Machines For Oriented Marking Of Cylindrical Or Tapered Round Parts

Abstract

In a machine of the type wherein a part of circular cross section is rolled relatively across a die, the rotatably mounted part is oriented during its approach to the die by contacting its periphery with a relatively moving surface (e.g., a faster moving pressure dial or plate, or a stationary orienting guide) so as to initiate rotation of the part, and the rotation is stopped at a predetermined angular orientation when a projecting tab or the like rotating with the part contacts an orienting or escapement guide, the part then sliding relative to the surface until the orientating or escapement guide releases the projecting tab to permit the part to roll across the die. For multiple station marking, the part can be reoriented before each station, or the initial orientation can be maintained through all stations. The orienting arrangement can also be used to orient the part for a further different operation, or for automatic unloading.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally, but not exclusively, to roll-type marking, printing and/or decorating machinery in which a part having a circular cross section is marked or decorated by rolling it relatively across a die. The invention is particularly directed to orienting arrangements for such machines or other machines in which an operation is to be performed on oriented such parts.

In general, the best way to mark, decorate or print the circumferential surfaces of cylindrical or tapered round parts is to roll them relatively across a die at pressures determined by the type of mark, type of material, etc., and numerous machines have been developed for carrying out such operations. Exemplary of articles which are marked through such roll-marking processes are lipstick cases, syringe barrels, powder boxes, odometer wheels, and in general tubular or cylindrical members of plastic or metal. In marking or decorating such objects, it is often necessary to orient the marking relative to the part, relative to other marks, etc. For instance, in marking odometer wheels the angular location of the digits is usually specified relative to an index lug or pin hole on the wheel. In multiple color-decorating of lipstick caps, it may be necessary to orient the application of one color decoration relative to the other color decoration, or it may be necessary to orient the circumferential decoration relative to some decoration or feature on the end of the cap or tube. Similar requirements may exist in the marking of containers in general, i.e., label in front, label located relative to a seam, etc. Such orientation generally has been provided through complex drive gear systems and geared work mandrels matched to the part geometry. While workable arrangements have been evolved, they are generally handicapped by their complexity, expense, inflexibility, etc. The purpose of the instant invention is to provide arrangements for oriented part marking or the like which are characterized by their simplicity, economy, flexibility, adaptability to existing machines, and applicability to other equipment for automatic part handling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the invention comprises, in or for a machine having a work station at which an operation is to be performed on a part having a circular cross section, an arrangement for orienting the part while transporting it to the work station. In a preferred arrangement according to the invention, the part is mounted for free rotation on a carrier which transports it to the work station. During this transportation the rotatably mounted part is cammed or otherwise relatively moved into contact with a member which is moving relative to the movement of the carrier mounted part. This member may comprise, for instance, a stationary orientation guide member which extends in the general direction of the work station, or it may comprise a pressure dial or plate which moves toward the work station at a speed substantially faster than the carrier mounted part. The relative movement between the carrier mounted part and the member which is contacted by the circumferential surface of the part causes the part to rotate about its axis as it approaches the work station. A projecting tab or the like, either constituting a feature of the part itself or carried by a rotatable bushing upon which the part is mounted, rotates with the part. An orientation or escapement member or surface is located adjacent the path of the carrier mounted part so as to encounter the rotating projecting tab before the part reaches the work station, thus temporarily terminating the rotation of the part, which then slides or skids relative to the member which initiated the rotation. The part is thus temporarily held in a particular angular orientation as it continues to approach the work station. The orientation or escapement member or surface terminates at a predetermined point along the approach path of the carrier mounted member, and, preferably permits the part to resume its rotation, for instance, onto and across the die. The orientation or escapement member is adjustably mounted so that the point at which it releases the projecting tab can be varied to suit the particular requirements of a particular operation.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the carrier is a rotating dial having a series of axially disposed mandrels adjacent its periphery, the mandrels being radially movable but resiliently biased outwardly. A pressure dial, geared for substantially faster rotation than the carrier dial, is concentrically mounted with the carrier dial such that the mandrels when in their outwardly biased positions are disposed adjacent but radially outwardly from the periphery of the pressure dial. The parts are mounted on and keyed to bushings which are rotatably mounted on the mandrels. The projecting tabs extend from the bushings between the carrier dial and pressure dial. A marking die is located radially outwardly of the pressure dial so that the parts will be pressured rolled across the die and between the die and the periphery of the pressure dial. The orienting or escapement guide preferably is an arcuate member located adjacent the path followed by the parts as they approach the die, and adjustably located so as to encounter the rotating tabs before the parts reach the die, and so as to release the tabs at a predetermined point before the parts roll onto the die. The parts preferably are cammed inwardly into contact with the periphery of the pressure dial so that the faster rotation of the pressure dial will initiate rotation of the parts, which will subsequently be stopped when the rotating projecting tabs encounter the orienting or escapement guide. The camming action can be provided by the orienting guide or by a separate cam member acting against the mandrels. The camming action preferably is maintained at least until the parts move into contact with the die, thus ensuring precise release of the projecting tabs by the escapement member, and preventing loss of the achieved angular orientation before the parts encounter the die.

