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WO1983001599A1 - Procede et appareil d'impression par transfert - Google Patents

Procede et appareil d'impression par transfert Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1983001599A1
WO1983001599A1 PCT/US1982/001591 US8201591W WO8301599A1 WO 1983001599 A1 WO1983001599 A1 WO 1983001599A1 US 8201591 W US8201591 W US 8201591W WO 8301599 A1 WO8301599 A1 WO 8301599A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pattern
printing
plate
article
pad
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US1982/001591
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Joseph C Dennesen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to AU10443/83A priority Critical patent/AU1044383A/en
Publication of WO1983001599A1 publication Critical patent/WO1983001599A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
    • B41F17/00—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for
    • B41F17/001—Pad printing apparatus or machines
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B45/00—Apparatus or methods for manufacturing balls
    • A63B45/02—Marking of balls

Definitions

  • This invention relates to printing articles, particularly an apparatus for transfer printing of articles.
  • Transfer printing of articles by pick-up of an ink pattern on a flexible pad and subsequent transfer to the article is known.
  • One commercial embodiment uses compressed air and solenoids to move a staging back and forth over a table holding a grooved ink plate and the article to be printed upon.
  • the staging holds an ink scraping blade and a flexible ink pick-up pad, all of which are moved back and forth and up and down over a stationary table in a complicated and expensive apparatus.
  • such staging moves back and forth and up and down by air pressure hydraulics and electric solenoids and is subject to breakdown and repair problems. Accordingly there is a need and market for an improved article printing apparatus which is of uncomplex construction and which substantially obviates the above prior art shortcomings.
  • the present invention provides an apparatus
  • Also provided is a method for printing a pattern on articles comprising; a) applying printing material on a surface having a pattern embossed thereon; b) removing said printing material from said surface while leaving said printing material on said embossed pattern; c) shielding said surface while exposing said embossed pattern; d) contacting said embossed pattern with a printing material pick-up surface to pick up said printing material in a pattern and e) contacting said pick-up surface and said pattern with an article to print said pattern on said article.
  • embssed surface or “embossed pattern” as used herein, is meant a raised or grooved pattern on or in such surface or a combination thereof.
  • the printing material herein can be any suitable printing material, including dyes or ink, which material is applied to the embossed surface by any suitable means, e.g. by brushing, pouring, daubing, coating and the like.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a printing apparatus embodying the present invention
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of Figure 1, in operation
  • Figure 3 is an elevation view of components of the apparatus of Figure 2 at one stage of operation.
  • Figure 4 is an elevation view of components of Figure
  • Figure 5 is an elevation view which includes other components of the apparatus of Figure 2, at a further stage of operation;
  • Figure 6 is an elevation view of the components of
  • Figure 7 is a plan view of a component of the apparatus of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2;
  • Figure 8 is a plan view of components of the apparatus embodying the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2;
  • Figure 9 is a sectional elevation view of the components shown in Figure 8, taken on lines 9-9, looking in the direction of the arrows;
  • Figure 10 is a plan view of components of the invention shown in Figuresl and 2;
  • Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional elevation view of the components of Figure 10, taken on lines 11-11, looking in the direction of the arrows;
  • Figure 12 is a plan view of a component of the invention similar to that shown in Figure 7;
  • Figure 13 is a plan view of yet other components of the apparatus embodying the invention.
  • Figure 14 is a plan view of a component of the apparatus of the invention.
  • Figure 15 is a perspective view of a portion of other components of the apparatus of the present invention.
  • Figure 16 is a perspective view of a portion of still other components of the apparatus embodying the present invention
  • Figure 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a component of the present invention.
  • Figures 18 and 19 are elevation views of assembled components of the apparatus of the invention including the component of Figure 17;
  • Figure 20 is a partial sectional elevation view of the apparatus embodying the invention including the component shown in Figure 18 or 19 at one stage of operation and
  • Figure 21 is a partial sectional elevation view of the portion of the apparatus embodying the invention shown in Figure 20 at another stage of operation.
  • the article printer 10 has a base 12 which defines a channel 14, a pedestal 16, a scraper arm 18, which pivots on pivot pin 20 and a scraper blade 22, mounted to said arm by screw 24, as shown in Figure 1.
  • a helical spring 26 mounted on base post 28, on the base 12, contacts the after end 30 of the scraper arm 18 and resiliently pivots such arm and urges the scraper or doctor blade 22 downwardly, as indicated in Figures 1 and 2.
  • Mounted in the channel 14 of the printer 10 is printing plate support member 32, having base 34, upstanding plate support block 36 and four indexing projections or pins 38 as shown in Figures 1, 2, 8, and 9.
  • a cliche or printing plate 42 Mounted in a minor channel 40, atop the plate support block 36, is a cliche or printing plate 42, having a pattern 44, embossed therein, as shown in Figure 1.
