阅读说明：本技术 用于印刷带有标记电气设备的标记的标记卡的印刷机 (Printing machine for printing a marking card with a marking for marking an electrical device ) 是由 M·达尔曼 T·博内费尔德 R·曼克 R·辛德勒 T·科斯特 于 2020-02-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种印刷机,用于印刷由塑料和/或金属制成的板状介质,特别是用于印刷带有用于标记电气设备的标记(3)的由塑料和/或金属制成的标记卡(2),其具有多种功能装置(I、II、III、IV),以及用于在印刷过程中处理可印刷的板状介质、特别是带有用于标记电气设备的标记(3)的标记卡(2)的设备(1),利用该设备在印刷机中对板状介质进行处理,特别是在印刷机中进行输送,其中它们进一步至少在功能装置(I、II、III、IV)之间进行输送,其特征在于,处理设备(1)具有多个站(4a、4b、4c、4d),这些站在每种情况下分别形成为用于待印刷的板状介质、特别是在每种情况下为标记卡(2)的接收和固定装置,站(4a、4b、4c、4d)中的一个或多个被配置为可枢转的,使得它或它们能够从第一枢转位置枢转到第二枢转位置抵靠弹性止动件(8a、8b、8c、16、19、21)。(Printing machine for printing sheet-shaped media made of plastic and/or metal, in particular for printing marking cards (2) made of plastic and/or metal with markings (3) for marking electrical devices, having a multiplicity of functional devices (I, II, III, IV) and a device (1) for processing printable sheet-shaped media, in particular marking cards (2) with markings (3) for marking electrical devices, in a printing process, with which the sheet-shaped media are processed in the printing machine, in particular transported in the printing machine, wherein they are further transported at least between the functional devices (I, II, III, IV), characterized in that the processing device (1) has a plurality of stations (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) which are in each case formed in each case for sheet-shaped media to be printed, In particular in each case a receiving and fixing device for a marking card (2), one or more of the stations (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) is configured pivotable such that it or they can be pivoted from a first pivot position into a second pivot position against a resilient stop (8a, 8b, 8c, 16, 19, 21).)

1. Printing machine for printing plate-shaped media made of plastic and/or metal, in particular for printing marking cards (2) made of plastic and/or metal with markings (3) for marking electrical devices, with the printing machine having various functional devices (I, II, III, IV), and a device (1) for processing printable plate-shaped media during printing, in particular marking cards (2) with markings (3) for marking electrical devices, with which the plate-shaped media are processed in the printing machine, in particular transported in the printing machine, wherein they are further transported at least between the functional devices (I, II, III, IV), characterized in that the processing device (1) has a plurality of stations (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), they are formed in each case as a receiving and fixing device for the plate-shaped media to be printed, in particular in each case as a marking card (2), wherein one or more of the stations (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) is configured pivotable such that it or they can be pivoted from a first pivot position into a second pivot position in each case against a resilient stop (8a, 8b, 8c, 16, 19, 21).

2. Printing machine according to claim 1, wherein the processing device (1) has at least three or more stations (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) such that at least a first station, a second station and a third station are provided.

3. Printing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least two of the stations (4b, 4c), referred to as second and third stations, are pivotable such that they are aligned with each other in a first pivoting position and are not aligned with each other in another pivoting position.

4. Printing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stations (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) are each designed as a shell type having a U-shaped cross section.

5. A printing machine as claimed in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that each station (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) has in each case a conveying device (23) for further conveying the respective plate-shaped medium into the station (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) and from the station (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) into the station (4a, 4b, 4c, 4 d).

6. Printing machine according to claim 5, wherein said conveying means (23) is a conveyor belt or a belt conveyor or a roller conveyor.

7. Printing machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the treatment, in particular the transport, of the individual plate-shaped media does not take place along a straight line, but during the treatment there is at least one change of direction or a plurality of changes of direction of the individual plate-shaped media, so that the transport path as a whole deviates from a straight line.

8. Printing machine according to claim 7, wherein the treatment device (1) is configured such that with it a single change of direction of the individual plate-shaped media and a generally angled, in particular L-shaped, transport path of the individual plate-shaped media is produced, or with it at least two changes of direction of the individual plate-shaped media and a generally U-shaped transport path of the individual plate-shaped media is produced.

9. Printing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the treatment device (1) is configured such that more than two changes of direction of the respective plate-like medium are produced therewith.

10. A printing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport path of each plate-like medium lies in a single plane, wherein both planes are vertically offset with respect to each other by less than 20mm, or wherein the transport path of each plate-like medium lies in a single plane without vertical offset.

11. A printing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus (1) has a pivoting plate (7) between the second and third stations (4b, 4 c).