Other advantages, features, objects and purposes of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the ensuing description and illustrations of preferred embodiments of the invention. While those features and the like which are considered to be characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims, the invention itself, its construction, manner of operation, and uses, will be best understood from the exemplary description and illustrations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view, basically schematic, of a roll-marking machine embodying a preferred form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view, again basically schematic and with parts removed for clarity, of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view, basically schematic, illustrating an alternative preferred form of the invention as embodied in a two-station roll-marking machine.

FIG. 4 is a perspective of a mandrel and bushing assembly for carrying a part or workpiece.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a part or workpiece of the type wherein the orienting tabs are formed on the part itself, the particular illustrated part being a syringe barrel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, an exemplary basic roll-marking machine is illustrated, only so much of the machine being shown as is necessary to facilitate an explanation and understanding of the invention. In this exemplary machine, a pressure dial 1 and a carrier dial 2 are concentrically mounted on shaft 19 for rotation thereabout. As will be explained subsequently, the pressure dial 1 is rotatably driven at approximately twice the rate of rotation of the carrier dial 2, although this can be varied to suit the requirements of a particular roll-marking operation. Carrier dial 2 has holes 3 extending therethrough about its periphery. Associated with each hole 3 is a link 4 pivotally connected to the underside of carrier dial 2 at a pivot point 5, and biased radially outwardly by a compression spring 6 which bears at its inner end against the peripheral edge of a plate or machined disclike formation 7. Plate 7 is, of course, rigidly connected with carrier dial 2 for rotation therewith. Carried at the pivotal end of each pivoted link 4, and projecting upwardly through hole 3, is an elongate mandrel (not shown in FIG. 1). Rotatably mounted on each upwardly projecting mandrel is a cylindrical bushing (not shown in FIG. 1) having a projecting tab member 9 adjacent its lower end. A cylindrical part or workpiece 8 is mounted on and keyed to each bushing, such that the part 8, the bushing and its tab are freely rotatable about the mandrel. A die assembly 10 having a marking die surface 10a is located generally above the carrier dial 2 and adjacent the periphery of the pressure dial 1 whereby parts 8 are pressure rolled across die face 10a and suitably marked. Conventional colored foil strip 12 is led across the die face 10a by conventional foil guides 11 and 11a when the machine is to be used for the hot stamp, foil transfer process. Die face 10a can, of course, be heated in any conventional manner.

As illustrated generally in FIG. 2, pressure dial 1 is fixed to shaft 19 for rotation therewith, whereas carrier dial 2 is free to rotate relative to shaft 19. The relative rotational speeds of carrier dial 2 and pressure dial 1, whereby the pressure dial rotates substantially faster than the carrier dial, are achieved and maintained through a gearing arrangement generally indicated at 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24. Gear 23 is fixed to shaft 19, whereas gear 24 rotates relative to shaft 19 and is fixed to carrier dial 2. Power can be supplied through either of shafts 19 and 20. The gearing arrangement as illustrated is merely exemplary, and any convenient arrangement can be used to achieve and maintain the relative rotational rates.

An adjustable orienting assembly is illustrated generally at 13 in FIG. 1. The assembly comprises mounting members 16 and 17 which are adjustably secured to the machine base, as illustrated generally at 16a and 17a. An orienting or escapement guide 15 has a mounting flange 14 which is adjustably secured to mounting member 17 at 18. Orienting or escapement guide 15, therefore, is freely adjustable in substantially any direction. The orienting or escapement guide 15 is illustrated as an arcuate member located slightly above carrier dial 2 and in the plane of rotation of projecting tab 9 which is carried by the rotatable bushing. As illustrated guide 15 extends generally along the arcuate path followed by the parts 8 as they approach the die face 10a, but converges inwardly so as to terminate substantially in the plane of the die face 10a.

