US2102970A - Machine for applying transfers - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 21, 1. L PETERSON 2,102,970

MACHINE FOR APPLYING TRANSFERS T' 62 y lz? 44 80 79 ,o 7

k HVEHTOR 'e MTN/55s e2 l ,Vf/4 Y TToRNfY Dec. 21, 1937. 1, L. PETERSON 2,102,970

-MACHINE FOR APPLYING TRANSFERS Filed Feb. 28, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec- \21, 1937. J. 1 PETERSON 2,102,970

MACHINE FOR APPLYING TRANSFERS Filed F'eb. 28, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 g NYENTUR myd WITNESS 7 B Y H7710 RJYEY Dec 21, 1937 J. L. PETERSON MACHINE FOR APPLYING TRANSFERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 28, 1935 mili TMRNEY Aal-7 Patented Dec. 21, 1937 MACHINE FOR APPLYING TRANSFERS Juel L. Peterson, Seneca Falls, N. Y., assignor to Caleb Smith, Seneca Falls, N. Y.

vApplication February 28, 1935, SerialvNo. 8,703

16 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to improvements in a transfer apparatus adapted more particularly to apply transfers to relatively small sized objects of manufacture that may be readily brought into cooperative relation with the apparatus, such as, for instance, articles of clothing or the like.

The main object of this invention is to provide a simply constructed and operated apparatus that will rapidly and eilicaciously apply transfers to relatively small objects such as hosiery or otherarticles of clothing.

In carrying out the above mentioned object, I preferably utilize a transfer tape comprising a relatively long base strip composed of paper or other suitable material having required markings or impressions duplicated thereon at spaced intervals. Thse transfer markings or impres'- sions are composed of vink or other composition which may be readily melted when subjected to a relatively high temperature of heat and these markings may be applied to the base by printing methods in the ordinary manner. The transl fer tape is Vprovided in long strips formed in rolls. In my novel transfer machine the tape is automatically fed intermittently from the roll over articles to which `the transfer is to be applied, between a platen for supporting the articles and a heating element, and the heating element is brought into pressure engagement with the transfer base and article, whereby the ink is melted and transferred from the paper base to the article, and the transfer marking or impression is thus imprinted on the article.

It is a well known fact that paper is highly susceptible to variations in moisture content of the surrounding atmosphere with the result that the distance between the successive transfer.

markings or impressions varies with each change of` the moisture content in the air, due to the contraction or expansion of the paper base produced thereby. This variation in the distance between the transfer markings is` such that,- insofar as the applicant is aware, it heretofore has been very difficult to maintain the markings or impressions in proper relation with the transfer elements of the machine.

Another important object of this invention resides in providing a transfer apparatus which will automatically bring. each successive transfer marking or impression to a predetermined position at each intermittent movement of the transier tape or base, irrespective of the size of the markings, the distance they are spaced apart,

or any irregularities occurring in the spacings thereof.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a: mechanism wherein the operation of certain elements thereof may be readily controlled to conform the machine to varying working conditions such as the time required to make the transfer, the thickness of the article to be labeled etc.

Other objects and advantages pertaining to the structure of the device and to the form and relation of the parts thereof, will more. fully appear from the `following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation partly broken away and partly in section, of a transfer apparatus embodying the various features of this invention Figure 2 is a plan view if the structure shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail transverse sectional view, on enlarged scale, takensubstantially in the plane of the line 3 3,'Flgure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4 4, Figure 3.

Figure 5 isla transverse sectional view taken on line 5 5, Figure 1, with parts shown in section.

FigureV 6 is a detail sectional view taken Aon line 6 6,1igure 5.

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view taken on line 1 1, Figure 2.

Figures 8 and 9 are detail sectional views taken respectively, on lines 8 8 and '9 9, Figure 1.

Figure 10 isa detail transverse sectional view' taken in the plane of line N Ill, Figure 2.

Figure 11 isa top'plan of the'transfer table and the platen associated therewith. 40

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the different associated elements of my novel transfer apparatus and the electrical connections therefor.

Figure 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of a 45v time switch, particularly adapted to be used in connectionl with -my transfer apparatus.

Figure 14 illustrates a section of a transfer tape, particularly adapted to be used on the ma- A chine disclosed herein.

The device as illustrated in the drawings comprises a lower base i, and an upper base or frame 2, mounted in any suitable manner upon the lower base l. The upper base 2 is provided at one side of the rear end thereof with an upwardly projecting lug or arm 3 which carries a supporting shaft or stud d, as illustrated more particularly in Figures 1 and 10. 'Ihe supporting shaft d has mounted thereon a pair of axially spaced bearing members 5 and'. Upon the bearings 5 and 6 is mounted a rock arm I which is mounted adjacent one end thereof upon said bearings and extends outwardly therefrom over the base 2 for movement toward and from said base.