  • the embossed pattern can take the form of a raised or grooved pattern applied to the surface of the plate by various means known in the art and in this example, takes the form of three letters, "J C D" , grooved in the surface of the plate 42, e.g. where such plate is of metal e.g. by etching such letters, as shown or indicated in Figures 1 and 8.
  • a shield 48 Mountable over the plate 42 and over the top portion of the plate support block 36 is a shield 48, having a slot or aperture 52 therein, which shields or covers a portion
  • the aperture 52 of the shield 46 has a tapered edge 54, as shown in Figures 1 and 11.
  • the plunger 56 has a support plate 58, which carries four hollow legs 60 and an annular collar member 62, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Extending through the collar member 62 is a plunger stem 64, which connects with a guide plate 66 and a flexible printing pad 68, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
  • the guide plate 66 has four apertures through which the plunger legs 60 pass, to permit a reciprocating plunger movement of the guide plate 66 and the printing pad 68, on such legs 60, as. shown or indicated in Figures 1 and 2.
  • the plunger stem 64 has a handle 72 mounted thereon and a helical spring 74 mounted therearound between the handle 72 and the collar 62, which spring 74 resiliently biases the plunger stem 64, the guide plate 66, and the printing pad
  • Printing material is contained e.g. in a bottle 76, which has a screw cap 78 and a brush 80 coaxially mountable thereon and extending into the bottle 76 to contact the printing material e.g. ink 72, as shown in Figure 1.
  • the frame 86 has an aperture 92 therein for holding an article, e.g. a golf ball 94 and also has a groove 96, extending on both sides of the aperture 92 for holding other articles e.g. a pen 98, such as shown in Figure 12.
  • the grooved plate 129 is mounted on a cushion 130 of resilient material e.g: of rubber to form a resilient grooved plate assembly 128 as shown in Figure 17, which assembly 128 is mounted on plate support member 132, as shown in Figure 18, in the manner discussed above e.g. with respect to the plate support member 32, shown in Figures 8 and 9.
  • the grooved plate 129 can be adhered onto the cushion 130, which in turn can be adhered to the plate support member
  • the grooved plate 129 which is desirably made of rigid material e.g. metal and mounted on a resilient cushion of e.g. rubber, is able to resiliently rock under the pressure of the scraper blade 134 on scraper arm 136 as the plate support member 132 and grooved plate assembly 128, move forward in contact with such blade 134, for enhanced scraping or removal of the printing material from the non- grooved surface of the plate 129, as shown in Figures 20 and 21. Further, the so resiliently mounted grooved plate 129, is able to flex or pivot sideways as well as fore and aft into close conforming contact with the scraper blade 134, or an angled scraper blade 135, for enhanced scraping removal of the excess printing material, as shown in Figures 18 and 19.
  • ink is applied by the brush 80 to the surface of the grooved plate 42, including the embossed portion 44.
  • Pressure e.g. manual pressure is applied to the after end of the scraper arm 30, which raises the scraper blade 22 and provides clearance for sliding the plate support member 32 in the channel 34, under and past the s ⁇ -raised blade 22.
  • the blade 22 is then lowered by releasing the pressure on the after portion of the arm 30, to lower such blade 22 onto or near the then leading edge 43, of the grooved plate 42, which edge 43 is shown in Figure 2 , and the plate support member 32 is pulled forward in such groove 14 in close contact with the scraper blade 22, to clear the ink off the plate surface 42 while leaving such ink in the grooves 44 e.g.
  • the excess ink 83 is accordingly scraped aft of or off the plate 42 by the blade 22, e.g. as shown in Figure 2.
  • the so-scraped ink can flow over- the sides of the plate 42 to descend below the scraped surface for later clean-up as desired, e.g. by a paper towel.
  • the apertured shield 46 is then positioned over the scraped plate 42 and its support block 36, e.g. as shown in Figures 10 and 11, to mask over any ink remnants on the surface outside of the grooved portion and/or to mask over such ink at the perimeter or sides of the plate 42.
  • the printing pad plunger 56 is then positioned over the plate support member such that the hollow legs 60 of the plunger, register over the indexing pins 38 of the support member 34, as shown in Figure 4.
  • the plunger handle 72 is then depressed, lowering the printing pad 68 into compressed contact with the apertured shield 46 and the grooved surface 44, to pick up the inked letter pattern, "J C D", therefrom, as shown or indicated in Figure 3.
  • the plunger handle 72 is then released and the plunger assembly, including the printing pad 68, springs upwardly to its former position above the apertured shield 46 and the grooved surface 44, as shown in Figure 4.
  • the printing pad plunger 56 is then removed from the plate support member 32 and indexed or lowered onto the indexing pins 90 of the article holder 84 and thus automatically centered over the golf ball 94 as shown in Figure 5.
