Patent Abstract:
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for applying markings, particularly to springs, that are clean (ink in self contained storage units), allows quick color changes and reduces wasted ink or paint. An application means that does not dry out during short down time periods, keeps up with production rates, and is cost effective.

Full Description:
CLAIM OF BENEFIT OF FILING DATE 
     The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/909,173 filed Mar. 30, 2007, hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     An apparatus for applying a stripe to a article like in a production line, particularly to a self-contained marking apparatus with a gravity feed system for applying a stripe, stripes or both to a spring. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is common practice within industry to place a mark on individual articles (e.g. a stripe to a spring) to identify the article (e.g. the type of spring) that has been produced. In the case of a spring, each type of spring is assigned its own color stripe for identification purposes. This currently is being accomplished via both manual and automated processes, depending on the size and complexity of the manufacturing operation. 
     A manual system generally utilizes a worker to physically “paint” on a stripe on each spring and is obviously very labor intensive, costly and subject to a higher level of human error. Change over from one color to another generally requires someone to flush out the ink application system, then add the new color, and then adjust the metering system to insure that the proper amount of ink is being dispensed on the new spring. A very time consuming process. Down time can be a problem because the application tip typically can dry out in a relatively short time, even as short as during a typical 10-minute break period. Cleanliness can also be a concern with the current methods and devices of today. Operators can easily come in contact with the inks and spread the colors over the manufacturing environment, making an undesirable mess. A high rate of improperly marked or un-marked springs is also a hallmark of the current technology, which can cost significant time and energy in sorting activities. 
     The state of the art automated systems are cost prohibitive for the smaller manufacturer and has its own set of issues. 
     Accordingly, there is an industry need for a cost effective, reliable, clean and agile apparatus to mark springs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to one such solution, and particularly is directed to an apparatus that is clean (ink in self contained storage units), allows quick color changes and reduces wasted ink, an application means that does not dry out during short down time periods, keeps up with production rates, effectively meters an appropriate amount of marking media and is cost effective. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an illustrative drawing according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustrative drawing of a swing arm according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustrative drawing of an angled applicator end according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention is directed to one such solution, and particularly is directed to a self-contained marking apparatus  20 . This marking apparatus  20  includes a spring line interface  22  and a holding device  24  pivotally attached to the interface  22 . The marking apparatus  20  contains at least one container  26  of ink or marking media, preferably multiple containers with multiple colors of marking media therein. It is contemplated that the marking apparatus  20  advantageously relies on gravity to both aid in holding the apparatus in place and to aid in the marking action, although other structures (e.g. springs or the like) may be utilized. 
     Spring Line Interface 
     The spring line interface  22  is a device that at least provides a holding section  28  and a path  30  for a spring  32  to move through. Optionally, the interface  22  also includes a marking section  40 . It is contemplated that the spring line interface  22  may be constructed of a metal, plastic, or composite material. Preferably, the spring line interface  22  is constructed of aluminum. 
     The holding section  28  provides at least one mating area  34  where the holding device  24  is pivotally connected to and includes an adjustment surface  36 . The adjustment surface  36 , as shown in  FIG. 1  is preferably angled away from a centerline of the path  30  by about 105° (+/−20%). The holding section  28  may contain a single mating area  34 , or multiple mating areas (e.g. 2, 3, 4 or more), each adapted to hold and angular movement of an individual holding device  24 . The path  30  is a through-hole  38  that is adapted to allow the spring  32  to pass through. Preferably, the through-hole  38  had a cross-sectional area  42  that is matched to and slightly larger (e.g. about 1% to about 10%) to the cross-section of the spring that will pass through it. 
     The optional marking section  40  is hollow tubular device with at least one marking port  44  in a lower end  52  and is connected to the holding section  28  at an upper section  54 . The marking section cross-sectional area  46  is similar to and preferably the same as the holding sections cross-sectional area  42 , so that the spring  32  can pass through it. The at least one marking port is a marking through-hole  48  that is adapted so that a marking end  50  of the holding device  24  may be in contact with the spring  32  as it passes through the marking section  40 . It is contemplated that the optional marking section  40  is long enough so that the applicator tip  66  (discussed below) will pass through the marking through-hole  48 . It is contemplated that the marking section  40  may be constructed of a metal, plastic, or composite material. Preferably, the marking section  40  is constructed of aluminum. 
     Holding Device 
     The holding device  24  is constructed to retain the marking media generally above the spring production line to facilitate the introduction of the color stripe to the spring  32 . The holding device  24  includes a swing arm  56 , a switching means  58  and the marking media container  26 , the swing arm  56  pivotally attached at an upper section  64  to the holding section  28  of the spring line interface  22 . The holding device  22  includes an adjustment means or device (e.g. set screw  60 ) to allow the angle of the swing arm  56  to be adjusted (e.g. moved towards or away form the spring  32 ). The adjustment means interfaces with the adjustment surface  36 . 
