Stamp unit and method of manufacturing the stamp unit

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to a stamp unit and method of manufacturing a stamp unit having a holding unit which holds a stamp material. The stamp unit is positionable in a stamp manufacturing device where the holding unit is pressed while a stamp is manufactured from the stamp material. More specifically, the invention relates to providing a uniform pressure applied to a stamp material during manufacture regardless of the size of the stamp material.

2. Description of Related Art

The conventional stamp unit comprises a grip, a holder and a skirt member. The holder member is connected to the grip member, and is capable of moving vertically within the skirt member. The stamp material is thermally adhered to a lower end portion of the holder member. In such a conventional stamp unit, the stamp material is formed of two layers. The lower layer is made of a soft porous resin formed with a light energy absorption material, such as carbon black, dispersed therein. The upper layer, which supplies ink to the lower layer and is capable of pressing the lower layer uniformly, is made of a hard porous resin.

In the case of manufacturing a stamp, a roll-shaped transparent film is transported into the stamp manufacturing device. Then, character and image data is printed by a thermal head and ink transfer ribbon onto the transparent film to create a positive original film. The holder member is placed into the stamp manufacturing device so that the positive original film and the stamp material oppose each other with a transparent acrylic plate between them. When an irradiation unit, such as a xenon tube, emits light, the lower layer of the stamp material is illuminated or exposed through the positive original film. Only the portion which is illuminated through the non-printed or transparent portion of the positive original film is melted and solidified by the heat generated by the light energy absorption material that is, the carbon black, to create a seal so that ink does not permeate. On the other hand, the portion which is not illuminated, melted or solidified forms an image, such as the characters and symbols on the positive original film. Thus, the stamp is manufactured on the lower layer, and contains sealed and unsealed portions according to the desired pattern.

An ink pack is stored in an ink pack storing portion within the holder member. The ink pack storing portion has an uneven bottom formed in a lattice shape. The ink pack is opened when it is sandwiched and pressed between the uneven bottom and a plate attached to the grip member, by moving the grip member downward. Ink flowing from the ink pack is stored in the upper and lower layers of the stamp material. The ink flows out from the unsealed portion, but does not flow out from the sealed portion.

In the case of printing characters using the stamp unit, the grip member is moved downward to place the skirt member at the desired position on a printing sheet. The grip member moves the holder member downward within the skirt member so that the stamp material is pressed against the printing sheet. Ink attaches to the printing sheet through the unsealed portion of the stamp material so that various kind of images, such as characters and symbols, can be printed.

As described above, the stamp unit, including the holding unit, the skirt member and the grip member, are placed in the stamp manufacturing device where the holding unit is pressed while a stamp is manufactured. In such a case, it is necessary to provide a holding unit storing portion which can store the holding unit. Accordingly, it is necessary to provide enough space to insert the various members associated with the stamp unit.

Therefore, a stamp unit has been proposed, wherein only the stamp material and the holder member are placed into the stamp manufacturing device. After a stamp is manufactured with the stamp manufacturing device, the holder member which holds the stamp material, is inserted into the skirt member and attached to the grip member so as to be movable vertically within the skirt member.

Such a stamp manufacturing device has an irradiation unit on which the holding unit comprising at least the stamp material and the holder member is placed. A presser unit comprising a lid encloses the holding unit within the stamp manufacturing device, and presses the holding unit, and in particular the stamp material, at a predetermined position onto the irradiation unit, when the lid is closed.

However, in the conventional device, the holding unit that is placed into the stamp manufacturing device has a fixed height regardless of the stamp material size. However, the stamp material has to be pressed uniformly onto the irradiation unit while a stamp is being produced. When the holding unit is placed into the stamp manufacturing device and the lid is closed, the holding unit is pressed against the irradiation unit. A reaction force then acts on the irradiation unit and the presser unit in proportion to the stamp material size. A large reaction force causes portions of the irradiation unit and the presser unit to bend. This bending leads to a reduction in the pressure urging the stamp material against the irradiation unit, reducing the image quality of the manufactured stamp.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to solve the above-mentioned problem, and to provide a method of manufacturing a stamp unit where the pressure on a stamp material is uniform regardless of the size of the stamp material where a holding unit having a holder member holds the stamp material, and the holding unit is placed into a stamp manufacturing device and pressed to manufacture a stamp from the stamp material.