12. Printing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pivoting plate (7) has a stop (7a) extending at an angle between the stations which are oriented parallel in the first position.

13. A printing machine according to claim 14, wherein the stop (7a) has a stop (8a, 8b, 8c) projecting from the pivoting plate (7).

14. A printing machine as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the pivoting plate (7) has one or more of elastic stops (8a, 8b, 8c, 8 d).

15. A printing machine as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein said pivoting plate (7) additionally has at least one bearing (7 b).

16. A printing machine as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein said stop (7a) has a web (9) provided with a hole which engages with a grommet of the first spring (10).

17. A printing machine according to any one of claims 15 or 16, wherein the bearing (7b) accommodates a fixed bearing pin of the second pivot bearing (6) of the third station (4c) and has a holding plate (11) coaxial with respect to the second pivot bearing (6), wherein the holding plate (11) is mounted coaxially with respect to the second pivot bearing (6) in a rotatable manner.

18. Printing machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first drive designed as a motor (12) is mounted to the holding plate (11) in a non-rotatable manner.

19. A printing machine as claimed in claim 18, wherein said motor (12) is configured and arranged for initiating the pivoting movement of the third station (4c) via a gear mechanism.

20. Printing machine according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the holding plate (11) has a second spring (17) which acts as a return spring for the motor (12).

21. Printing machine according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the motor (12) drives a pinion (14), the pinion (14) meshing with a gearwheel (13), wherein the gearwheel (13) is connected in a non-rotatable manner with the station (4 c).

22. Printing machine according to one of the preceding claims, having a guide strip (15) on which a guide slide (18) is movably guided, wherein the guide slide (18) has a fixed bearing pin of a first pivot bearing (5) by which the second station (4b) is pivotably mounted on the guide slide (18).

23. Printing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second station (4b) has a connection plate (19), wherein the connection plate (19) has a hole which engages with a grommet of a third spring (20).

24. A printing machine as claimed in claim 23, wherein said third spring (20) is connected to said guide slider (18).

25. Printing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vertical movement of the station (4b) along the guide bar (15) and the anticlockwise pivoting movement of the station (4b) about the central axis of the first pivot bearing (5) are actuated by a single second drive.

26. Printing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second station (4b) has an elastic end stop by means of the third spring (20) and the pivot plate (7) by means of the first spring (10), with the result that, after the second station (4b) has undergone a pivoting movement, from then on, the second station (4b) and the pivot plate (7) are aligned parallel to one another, even when the second station (4b) is moved further vertically upwards along the guide strip (15).

27. Printing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third station (4c) driven by the motor (12) performs a pivoting movement via the pinion (14) and the gearwheel (13), wherein a counter-torque with respect to the torque of the motor (12) is applied by the second spring (17), as a result of which a clockwise pivoting movement is performed about the central axis of the second pivot bearing (6) until the third station (4c) contacts the third stop (8 c).

28. Printing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second station (4b) and the third station (4c) are aligned with each other in a repeatable manner after reaching the respective stop (8a, 8b and 8 c).

29. Printing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive (12) is formed such that after the stop (8a, 8b, 8c) of the station (4b, 4c) has been reached, the drive continues to run, the first drive (12) and the second drive continue further up to the respective spring (10, 17, 20) and stop, although the station (4b, 4c) has contacted the stop (8a, 8b, 8 c).

30. Printing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor (12) remains switched on for an additional period of time after the pivoting movement of the third station (4c) has stopped at the third stop pin (8c), and in the process the second spring (17) is deflected such that the third station (4c) always contacts the third stop pin (8c) in a spring-loaded manner.

31. Printing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein by means of the spring-loaded second station (4b) and third station (4c), the pivoting and stopping systems of the two stations (4b and 4c) act in such a way as to compensate for tolerances of mechanical and control-related influences during the respective pivoting movement and during the contact of the stop (8a and 8b or 8c) in the respective pivoted-out position of the respective station (4b or 4 c).

32. Printing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it has one or more of the following functional devices (I, II, III, IV):

a. a separation device (I) for separating the waste water,

b. a printing unit (II), and/or

c. A fixing device (III),

d. wherein the transport takes place from the functional device (I, II, III, IV) to the functional device (I, II, III, IV).

33. A printing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, further having at least one area for cooling the plate-like medium.

34. Method for treating, in particular conveying, plate-like media on a conveying path through a printing press according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the treatment, in particular conveying, of the individual plate-like media is not carried out in a straight line, but has at least one change of direction or a plurality of changes of direction of the individual plate-like media during the treatment, so that the conveying path as a whole deviates from a straight line, wherein one or more of the stations (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) are pivotably arranged and during operation are pivoted from a first pivot position to a second pivot position against an elastic stop (8a, 8b, 8c, 16, 19, 21).