  • the plunger handle 72 is again depressed lowering and compressing the inked pattern-bearing printing pad 68 against the golf ball 94, printing the pattern thereon, as shown in Figure 6.
  • the pressure on the plunger handle 72 is released and the plunger assembly including the printing pad 68, springs upwardly of the golf ball 94, as shown in Figure 5.
  • the resulting golf ball is then printed with the desired ink pattern e.g. "J C D" on golf ball 94 in holder 84, as shown in Figure 7.
  • U2- V.r employed in printing various articles both flat or two- dimensional and three-dimensional, as indicated. Further the above method and apparatus can be employed in multi ⁇ color printing of patterns, designs, or words on articles, due to the use of one or more aperture shields as described above and due to the above-described precise indexing of the plunger assembly of the invention, over the above- described grooved plate and then over the above-described article holder, which indexing is shown e.g. in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6.
  • a golf ball 93 is printed with the words “Far Fly” in black letters 95 over a blue arrow 97, in turn over a red “2", 99, as shown in Figure 14.
  • grooved plate 101 bearing the grooved pattern "Far Fly” is coated with black ink, scraped as described above, e.g. as shown in Figure 2 and covered with apertured shield 103, having aperture 105 as shown in Figure 13.
  • a printing pad plunger picks up the ink pattern "Far Fly” and transfers such pattern 95 to the golf ball 93, as described above and illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6.
  • grooved plate 107 which grooves define an arrow pattern as shown in Figure 13 is coated with blue ink, scraped as above described and covered with an apertured shield 109, which has apertures 111 and 113, as shown in Figure 13.
  • the printing pad assembly of the invention picks up the arrow pattern, transfers and prints such pattern 97 on the golf ball 93 as shown in Figure 14, in the manner described above and shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6.
  • grooved plate 115 having a grooved pattern of a "2” is coated with red ink and scraped as described above and covered with shield 117 having aperture 119, as shown in Figure 13.
  • the printing pad plunger contacts the inked groove pattern of a "2” and transfers and prints the red numeral "2" as a third line 99, on the golf ball 93, as shown in Figure 14, according
  • one grooved plate having three lines of grooved patterns thereon and having three shields, e.g. shields 103, 109, and 117 can be employed with one printing apparatus embodying the invention, e.g. as shown in Figure 1, e.g. with selected application of the desired colored ink into the desired grooves or with cleaning of the desired grooves between application of the desired colored ink.
  • three separate grooved plates e.g. mounted on their respective plate support blocks are employed in sequence with the scraping assembly of the invention and then the appropriate apertured shield applied over such grooved plate before the ink transfer step indicated in Figures 3 to 6. In either procedure the shields, e.g. shields 103, 109 and 117.
  • one printing pad plunger can be employed for all ink or dye colors since the transfer pad is readily cleaned between each transfer step.
  • more than one printing pad assembly can be employed in such multi ⁇ color transfer operation if desired, within the scope of the present invention.
  • the embossed plate of the invention can be grooved or have raised markings and preferably is grooved for clarity of printing.
  • the embossed plate such as grooved name- plate 43, having letters thereon 45, as shown in Figure 15, being narrow of surface and desirably being a rigid surface of e.g. metal, is readily cleared under the pressure of the scraper blade, e.g. as illustrated in Figure 2.
  • Any stray specks of printing material, e.g. ink that remain on the plate surface outside of the grooves, or at the perimeter or sides of the plate. can be masked by the apertured shield 47, having aperture 53 with tapering edges 55, -10-
  • any ink that collects off the raised islands 104 and 106 is readily masked by apertured shield 118, having aperture 124 with beveled edge 126 and aperture 120 with beveled edge 122, which apertures closely fit around and/or partially over such raised islands 104 and 106, as indicated in Figure 16, for transfer printing, as discussed above and illustrated in Figures 3 to 6.
  • the printing from grooved plate 43 shown in Figure 15 and grooved plate 100, shown in Figure 16 can be in one ore more colors using one or more shields as discussed above, within the scope of the present invention.
  • one color ink can be applied to raised groove island 106 and another color ink can be applied to raised groove island 104, on the wide plate 100, the scraping means then applied to such raised islands and then the double apertured shield 112 fitted over the perimeter of such islands and the above transfer printing method proceeds, e.g. as shown in Figures 3 to 6, to obtain multi-colored printing of an article in a single printing sequence.
  • the present invention provides method and apparatus for readily and quickly printing articles of flat or three dimensional shapes in one or more colors, on one or more lines, in a precise low-cost manner.
  • the printing apparatus of the invention can be made of various rigid materials and preferably is made of metal or plastic or a combination thereof.
  • the embossed surface is preferably a grooved surface, e.g. a grooved plate made of a rigid material such as plastic or metal and preferably of metal.
