Stamp

Abstract

To provide a stamp that eliminates ink leakage by preventing an ink occlusion body from being excessively replenished from an ink tank even if a printing surface is kept in a horizontal position for a long time.SOLUTION: A stamp includes: a printing body having a printing surface; an ink occlusion body that supplies ink to the printing body; an ink tank 54 disposed on an upper surface of the ink occlusion body and having an opening at one end; and a fixing portion 53 that fixes the ink tank. The fixing portion fixes the ink tank at a position inclined at a predetermined angle from a vertical direction. Further, it is more preferable that the angle fall in a range in which an ink liquid surface S in the ink tank does not reach an open end-part 54a of the ink tank, with the printing surface facing horizontally.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ink stamp that can suppress over-supplying of ink to an ink storage body that occurs when the stamp face is horizontally oriented (sideways) for a long time and prevent ink leakage.

Background Art

[0002] In the inspection process of manufactured vehicle tires, it is common to apply long, thin, linear marks in the width direction of the tire tread surface. When applying such marks to tires, methods such as the stamp method and the pen method are employed. In the case of the stamp method, a direct liquid type stamp with a large ink application amount is particularly preferred to enhance the visibility of the marks. For example, a stamp as shown in Prior Art Document 1 can be adopted. This stamp has an ink tank (ink tube) with one end open fixed vertically by a fixing part (square pipe) on the upper surface of an ink storage body (absorbent sponge). When used in the normal stamp face downward orientation, a liquid seal is formed between the ink storage body and the opening of the ink tank, and ink leakage from the ink storage body does not occur without over-supplying of ink. Note that the liquid seal refers to a state in which when the ink impregnated in the ink storage body reaches a certain amount or more, the opening of the ink tank that has taken in outside air is temporarily closed, and the supply of ink to the ink storage body is stopped.

[0003] However, although marking is performed mechanically or manually on tires conveyed by a conveying device, at that time, since the tire is in a lying state (the tread surface is sideways), it is necessary to turn the stamp sideways so that the short side of the stamp face is in the vertical direction during marking. Since this marking operation is continuously performed throughout the day, if the sideways state of the stamp face continues for a long time, the ink in the ink storage body will drop downward due to gravity, and an air layer will be formed at the upper part. At this time, since the liquid seal state with the ink tank opening is released, it is considered that ink is over-supplied from the ink tank to the ink storage body, and ink leakage from the ink storage body occurs. Note that this problem becomes more prominent as the shape of the storage body is longer and thinner (the ratio of the length in the longitudinal direction to the length in the short side direction is large).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a stamp that suppresses overfilling from the ink tank to the ink absorber and eliminates ink leakage even if the horizontal state of the printing surface continues for a long time.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention, which has been completed to solve the above problems, is a stamp comprising a printing body having a printing surface, an ink absorber that supplies ink to the printing body, an ink tank having one end open and disposed on the upper surface of the ink absorber, and a fixing portion that fixes the ink tank, wherein the fixing portion is characterized in that it fixes the ink tank at a position inclined by a predetermined angle from the vertical direction.

[0007] Preferably, the angle is in a range where the ink liquid level in the ink tank does not reach the open end of the ink tank when the printing surface is oriented horizontally.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] The present invention is a stamp comprising a printing body having a printing surface, an ink absorber that supplies ink to the printing body, an ink tank having one end open and disposed on the upper surface of the ink absorber, and a fixing portion that fixes the ink tank, wherein the fixing portion is characterized in that it fixes the ink tank at a position inclined by a predetermined angle from the vertical direction. Therefore, even if the horizontal state of the printing body continues for a long time, overfilling from the ink tank to the ink absorber can be suppressed, and ink leakage can be eliminated.

[0009] Since the angle is such that the ink liquid level in the ink tank does not reach the opening end of the ink tank with the printing surface facing horizontally, the ink supply from the ink tank is inhibited, and ink leakage can be reliably prevented.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described as an inverted stamp with reference to the drawings. In the present invention, "down" refers to the direction of gravity, "up" refers to the opposite side, "vertical direction" refers to the up and down direction, and "horizontal direction" refers to the direction perpendicular to the up and down direction.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inverted stamp 10 according to the embodiment includes an inner cylinder 30 that supports a printing font 40 with a printing surface 41 facing an ink pad 51 as an ink storage body, and an outer cylinder 20 that pivotally supports the printing font 40 and slidably houses the inner cylinder 30 via an elastic body 60. The inverted stamp is configured such that the printing font 40 can be inverted within the inner cylinder 30 by pressing the outer cylinder 20 against the repulsive force of the elastic body 60 to perform marking.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inner cylinder 30 is formed as a rectangular angular cylinder with both ends open, and a frame body 52 and an ink pad 51 accommodated in the frame body 52 are installed at its upper end. A fixing portion 53 and an ink tank 54, which will be described later, are installed above the frame body 52. One end of an elastic body 60 is locked by locking portions 53c at both ends of the fixing portion 53, and the other end is brought into contact with the inner surface of a cap 22 of an outer cylinder 20 described later. Normally, the inner cylinder 30 is held in a separated state with respect to the outer cylinder 20.

