and rotatable only in one direction and when reversing the motor (31) of the feeding wheel said arm is rotatable in the direction from the magazine. 7. A device according to claim 2 c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the guiding peg/-pegs (17) are arranged on an endless belt (18) and that in close connection to one pulley wheel of the endless belt a collecting container (10) for the sheets (21) is located on a level under and preferably at an angle to the guiding track.

Inventors: JAFFE WALTER, JAFFE, WALTER
Applicants: FLEXIMARK AB
Application year: 1986
Main classification: B41J13
IPC codes: B41J11