'I'he arm 'I is moved about the shaft il as a pivot by motor means which, in this instance, comprises a solenoid 8, mounted in the upper base 2 at the forward end thereof, as shown in Figure 1. The plunger 9 of the solenoid 8 is provided with a rack I which is in meshing engagement with a pinion II, secured to or made integral Witha crank shaft I-2 which is journaled in suitable bearings I3, which in turn are mounted in standards It, secured to the bottom 2' of the base 2, adjacent opposite sides of the pinion Il. The rack I0 is maintained in meshing engagement with the pinion II by a'guide roller I0' journaled on a' shaft I0, secured in the upper ends of the standards It as shown in Figure 3.

One end of the crank shaft I2 has mounted thereon a crank I5 which is pivotally connected as by the pin I6 to one end ofa connecting link I'I. The link II extends upwardly from the pin vIE5 and has the upper end thereof pivotally connected to the rock arm 'I intermediate the forward end thereof and the shaft l by means of a stud I 8 secured to said arm and an eccentric collar I9 which is rotatably secured to said stud by a set screw 20, so that the distance between theaxis of the stud I6 and the pin I6 may be varied to alter the travel of the arm Il for bringing the heating element carried by said arm into proper relation with a platen for a reason which will hereinafter more fully appear.

A table 22 is mounted on the upper face of the base 2 at the forward end thereof.' The table 22 in this instance is a rectangular member in plan View and is secured to the base by four yclamping screws 23. In order that the table may be adjusted relatively to the base 2,1 have provided the same with four spacing screws 26 positioned in close proximity to a respective clamping screw as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The lower ends of the screws 24 are adapted to engage the adjacent portion of the base 2 so that by loosening the clamping lscrews 23 the height of the table 22 may be varied by the manipulation of the spacing screws 24 and then the table may be secured to the base in the adjusted position by the screws 23.

The table 22, in this instance, is provided with a central recess 22 in longitudinal alignment with the outer end portion of the supporting shaft 4 for the rock' arm 'I. In the recess 22 is positioned a platen 26 to be supported by the table. The platen 26 is preferably composed of vulcanized rubber or other slightly resilient material, and has the upper surface thereof positioned a relatively short distance above the table 22 yfor supportably receiving thereon the article, such as hosiery, to which the transfer is to be applied.

, The table 22 as shown more particularly in l Figures 1 and 11 may be provided with a pair platen 26 to assist the operator in properly positioning the article upon which the transfer is to be applied upon the platen 26.

It willnow be observed by referring to Figure 2 that the rock arm I extends outwardly from the arm 3 of the base over the table 22 in a vertical plane at one side of the platen 26 and that the rear or pivoted end of the arm is provided with an integral extension or hub 'I' which rey lar in plan view and has secured to the bottoml face thereof in xed spaced relation thereto a heating'element 35.

The element 35 may be constructed in any suitable manner and is preferably provided lwith a heating coil, not shown, adapted to receive an electric current therethrough. The element 35 in this instance is secured to the carrier plate 34 by four screws 36 and spacing members 3l and 38. The spaced members 38 are, as shown in Figure 9, tubular members, while the spacing member 31 is in the form of a rectangular strip which extends across the inner 0r rear side of the element and plate. The spaced members 3l and 38 are preferably composed of insulating material so as to prevent as much heat as possible from being transmitted from the heating element to the carrier plate 3and arm l.

The carrier plate 3d also has a guide plate 40 mounted thereon for guiding the transfer base or tape over the carrier plate 36 and about the heating element 35. This guide plate lil is vpreferably composed of thin spring metal and is secured to the rear or inner side of the plate 36 by screws 4I. The plate extends upwardly from the screws 4I as shown in Figure 1 and across the upper face of the carrier plate 34 in slightly spaced ,parallel relation thereto and has the outer end portion d2 thereof bent to extend downwardly in spaced parallel relation with. the outer or forward side faces of the plate 34 and heating element 35. The outer end of the portion 42 of the carrier plate may, as shown in Figure 1, be bent 'rearwardly at substantially right angles to the remaining portion thereof and is normally positioned a relatively short distance below the plane of the lower face of the heating element for normally maintaining the transfer tape in spaced relation to the lower face of the heating element.

It will now be observed by referring to Figures 1 and 2 that the hub I of the arm l forms a convenient support for the roll of transfer tape and is utilized for this purpose as indicatedrby broken lines in these figures. The tape is threaded from the roll as R, across the upper portion of the guide plate 40 and thence downwardly across the outer face of the portion 42 of the guide plate and thence rearwardly about the ,end portion 42 thereof, across thelower face of the 'heating element 35 and then be` tween a drive roll 44 and a pressure roll 45,

adapted to intermittently draw the transfer tape from the roll R over the guide plate 40 and across the lower face of the heating element 35. It will, therefore, be understood that the tension produced upon the transfer tape by the action of the feed roll 44, in drawing the same over the guide plate 4D, tends to deflect the end portion 42 of said guide plate inwardly toward the heating element 35 and in order to prevent this, I have provided` the guide plate with apair of 5 light flexible' control rods 46 which have their outer ends secured to the portion 42 of the plate bythe extension thereof beneath inwardly stamped ears 42'. formed on the plate 42.