Technical Field

The invention relates to a printing machine for printing plate-shaped media, in particular a marking card for printing marks with a marking electrical device, having a device for handling printable plate-shaped media, in particular a marking card with marks for marking electrical devices, during printing.

Background

From DE 202006005458U 1 a printing machine and a plate-like printing medium are known, in particular a card or a label for labeling electrical devices, connectors, cables or the like, wherein at least one or more labels are combined to form a mat. Print media, particularly indicia, are provided with indicia as they pass through a printer. In this case, the printing medium, in particular the mat, is provided with first means for preventing twisting, which are configured for interacting with corresponding means for preventing twisting on the printing machine, so that printing of the printing medium, in particular the mat, is only possible if the printing medium is inserted in the correct orientation.

Furthermore, a configuration of a corresponding printing machine is described, which according to the technical teaching of DE 202006005458U 1 is configured in a straight line, i.e. without changing the direction of the printing medium to be printed, and is provided with a twist-preventing, fixed printing mechanism, a fixed fixing device and an advancing or conveying device for the printing medium or mat.

A printing press with a separating device is known from DE 202012101998U 1. The separating device works according to the push rod-locking rod principle. The movements of the push rod and the locking lever are synchronized by means of an electric lifting lever power mechanism, which works in each case against one side.

Printing machines of the generic type and of the type according to the invention can have a magazine, in particular a shaft magazine with separating devices, a printing unit, a heat fixing unit and an output station. According to the technical teaching of DE 202012101998U 1, the individual components of the printing press are arranged in a line.

DE 102013104780 a1 proposes a magazine device and a method for stacking printed marking element mats. According to DE 102013104780, it is envisaged to arrange the magazine arrangement on the output side of the printing press, in line with the printing press.

Disclosure of Invention

Printing devices according to the prior art have proven to be good in practice, but an arrangement of the individual stations of the printing press which saves installation space and a higher printing performance of the entire printing process is still desired. In this case, it is intended to change direction during transport of the device to be printed in a particularly advantageous manner. The problem of the present invention is therefore to create a printing press which achieves this object.

The present invention solves this problem by the subject matter of claim 1 and also provides a method according to claim 34.

According to claim 1, a printing machine is provided for printing sheet-shaped media made of plastic and/or metal, in particular for printing marking cards made of plastic and/or metal with markings for marking electrical devices, having a multiplicity of functional means, and a device for processing printable sheet-shaped media, in particular marking cards with markings for marking electrical devices, during printing, with which the sheet-shaped media are processed in the printing machine, in particular transported in the printing machine, wherein they are further transported at least between the functional means, wherein the processing device has a plurality of stations which are in each case formed as receiving and fixing means for the sheet-shaped media to be printed, in particular in each case of a marking card, wherein one or more of the stations are configured to be pivotable, so that it or they can pivot from the first pivot position to the second pivot position against the resilient stop.

Advantageously, the processing device has a plurality of stations which in each case form a receiving device for one or more plate-shaped media, in particular in each case a marking card. Alternatively, multiple badge cards may be secured simultaneously.

Wherein the one or more stations are configured to be pivotable such that they can be pivoted from a first pivot position into a second pivot position.

In this way, a printing press with a relatively high throughput need not be constructed excessively in a single straight direction and therefore "long" but can, for example, advantageously remain relatively "short" in one direction overall.

Also advantageously, one or more of the stations can pivot against an elastic stop. The resilient stop advantageously ensures that there is a wide tolerance window and a soft motor stop. In this case, the respective station is still advantageously stopped exactly at one or more stops.

In this case, according to an advantageous refinement, it is also conceivable for one or more of the stations to be able to each pivot against an elastic stop and for at least two of the stations to be able to pivot such that they are aligned with one another in a first pivot position and are not aligned with one another in a further pivot position. Overall, this provides a very advantageous operational behavior.

In a further embodiment variant, the stations can each be designed as a type of housing with a U-shaped cross section. As a result, the plate-shaped medium, in particular the marking card in each case, can be simply fixed in a substantially form-fitting manner.

According to a further advantageous variant, each station can in each case have a conveying device for further conveying the individual plate-shaped medium within the station and (from the station) to an adjacent station. The construction outlay for the treatment plant can thereby advantageously be kept low.

In this case, it is conceivable that the conveying device is a conveyor belt or a belt conveyor. Alternatively, other conveying means are possible, such as roller conveyors. As a result, a simple and thus advantageous conveying device is provided.

