Patent GB-1306689-A (GB)
Title: Machine for surface decorating of articles
IPC: B41F16/00
Filed: 1970-05-04
Abstract: 1306689 Ornamenting R WARSAGER 4 May 1970 [27 March 1970] 21449/70 Heading B6G A machine for applying a decorative material from a transfer tape to an object comprises a base comprising a frame defining an openwork area, displacement means on the base to displace an object holding member into and out of the work area, means to reciprocally move a die mounted on the frame for movement in the work area, decorative material on the base located between the object and the die whereby the decorative means can be impressed upon the surface of the object, means on the base for selectively (1) maintaining the die fixed in axial alignment with the displacement means and spaced from the object such that the displacement means urges the object into a pressurized engagement with the die, or (2) moving the die past the longitudinal axis of the displacement means whereby the die engages the object and applies pressure thereto as it traverses the object. As shown in Fig. 5, a platform 19 is constrained to move in a vertical direction only and is moved up and down by the action of air cylinder 17. Mounted on top of the platform 19 is a housing 23 as shown in Fig. 6. An arm 24 which can be in the form of a mandrel is rotatably secured to the housing 23 and the object 25 to be decorated is placed on the mandrel 24 such that it can be either rotated or held stationary thereon. Transfer tape 27 is fed from reel 26 around tape guides 28 and thence between object 25 and a die 30 and then fed between a pair of pull rollers 29 having surfaces which will grip the tape. The rollers 29 are rotatably mounted and can be driven by a motor (not shown) or can be actuated by hand to advance the tape 28 at the pressing operation. 'The die 30 can have a design etched thereon. The die 30 is fixed to a carriage 31 freely slidable on guide rails 33 under the influence of an air cylinder 34. The die 30 is preferably heated by electrical means. A selector switch 37 permits an operator to choose the type of stamping he desires to be accomplished, i.e. rotary stamping (the die 30 moving laterally such that the right end of the die 30 initially contacts the tape 27 and the object 25 and through further lateral movement of the die 30 the object is rotated clockwise and the foil on the tape 27 transferred to the object 25 through application of heat and pressure) for decorating circular objects, or vertical stamping (the object being held stationary and the work moved vertically into the heated die and bears on the die so as to create the desired pressure) for non-circular objects. As shown in Fig. 5 by rotating the switch 37 to vertical indicia the machine is programmed to handle a vertical operation. Foot switch 38 energizes solenoid 39 which controls an air valve which diverts pressurized air into air trunk line A thereby causing the piston of air cylinder 17 to be driven upwards carrying with it platform 19 and the object 25. Switch 38 also actuates a timer 40 which after an interval of time actuates the solenoid to send pressurized air into trunk line B thereby driving the piston down and concomitantly therewith the platform 19 and the-object 25. During the upward travel of platform 19 a switch 41 is actuated by a tang 42 protruding from platform 19 thereby signalling a second timer 42 which energizes solenoid 23 which in turn opens an air valve to air line C. Air line C leads into resilient object 25 and inflates the-object with air under pressure to rigidify the object. After an interval of time the timer actuates the solenoid 43 to shut off the supply of air immediately after the foil has been transferred to the object 25. After the foil has been transferred timer 40 actuates solenoid 39 which opens air line B and closes air line A thereby forcing the platform 19 down away from the die 30. When platform 19 is returned the tang 44 on the platform actuates a switch 45 which then actuates solenoid 46 which in turn diverts air through a valve to air line D, into cylinder 47 having a piston (not shown) therein. Attached to piston-rod 48 is rack gear 49 which drives a pinion gear 50 on one of the pull rollers 29 and thereby advancing the tape. A spring (not shown) in the air cylinder can return the rack gear to its rest position. A one-way clutch or a ratchet and pawl mechanism (not shown) permits only one-way rotation of the rollers 29. The operation of the machine for rotary stamping is also described (Fig. 3, not shown).