The rods extend inwardly from the connection with plate 40 between the heating element 35 and the carrier plate 34 in a plane just inside of the spacing members 38 and have their rear ends secured in the spacing strip 31 as illustrated in Figure 9. These control rods 4B l5 not only function to maintain the portion 42 of the guide plate against being deflected inwardly during the feeding of the transfer tape, but ,also function to maintain said portion 42 of the guide plate in substantially parallel spaced relation with the front sides of the carrier plate 34 and heating element 35 when the tape is brought into contact with the heating element by the engagement of said element with the article positioned on the platen 26, and thereby prevent a -variation in the registration of thev markings or impressions carried by the tape with the heating element, which might otherwise be caused by the inward deflection of the portion 42 of the guide plate, by maintaining a uniform distance of travel for the transfer tape. It will also be observed thatinasmuch as the inwardly directed end portion 42' of the guide plate 4!! is of less width than the distance be- .tween the portion 42 and the adjacent side of the heating element 35, the guide plate is free to move upwardly beyond the lower face'of said element by the engagement of the end 42' with the platen 2Gv as the heating element 35 is brought in to operative 'relation with the platen so that the portion 'of the transfer tape T, adjacent the heating element, may freely move into Contact with-said element and the ink definingA the emblems or impressions on the transfer tape will be melted and transferred to the object posi- 43 tioned on the platen 26.

The hereinbefore mentioned feed roll 44 comprises a shaft 48 journaled adjacent one end thereof in suitable bearings 49 provided in the 'rock arm 1 in inwardly spaced relation to the 50 stud I8 for the drive link l1 as shown more clearly in Figure 8. One endportion of the shaft 48 extends outwardly from the arm 1 in a horizontal plane over the base 2 in longitudinal alignment with the hub 1 of the arm 1 and car- E-T `rier plate 34. This extended portion of the shaft 4 8 is preferably covered by a sleeve 44 composed of rubber or other suitable material adapted to frictionally engage the transfer tape as it is passed between said shaft and the pres- C0 sure roll '45. The opposite end of the shaft 48 extends a short distance .beyond the opposite side of the arm 1 and has secured thereto a worm gear 50 which is in meshing engagementv with.

a worm 5I mounted on a drive shaft 52v as shown I C5 more particularly in- Figures '7 and 8.v

This drive `shaft 52 is journaled at opposite sides of the worm 5| in suitable bearings 53 and 54 provided in the housing 55, for the gear members 50 and 5I and which'is secured to lthe 7 0 outer face of the arm 1 in any suitable manner. The drive shaft 52 extends rearwardly from the housing 55 and is operatively connected in any suitable manner with an electric motor 51 secured to a bracket 58 which in turn is secured to 75 the rear-end of the arm 1 to move therewith.

The motor 51 is preferably of the series wound vtype to obtain relatively high starting torque.

The motor51 may be energized from any suitable source of potential and in a manner which will hereinafter be more fully explained, and when 5 the circuit for the' motor 51 is broken it is desirable that the operation of the motor and-the feed roll 44 driven thereby, be discontinued immediately and for this purpose I have provided a simple brake mechanism 59 which comprises 10 in providing one of the bearing members as 54 for the shaft 52 with an outwardly projecting annular flange 54' and the shaft 52 with a metallic disc 60 keyed thereto so as to be rotated thereby but free to be moved axially thereon. A pair 15 of discs 6I composed of fiber or othersuitable material is rotatably mounted on a shaft 52, one at either side of the disc 60 for frictional engagement with said latter .disc and with the flange vportion 54' of the bearing 54. '20

These brakediscs 60 and 6| are brought into frictional engagement with each other and with the bearing flange 54 by means of .a brake lever 62 which, in this instance, has the upper end thereof forked and fulcrumed as at 63 to a 25 bracket 64 secured to the adjacent portion of the arm 1. The upper forked portion of the lever -62 is curved forwardly from the fulcrum 63 as at 62 for engagement with the rearmost disc/6| of the brake at opposite sides of the shaft 52. 30 The lever 62 extends downwardly from the curved portion 62 and has secured to the lower endthereof a tension spring 65 which, in turn, is connected with the housing 55, said spring being tensioned -to normally swing the lever toward 35 the brake discs to maintain said discs in frictional contact with each other,

Any suitable means may be provided for relieving the braking action of the discs 60 and 6| upon the shaft 52 to permit the free rotation of 0 said shaft and for this purpose I have shown a. solenoid 68 secured in any suitable manner to the arm 1 at the rear of the brake lever 62. The plunger 69 ofthe solenoid is extended through an elongated slot provided in the brake lever 62 5 intermediate the ends thereof and the outer end of said plunger is provided with apin 1D which extends outwardly-beyond said plunger across the adjacent-portion of the lever transversally of the slot. It will .thus be understoodthat when 50 the solenoid 68 is energized to draw the plunger 69 inwardly that a rearward swinging movement of the brake lever 62 will be produced thereby against the action of the spring 65 so that the curved portion B2 will be moved rearwardly out u of contact with the brake disc 6|.