According to a preferred configuration, it is envisaged that the treatment, in particular the transport, of the individual plate-shaped media is not carried out along a straight line, but that during the treatment there is at least one change of direction or a plurality of changes of direction of the individual plate-shaped media, so that the transport path as a whole deviates from a straight line.

In this way, a printing press with a relatively high throughput is not constructed too much in a single straight direction and is therefore too "long", but the printing press as a whole can advantageously remain relatively "short" in one direction, although a relatively long transport path can be produced overall on which the plate-shaped medium is printed and preferably also particularly fixed and can be cooled.

In this case, a number of advantageous variants can be produced.

According to a first advantageous variant, it is conceivable that the treatment device is configured and the method is configured such that with it a single direction change of the individual plate-shaped media and overall an angled, in particular L-shaped, transport path of the individual plate-shaped media is produced.

In contrast, according to a further particularly advantageous variant, it is conceivable for the treatment device and the treatment method thereof to be configured such that they produce two changes of direction of the individual plate-shaped media and, overall, a U-shaped transport path for the individual plate-shaped media. In this way, a card may enter the printer on one side, which is also the same side from which the card is fed and output from the printer.

Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the processing device and the processing method thereof are configured such that more than two changes of direction of the respective plate-shaped medium are produced therewith.

According to a further variant, it is advantageously conceivable that the transport paths of the individual plate-shaped media lie in a single plane without vertical offset, or alternatively that there is a vertical offset of less than 20 mm. Preferably, the medium to be printed is also not turned over, as is the case, for example, in conventional paper printers. This advantageously further simplifies the constructional expenditure of the processing apparatus.

Furthermore, advantageously, the printing press has one or more of the following functional devices: separating means, printing means and/or fixing means, and the transport takes place between the functional means.

In the following, further alternative configurations are described, advantageously having a positive influence on the operational behaviour.

Thus, according to a variant, it is conceivable to provide at least three stations, thus at least a first, a second and a third station.

Hereinafter, it is conceivable that the apparatus has a pivoting plate which is located between two stations, wherein one of the stations is referred to as the second station and the other station is referred to as the third station.

In this case, it is advantageously conceivable for the second and third stations to be pivotable from a parallel position into a mutually aligned position.

According to another variant, it is advantageously conceivable for the pivoting plate to have a stop which extends at an angle between the stations which are oriented parallel in the first position.

In this case, it is likewise conceivable simply for the pivot plate to have a resilient stop.

According to another alternative, it is conceivable for the stop to have a web provided with a hole which engages with the grommet of the first spring.

Furthermore, it is conceivable for the pivot plate to have at least one or more bearing portions.

In this case, the bearing section may accommodate the fixed bearing pin of the second pivot bearing of the third station and may have a holding plate coaxial with respect to the second pivot bearing, wherein the holding plate is coaxially mounted in a rotatable manner with respect to the second pivot bearing.

After this, it is conceivable that a first drive is mounted on the holding plate in a non-rotatable manner, which first drive is designed as a motor and is preferably provided for the purpose of initiating a pivoting movement of the third station, which is via a gear mechanism, for example a large gear mechanism.

After this, according to another variant, it is conceivable for the holding plate to have a second spring, which acts as a return spring for the motor.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the motor drives a pinion, which meshes with a gearwheel, which is connected to the station in a non-rotatable manner.

After this, it is further conceivable for the printing press to have a guide strip on which a guide slide is guided in a movable manner, wherein the guide slide has a fixed bearing pin of a first pivot bearing, by means of which the second station is mounted on the guide slide in a pivotable manner.

According to another alternative, it is conceivable for the second station to have a connecting plate with a hole therein, which is engaged by a grommet of the third spring. It is further contemplated that a third spring is connected to the guide slider.

It is further envisaged that the vertical movement of the station along the guide strip and the counter-clockwise pivotal movement of the station about the central axis of the first pivot bearing are actuated by a single second drive.

It is conceivable, after this, for the second station to have a resilient end stop both by means of the third spring and by means of the pivot plate by means of the first spring, with the result that, after the second station has undergone a pivoting movement, from then on, the second station and the pivot plate must be aligned parallel to one another, even when the second station is moved further vertically upwards along the guide strip.

According to a refinement, it is then conceivable that the third station driven by the motor performs a pivoting movement via the pinion and the gearwheel, a counter torque with respect to the motor torque being exerted by the second spring, as a result of which a clockwise pivoting movement about the central axis of the second pivot bearing is performed until the third station contacts the third stop.

Finally, it is conceivable that the second and third stations are aligned with one another in a repeatable manner after reaching the respective stop.