  • the grooved pattern in such surface can be of any desired configuration, e.g. letters, a design or a combination thereof, formed in any suitable manner in such surface or plate e.g. in the case of certain metal plates, by etching the desired pattern.
  • the grooved surface, e.g. a grooved plate is desirably mounted on a support member e.g. in a groove atop a support block, which plate can be permanently or replaceably mounted to such support block in any desired manner.
  • the printing material removal means is preferably a scraper blade as discussed above.
  • Such scraper blade is desirably pivotably and resiliently mounted as discussed above, to apply accurate and uniform scraping pressure to the grooved surface.
  • the scraper desirably includes a metal blade e.g. bevelled to a small radius, for clean removal of excess printing material from the embossed surface .
  • the base of the printing apparatus advantageously includes a channel to direct the movement therein of the embossed surface support member in a straight line, in contact with the scraper blade to further enhance the uniform scraping action and removal of the excess printing material from the embossed surface.
  • the apertured shield is an important component of the apparatus embodying the invention as it provides that stray printing material particles on the printing plate and/or ink collecting at the perimeter or sides of such plate can be masked from the transfer printing operation of the invention.
  • the shield preferably has apertures having beveled edges to permit close contact through the aperture between the transfer pick-up member and the embossed ink— bearing surface.
  • the pick-up member is preferably a flexible pad, e.g. of silicon rubber which is highly useful in transfer pad printing.
  • a flexible pad e.g. of silicon rubber which is highly useful in transfer pad printing.
  • other printing material pick-up members can be employed as desired, within the scope of the present invention.
  • the shield can be of any suitable material and is preferably of plastic or metal and can have one or more apertures therein, preferably tapered as discussed above.
  • the apertured shield serves to mask the embossed surface as previously discussed.
  • the apertured shield has the additional benefit of limiting or preventing sidewi ⁇ e drift of the flexible transfer pad during contact including compression with the embossed surface i.e. during the ink pick-up step, which drift can otherwise occur particularly with smaller transfer pads, resulting in a blurred pattern or image.
  • the apertured shield of the invention accordingly confines the pick-up surface of the transfer pad during ink pick-up to assist the pick-up of a precise pattern or image for transfer and subsequent printing.
  • Such pick-up member is desirably mounted in a resilient plunger assembly for convenience and rapid operation and further has indexing components for accurate pick-up and deposit of the printing material.
  • plunger and indexing features can be dispensed with and a pad or stamp employed as a basic component within the scope of the invention.
  • the present invention is that it can be operated with low power requirements e.g. by motor, lever and cam or manually, in contrast with prior art printing machines, which require air compressors, solenoids, and the like in a less versatile operation.
  • the printing material pick-up member of the invention can be rotated to various positions to print on an article in any desired direction, in contrast with the fixed-track operation of conventional expensive printing machines.
  • Other features of the transfer printing method and apparatus of the invention are that the embossed surface, e.g.
  • the scraper means is preferably a spring-loaded blade that bears on an embossed surface mounted on a support member that moves in a channel, to produce a uniform pressure, clean scrape of excess printing material; an apertured shield that fits over the so-scraped embossed surface that ensures a clean pick-up and transfer of the printing pattern as ' well as the capability of multi- line, multi-color transfer printing, provided by the method, and apparatus of the invention.
  • the invention provides a low-cost transfer printing apparatus which can be mass produced at relatively low cost and enables the printing identification of numerous articles, e.g. the ball-point pens at one's place of employment, to reduce the disappearance and replacement cost thereof.
  • Another embodiment of the method and apparatus of the invention follows:
  • the present invention further provides a printing apparatus for printing a pattern on articles comprising: a) a holder having a transfer pad mounted thereon, a member having a three-dimensional pattern thereon and means to apply printing material to the pattern. Means are further provided to contact the pad with the pattern to pick up the so-patterned printing material on the pad and means for contacting the pad with an article to print the pattern on the article.
  • Also provided is a method for printing a pattern on two and three dimensional articles comprising applying printing material to a three dimensional pattern, contacting the pattern with a transfer pad to pick up the so-patterned printing material on the pad and contacting the pad with an article to print the pattern on the article.
  • three dimensional pattern is meant raised or grooved pattern on or in a surface or a combination thereof.
  • the printing material herein can be any suitable printing material as previously discussed which is applied to a three dimensional pattern as previously discussed.
  • Figure 22 is a perspective view of another transfer pad printer embodying the present invention.