QThe hereinbefore mentioned pressure roll 45 as shown more particularly in Figures 1 and 8 comprises a central shaft or core 12 encased in a sleeve 13 composed of any suitable material 60 adapted to cooperate with the feed"roll sleeve 44 to effect intermittent movement of the transfer tape. The ends ofthe core 12 of the pressure roll are rotatably connected as at 14 with the ends of a bifurcated rock arm 15, journaled on the .'55

' the reception of the shaft 80. Each rod 19 exmally engages the tape T as said tape passes over Y tends through the block 82 at one side of the shaft opening and has the outer end portion thereof return bent and extended into a slot 82' provided in the under side of the block in communication with the shaft opening whereby said end of the rod 19 may frictionally engage the shaft 80.

I also employ tension means such as the spring `strap 89 for releasably maintaining the transfer roll R from rotating'upon the support 1'. This strap 89 is an elongated member as shown in Figures 1 and 2, having one end thereof pivotally mounted upon the shaft 80 intermediate the blocks 82. lThe strap 89 extends outwardly from the shaft 80 over the roll R and has the outer or fre-e end thereof extended downwardly for frictionally contacting with the peripheral surface of the roll R.

As before stated, the tape T is drawn from the roll Rover the guide plate i0 and in so doing is passed beneath a, guideroller 86 which is mounted in any suitable manner upon the arm l' interlmediate the ends of the arm and in theplane of the upper face of the guide plate 90.

Interposed between the guide roller 86 and the guide plate 90 is a switch member 90 adapted to be actuated by the ink on the transfer tape constituting the, emblem or transfer marking, for controlling the operation of the motor 51 and the feed roll driven thereby in a manner presently described.

This switch 90, as sh'own more clearly in Figures 1, 2; 5 and 6, comprises a supporting arm 92 which has one side thereof provided with an inwardlyA extending recess 93 adjacent one end thereof, adapted to receive therein the arm 1 as illustrated in Figure 5. The arm 92 is clamped to the arm l by means of a screw 94 to maintain the switch arm in fixed relation with the rock arm 1 and at the same time permit the adjustment of the switch arm relatively to said rock arm. The switch arm 92 extends outwardly fromthe arm 1 in a plane in longitudinal alignment with.' the hub 1 and carrier plate 34, and has secured thereto a supporting plate 95. The plate 95 is arranged in parallel spaced relation with the lower face of the arm 92 "for the reception of switch control member 96 therebetween.

This switch control member comprises an elongated substantially at body portion 91 of substantially the same length as the supporting plate 95 and preferably equal to or greater than the width of the transfer tape T. The rear side of the body portion 91`o the control member 96 is provided with a pair of vertically disposed ears 98` which are pivotally connected as at 99 to a pin secured to the switch arm 92 as illustrated in Figure 6. The central portion of the body 91 is provided with a downwardly extending substantially flat, channel portion 91 arranged in the plane of the supporting plate 95, which nor- 1 the plate 95. The' side of the body portion 91 the fixed terminal with the platen 26 and heating element 35 by opposite the ears 98 is provided with an upwardly extending substantially V shaped projection i0| arranged adjacent the inner side of the arm 92 in close proximity to the fulcrum pin |00 and adapted to engage a movable contact arm 902 of the switch 90 which is pivotally mounted at one end upon the pin |00. The arm |02 extends forwardly from said pin over the projection |0| and has the outer or free end thereof provided with a contact element adapted to engage a corresponding contact element on a xed terminal |03 secured to the arm 92 in insulated relation therewith.

The contact arm |02 and control member 98 are yieldingly maintained in the lowermost position by a spring |05 secured at one end to the arm 92 and having the outer portion thereof engaging the upper face of the arm |02 as shown in Figure 5. The structure of the contact arm |02, xed terminal |09, and the control member 96 are so related to each other andto the tape T that when a portion of the tape intermediate adjacent emblems or impressions is present between the channel member 91' and the supporting plate 95 the electric circuit passing through the switch will be closed and when a portion of the tape having an emblem or impression is present between the channel portion 91' and the plate 95, the thickness of the ink forming the emblem or. impression will be suflicient to rock the control arm |02 upwardly out ofengagement with the terminal |03 and open the circuit.