According to a particularly advantageous option, which results in a particularly advantageous operating behavior, it is conceivable that the drive continues to run after the stop position of the station has been reached, the first drive and the second drive continuing further up to the respective spring and stopping, although the station has contacted the stop.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the motor remains switched on for an additional period of time after the pivoting movement of the third station has stopped at the third stop pin, and in the process the second spring is deflected, so that the third station always contacts the third stop in a spring-loaded manner.

Overall, it can be ensured in this way that, by means of the spring-loaded second and third stations, the pivoting and stopping system of the two stations compensates for tolerances of the mechanical and control-related influences during the respective pivoting movement and during the contact of the stop in the respective pivoted-out position of the respective station.

Thereafter, it is conceivable that the printing press has one or more of the following functional devices:

a. a separating device is arranged on the upper portion of the separating device,

b. printing devices, and/or

c. A fixing device, and/or

d. Wherein the transport is from functional device to functional device.

The plate-shaped medium to be printed can thus advantageously be processed in an automated manner.

Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the printing press to have at least one cooling region for cooling the plate-shaped medium.

As a result, in each case, a fully installable plate-like medium can be removed from the printer.

The invention also provides a method for treating, in particular conveying, plate-shaped media on a conveying path through a printing press according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the treatment, in particular conveying, of each plate-shaped medium does not take place in a straight line, but rather has at least one change of direction or a plurality of changes of direction of each plate-shaped medium during the treatment, so that the conveying path as a whole deviates from a straight line, wherein one or more of the stations are pivotably arranged and during operation are pivoted from a first pivot position to a second pivot position against an elastic stop.

In this case, according to a variant, it is conceivable to produce a single change in direction of the individual plate-shaped media using the treatment device and to produce an angled, in particular L-shaped, transport path for the individual plate-shaped media as a whole. However, it is also conceivable that the treatment device is configured such that two changes of direction of the individual plate-shaped media are produced with the treatment device and that a generally U-shaped transport path of the individual plate-shaped media is produced. Finally, it is also conceivable that more than two changes of direction of the individual plate-shaped media are produced using the processing device and/or that the transport of the individual plate-shaped media on the transport path takes place in a single plane without vertical offset.

Drawings

The invention will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to some preferred exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings. However, these figures are to be understood as examples only and are not exhaustive of the invention. Other literal and equivalent embodiments of the described configurations are also within the scope of protection. In the drawings:

FIG. 1: there is shown a printer for printing a marking card with indicia for marking electrical equipment, connectors, cables, etc. according to the prior art;

FIG. 2: a plan view of a device for handling printable marking cards with indicia for marking electrical devices, connectors, cables, etc. during printing is shown;

FIG. 3: the apparatus of fig. 1 is shown in a spatial view with a first marking card to be printed separate from a magazine or stack, in a receiving station on the magazine;

FIG. 4: showing a plan view of the apparatus of figure 1 with the marking card to be printed in a receiving station on the magazine;

FIG. 5: a plan view of the apparatus of figure 1 is shown with a badge or the like being printed;

FIG. 6: a plan view of the apparatus of figure 1 is shown with a badge or the like being printed;

FIG. 7: a plan view of the apparatus of figure 1 is shown with the marking card or the like printed;

FIG. 8: there is shown a plan view of the apparatus of figure 1 with the badge being moved out of the print zone into a transfer station;

FIG. 9: there is shown a plan view of the apparatus of figure 1 with the badge moved out of the print zone into a transfer station;

FIG. 10: there is shown a plan view of the apparatus of figure 1 with the marking card in the transfer station ready for transfer in a direction different from the direction of transfer out of the receiving station on the magazine to the printing area;

FIG. 11: there is shown a plan view of the apparatus of figure 1 with a first badge located in a transfer station and another badge separated and located in a receiving station on a storage box;

FIG. 12: there is shown a plan view of the apparatus of figure 1 with a first marking card being transported into the stationary unit in a direction opposite to the transport direction from the magazine to the printing area, and subsequently to a removal position and another second marking card being transported from a receiving station on the magazine to the printing area;

FIG. 13: a spatial view of a station having a conveyor and a marking card is shown.

Detailed Description

Within the meaning of the present invention, the use of the terms "handling" or "processing" should be understood as a variation of the spatial position and orientation of an object having a specific geometry, for example by rotation or turning or holding by technical means in the case of processing, without any change being made to the body itself. "handling" also includes operations of moving the body by technical means, such as changes in the number of save (and therefore transient storage) (e.g., separation, division, consolidation), moving or transporting the body, and fixing and inspecting the body.

Within the meaning of the present invention, the term "conveyor" or "transport" used is to be understood as a technical means for moving goods forward in a delimited operating area or moving goods forward in a delimited operating area.

For a detailed construction of a marking card 2 with a marking 3 for marking electrical devices, connectors, cables, etc., reference is made here to DE 202006005458U 1.