In operation of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, carrier dial 2 and pressure dial 1 rotate continuously clockwise at their different rates. At any convenient loading station along this rotational path, after passing the die 10 but before reaching guide 15, a part such as a lipstick tube, etc., is mounted on each freely rotatable bushing so as to fit snugly thereon and rotate therewith. As each bushing mounted part reaches guide 15, if its projecting tab 9 is disposed as illustrated in FIG. 1 the tab, and hence the bushing and the part will be rotated slightly in a counterclockwise direction by the guide. If the tab is otherwise disposed, it will not initially encounter the guide 15, but will merely continue moving toward the die. Since the guide 15 converges as it approaches the die, each part 8 will subsequently come into contact with the arcuate inner surface of the guide 15, and the movement of the part 8 relative to the surface of the guide 15 will cause rotation of the part 8, its bushing and the bushing tab 9, or at least a rotational bias will be imposed on these members. This rotation will continue in a counterclockwise direction until tab 9 moves around and into engagement with the guide 15, as indicated for the tab located immediately to the left of the die face in FIG. 1. The part 8 will then skid or slide along guide 15 until the tab 9 reaches the end of the guide, and hence is released. As each part approaches the die face 10a, it is also cammed inwardly by guide 15, and the camming action is such that the peripheral surface of each part 8 is brought into contact with the periphery of pressure dial 1 no later than the point at which the part comes into contact with the die face 10a, and preferably before this point so that the relative movement between the faster moving pressure dial 1 and the slower moving part 8 will impose a rotational bias in a counterclockwise direction on the part 8, its bushing and associated tab 9. Thus, immediately upon the release of tab 9 by guide 15, the part will be rotated by the pressure dial 1, and will then be pressure rolled across die face 10a, the spacing between the periphery of pressure roll 1 and die face 10a being no greater than the outside diameter of the part, and usually slightly less. Preferably the die head 10 is adjustable in any direction, and is resiliently loaded inwardly, either by springs or pneumatically, or both. By suitable adjustments of the guide 15, one can vary the point at which the part first contacts the guide, the point at which the part first contacts the pressure dial, and the point at which each tab 9 is released to permit continued rotation of the part. Tabs 9, of course, pass beneath die face 10a as the part is rolled thereacross. After each part clears the die face, its associated bushing and mandrel are biased outwardly by spring 6, and the part can be unloaded either manually or automatically to make way for the mounting of a new part on the bushing.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the parts are loaded onto rotationally stationary bushings, as opposed to constantly rotating geared mandrels, thus facilitating loading of the parts. Additionally, the orientation of the marking or decoration on the part can be varied merely by adjusting the orientation or escapement guide 15.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary mandrel and bushing assembly. Thus a bushing 25 formed with a tab 9 is mounted for free rotation about a mandrel 26, and is formed with grooves 27 for mating with corresponding projections on the inner cylindrical surface of a workpiece, such as a plastic lipstick cap or tube. Grooves 27 constitute merely one convenient way of keying the part to the bushing 25, and any convenient arrangement can be used so long as it does not present difficulties in the mounting and removal of the workpiece or part. Although mandrel 26 is preferably fixed rigidly to a pivotal link 4, this is not necessary, and the mandrel could be rotatably mounted in a link 4.

Syringe barrel 28 illustrated in FIG. 5 represents a general class of parts which can be readily marked on a machine of the type previously described. Since the syringe barrel itself is formed with finger tabs 29, it can be mounted on a plain cylindrical bushing, that is, a bushing without a tab 9, and the tabs 29 of the syringe barrel can perform the orienting function of the bushing tabs. Since it is usually required that the markings on the syringe barrel be angularly oriented relative to the finger tabs, the finger tabs themselves constitute the most convenient orienting tabs, and cooperate with the orienting guide 15 in the same manner as the bushing tabs.