[0014] Also, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, long slit holes 31 are formed on both the left and right sides of the inner cylinder 30 along the up and down directions, which are its sliding directions. A horizontal shaft 43 of a reversing body 42 pivotally supported rotatably on the inner wall portion of the outer cylinder 20 is inserted through the slit holes 31. That is, inside the inner cylinder 20, the up and down movement of the reversing body 42 linked to the pressing operation of the outer cylinder 30 (however, the stroke range is limited by the length of the slit holes 31), and the rotation of the reversing body 42 around the horizontal shaft 43 passing through the slit holes 31 are allowed.

[0015] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, a reversing guide 32 for reversing the reversing body 42 that joins the printing body 41 is formed along the slit holes 31 on the inner wall portion of the inner cylinder 30. The reversing guide 32 of the present embodiment is formed to have a substantially semi-circular middle groove 32b between two cylindrical small protrusions 32a. However, as long as it is a gear body or a cam mechanism that meshes to reverse the reversing body 42 as the reversing body 42 moves up and down, the reversing guide 32 is not limited to the mode described here.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer cylinder 20 includes a cylindrical portion 21 formed by integrally molding a substantially elliptical cylindrical body on the upper part of a rectangular angular cylindrical body with both ends open, and a bottomed elliptical cylindrical cap 22 for closing the opening is detachably connected to the upper end thereof via a fastener 23. The outer cylinder 20 is a housing for accommodating an ink cartridge 50 and a printing type 40, which will be described later, and also functions as a handle portion when pressing the reversible stamp 10. By removing the fastener 23 and removing the cap 22 from the cylindrical portion 21, the ink cartridge 50 can be replaced. Circular flanges are formed at both ends of the upper end opening of the cylindrical portion 21 and the lower end opening of the cap 22, which function as locking portions of the fastener 23.

[0017] Note that the method of connecting the cap 22 to the outer cylinder 20 is not limited to the fastener 23, and conventionally known fitting methods (such as male-female fitting and press-fitting) or fixing with screws can be appropriately adopted. However, when the reversible stamp of the present embodiment is incorporated into an automatic stamping device on the factory inspection line, fixing with the fastener 23 or screws is preferable so that the cap does not accidentally come off.

[0018] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the printing type 40 includes a reversing body 42 that reverses and returns in conjunction with the sliding operation of the outer cylinder 20 with respect to the inner cylinder 30, and a printing surface 41 joined to one surface of the reversing body 42 by adhesion or the like. The printing surface 41 is a sponge body having a rectangular shape with a large aspect ratio, and the reversing body 42 is a bottomed cylindrical metal member having the same shape that is slightly larger than the printing surface size. The reversing body 42 is formed with a semi-circular groove 44 and a semi-circular protrusion 45 that come into contact with small protrusions 32a and middle grooves 32b formed in the slit holes during the marking operation to reverse the reversing body 42.

[0019] Further, the horizontal shaft 43 described above is a bar-shaped metal member with a circular cross-section that is longer than the longitudinal direction of the reversing body 42. It is detachably provided so as to penetrate both the left and right sides of the reversing body 42. The horizontal shaft 43 protruding from the left and right surfaces of the reversing body 42 is rotatably supported by through holes 33 provided in the left and right inner wall portions of the outer cylinder 20. Thus, by pulling out the horizontal shaft 43 from the outer cylinder 20, the printing element 40 can be removed. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the through holes 33 have substantially the same diameter as the horizontal shaft 43, but it is preferable that the through holes 33 on one side of the left and right communicate with through holes having a smaller diameter than the through holes 33 in the vicinity of the outside. Thereby, when inserting the horizontal shaft 43 through the through hole 33 to mount the printing element 40, the extraction hole 34 functions as a stopper, and when removing the printing element 40, by pushing a thin rod into the through hole 33 with a smaller diameter, the horizontal shaft 43 can be taken out from the through hole 33 on the other end, enabling the replacement of the printing element 40.