Fig. 1 shows a printing machine for printing a marking card 2 with markings 3 for marking electrical devices, connectors, cables, etc., according to the prior art. In the printing machine according to the prior art, the marking cards 2 are processed in one line, that is to say, the orientation of the marking cards is not changed during the processing. The printing press has various devices I, II, III, IV, each assigned a defined function.

The first device I here has a storage case with a separating device. It is a separation device. In the second device II, the printing device, the previously detached marking card 2 is printed here in each case. In the third device III, the fixing device, the printed image is fixed here on the printed marking card 2. In a fourth device IV, an output device, the completely printed marking card 2 is output here. Where appropriate, a cooling region (not shown here) is integrated into the output device.

During the printing process of the printing machine, the device for handling printable marking cards 2 with markings 3 for marking electrical devices, connectors, cables, etc. is used for transport inside the printing machine with one or more devices in the manner of fig. 1.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a device 1 according to the invention for handling printable marking cards 2 with markings 3 during printing in a printing press, said markings 3 being used for marking electrical devices, connectors, cables, etc.

In this case, the processing, in particular the transport or transport, of the marking cards 2 no longer takes place in a straight line, but rather the orientation of the marking cards changes or changes several times during the processing. Thus, in general, there is a non-linear transport path when transporting individual sheet media through the printer.

The apparatus 1 has a plurality of (here four) receiving and holding devices, which are referred to below as stations 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, for one or more marking cards 2 to be printed in each case, which are arranged one behind the other. Here, the stations 4a to 4d have in each case a conveying device 23 shown in fig. 13, with which the respective marking card 2 can be conveyed in a translatory manner from the station 4a to 4c to the further station 4b to 4 d.

The conveying device 23 is designed here as a circular belt conveyor with two circular belts 24 guided in parallel and driven synchronously. Alternatively, other conveying means 23 are possible, such as a conveyor belt or a roller conveyor.

The stations 4a to 4d may be of the type designed as a housing 25 with a U-shaped cross-section (see also fig. 13). One functional device I, II, III, IV can be assigned to each of these, i.e. the printing device or the fixing device.

In the example of fig. 13, the marking cards 2a have in each case a transversely arranged, integrally formed U-profile 26 which is tangent on three sides to the respective circular belt 24 of the conveyor 23 and is supported on the respective circular belt 24.

The stations 4a to 4d may in each case have a slide plate 27. The slide plate 27 serves to guide the marking card 2 in a vertical direction, "vertical" with respect to the plane of the drawing in fig. 13. In this way, a reliable guidance of the marking card 2 in one plane is achieved during the transport.

The first station 4a may be present in a stationary manner and may be formed as a magazine with separating means (otherwise not shown here) as functional means. It may also form part of the separating apparatus.

The second station 4b can be provided as a clamping and advancing device for the printing device and can thus form part of a printing device (otherwise not shown here) as a functional device. It may also form a type of deflector.

The second station 4b is pivotably supported by a first pivot bearing 5. The first station 4a and the second station 4b are here arranged in a line one behind the other, the second station 4b being moved away from this line by a parallel movement during the subsequent printing process in order to properly orient the marking card 2a with respect to the print head. The pivoting movement can also be caused by the same actuator after printing is completed.

The third station 4c may also be provided as a deflector and is thus pivotably supported by the second pivot bearing 6 similarly to the second station 4 b. The fourth station 4d is stationary. It may form part of a fixing means as a functional means in which the printed image is fixed to the marking 3, for example by applying heat.

The third station 4c and the fourth station 4d are here arranged one behind the other in a straight line, from which straight line the third station 4c can be pivoted via the second pivot bearing 6 at an angle inclined thereto out of the first pivot position into a second pivot position inclined thereto.

The second and third stations 4b, 4c can be located in a line as desired by means of respective first and second pivot bearings 5, 6 and drives.

With the device 1, a U-shaped transport direction is produced here for the marking card 2 to be printed or the marking card 2 to be printed during the printing process, respectively — thus, for example, the transport direction here has two changes of direction. This results in an advantageous, space-saving arrangement of the individual stations 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d during the printing of the marking card 2.

The device 1 can also be configured such that with it a single direction change is produced, thus for example producing an angled, for example L-shaped, conveying direction. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable for the conveying device 23 to be configured such that it is used to produce a conveying direction with more than two direction changes, for example an S-shaped conveying direction.

The transport direction with at least one change of direction provides the entire printing process of the printing press with advantageously higher printing performance.

In the following, optional advantageous features of the preferred embodiments shown in the figures will be described, which may additionally be produced individually or in combination.