  • Figure 23 is a perspective view of the printer of Figure 22 mounted at another stage of operation thereof;
  • Figure 24 is a partial sectional elevation view of the printing apparatus shown in Figure 23;
  • Figures 25 and 26 are respectively, a planned view and sectional elevation view of a component of the printing apparatus embodying the invention shown in Figures 23 and 24;
  • Figures 27 and 28 are respectively, a plan view and a sectional-elevation view of a component of the printing apparatus embodying the invention shown in Figure 22;
  • Figure 29 is a plan view of another component of the printing apparatus embodying the invention;
  • Figure 30 is a sectional-elevation view of the component shown in Figure 29;
  • Figure 31 is a plan view of an auxiliary member employed with the component of the invention shown in Figures 29 and 30;
  • Figure 32 is an elevation view of the auxiliary member shown in Figure 31;
  • Figure 33 is a perspective view of a component of the invention related to that shown in Figure 29;
  • Figure 34 is a fragmentary sectional-elevation view of a component of the invention related to that of Figures 29 and 30;
  • Figure 35 is a sectional-elevation view of yet another transfer pad printer embodying the present invention.
  • Figures 36 and 37 are plan, views of other components of printing apparatus embodying the present invention.
  • Figure 38 is a perspective view of still another transfer pad printer embodying the present invention.
  • Figure 39 is a perspective view of again another transfer pad printer embodying the present invention.
  • Figure 40 is a sectional elevation view of another printing apparatus embodying the present invention.
  • the pad plunger assembly 150 is employed with the printing plate holder 152 as shown in Figure 22. Accordingly, the printing plate 154 having grooved pattern 156 therein and mounted on printing plate holder 152, is coated with ink 158 in ink bottle 160, by ink brush 162, as indicated in Figure 22. Upon deposit of the ink 158 on the printing plate 154, a scraper blade 165 having handle 169 is passed over the printing plate 154 in close contact therewith to clear the ink from such plate while distributing the ink 158 in the grooved pattern 156, as indicated in Figure 22.
  • the pad plunger assembly 150 is lowered onto the plate holder 152 such that the plate holder tab 166 engages the tab-receiving recess 168 in the pad plunger housing 164, as indicated in Figure 22.
  • the pad plunger assembly and plate holder are accordingly indexed for accurate and reproducable ink pattern pick-up and subsequent transfer.
  • the transfer pad 170 is mounted in the plunger housing 164 on a plunger stem 172 having a flat or key way side 174, which stem connects with the plunger handle 176, as shown in Figures 22 and 24.
  • the plunger stem 172 passes through a closely fitting aperture 175 in the plunger housing 164, including a flat key way portion 178, which prevents rotation of the plunger stem 172 and- the printing pad 170 as indicated in Figure 22.
  • the plunger 173 (including plunger stem 174 and transfer pad 170) moves against the helical spring 177, as shown in Figure 22.
  • the pad plunger assembly 150 is then lifted off the printing pad holder 152 and positioned atop the article e.g. golf ball, holder 180, as shown in Figure 23.
  • the plunger housing 164 is rotated relative to the golf ball holder 180 until the plunger housing recess 168 fits over and mates with the article holder tab 182 as shown in Figure 23, which indexes the pad plunger assembly 150 including the plunger housing 164, the plunger 173 and the transfer pad 170 in a precise position relative to the golf ball holder 180 as shown or indicated in Figures 23 and 24.
  • the golf ball 184 in held in place in the holder 180 by annular flange 185, which defines a golf ball holding aperture therein.
  • the plunger handle 176 is depressed against the helical spring 177 which lowers the transfer pad 170 and its ink pattern into contact with the golf ball 184 to print same as shown or indicated in Figures 23 and 24.
  • the plunger handle 176 is released and the plunger 173 springs upwardly of the golf ball 184 to the position shown in Figure 23.
  • the above ink pattern pick-up on the transfer pad and subsequent position thereof on the golf ball can be repeated as desired with precise positioning of subsequent printing steps on said golf ball as desired, due to the indexing features of the respective plunger and holder components as discussed above.
  • a golf ball with a clearly defined printing pattern thereon e.g. printed golf ball 186 with printed pattern 188 thereon is obtained as shown in Figure 23.
  • the plunger stem 172 has a flat key way side 174, as previously discussed, which plunger stem 172 terminates in
  • the pad-holding plate 179 has a smaller recess 190 and a larger recess 192 so as to hold of respectively, a smaller transfer pad 170 or a .larger transfer pad 171 as illustrated in Figure 26.
  • the printing plate holder 152 has a minor recess 194 to hold small printing plate 154 (on a tape or sponge tape adhesive layer 153) and major recess 196 to alternatively hold a larger printing plate 155,as shown in Figures 27 and 28.
  • the golf ball holder 180 is replaced by an apertured frame 200 having an upstanding rim 202, an anular shoulder 204, and an aperture
  • An indexing tab 208 is mounted adjacent therein 202 of the frame 200, as shown in Figure 29.
  • the apertured frame 200 is placed upon the surface to be printed, e.g. a sheet of plastic, wood or paper or a fabric such as a T-shirt.
  • a printing plate such as plate 154, shown in Figure 22, is inked and scraped to provide a grooved ink pattern in such plate as discussed above.