     It is contemplated that the swing arm  56  is angled, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the swing arm  56  is bent near the switching means  58  at an angle that places the marking media container  26  at an about 45° angle (+/−20%) to the plane that the spring  32  traverses. 
     The holding device  24  also contains a switching means  58 , for changing from one color to another. This could be a simple as a clipping means where the marking apparatus clips in and out when changing colors. In one preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the switching means includes a cup  60  which is adapted to hold the at least one container  26  of marking media and is connected to a lower section  62  of the swing arm  56 . In another embodiment, this switching means  58  is accomplished by moveable surface, which the marking media container  26  is movably affixed to, whereby the moveable surface can be indexed to place the desired marking media container  26  in a position to be introduced to the springs to be striped. 
     Marking Media Container 
     The marking media container  26  is comprised of a fluid impermeable container  68  for holding the marking media with an angled application end  64 . Preferably, the container  26  is constructed of a plastic material. The angled applicator end  64  includes an applicator tip  66  and a valve tip (not shown), where the marking media flows from the container  26  through the valve tip, also known as the applicator valve, and is introduced to the spring to be marked via the applicator tip  66 . The angled applicator end  64 , as seen in  FIG. 3 , is preferably angled at about a 45° (+/−20%) angle to the fluid impermeable container  68 . 
     The applicator valve is preferably movable (e.g. spring loaded) to allow for the marking media to flow only when it is in contact with the spring to be marked. Preferably, the applicator tip  66  is comprised of an open cell material (e.g. plastic foam, polyester, TRICOT, cotton or natural fibers, or any synthetic fabric material that retains moisture). In one more preferred embodiment, the applicator tip  66  is a TRICOT style material. The applicator valve is constructed in such a way as to regulate or meter the amount of marking media that is dispensed is match the amount needed to mark the spring  32 . 
     It is contemplated that through the respective angles of the swing arm  56  (as it is adjusted to the adjustment surface  36 ), the marking media container  26  (with the angled application end  64 ) that a lower surface  72  of the applicator tip  66  contacts the spring  32  at an angle that is parallel or near parallel (+/−about 5% from parallel) to a side surface  70  of the spring  32 . In another embodiment, the swing arm, the switching means and the marking media container combine to form an angular bend of an at least about a 40° arc, preferably at least a 70° arc (arc α). The self-contained marking apparatus  20  preferably utilizes gravity to hold the applicator tip  66  in place to contact the passing spring and provides an adjustable amount of contact pressure and/or contact area to the spring  32  by the adjustment means (e.g. set screw  60 ) of the holding device  24 . 
     The Marking Media 
     The marking media is comprised of a ink or paint that is specifically formulated to have a viscosity and drying time allow it to flow through the valve tip, applicator tip  66 , and allow for rapid drying on the spring to be marked. Preferably, the marking media will have a viscosity that ranges from 10 cps to 5000 cps, more preferably from 50 cps to 700 cps and even more preferably from 75 cps to 165 cps. Viscosity is measured with a Standard Laboratory type Ford Viscosity Cup and with a method compatible with ASTM D 1200. The drying time (e.g. time until the ink or paint can be handled without transferring the ink or paint from the marked surface) is preferably ranging from 2 to 120 seconds, more preferably from 5 to 60 seconds and even more preferably from 5 to 20 seconds or less under ambient temperatures (e.g. from about 60 to 80° F.). 
     EXAMPLE 
     As an illustrative example, the structure of one embodiment of the inventive self-contained marking apparatus is shown. This example should not be considered limiting as to the scope of the current invention and the relative dimensions of the illustrative marking apparatus can be larger, smaller or both depending on the packaging restraints of the polymeric system being monitored. The structure may be employed for applications beyond the scope of the examples, as taught throughout. One or more of dimensions illustrated likewise may vary by +/−10%, 20%, 30% or higher. Relative proportions even if not specified herein are also contemplated within the present teachings. 
     As an illustrative example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a spring  32  travels down a production line and through the path  30  in the center of the spring line interface  32 . A holding device  24  is balanced on a hinged arm  32 . As the spring travels through the interface  32 , at least part of the side surface  70  engages the marking media container  26  at the applicator tip  66 . The spring  32  depresses a spring loaded valve tip, thus activating the valve, providing a minimal amount of marking media to flow out and through the applicator tip  66 . As the spring is marked and travels beyond the applicator tip  66 , the marking apparatus disengages and the flow of marking media ceases until the next spring  32  in the production line comes into contact with the self-contained marking apparatus. 
     The skilled artisan will recognize that the above teachings may be modified in any of a number of ways yet still stay within the scope of the present invention. The skilled artisan will recognize, however, that from application to application, design requirements will vary, and therefore a reasonable amount of experimentation may be needed to adapt the various teachings to the unique intended environment.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1