BRANDING DEVICE

Abstract: A branding device comprising a holder and a type block removably attached to the holder and having a heat generating member.

Description: The invention relates to a branding device having a ceramic type block having a character, symbol, figure or like pattern at its end face and a heat generating member for heating said end face. GB-A-844,418 shows a branding device having a resistance wire exposed at one face of a ceramic disc. US-A-1,157,687 shows a branding device having a branding die consisting of a flat metal disc. Behind the metal disc there has been arranged a heating element consisting of a spool of helically wound wire. According the invention the heat generating member is printed in a desired pattern onto one face of a ceramic plate and the ceramic plate is embedded in the type block so that the plate is located in the vicinity of said end face of the type block and opposed thereto. The present branding device has only a small heat loss, has no problem as to the life of the heater and is usable with safety. Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view showing an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a view in section taken along the line II-II in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a graph showing the temperature coefficient of resistance of a heat generating member included in the embodiment; Fig. 4 to Fig. 7 are sectional views corresponding to Fig. 1 and showing other embodiments, i.e. type blocks; and. Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7. Fig. 1 shows a branding device which comprises a holder 11 and type blocks 12 removably attached to the holder 11. The holder 11 is in the form of a horizontally elongated rectangular parallelepipedal block like the conventional one already described but is smaller than the conventional one. The holder 11 has a type block holding cavity 13 and a socket 14 embedded in the holder 11 at the bottom of the cavity 13. The socket 14 comprises a pair of spring plates 15 and an insulator 16. Each of the spring plates 15 has a contact portion 15a generally U-shaped in section, and a plug portion 15b of double structure. The contact portion 15a and the base end of the plug portion 15b are enclosed with the insulator 16. The plug portion 15b is projected from the insulator 16. The type block 12 is in the form of a square to rectangular bar of ceramic and is inserted in the cavity 13 with its forward end projected from the holder 11. The type block 12 has a character, symbol, figure or like pattern 21 on the projected end face. A heat generating member 23 is embedded in the forward end of the type block 12. The heat generating member 23 comprises a line of electric resistance material printed in a wavelike pattern on a ceramic plate 22 as seen in Fig. 2. The type block 12 has a pair of positive and negative electrodes 25 at its base end. The electrodes 25 are each in the form of a flat plate and inserted in the respective contact portions 15a. These electrodes 25 are connected to the respective ends of the heat generating member 23 by a pair of lead wires 24 embedded in the type block 12. Fig. 3 is a graph showing the temperature coefficient of resistance of the heat generating member 23 as one of its electric characteristics. With reference to the graph, the coefficient of the heat generating member is represented by a solid line in comparison with that of a known nichrome heater represented by a broken line. The heat generating member 23 has a positive temperature coefficient like known PTC thermistors. As will be apparent from the graph, the heat generating member 23 has an exceedingly higher temperature coefficient than the nichrome heater. The resistance value increases with increasing temperature to decrease the current and remains unchanged at a specified temperature. When the device is used in this state for branding, the temperature of the heat generating member 23 drops to result in a lower resistance value, whereupon the current increases to produce an increased quantity of heat, consequently preventing the temperature from decreasing. Fig. 4 shows another embodiment. A holder 31 has a socket 34 comprising spring plates 35, each of which has a contact portion 35a of H-shaped section. A type block 32 has electrodes 36 which are L-shaped to position the contact portions 35a in the respective spaces thereby defined. Fig. 5 shows another embodiment. The type block 42 of this embodiment comprises two portions, i.e. a heat receiving portion 44 and a heat generating portion 45. The heat receiving portion 44 is in the form of a square to rectangular bar and is attached to an unillustrated holder with its forward end projected from the holder. The heat receiving portion 44 has a pattern 41 on the projected end face and is formed with a cavity 46 in alignment with its axis and opened at its base end. The heat generating portion 45 is in the form of a round rod fitted in the cavity 46 and has a heat generating member 43 embedded in its forward end portion. The heat receiving portion 44 and the heat generating portion 45 are united by being bonded to each other. Fig. 6 shows another embodiment. The type block 52 of this embodiment, like the one shown in Fig. 5, comprises a heat receiving portion 54 and a heat generating portion 55. The heat receiving portion 54 comprises a square to rectangular plate 56 having two parallel faces 56a, 56b, and a round rod 57 integral with the plate 56 at the face 56a and perpendicular to the face 56a. The plate 56 has a pattern 51 on the other face 56b thereof. The heat generating portion 55 is in the form of a square to rectangular tube fitted around the rod 57 and has a ringlike heat generating member 53 embedded in its forward end portion. Fig. 7 shows still another embodiment. The type block 62 of this embodiment, unlike those of the foregoing embodiments, has a forward end portion including a pattern 71 and serving as a heat generating member 73. The portion of the member 73 is made of a heat generating material containing silicon carbide, and the other portion serving as a heat generating portion 72 is made of an insulation containing alumina. The two portions are sintered and thereby united.

Claims: A branding device having a ceramic type block (12, 32, 42, 52) having a character, symbol, figure or like pattern (21, 41, 51) at its end face and a heat generating member (23) for heating said end face being characterized in that the heat generating member (23) is printed in a desired pattern onto one face of a ceramic plate (22, 43, 53) and the ceramic plate (22, 43, 53) is embedded in the type block (12, 32, 42, 52) so that the plate (22, 43, 53) is located in the vicinity of said end face of the type block (12, 32, 42, 52) and opposed thereto. A branding device according claim 1, wherein the type block (12, 32, 42, 52) is elongated and has one end removably attached to a holder (11, 31) and a forward end projecting from the holder and the ceramic plate (22, 43, 53) is embedded in the projected end portion of the type block (12, 32, 42, 52). A branding device according claim 1 or 2, wherein the type block (42) has a rodlike heat generating member (45) having a portion in which the plate (43) is embedded and a cavity (46) in alignment with its axis and opened at its base end. A branding device according claim 1 of 2, wherein the plate (53) is formed annularly, the type block (52) having the cylindrical heat generating portion (55) having a portion in which the plate (53) is embedded and a projected rodlike portion (57) in alignment with its axis being engaged with the generating portion (55). A branding device according any preceding claim, wherein the electric resistant heat generating member (23) has a positive temperature coefficient. A branding device according any preceding claim, wherein a type block holding cavity (13) is provided at the holder (11) and the type block (12) is inserted in the cavity (13), a socket (14) being provided at the bottom of the cavity (13), positive and negative electrodes (25) being provided at the base of the type block (12) and being connected with the socket (14), a lead wire being embedded in the type block (12), the lead wire (24) connecting current input and output sides of the electrical resistant heat generating member (23) with the positive and negative electrodes (25) respectively.

Inventors: SHIBATA, MASATO SHIKOKU KAKOKI CO., LTD.
Applicants: SHIKOKU KAKOKI CO., LTD.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B44B7
IPC codes: B44B7