In order to accomplish the object of the invention, the height of the holding unit is heightened in proportion to the stamp material size. That is, even if the stamp material is pressed with a fixed pressure, the reaction force differs according to the stamp material size. In response to the reaction force, portions of an irradiation unit and a presser unit bend in proportion to the reaction force.

By changing the height of the holding unit, the stamp material can be pressed uniformly onto an irradiation unit because the bending of the presser unit and irradiation unit is eliminated.

Preferably, the stamp material of the stamp unit comprises an elastic and transformable soft porous resin having a light energy absorption material at a lower end portion. The elastic and transformable soft porous resin projects from the lower edge of the holder member. In such a holding unit, it is effective to heighten the holding unit in proportion to the stamp size as the reaction force differs according to the stamp size.

Further, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the stamp unit comprises a skirt member, a holder member movably disposed within the skirt member for movement in an up and down (defined as axial) direction and configured to hold a stamp material at a lower end portion, and a grip member that moves the holder member downward within the skirt member. The holding unit includes the holder member and the stamp material. Because of the small size of the holding unit, the stamp material can be pressed properly, and the stamp manufacturing device can be miniaturized. Further, positioning grooves and marks for detecting the stamp size can be provided on the holder member, which is inserted within the skirt member, and do not effect its outward appearance.

The stamp manufacturing device into which the holding unit is placed preferably includes an original film making unit, an irradiation unit and a presser unit.

The stamp manufacturing device is easily affected by the reaction force, as the holding unit is sandwiched and pressed between the irradiation unit and the presser unit. The holding unit can be pressed uniformly by changing its height, thereby, adjusting the pressure on the stamp material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1

is a general exploded perspective view of a stamp unit according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2

is a sectional side view of the stamp unit after ink has been supplied to the stamp unit;

FIGS. 3A-3K

are perspective views of various sizes of stamp units according to the invention;

FIG. 4

is a side view of a skirt member according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5

is an end view of the skirt member of

FIG. 4

;

FIG. 6

is a sectional side view of the skirt member of

FIG. 4

;

FIG. 7

is a perspective view of a holder member according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8

is a side view of the holder member of

FIG. 7

;

FIG. 9

is a sectional side view of the holder member of

FIG. 7

;

FIG. 10

is a top view of the holder member of

FIG. 7

;

FIG. 11

is a bottom view of the holder member of

FIG. 7

;

FIG. 12

is a side view of a grip member according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13

is a bottom view of the grip member of

FIG. 12

;

FIG. 14

is a sectional side view of the grip member of

FIG. 12

;

FIG. 15

is a side view of a cap member according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16

is a sectional side view of the cap member of

FIG. 15

;

FIG. 17

is a general perspective view of a stamp manufacturing device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18

is a perspective view of the frame structure of the stamp manufacturing device of

FIG. 17

;

FIGS. 19 and 20

are perspective views showing a presser unit of the stamp manufacturing device of

FIG. 17

;

FIG. 21

is a sectional side view of an irradiation unit of the stamp manufacturing device;

FIG. 22

is a top view of the irradiation unit

FIG. 21

;

FIG. 23

is a top view schematically showing the holding unit placed in a predetermined stamp making position of the holding unit storage part in the stamp manufacturing device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 24

is a side view schematically showing a state where the holding unit is set to a predetermined stamp making position of the holding unit storage part in the stamp manufacturing device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 25 and 26

are cross sectional views schematically showing the holding unit placed in a predetermined stamp making position of the holding unit storage part in the stamp manufacturing device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 27

is a perspective view showing the holding unit is being placed in the holding unit storage part when a front and an upper lid are opened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For a general understanding of the features of the invention, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate like elements.

FIG. 1

is a general exploded perspective view of a stamp unit according to a preferred embodiment of the invention and

FIG. 2

is a sectional side view of the stamp unit of

FIG. 1

soon after an ink pack is opened. As shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

, stamp unit

1

comprises a skirt member

2

, which supports the stamp unit

1

during stamp printing; a holder member

4

, which is movably disposed within the skirt member

2

for movement in an up and down (defined as axial) direction and which holds a stamp material

3

thermally adhered to a lower end portion of the holder member

4

; a grip member

5

that moves the holder member

4

downward to press the stamp material

3

against a printing paper (not shown); and a cap member

60

, which protects the stamp material

3

.