  • a plunger assembly 150 is indexed on the plate holder e.g. plate holder 152, shown in Figure 22 and the plunger 173 and transfer pad 170 thereof, lowered into contact with the inked plate 154 to pick up an ink pattern therefrom.
  • the pattern-bearing pad 170 and plunger assembly 150 are then lifted off the printing plate holder and lowered onto the apertured frame 200 mounted e.g. on a T-shirt and secured thereon by double backed adhesive tape
  • O FI engaging recess 212 such as shown in Figures 31 and 32, is positioned atop the apertured frame 200, to temporarily shield the surface below from the printing pad, as indicated in Figures 29 and 30.
  • the printing shield 210 is an important feature of this embodiment of the present invention in that the pattern-bearing transfer pad can be pressed into contact therewith to print the pattern thereon to afford the operator a. review of the. ⁇ aJLignment and location of the pattern e.g. the letter N shown in Figure 29, before such shield is removed and the letter is actually printed on the surface below the apertured frame 200.
  • the apertured frame and so-printed shield can be moved or adjusted until the correct spacing and positioning of the shield-printed letter is determined. Thereafter the apertured frame is secured on the fabric or underlying surface 211, the shield is removed and the printing pick up and deposit steps repeated, to print the letter (or other pattern) in the desired location on the fabric or surface
  • the apertured frame 200 is moved over the surface 211 on a guide, such as guide member 212, to assist the positioning of the apertured frame over the fabric or surface to be printe .
  • the transparent shield 210 can be omitted within the scope f the present invention.
  • the apertured frame 200 desirably has spaced openings 114 therein, to permit the mounting thereof on end supports
  • legs 216 of any desired length can be converted to the openings 214 in the apertured frame by threaded fasteners 217 as indicated in Figure 34, to raise -20-
  • the plunger assembly 225 includes a plunger stem 226 connected to transfer pad holder 228 mounted in the plunger housing or bell 230, as shown in Figure 35.
  • the plunger stem 226 has a flat side or keyway and moves in a closely conforming collar 227 within the bell 230.
  • a feature of this plunger assembly is that the helical spring 232 is mounted around the plunger stem 226, inside of the plunger housing or bell 230 and is accordingly out of view, as shown in Figure 35. In this embodiment, the spring 232 extends when the plunger is depressed rather than compressing.
  • the pad holder 228 can hold various size transfer pads such as small pad 234 and large pad 236 as indicated in phantom in Figure 35.
  • the bell 230 is mountable on apertured frame 238 having an aperture 240 therein for printing on articles mounted below such frame as discussed above.
  • indexing of the respective components of the printing apparatus of the invention is accomplished by cross-sectional shaping of such components for a one-position fit.
  • printing plate holder 242 has an upstanding trapezoidal rim 244 enclosing the printing plate 246 as shown in Figure 36.
  • printing plate holder 248 has an upstanding pie- shaped rim 250, enclosing a printing plate 252, as shown in Figure 37.
  • the plunger housing and the article holder or apertured frame (not shown) have corresponding cross-sectional shapes which fit or index in but one position, over the respective trapezoidal or pie- shaped components, so that indexing thereof is accomplished without the need of a projecting tab and matching recess, if desired, within the scope of the invention. It will be seen that various other asymmetrical, cross-sectional shapes for the respective printer components can be
  • locking of matching printer components can be obtained e.g., by adding extension aperture 169 to plunger housing aperture 168, as shown in phantom in Figure 23, so that upon placing the plunger housing 164 over the golf ball holder 180, the holder tab
  • Such tab and aperture extension locking mechanism can be employed also between plunger housing and printing plate holder, e.g., shown in Figure 22 and between plunger housing and apertured frame e.g., shown in Figures 29 and 35, within the scope of the invention.
  • the plunger and pad holder assembly 270 has a plunger housing 272, which housing has an annular flange
  • the plunger assembly 270 is inserted sidewise between the indexing brackets 276 and 278, which brackets engage the sides and top of the plunger flange 274, to lock and index the plunger in place over the aperture 280, for precise ink pattern pickup or deposit in the manner described at length above.
  • the transfer printing apparatus 255 has an apertured frame 256, which rests upon the surface of fabric 258 to be printed, as shown in Figure 39.
  • the so-inked printing plate 260 is then placed in the apertured frame 256 , above the surface to be printed as shown in Figure 39 and a trans fer pad 268 mounted upon a hingeable support l id 271 , is pivoted into contact with such inked pattern to pick up such pattern and then lid and pad are swung to the open position, as ind icated in Figure 39.
  • the printing plate 260 and its arms 264 and 266 are removed- from the apertured frame 256 , exposing the fabric or surface to be printed 258 therebelow, within such frame.
  • the pattern-bearing pad 268 and hingeable lid 271 are again pivoted on hinge 273 to contact such pad with the fabric or surface to print such ink pattern thereon.