Thus, the apparatus 1 may have a pivot plate 7 located between the second station 4b and the third station 4 c. The pivot plate 7 has an elongated stop 7a which extends diagonally with respect to the plane of the drawing in fig. 2 at an angle between the second station 4b and the third station 4 c. The stop 7a may have a plurality of stops 8a, 8b, 8c, which project from the pivot plate 7 perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in fig. 2. The stop members 8a, 8b, 8c may be firmly connected to the stop portion 7a of the pivot plate 7 and may also be engaged by the stop portion 7 a.

The stop 7a may further have a web 9 provided with a hole which is engaged by the grommet of the first spring 10. The grommet at the other end of the first spring 10 is suspended in a solid part, not shown in detail here. The first spring 10 is designed here as a helical tension spring.

The stop 7a has a further stop 16 which is positioned next to the stop 7 a.

In addition, the pivot plate 7 may further have a support portion 7 b. The bearing 7b receives the fixed bearing pin of the second pivot bearing 6 of the third station 4 c. The support portion 7b has a holding plate 11 coaxial with the second pivot bearing 6.

A first drive, here designed as a motor 12, is mounted on the holding plate 11 in a non-rotatable manner. The motor 12 can here initiate the pivoting movement of the third station 4c via a large gear mechanism. The holding plate 11 has a second spring 17 which serves as a return spring for the motor 12. The second spring 17 is designed here as a helical tension spring. Alternatively, the spring can also be designed differently, for example as a helical compression spring, it being important that it performs the elastic restoring function. The holding plate 11 is mounted coaxially with respect to the second pivot bearing 6 in a rotatable manner.

For this purpose, a gearwheel 13 is connected in a non-rotatable manner to the station 4c, which meshes with a pinion 14 that can be driven by an electric motor 12, so that a gearwheel mechanism is formed. It is advantageous, but not necessary, to design the gear mechanism as a large gear mechanism. The gear mechanism can therefore also be designed differently, for example as a flexible drive mechanism or as a coupling mechanism. It is also possible to drive the pivoting movement of the station 4c directly by the motor 12. The motor 12 may also be formed as a gear mechanism motor.

Furthermore, the guide bar 15 acts as a linear guide for the translational displacement of the second station 4b vertically upwards, wherein "vertically upwards" is relative to the plane of the drawing in fig. 2. For this purpose, the guide strip 15 has a guide slide 18. The guide slide 18 is guided movably on the guide strip 15 and has a fixed bearing pin of the first pivot bearing 5, by means of which first pivot bearing 5 the second station 4b is mounted pivotably on the guide slide 18. The second station 4b has a connection plate 19. The connecting plate 19 has a hole which engages with the grommet of the third spring 20. The third spring 20 is designed as a helical tension spring. The grommet at the other end of the third spring 20 is connected to the guide slider 18. The third spring 20 acts as a return spring when the second station 4b pivots about the first pivot bearing 5. This is one possible design of a reset mechanism with a stop. Other structural designs or other geometric arrangements are also possible.

The third station 4c has a stop 21 which is supported on the outside of the fourth station 4d and is positioned in such a way as to prevent the third station 4c from pivoting anticlockwise. This is one possible design of the stop. Other structural designs or other geometric arrangements are also possible.

In addition, the third station 4c has a recess 22. By means of the recesses 22 it is ensured that the third station 4c can adopt a position in line with the fourth station 4d, which arrangement would not be possible without the recesses 22, despite the presence of the stop 8c, which stop 8c is positioned on the stop 7a of the pivoting plate 7 in the region of the free end of the third station 4c, which third station 4c is in line with the fourth station 4 d.

The device 1 is shown in a spatial view in fig. 3. The stops 8a, 8b, 8c on the stop 7a of the pivot plate 7 are clearly visible. The webs 9 and 19 and the stops 22 and recesses 22 are also clearly visible.

Fig. 3 shows that the first marking card 2a has been separated from the magazine by the separating means into the first station 4a of the apparatus 1. The marking card 2 is located in a planar horizontal orientation in the first station 4 a. The same is also shown in fig. 4.

In fig. 5, the first marking card 2a has been transported centrally and symmetrically by the respective transport devices 23 of the first station 4a and the second station 4b to the second station 2b and thus to a printing area (not shown here) of the printing machine, so that the first marking card 2a can be printed.

In fig. 6, the first marking card 2a is in the printing position and is being printed. For this purpose, as shown in fig. 6, if the printing width is smaller than the width of the first marking card 2a, it may be necessary to move the second station 4b vertically downwards step by step along the guide strip 15 and the guide slider 18 with respect to the drawing plane in fig. 6, as this is the case here by way of example.