Mounted in the circuit ,for the motor 51 and adapted to be controlled by the action of the switch 90 is a relay switch mechanism i l0. As shown more clearly in Figures 3 and 4 this relay switch is mounted in the forward portion of the base 2 opposite the solenoid 8 and comprises a spring contact arm lll which is secured at one end in insulated spaced relation to a supporting block ||2 which, in turn, is secured in any suitable manner, as by screws H3, to a partition H9 provided in the base 2 adjacent the forward end thereof. The outer or free end of the contact arm is adapted to engagea fixed terminal H6, secured in insulated spaced relation to an adjacent portion of the base 2, such as the partition H9. The contact arm l is tensioned to normally remain' in engagement with H6 for maintaining the switch closed.

The contact arm l is manipulated to effect the opening and closing of the switch by means of a spring H8, a solenoid ||9 and a link |20, said link being connected at one end, as at |2|, to the outer end of the plunger V22 ofthe solenoid ||9. The spring 8 is in this instance, a

the plunger |22 at the rear of the pivot |2| for vthe link |20. The spring I |8 is tensioned to normally urge the solenoid plunger |22 outwardly toward the contact arm `The link has the outer end portion thereof provided with an aperture adapted to receive the contact arm therethrough. The contact arm is provided with a cam block secured thereto in operative alignment with the plunger |22. This cam blockV |25 has the outer or rear face thereof formed with a stepped portion |25 adapted to be engaged by the rear wall of the aperture in the link |20, when said link and the plunger |22 are moved outwardly toward the contact arm by the spring |I8. The solenoid ||9 may be secured in any suitable manner to the adjacent portion of the base 2 in operative relation with the contactA arm The operation of the relay switch mechanism ||0 is as follows: The contact arm I is normally maintained in its outermost position in spaced relation to the terminal ||6 by the action of the spring ||8 upon the plunger |22 and link |20. When the contact arm is in the open position as illustrated in the Figure 4, the link |23 is in a slightly downwardly inclined position in engagement with the stepped portion |25' of the block |25 with the outer end thereof in the path ofmcvement of a trip arm |26 secured to the 4drive link I1.

I'he relation of the trip arm |26 to the link |2|0 is such that as the link |1 is moved from the lowermost position to the uppermost position for producing an upward rocking movement of the rock arm 1, the trip arm will engage the outer end of the link |20, as said arm is moved upwardly in the path indicated by the dot and dash line X, Figure 4, and move said link beyond the stepped portion |25 of the block |25 and thereby release the contact arm and permit said arm to move into engagement with the terminal I|6 for closing the switch. v

After the trip arm |26 has moved beyond the link |20 out of engagement therewith, said link will rest upon the upper end of the stepped portion |25v and when the switch is to be again opened the solenoid ||9 is energized to eiect the inward movement of the plunger |22 against the action of the spring ||8. As the plunger |22 is thus moved inwardly or in a direction away from the contact arm lll, the link |20 will be drawn awa-y from the contact arm until the inner wall of the aperture of the link passes beyond the upper end of the stepped portion |25 whereupon the link will freely swing downwardly about the pivot 2| until it comes into engagement with the lower end of the stepped portion |25. Then as the solenoid ||9 is de-energized, the spring I8 will move the plunger |22 and link |20 outwardly and thereby swing the contact arm in a corresponding direction out of contact with the terminal H6.

In operation, the rock arm 1 is normally maintained in its uppermost position by a spring |30 secured at one end to the armas by a lever |3| and at the other end to the base 2 as by a lever |32; see Figure 1. When the arm 1 is in its uppermost position' the link |1and crank arm I5 will be in their extended position in a straight line passing through the axis of the stud I8 and shaft I2 'and thereby limit the upward movement of the arm 1. Furthermore when the arm 1 is in the uppermost position, the plunger 9 of the solenoid 8 will be maintained in its outermost position by the action of the pinion upon the rack |0 as illustrated in Figure 1. The transfer tape is threaded from the roll R beneath the guide roll 86 and between the switch control member 96 and plate 95, and thence over and around the guide plate 40 beneath the heating element 35 and then between the drive roll 44 and pressure roll 45 as indicated by broken lines in Figln'e 1. The tape is arranged with the side thereof upon which the emblem is placed, facing outwardly and the tape is arranged with one of the emblem portions thereof, as T', Figure 14 in predetermined registration with the lower face of the heating element 35 and the switch 9.0 is adjusted along the arm 1 to bring the portion 91 of theswitch control member 96 into contact with the forward end portion of a transfer emblem so that the switch will be maintained in the open position.