The stamp material

3

, held at the lower end portion of the holder member

4

, is preferably formed having a three layer structure. The upper layer

71

is preferably made of a hard porous resin approximately 3 mm thick, such as, for example, a polyvinyl formal of 90% porosity. However, other materials and thicknesses may also be appropriate. The middle layer

72

is preferably made of a hard porous resin preferably approximately 2 mm thick. The middle layer

72

may be formed of the same material as the upper layer

71

. However, other materials and thicknesses may also be appropriate. The lower layer

73

is preferably made of a soft porous resin, for example, a urethane resin of 65% porosity; however, other materials and thicknesses may also be appropriate. The middle layer

72

and the lower layer

73

are preferably adhered to each other by an adhesive agent pasted in a lattice shape. The upper layer

71

and the middle layer

72

are not adhered to each other.

Holes

74

, preferably 1 to 2 mm in diameter, are provided on the upper layer

71

so that ink flows immediately from the upper layer

71

to the middle layer

72

through the holes

74

. The ink slowly impregnates the middle layer

72

reaching down to the lower layer

73

. It takes nearly the same time to fill the stamp material

3

with ink as it takes to fill the thin stamp material having a two layer structure, even though the stamp material

3

is thick, because of the three layer structure. Referring to

FIG. 2

, the circumferential edge portion of the lower layer

73

and the lower end portion of the holder member

4

are pressed together and thermally adhered to each other. At the same time the circumferential edge portion of the lower layer

73

is inclined and sealed. Because the pores in the inclined edge portion of the lower layer

73

are closed by heat or resin, ink does not flow from the edge portion. The stamp is manufactured on the surface of the lower layer

73

, except at its circumferential edge portion.

A holding unit U, shown in

FIG. 1

, comprises the holder member

4

, which holds the stamp material

3

. The holding unit U is placed into the stamp manufacturing device

101

(see

FIGS. 17-20

and

27

). The holding unit U is heightened in proportion to the size of the stamp material

3

.

FIGS. 3A

to

3

K show stamp units that accommodate various sizes of the stamp material

3

;

11

types of stamp units are illustrated. These include a minimum sized holding unit shown in

FIG. 3A

, having an approximately 12 mm×12 mm =144 mm

2

stamp area, and a maximum sized holding unit shown in

FIG. 3K

, having an approximately 40 mm×90 mm=3600 mm

2

stamp area.

FIGS. 3C and 3G

show holding units having a standard height H and approximately 900 mm

2

stamp areas. The holding unit of

FIG. 3E

has an approximately 600 mm

2

stamp area and the holding unit of

FIG. 3H

has an approximately 1320 mm

2

stamp area. The holding units of

FIGS. 3E and 3H

are treated as having the standard height H, as they are almost as broad as the standard type holding units of

FIGS. 3C and 3G

.

The holding unit shown in

FIG. 3F

has an approximately 532 mm

2

stamp area, and is (H−0.2) mm high (smaller than H). The holding unit, shown in

FIG. 3B

has an approximately 400 mm

2

stamp area, and is (H−0.3) mm high. The holding unit shown in

FIG. 3A

has an approximately 144 mm

2

stamp area, and is (H−0.4) mm high. On the other hand, the holding unit shown in

FIG. 3I

has an approximately 1890 mm

2

stamp area, and the holding unit shown in

FIG. 3J

has an approximately 1972 mm

2

stamp area. Both holding units are (H+0.3) mm high (larger than H). The holding unit shown in

FIG. 3K

has an approximately 3600 mm

2

stamp area, and is (H+0.5) mm high. In other words, the height of the holding unit U is changed gradually according to the stamp size. The relationship of the holding unit U to the stamp manufacturing device

101

is discussed hereinafter. Next, the skirt member

2

will be described with reference to

FIGS. 4

to

6

.

FIG. 4

is a side view,

FIG. 5

is an end view, and

FIG. 6

is a sectional side view of the skirt member

2

according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

As shown in

FIGS. 4 and 6

, the skirt member

2

preferably has a rectangular-shaped opening portion

10

and an inner wall

11

. The holder member

4

slides relative to the surface of the inner wall

11

within the opening portion

10

. The skirt member

2

is integrally formed of an upper skirt portion

13

and a lower skirt portion

15

. The upper skirt portion

13

has an outer wall

12

and an inner wall

11

. The lower skirt portion

15

has an outer wall

14

formed continuously to the outer wall

12

but has a larger circumference so that it is stepped with respect to the outer wall

12

.