FIG. 3 illustrates schematically an alternative arrangement of the invention, the alternative being illustrated as embodied in a two-station roll-marking machine. The two-station roll-marking machine has two marking stations, each of which operates in the same general manner. In fact, it will be readily understood that the embodiment of FIG. 1 could be made into a two-station marking machine by incorporating an additional orienting mechanism and an additional marking station.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, a Teflon belt or Teflon-coated belt 32 extends between two adjustable clamps 30 and 31 to form a camming surface for moving the workpieces 8' against the periphery of the pressure dial 1'. The belt 32 extends beneath the carrier dial 2' and acts against the free ends of the pivotal links 4' so as to pivot these links inwardly at a desired point, and hence to move the workpieces 8' against the periphery of the pressure dial. A camming belt has been shown only for the second marking station, but it will be understood that illustration of the camming belt for the first marking station has been omitted for clarity.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, orienting guide 15' is still arranged so as to encounter the rotating tab 9', and hence terminate the rotation of bushing mounted part 8' before the part reaches the die. As in the previous embodiment, the orienting guide 15' releases the workpiece 8' for continued operation when tab 9' clears the end of guide 15'. Since the workpiece or part 8' is urged against the pressure dial by belt 32, it is not necessary in the embodiment of FIG. 3 that the guide 15' converge substantially inwardly or that it lie close to its associated die face. For instance, the guide 15' can release the tab 9' at a substantial distance from the associated die face, and permit the workpiece to undergo substantial rotation before it actually encounters the die face. The only requirement is that the workpiece be in the proper angular orientation when it reaches the die face. Clamps 30 and 31 preferably can be mounted on the machine base at any of several locations so as to vary the path of the belt 32 as desired.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 1, a camming belt of the type illustrated in FIG. 3 can be incorporated in the embodiment of FIG. 1 either to assist in camming the workpieces inwardly onto the pressure dial, or to avoid any possibility of the workpiece temporarily moving out of engagement with the pressure dial after it is released by the guide 15 but before it is firmly pressed between the die and the pressure dial. This ensures that the initial orientation will not be lost.

Although the orienting or escapement arrangement has been illustrated only in connection with marking machines, the arrangement could also be applied to other machines which accomplish automatic part handling. Also, although only dial-type machines have been illustrated, the orienting or escapement arrangement could be used on other types of roll-marking machines. For instance, in practically any roll-marking machine in which a rotatably mounted part is rolled across a die, a surface leading to the die could be provided, and an orienting or escapement surface or member could be arranged to cooperate with a tab rotating with the workpiece. Thus the workpiece could be moved against the surface, and translated therealong toward the die so as to initiate rotation of the workpiece, the rotation would be temporarily terminated upon engagement of the rotating tab with the orienting or escapement surface, followed by release of the tab at a predetermined point in the approach to the die, and oriented rolling of the workpiece across the die. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other types of roll-marking machines are susceptible of use with an orienting arrangement which is based on the simple concept of induced rotation along or against a surface, followed by sliding or skidding, followed by release in a predetermined angular orientation, all during translational or substantially translational movement of the workpiece.

Having thus described our invention in the manner required by patents statutes,

Claims

We claim:

1. In a machine, means defining a work station at which an operation is to be performed on a member having a generally circular cross section, and orienting and transporting means for orienting the member and transporting it to said work station, said orienting and transporting means comprising: support means supporting the member for free rotation about its axis; means defining a first surface arranged generally parallel to the axis of the member and extending along a path leading to said work station; means for positively moving said support means and said member generally along said path and effecting relative movement therealong between said support means and said first surface; means for effecting relative convergence between said support means and said first surface so as to effect contact between said member and said first surface at a predetermined point along said path, thus effecting a rotational tendency of said member about its axis; means defining a radial projection supported by said support means for rotation with said member; means defining a second surface extending generally along said path and located so as to be abutted by said radial projection during rotation thereof so as to terminate rotation of said member temporarily and effect a skidding movement between said member and said first surface until said second surface releases said radial projection for further rotation thereof, whereby said member will be oriented to an angular position determined by said second surface and said radial projection before reaching said work station.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said radial projection is formed on said member.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a freely rotatable bushing upon which said member is mounted, and said radial projection is formed on said bushing.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second surfaces comprise adjacent surface areas of an orientation guide arranged adjacent the path of said support means and converging toward said support means to form said means for effecting relative convergence.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means defining said first surface is a movable member moving along said path and having an edge forming said first surface, said edge being disposed adjacent the periphery of said member and remote from said radial projection, and said means defining said second surface is an orientation guide disposed on the opposite side of said member relative to said movable member and in the plane of rotation of said radial projection.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said support means is mounted for movement in directions normal to said path into and out of engagement with said edge of said movable member, and wherein said means for effecting relative convergence comprises a cam for acting against said support means and moving it toward said edge until said member is pressed against said edge to effect rotation thereof.