The switch 90 is electrically connected with the solenoid ||9 by a circuit |38 which has incorporated therein the secondary coil of a transformer |39 which has the primary coil thereof connected with the main supply circuit |36 by a circuit |40 as shown in Figure 12. The motor 51 is supplied with current from the -circuit |36 which has incorporated therein the relay switch ||0 and also the brake solenoid 68 which is arranged in series with the relay switch. Current is supplied to the operating solenoid 8 by a circuit |42 connected with the circuit |36 and which has therein a manually controlled switch |43 by which the actionof the solenoid may be governed.

Heat is supplied to the heating element 35 through a circuit as |35 connected with a main supply circuit |36 (see Figure 12) adapted to be connected with any suitable source of potential not shown. The temperature of the heating element 35 vmay be controlled by a rheostat switch |31 provided in the circuit |35.

Operation Assuming now that the heating element 35 is at the proper temperature and that the arm 1 and elements associated therewith are in the normal inoperative position. When it is desired to operate the machine the operator rst places an article'such as a piece of hosiery to which the transfer 1s to be applied upon the platen 26. The operator then closes the switch |43 in any suitable manner as with the foot, to close the circuit |42 and supply electric current to the solenoid 8. As the solenoid 8 is thus energized the plunger 9 and rack I0 are drawn inwardly producing a corresponding rocking movement 'of the crank shaft l2. This movement 'of the crank shaft is preferably slightly less than and suflicient to draw the arm 1 downwardly against the action of the retracting 'spring |30 and bring the heating element 35 into pressure engagement with the article on the platen 26 and the transfer tape therebetween. The switch |43 is maintained closed by the operator a few moments until the transfer ink has been melted by the heat produced in the heating element and the emblem on the transfer tape thus transferred to the article. As thesolenoid 8 is de-energized by the opening of the circuit therefor, after the switch |43 is released the spring |30 will return the rock arm 1.V and theheating lelement 35 together with the link |1 and plunger 9 to the normal starting position, thereby releasing the article receiving the transfer and permitting the same to be replaced by another article.

As the drive link |1 is drawn downwardly by the action of the energized solenoid 8 the trip arm |26 will spring past the switch link |20 without 4closing the contact points of the switch ||0.

However, upon the return or upward movement of the drive link |1 the trip arm operatively engagesthe switch link |20 and permits the switch to close as the arm 1 approaches its normal uppermost position in the manner hereinbefore described. The closing of the switch I0 immediately closes the circuit |36 for the motor 51 and causes the operation of said motor to actuate the drive roll 44 and at the same time releases the breaking action of the discs 60 and 6| by energizing the brake solenoid 68.

The operation of the drive roll 44 will, of course, draw the tape from the roll R to bring a fresh registration with the' heating element 35. This transfer emblem or impression into cooperative movementl of the transfer tape effects the closing of the switch 90 as, the transfer emblem T in registration with the supporting plate 95 and switch control element 91 passes beyond these members.I 1

The closing of the switch 90 completes the circuit |38 for the solenoid I I9. As the solenoid ||9 is energized the switch link |20 is again brought into operative relation with the contact arm ||I by the inward movement of the plunger |22. As the switch 90 is again opened by the engagement of the next succeeding transfer emblem with the control'member 96 the solenoid ||9 will be deenergized and the switch ||0 will be opened by the action of the spring I I8 upon the plunger |22 and link |20 thereby opening the circuit |36 for the motor 51 and the brake solenoid 68. The solenoid 68 thus being de-energized, permits the spring 65 to againeflect the braking action of the discs 60 and6I upon the drive shaft 52 thereby discontinuing the drive action of the roll 44 upon the transfer tape T at substantially the same time the switch`90 is opened by the engagement of a transfer emblem with the control member 96.

This completes one cycle of the operation of the` machine and it is obvious that these cycles may be repeated for successively applying transfer markings or emblems to articles of manufacture.

It will now be observed by referring more par-v ticularly to Figure 1 that the control switch 90 is positioned in close proximity to the heating element I5 so that a length of the transfer tape extends therebetween. This has the advantage of maintaining a minimum amount of variation in length of the tape between the said control element and the heating element, and thus provides for substantially uniform `regis tration of the transfer emblems with the heating element under extreme variations in the spacing of the transfer emblems which may be caused by the expansion or contraction of the transfer base tape as produced by variations in the moisture content 'of the surrounding atmosphere.

Furthermore, it will be understood that owing to the operation of the feed roll being controlled by the transfer emblem at a predetermined position thereof, any variation in the spacing of the emblems due to the expansion orf contraction of the transfer tape, will effect but slightly the relation of each successive emblem and the heating element as they are brought into registration therewith. Also, what little variation there may thus be produced in said relation of the transfer emblems and heating element will be maintained substantially constant and will not accumulate by continued operation of the machine' as would be the case if a predetermined length *f the transfer base tape was fed during each intermittent feeding of the tape.

While a switch such as indicated at |43 in Figure 12 adapted to be fully manually controlled may be successfully used in connection wit-h my particularly adapted to be used in connection with my novel transfer machine.