[0020] The ink cartridge 50 is composed of a frame body 52, an ink pad 51 housed in the frame body 52, a fixing portion 53 provided on the upper surface of the ink pad 51, and an ink tank 54 fixed at a position inclined at a predetermined angle from the vertical direction to the fixing portion 53. The frame body 52 is a rectangular metal member with both ends open in a rectangular shape corresponding to the printing surface 41 (not shown), and the ink pad 51 is locked at a fixed position inside it. Further, although not shown, the frame body 52 and the fixing portion 53 are connected by screws and can be integrally replaced as an ink cartridge.

[0021] In this embodiment, as the material of the ink pad 51, a single layer of polyolefin-based fibers made of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) is used. Note that the ink pad 51 can also be of a two-layer structure. In that case, it is preferable to laminate layers with different basis weights (fiber densities) from the viewpoint of continuous printing performance. The two fiber layers can be adhered, for example, by heat fusion processing. Thus, by increasing the fiber density on the surface layer side rather than the substrate side, the flow of ink from the substrate side to the surface layer side due to the difference in capillary force can be created. Thereby, the transfer time of the ink to the printing element 41 can be stably shortened, and the continuous printing performance can be improved.

[0022] The ink impregnated in the ink pad 51 preferably has the ability to prevent cracks in the coating film applied to the tire. Specifically, as the organic solvent, the resin soluble in the solvent, the coloring material, and the crack inhibitor, a formulation obtained by adding castor oil fatty acid derivative, phenyl alkyl sulfonate, or polyoxyethylene lauryl amine, etc. is used. Further, it is preferable to add titanium oxide to enhance the hiding property of the above formulation. Thereby, the underlying tire is not seen through and the visibility of the marking is improved.

[0023] Since the crack inhibitor has the property of softening the above resin, the resin does not completely cure even after the coating film dries, and can retain a certain degree of flexibility. Therefore, it is considered that both the cracks caused by the shrinkage of the coating film surface and the cracks caused in the coating film due to the curvature of the application surface can be prevented after the coating film dries.

[0024] Examples of the castor oil fatty acid derivative include castor oil fatty acid polyhydric alcohol ethers obtained by modifying castor oil with alkylene oxide, castor oil fatty acid alkyl esters obtained by modifying castor oil with monohydric alcohol, and castor oil fatty acid alkylene glycol esters obtained by modifying castor oil with dihydric alcohol. Those that are usually commercially available can be used. The castor oil fatty acid polyhydric alcohol ether obtained by modifying castor oil with alkylene oxide refers to a castor oil fatty acid polyhydric alcohol ether obtained by modifying part or all of castor oil with alkylene oxide such as propylene oxide or ethylene oxide, and those having a modification degree of 10 to 100% are preferably used. Since the main component of castor oil is ricinoleic acid, most of the castor oil fatty acid polyhydric alcohol ethers are ricinoleic acid polyhydric alcohol ethers. The castor oil fatty acid alkyl ester obtained by modifying castor oil with a monohydric alcohol refers to a castor oil fatty acid alkyl ester obtained by modifying part or all of castor oil with methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, monohydric and dihydric alcohols, and those with a modification degree of 10 to 100% are preferably used. Most of the castor oil fatty acid alkyl esters are alkyl esters of ricinoleic acid. Specifically, CO-FA butyl ester (manufactured by Ito Oil Co., Ltd.) can be mentioned. The castor oil fatty acid alkylene glycol ester obtained by modifying castor oil with a dihydric alcohol refers to a castor oil fatty acid alkylene glycol ester obtained by modifying part or all of castor oil with a dihydric alcohol such as ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, and those with a modification degree of 10 to 100% are preferably used. Most of the castor oil fatty acid alkylene glycol esters are alkylene glycol esters of ricinoleic acid. Specifically, MINERASOL S-74 (manufactured by Ito Oil Co., Ltd.) can be mentioned. Also, although the details are not disclosed, examples of the castor oil fatty acid ester include Rick Thresher C-88 (manufactured by Ito Oil Co., Ltd.).

