Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for conveying and marking pellet-shaped articles

US4672892A · kind A · utility

44Cited by
11References
40Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 16, 1985
Grant dateJun 16, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 16, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41F17/36
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An article marking apparatus which generally includes a transfer drum for receiving a series of articles from a feed hopper, for transfer to a conveyor system, and a pair of printing heads associated with the article marking apparatus at different locations along the path through which the articles progress. One printing head is positioned along the arcuate transfer path developed as the articles progress about the transfer drum, so as to apply indicia to one side of the articles being processed as they traverse the transfer drum. The other printing head is positioned along the conveyor system, so as to apply indicia to the other side of the articles being processed as they traverse the conveyor system. As a result, indicia are capable of being applied to both sides of the articles being processed in a single processing operation. To permit the application of indicia to different types of articles with a minimum amount of set-up and readjustment, the transfer drum preferably incorporates series of laterally spaced, yet differently configured rows of article receiving cavities; and a vacuum shoe which is capable of variable positioning along the inner face of the transfer drum so as…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.