The structure shown in this figure comprises a housing in which is secured a solenoid |5I. 'Ihe plunger |52 of the solenoid is providd with rack teeth |53 which are in meshing engagement with a-pinion |54 mounted on a shaft |55. The shaft |55 extendsdn a horizontal plane transversally of the housing |50 and has the ends thereof Vjournaled in the side ofsaid frame in any suitable manner. A balance wheel |56 is secured to the shaft |55 at one side of the plunger |52 and is of such weight to materially retard the action of the-plunger |52 when the solenoid |5I is energized or de-energized.

In the upper portion of the housing |50 is mounted a mercury switch |51 which is connected in series with the solenoid |5I. This switch comprises a glass bulb |58 for containing the mercury and switch terminals. The glass bulb |58 is mounted in a. cradle |59 composed preferably of rubber and which is pivotally connected intermediate its ends at |60to a bracket |6| secured in any suitable manner to the housing |50. To one end of the cradle |51 is pivotally connected a hook member |63 which extends downwardly in an oblique angle in substantially parallel relation to a pedal shaft |64 of a pedal |65. The shaft |64 extends inwardly from one side of the housing |50 in an oblique plane and has the inner end thereof slideably mounted in a bearing |66. Theshaft |64 has the lower end portion thereof reduced in diameter to form a shoulder |64' adapted to be engaged by the hook member |63.

A latch |68 is pivotally mounted upon a pin |69 which extends diametrically through an elongated slot |10'provided in the pedal shaft |64 and has the ends thereof secured in the side wall of the housing |50. 'I'he latch |68 is an L; shaped is maintained in its normal outermost position by a spring |14 mounted between the pedal head and the housing |50 the hook |63 will be main. tained thereby in position to operatively engage the shoulder |64' on. the pedal shaft. The lower end of the arm of the latch |68 extending in parallel relation with the shaft |64 is provided with a detent |68 normally positioned below the lateral projection |63 of the hook |63 and.

adapted to bemovedby the action of the laterally disposed arm of the latch into engagement with said projection |63 for holding the hook and cradle |59 in the lowermost position when said hook is moved inwardly by the action of the pedal v| for maintaining the cradle in the tilted` position. I

In operation the solenoid |5I is connected in one side of the circuit |42 in place of the switch |43 and when it is desired to close the switch the operator effects the inward movement of the shaft |64 by pressing upon the pedal head |65. The downward movement of the shaft |64 eiects the tilting of'the cradle |59 and the bulb |58 carried therein about the pivot |60 thereby causing the mercury to close the terminals contained within y the bulb. As the pedal approaches its innermost position the latch |66 will vengagethe hook |63 and prevent said hook from returning to its normal uppermost position and thereby maintain lthe cradle and the bulb in the tilted position with the switch closed.

After the switch is closed by the tilting of-the cradle thersolenoid |5| becomes energized and draws the plunger |52 inwardly against the action of the balanced wheel |56 and a retracting spring |16 secured at one endto the housing |50 and at the other end to the plunger |52. As the plunger |52 is thus drawn inwardly by the solenoid a trigger |11 mounted on the plunger engages the lower end of the hook-member |63 and rocks said hook member out of engagement with the latch |58, thereby. releasing the hook and permitting the cradle |59 and bulb |58 to return to the normal uppermost position and thereby electrically disconnect the terminals contained in the bulb. As the terminals are thus disconnected the solenoid |5| is de-energized and the plunger |52 again returned to its normal outermost position by the action of the spring |16. The outward movement of the plunger is limited by an adjustable stop |18 which is secured to the housing |50 by a sc rew |19 which extends through an elongated slot provided in the stop. It will thus be seen that the position of the stop |18 determines the outward position of the plunger |52 and thereby determines the length of time it requires for th trigger |11 to be brought into operative engagement with the hook'l63 after the solenoid |5| has teen energized. y

Although I have shown and particularly described the preferred embodimentl of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction shown as various changes in the form and the relation of the' parts thereof may readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

1. In a device of the class described, manually controlled power operated pressure means for applying transfer emblems or impressions to an article of manufacture, and separate power operated means controlled by the transfer emblems or impressions and by the pressure .means for successively feeding the transfer emblems or impressions into predetermined relation with the pressure means.

2. In a device of the class described, aplaten,

ing relative movement of the platen and heating element toward and from each other, feeding means for intermittently moving transfer tape to bring emblems carried thereby into operative relation with the platen and'heating element, and separate control means associated with the operating means and with said Vtapefor governing the opration of the feeding means.