[0025] Specific examples of phenyl alkyl sulfonates include MESAMOLL manufactured by LANXESS Co., Ltd. In addition, various other plasticizers can be used. Specifically, phthalate ester plasticizers such as dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, diheptyl phthalate, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate, diisononyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate, etc., adipic acid ester plasticizers such as dimethyl adipate, dibutyl adipate, diisobutyl adipate, dihexyl adipate, di-2-ethylhexyl adipate, diisononyl adipate, dibutyl diglycol adipate, etc., phosphate ester plasticizers such as trimethyl phosphate, triethyl phosphate, tributyl phosphate, tri-2-ethylhexyl phosphate, tributoxyethyl phosphate, triphenyl phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, trixylenyl phosphate, cresyl phenyl phosphate, etc., trimellitic acid ester plasticizers such as tri-2-ethylhexyl trimellitate, etc., sebacic acid ester plasticizers such as dimethyl sebacate, dibutyl sebacate, di-2-ethylhexyl sebacate, etc., aliphatic polyester plasticizers such as poly-1,3-butanediol adipate, etc., benzoic acid plasticizers such as diethylene glycol dibenzoate, dibutylene glycol dibenzoate, etc., epoxidized ester plasticizers such as epoxidized soybean oil, etc., alicyclic dibasic acid ester plasticizers, polyether plasticizers such as polypropylene glycol, polybutylene glycol, etc., and citric acid plasticizers such as acetyl tributyl citrate, etc.

[0026] Specific examples of the polyoxyethylene laurylamine used in the present invention include Naimin L-201, L-202, L-207, etc. manufactured by NOF Corporation. In addition to the above, Naimin L-703 (polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene laurylamine), F-202, F-215 (the above are polyoxyethylene alkyl (coconut) amines), T2-202, T2-210, T2-230 (the above are polyoxyethylene tallow alkylamines), S-202, S-204, S-210, S-215, S-220 (the above are polyoxyethylene stearylamines), O-205 (polyoxyethylene oleylamine), DT-203, DT-208 (the above are polyoxyethylene alkyl propylene diamines), etc. manufactured by NOF Corporation can also be mentioned. These crack inhibitors can be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0027] The fixing part 53 is a member for fixing the ink tank 54 at a predetermined position and guiding the ink stored in the ink tank 54 to the ink pad 51. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the fixing part 53 is formed as a rectangular prism corresponding to the frame body 52, the lower surface thereof is in contact with the ink pad 51, and four concave parts 53a that are screwed with the opening end of the ink tank 54 are formed on the upper surface. The concave parts 53a are formed at regular intervals on the surface of the fixing part 53, and female threads are formed on the inner circumference thereof. Further, it is preferable to provide an O-ring 53d for keeping the opening end part 54a of the ink tank 54 liquid-tight on the bottom surface of the concave part 53a, whereby ink leakage to the outside along the female thread can be prevented during the marking operation in a horizontal state.

[0028] The concave portion 53a is inclined at 30 degrees from the vertical direction toward the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 5, in the case of marking the printing surface 41 in the horizontal direction (sideways), the opening end portion 54a of the ink tank 54 needs to be inclined upward from the horizontal direction. Further, an ink supply hole 53b is formed in the bottom surface of the concave portion 53a so as to communicate with the lower end of the fixing portion 53 and is connected to the ink pad 51. With the above-described configuration, when the printing surface 41 is oriented in the horizontal state, since the ink moves to the bottom side in the ink tank 54, even if an air layer is formed above the ink pad 51, the amount of ink supplied to the ink pad 51 can be restricted, and ink leakage can be eliminated.

[0029] In addition, in the present embodiment, the inclination angle is set to 30 degrees, but it is not limited thereto and can be appropriately changed according to the initial filling amount of the ink in the ink tank 54. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the inclination angle is preferably in a range where the ink liquid surface S in the ink tank 54 does not reach the opening end portion 54a of the ink tank 54 in a state where the printing surface 41 is oriented in the horizontal direction. Thereby, the supply of ink from the ink tank 54 is inhibited, and ink leakage can be surely prevented. In view of compatibility with space saving of the ink tank 54 in the outer cylinder body 20, a range of 20 degrees to 40 degrees is particularly preferable. Here, the initial filling amount of the ink refers to the amount of ink filled at the time of shipment of the ink tank 54 and means the maximum amount accommodated in the ink tank 54.

[0030] The operation of the reverse type stamp 10 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 6. When not in use, in which the outer cylinder body 20 of the reverse type stamp 10 is not pressed, the outer cylinder body 30 and the inner cylinder body 20 are in the most extended state where they are farthest apart (FIG. 6(a)). At this time, the printing surface 41 contacts the ink pad 51 and the ink is transferred.