In fig. 7, the printing operation is completed and the second station 4b with the first printed marking card 2a is moved vertically upwards along the guide strip 15 in the direction of the pivot plate 7, relative to the plane of the drawing in fig. 7, together with the guide slide 18, until the second station 4b contacts the first stop 8a of the pivot plate 7.

In fig. 8, the second station 4b is moved further vertically upwards along the guide strip 15 in the direction of the pivot plate 7, relative to the plane of the drawing in fig. 8, together with the guide slide 18, so that the second station 4b additionally also contacts the second stop 8b of the pivot plate 7.

In this case, the station 4b performs a pivoting movement counterclockwise about the central axis of the first pivot bearing 5, since, due to the direction of movement of the guide slide 18 and the first stop 8a, a couple is formed which generates a torque which rotates about an instantaneous pole which coincides with the periphery of the first stop 8a and acts on the second station 4 b.

Both movements, i.e. the vertical movement of the station 4b along the guide strip 15 and the counterclockwise pivoting movement of the station 4b about the central axis of the first pivot bearing 5, can in this case advantageously be actuated by a single second drive (not shown here).

With regard to the pivoting movement, since the second station 4b, via the third spring 20, and the pivot plate 7, via the first spring 10, each have an elastic end stop, after the pivoting movement of the second station 4b has taken place, from then on the second station 4b and the pivot plate 7 must be aligned parallel to one another, even when the second station 4b is moved further vertically upwards along the guide strip 15, in order to compensate for possible tolerances between the components, for example.

The third station 4c, driven by the motor 12, also performs a pivoting movement through the pinion 14 and the gearwheel 13. The counter torque related to the torque of the motor 12 is applied by the second spring 17. In this case, a clockwise pivoting movement about the central axis of the second pivot bearing 6 is performed until the third station 4c contacts the third stop 8 c.

Since the stops 8a, 8b, 8c are arranged in a line, the pivot plate can only move about the central axis of the second pivot bearing 6, which central axis is also the pivot axis of the station 4c, the first station 4b and the second station 4c must be aligned with each other and with each other in a repeatable manner after reaching the respective stop 8a, 8b and 8 c.

After reaching the stop of the station, any existing tolerances are compensated for by the drive continuing a little. As a result, both drives continue (when both stations rest on the stop) into the respective springs and stop "gently", although the stations have stopped.

If the pivoting movement of the third station 4c stops at the third stop pin 8c, the motor 12 remains running for an additional period of time and deflects the second spring 17 in the process, since the third station 4c cannot rotate any further. Since the motor 12 is configured such that its holding torque in the de-energized state is greater than the counter torque exerted by the second spring 17, the station 4c always contacts the third stop 4c in a spring-loaded manner. The motor 12 may also be a motor with an active holding torque, such as a stepper motor.

Due to the principle during which the spring-loaded second and third stations 4b, 4c contact the stops 8a and 8b or 8c during the respective pivoting movement and in the respective pivoted-out position of the respective station 4b or 4c, the pivoting and stopping system of the two stations 4b and 4c compensates for tolerances of the mechanical and control-related influences.

As a result, the two stations 4b and 4c advantageously stop exactly at the stops 8a and 8b or 8c, although the drive stops gently in each case.

Fig. 9 shows that the first marking card 2a has been transported by means of a transport device 23 (not shown here) (see fig. 13) from the second station 4b to the third station 4c aligned therewith.

In fig. 10, the third station 4c is shown pivoted back again to its initial position — thus aligned or in line with the fourth station 4 d. For this purpose, the motor 12 has been put into reverse motion until the third station 4c again contacts the stop 21.

The first marking card 2a can now be transported further to a fixing area or fourth station 4d, while the second marking card 2b has been separated into the first station 4a, as shown in fig. 11.

Fig. 12 shows how, after the first marking card 2a has been transported to the third station 4c and has been pivoted together with the third station 4c, the first marking card 2a is transported to a fourth station 4d, the output station, and how the second marking card 2b is simultaneously transported out of the first station 4a into the second station 4b, thus into the printing position.

Due to the parallel operation of the two operations, advantageously higher printing performance of the entire printing process of the printing press results.

List of reference numerals

1 apparatus

2a, 2b badge

3 labelling

4a, 4b, 4c, 4d stations

5 Pivot bearing

6-pivot bearing

7 pivoting plate

7a stop

7b support part

8a, 8b, 8c stop

9 connecting plate

10 spring

11 holding plate

12 electric machine

13 big gear

14 pinion

15 guide strip

16 stop

17 spring

18 guide slide

19 connecting plate

20 spring

21 stop piece

22 recess

23 conveying device

24 round belt

25 outer casing

26U section bar

27 sliding plate

I. II, III, IV device