  • the hingeable lid 271 has a lock arm 275 which engages a latch member 277 mounted on the apertured frame , as shown in Figure 38.
  • Such printing apparatus provides accurate index ing and one or more patterns can be repeatedly and accurately pr inted on the underlying surface 258 as desired. It may be well to clear the pad e.g. , with a paper towel between each printing cycle if necessary, within the scope of the invention.
  • the printing plate holder, the transfer pad plunger and the article holder are shown in Figure 22 et seq to be rounded or cylindrical, other shapes including angular as well as rounded or a combination thereof as well as asymetrical in cross-section, can be employed and such components can be of relatively continuous surface e.g. as shown in Figures 22 and 23 or can be open i.e. have a plurality of apertures therein if desired, within the scope of the present invention.
  • the respective components of plate holder, pad plunger assembly and article holder can index by one or more tabs or projections in corresponding apertures as previously discussed. Further, such components can be shaped cross- sectionally at the point of contact therebetween for a one- position fit and index accordingly, as discussed above.
  • the plunger assembly of the invention can mount
  • the printing apparatus of the invention can print or re-print an article in one or more colors or patterns by repeating the ink pick-up and printing steps described above , due to the accurate indexing features provided the pad plunger assembly of the present invention.
  • the plate holder can hold various sized printing plates and patterns therein and the pad plunger can hold various sized printing pads therein as , described above.
  • the pr int ing apparatus o f the invention can , as discussed , print a single pattern on a two- or three- dimensional surface and can also print a series of patterns e.g. letters or other patterns on a surface , employing a pre-printing shield for alignment purposes where desired, in the scope of the present invention.
  • the transfer pad of the invention is desirably mounted on a plunger assembly as discussed above.
  • Such transfer pad can also be mounted on a pivotable or hingeable assembly as discussed above.
  • the trans fer pad is mounted on an ind exable plunger assembly as disclosed above.
  • the plunger assembly i s pre ferably governed by resilient means which can be mounted in view , outs ide of the plunger housing or out of view , inside of the plunger housing as discussed above.
  • resilient means which can be mounted in view , outs ide of the plunger housing or out of view , inside of the plunger housing as discussed above.
  • a helical spring serves as the resilient means but various other resilient means can be employed as desired in the scope of the present invention, such as a foam rubber collar mounted around the plunger shaft in place of the hel ical spring illustrated herein.
  • plunger assembly 281 has ' pad plunger 282 and the plunger housing 284, which is sized to directly engage at the rim 285 thereof, an article such as a golf ball 286, as shown in Figure 40.
  • the plunger 282 includes the plunger stem 283, helical spring 288, and transfer pad 290, as shown in Figure 40.
  • the plunger assembly 281 is sized to fit over the holder 292 of the printing plate 294 for ink pattern pick-up on the transfer pad 290, as indicated in Figure 40. In operation the printing pad 294 having a grooved pattern therein (not shown) is inked and scraped.
  • the plunger assembly 281 is then mounted atop the printing plate holder 292 and the plunger 283 depressed to contact the transfer pad 290 with the ink pattern of the printing plate 294.
  • the plunger 283 is released and the transfer pad 290 springs upwardly thereof, carrying the inked pattern thereon.
  • the plunger assembly is then placed in contact with an article, e.g., a golf ball 286, as shown in Figure 40; the plunger 283 is again depressed and prints said pattern on the golf ball 286.
  • the plunger assembly 281 is held in one hand 289 against the golf ball 286, which is supported either by the other hand 287 or any convenient surface such as a bench, a table, the ground or any other convenient surface.
  • the plunger assembly 281 can also be employed to print on various other articles having a rounded, angular or flat shape as desired. Further a pencil or pen can be positioned through the apertures 296 and 298 in the plunger housing, for printing thereon by the transfer pad 290, as indicated in Figure 40. Further the plunger housing rim 285, can be rounded or angular in cross-section or have any other convenient shape and be open or continuous to engage various other shaped articles for printing thereon.
  • the article holder is dispensed with and the plunger housing is shaped to engage an article and serve as the article holder in combination with an auxiliary support member on the opposite side of the article such as the hand or a support surface as discussed above.
  • the plunger stroke and transfer pad compression and deformation can be controlled and limited, eg, so that the pad contacts the pattern on the printing plate but does not deform into contact with (or over) the edge of the plate, to pick up surplus or peripheral ink. Accordingly, the plunger stroke can be controlled by extending or shortening the axial length of the plunger collar 314 and/or the housing collar 312, shown in Figure 24 for pad deformation limitation.