[0031] The reverse type stamp 10 makes markings by bringing the lower end of the inner cylinder body 20 into contact with the tread surface T of the tire. When the lower end of the inner cylinder body 30 of the reverse type stamp 10 is pressed against the tread surface T and the outer cylinder body 20 is pushed down against the repulsive force of the coil spring 60, the whole shrinks so that the inner cylinder body 30 enters into the outer cylinder body 20. At this time, the reversing body 42 pivotally supported on the inner wall portion of the outer cylinder body 20 also has its horizontal axis 43 guided by the slit hole 31 of the inner cylinder body 20 and moves downward in the inner cylinder body 30.

[0032] When the reversing body 42 of the printing type body 40 descends in conjunction with the pressing operation of the outer cylinder body 20, first, the first semi-circular groove 44 formed at the lower end on the rear side of the reversing body 42 comes into contact with the upper small projection 32a of the inner cylinder body 30. At this time, as the reversing body 42 descends, one end of the reversing body 42 is pushed up by the upper small projection 32a, and the reversing body 42 starts to rotate about the horizontal axis 43 (Fig. 5(b)). When the rotation angle of the reversing body 42 reaches 90°, the central semi-circular projection 45 engages with the reversing guide 32 by entering the middle groove 32b (Fig. 5(c)). When the rotation of the reversing body 42 further progresses, this time the lower small projection 32a pushes up the semi-circular projection 45. As a result, finally, at the lower end position of the inner cylinder body 30, the reversing body 42 is reversed by 180°, and the printing surface (printing type body 40) faces downward (Fig. 5(d)). If a pressing force is applied to the outer cylinder body 20 from above in a state where the printing surface 41 and the tread surface T are in contact, the ink on the printing surface 41 is transferred to the tread surface and markings are made.

[0033] After the markings are completed, when the pressing of the outer cylinder body 20 is released, due to the repulsive force of the compressed coil spring 60, the inner cylinder body 30 returns to its initial position. In conjunction with this, the reversing body 42 also moves in the inner cylinder body 30 and returns to its initial position, but the printing type body 40 is reversed upward in an operation opposite to the engaging operation with the above-described reversing guide 32.

[0034] If the above-described marking operation is continuously performed with the printing type body 40 in a horizontal state, the ink impregnated in the ink pad 51 biases downward, an air layer is formed above the ink pad 51, and the liquid seal of the ink supply hole 53b is released by this air layer. However, since the ink tank 54 is inclined downward, over-supplementation of ink to the ink pad 51 can be suppressed and ink leakage can be prevented.

[0035] In the above, in the present invention, the inverted stamp 10 has been described as a preferred embodiment, but it is not limited thereto and can also be applied to a direct liquid stamper other than the inverted type. Although not shown, examples of the stamper include a main body portion that functions as a handle, a printing body and a storage body provided at the lower end of the main body portion, an ink tank disposed on the upper surface of the storage body, and a fixing portion that fixes the ink tank at a predetermined inclination angle.

[0036] Also, the technical idea of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein. Those skilled in the art can appropriately modify or improve this embodiment without departing from the gist or technical idea of the present invention. It should be understood that stamps and related peripheral technologies involving such modifications or improvements are included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0037] 10 Inverted stamp 20 Outer cylinder 21 Cylindrical portion 22 Cap 23 Fastener 30 Inner cylinder 31 Slit hole 32 Inversion guide 32a Small protrusion 32b Middle groove 33 Through hole 40 Printing body 41 Printing surface 42 Inversion body 43 Horizontal axis 44 Semi-circular groove 45 Semi-circular protrusion 50 Ink cartridge 51 Ink pad 52 Frame body 53 Fixing portion 53a Recess 53b Ink supply hole 53c Locking portion 53d O-ring 54 Ink tank 54a opening end 60 coil spring T tread surface S ink liquid surface

Claims

1. An inked character body having an inked surface, an ink reservoir that supplies ink to the inked character body, an ink tank with one end open, disposed on the upper surface of the ink reservoir, a fixing portion that fixes the ink tank, a stamp comprising: wherein the fixing portion fixes the ink tank at a position inclined by a predetermined angle from the vertical direction.

2. The stamp according to claim 1, wherein the angle is within a range where the ink liquid level in the ink tank does not reach the open end of the ink tank when the inked surface is oriented horizontally.

Images