, 3. In a device for applying transfers to articles of manufacture, a'support for articles, a carrier member mounted for movement toward and from said support, an element on the member adapted to bring transfer emblems into operative `engagement with articles onsaid support, oper` ating means forv actuating saidcarrier nmember, feed means for successively bringing the transfer emblems intoy predetermined registration with the element, control means actuated at a predetermined position of the carrier member for starting the operation of said feedv means, and`V separate control means actuated by a transfer.

emblem at a. predetermined position thereof for I rate control means mounted on the carrier inv close proximity to the element and actuated by a transfer emblem at a predetermined position thereof for effecting the stopping of the feed mechanism.

V 5. In a device 'for applying transfers to articles of' manufacture',. a base, a. platen mounted on the base, a carrier member mounted on the base,

ber, operating means formoving the carrier member toward and from the platen to bring the heating element into and out of cooperative relation with articles on said platen, feed means mounted on the carrier member for successivelyv bringing transfer emblems into predetermined registration lwith the heating element, means a heating element mounted on the carrier memcontrolledby the operating means and during said movement of the carrier member for starting thebperation of the feed means, and .separate means including an element actuated by the emblem for stopping the operation of the feed means at apredetermined position of the transfer emblem. Y

6. In a device for applying transfers to articles of manufacture, the combination with transfer tape having transfer emblems arranged thereon in spaced relation, of a platen for the'articles, a heating element, operating means for bringing the platen .and heating element into and vout of cooperative engagement with each other, means for intermittently feeding the tape to bring the ytransfer emblems thereon into successive registration with the heating element, control Imeans engageable with the tape for governing the operation of the feed means, and guide means for maintaining the tape in spaced relation to the heating element when' said element is out of cooperative engagement with the platen, said guide means having movement relative to the heating element to permit said tape to contact with the heating element when the latter /is in operative engagement with the platen.

, 7. In a device for applying transfers to' articles' of manufacture, the combination with transfer tape having transfer emblems thereon,`

of a pair. of co-acting pressure elements at least Y,one of said elements being movable toward and from the other, operating means including a motormounted on one ofthe pressure elements for intermittently moving the tape to bring the emblems into successive operative relation with said elements, and means cooperating with the tape for governing the operation of the operating mittently moving the tape to bring the emblems into successive operative relation with said elements, and means engaging the emblems on the tape and actuated by the thickness ofthe ink thereof for governing the operation of the operating means.

l9. In a device for applying transfers to articles of manufacture, pressure means including a heating element, means for bringing the element into operative engagement with an' article of manufacture including a movable supporting member for saidelement, and feeding means including co-acting pressure rollers mounted on the supporting member to move therewith in xed predetermined relation with the heatingelement, and control means mounted independently of the heating element and governed by the operation of the second mentioned means for successively feeding transfer emblems into predetermined relation with the heating element when said element is in the inoperative position.

10. In a device of the class described, a platen, a heating element, operating means for producing relative movement of the platen and heating element toward each other, incluging power means, a circuit' for .the power means and a manually operated time switch in said circuit, means for` supporting a 4roll of transfer tape, and meansJ rendered effective by the operation of the time switch and controlled by y the tape for automatically. feeding said transfer tape from the roll'into operative relation with the platen and heating element.

11. In a. transfer machine of the class described, in combination, a work support, a pressure element, .operating means for moving the pressure element toward the work support, and

means for intermittently feeding the transfer tape comprising feed rolls co-acting to `frictionally engage said tape therebetween, power means for rotating said rolls, control means governed by the operatingy means for automatically starting the operation of the power means, and separateh control means governed by'the transfer tape for automatically stopping the operation of the power means.

12. A transfer machine of the class described?.

in combination, a work support, a pressure element, a solenoid, an electric circuit therefor, switch means in said circuit for effecting the energizing and de-energizing of the solenoid, means actuated by the solenoid during the energizing thereof for moving the pressure element toward the work support, separate means connected with the pressure element fir moving the same away from the work support when the solenoid is deenergized, means including an electric motor for intermittently feeding transfer tape, an electric circuit for said motor having a normally open switch therein, and means rendered effective by the operation of said power means for automatically closing said last mentioned switch.

13. A device as in claim 12 having separate control means rendered effective by theftape for automatically opening said last mentioned switch. i

14. In a device for applying transfers to articles of manufacture, pressure means including a heatingelement, a movable supporting member for said element, operating means for actuating the member to bring lthe element into and out of operative engagement with an article of manufacture, tape feedingmeans including coacting pressure rolls and an electric motor therefor mounted on the vsupporting member to' move therewith in fixed predetermined relation with the heating element, a circuit for said motor having a normally open switch therein, and means for automatically controlling the operation of the motor to intermittently feed the tape into operative relation with the heating element in-4 16. vA device as in claim 14 wherein said lastl mentioned means includes control members acl tuated at a predetermined position of the tape for opening said switch, and means including a brake mechanism associated with the motor and governed by the `opening and closing of said switch for controlling the operation of the motor and rolls. y I

' JUEL L. PETERSON.

Images