  • an adjustable plunger stop eg, screw stop 310, mounted on the plunger housing 164 as shown in Figure 24, can control the plunger stroke and the compression and deformation of the plunger pad.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Printing Methods (AREA)

Abstract

Procédé et appareil d'impression d'un motif sur des articles, en utilisant une plaque d'impression (42) ayant un motif rainuré (44) où de l'encre est appliquée sur la plaque (42) et une lame racleuse montée de manière élastique (22) passe sur la plaque pour enlever l'encre en excès de la surface de la plaque tout en laissant de l'encre dans les rainures (44). Un écran ajouré (46) est ensuite placé sur la plaque raclée (42), le jour (54) étant positionné de manière à exposer le motif rainuré (44). Un tampon d'impression par transfert (68) est alors mis au contact de la plaque rainurée (42) sur laquelle a été placé l'écran et saisit le motif encré. Le tampon de transfert ainsi encré (68) est alors mis au contact d'un article (94) pour y imprimer le motif encré. De préférence, le tampon d'impression (68) est monté de manière élastique sur un plongeur (56) ayant des moyens pour indexer sa position sur la plaque rainurée encrée et raclée (42), puis le plongeur est indexé sur le support (84) de l'article à imprimer pour permettre une prise d'encre précise et une impression par transfert des articles, en une ou plusieurs étapes de transfert d'encre et d'indexation pour imprimer une configuration précise de lettres et/ou de dessins sur une ou plusieurs lignes en une ou plusieurs couleurs. En outre, cet appareil d'impression est d'un fonctionnement simple et manuel.
PCT/US1982/001591 1981-11-10 1982-11-08 Procede et appareil d'impression par transfert Ceased WO1983001599A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU10443/83A AU1044383A (en) 1981-11-10 1982-11-08 Transfer printing method and apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US31994381A 1981-11-10 1981-11-10
US319,943 1981-11-10
US43135482A 1982-09-30 1982-09-30
US431,354820930 1982-09-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1983001599A1 true WO1983001599A1 (fr) 1983-05-11

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1982/001591 Ceased WO1983001599A1 (fr) 1981-11-10 1982-11-08 Procede et appareil d'impression par transfert

Country Status (2)

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EP (1) EP0093166A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1983001599A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1253011A1 (fr) * 2001-04-23 2002-10-30 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Dispositif d'orientation et de support d'une balle de golf comme une image est imprimée là-dessus
WO2009137208A1 (fr) * 2008-05-07 2009-11-12 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Imprimante à tampon avec mécanisme d'alignement
CH711866A1 (fr) * 2015-12-10 2017-06-15 Procolor Lcti S À R L Pièce avec authentification, objet incorporant cette pièce et procédé d'authentification d'une pièce.

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2524690A (en) * 1947-06-25 1950-10-03 Arthur O Worde Device for printing upon pens or pencils
US2616368A (en) * 1947-04-15 1952-11-04 Hochman Jack Holiday Ball marker
US3282200A (en) * 1964-10-05 1966-11-01 John R Brandell Ball marker
US3688695A (en) * 1970-02-25 1972-09-05 Murray Curvex Printing Ltd Method of offset printing or decorating an article with thermoplastic color
US4019436A (en) * 1976-06-16 1977-04-26 Martin Handweiler Technique for producing a pre-distorted design format for use in transfer printing
US4060031A (en) * 1969-08-02 1977-11-29 Wilfried Philipp Printing method and apparatus for performing the printing method
US4182261A (en) * 1975-12-18 1980-01-08 Identicator Corporation Credit card printer for fingerprints and solutions

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2616368A (en) * 1947-04-15 1952-11-04 Hochman Jack Holiday Ball marker
US2524690A (en) * 1947-06-25 1950-10-03 Arthur O Worde Device for printing upon pens or pencils
US3282200A (en) * 1964-10-05 1966-11-01 John R Brandell Ball marker
US4060031A (en) * 1969-08-02 1977-11-29 Wilfried Philipp Printing method and apparatus for performing the printing method
US3688695A (en) * 1970-02-25 1972-09-05 Murray Curvex Printing Ltd Method of offset printing or decorating an article with thermoplastic color
US4182261A (en) * 1975-12-18 1980-01-08 Identicator Corporation Credit card printer for fingerprints and solutions
US4019436A (en) * 1976-06-16 1977-04-26 Martin Handweiler Technique for producing a pre-distorted design format for use in transfer printing

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1253011A1 (fr) * 2001-04-23 2002-10-30 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Dispositif d'orientation et de support d'une balle de golf comme une image est imprimée là-dessus
WO2009137208A1 (fr) * 2008-05-07 2009-11-12 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Imprimante à tampon avec mécanisme d'alignement
US8408122B2 (en) 2008-05-07 2013-04-02 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Auto aligning pad printer
CH711866A1 (fr) * 2015-12-10 2017-06-15 Procolor Lcti S À R L Pièce avec authentification, objet incorporant cette pièce et procédé d'authentification d'une pièce.

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