A spring engaging portion

17

, which engages an end of a torsion spring

16

, is formed at an upper portion of the inner wall

11

at both the left and right end surfaces of the upper skirt member

13

. A positioning protrusion

18

, which preferably has a half-moon shape, receives the coil portion of the torsion spring

16

. The positioning protrusion

18

is formed below and inclined or offset from the spring engaging portion

17

(FIG.

5

). Further, a vertical groove

19

, which receives movably therein an inclined rib

35

(described hereinafter), is formed in both of the end surfaces of the skirt member

2

at the center portion of the inner wall

11

. The vertical grooves

19

act to guide ribs

35

of the holder member

4

in the axial direction when the holder member

4

is moved downward while printing. A spring shift suppression member

9

has an aperture portion (not shown), to prevent disengagement of the torsion spring

16

, through which the other end of the torsion spring

16

passes. Further, the lower end of the inclined rib

35

engages the other end of the torsion spring

16

during up and down movement to regulate that movement, as the end of the torsion spring

16

moves in the aperture portion of the spring shift suppression member

9

. The spring shift suppression member

9

is provided between the vertical groove

19

and the position protrusion

18

.

The lower skirt portion

15

is placed on a print sheet and supports the stamp unit

1

during stamp printing. Support ribs

20

support the lower edge of the outer wall

14

, keeping it away from the surface of the print sheet, and are disposed at lower corner portions of the outer wall

14

. Preferably, down arrow

21

, which shows a stamp printing direction, is formed at the center portion of the outer wall

14

.

The holder member

4

will be described using

FIGS. 7

to

11

.

FIG. 7

is a perspective view,

FIG. 8

is a side view,

FIG. 9

is a sectional side view,

FIG. 10

is a top view, and

FIG. 11

is a bottom view of the holder member

4

according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

As shown in

FIGS. 7

to

11

, the holder member

4

is complementary in shape to the upper skirt portion

13

and the lower skirt portion

15

of the skirt portion

2

. The holder member

4

comprises an upper holder portion

30

and a lower holder portion

31

formed as a single body. The upper holder portion

30

includes a side wall

32

, which preferably has a substantially rectangular circumferential shape when viewed from above. Three grooves

33

are provided in a line horizontally at the upper portion of the front side wall and the rear side wall of the circumferential side wall

32

. (The front wall or the rear wall is shown in

FIG. 8.

) A regulating protrusion

34

, which is preferably wedge-shaped and inclined from the surface of the side wall

32

to be narrower away from the surface, is provided at both sides of the center groove

33

. A rib protrusion

54

(described hereinafter) of the grip member

5

is fitted into each groove

33

, whereby the holder member

4

and the grip member

5

are connected to form a body. The regulating protrusions

34

contact the upper edge of the outer wall

12

of the upper skirt portion

13

of the skirt member

2

and act to regulate downward movement of the holder member

4

.

The inclined rib

35

, which is preferably wedge-shaped and inclines outwardly in the axial direction from the surface of the circumferential side wall

32

, is provided at each end wall of the circumferential side wall

32

(the left and right end surfaces as shown in

FIG. 8

) of the upper holder portion

30

. The inclined ribs

35

are inserted into the vertical grooves

19

of the upper skirt portion

13

to be movable in the axial direction when the holder member

4

is inserted from the bottom into the skirt member

2

. The other end of the torsion spring

16

is fixed at the lower end of the inclined rib

35

(at each end of the stamp unit

1

). The holder member

4

is supported to be movable in an axial direction within the skirt member

2

by cooperation between the inclined ribs

35

and the vertical grooves

19

. One end of the torsion spring

16

is engaged by the spring engaging portion

17

of the upper skirt portion

13

, and the other end of the torsion spring

16

is engaged by the lower end of inclined rib

35

. The holder member

4

is always energized upwardly within the skirt member

2

.

The ink pack storing portion

22

, which is preferably rectangular and surrounded by the side wall

32

, has a flat bottom surface

23

with an ink flow hole

24

in the center. Further, a cutting rib

25

for cutting and opening the ink pack

6

protrudes a little beyond the bottom surface

23

.

As shown in

FIG. 11

, four ink supply holes

26

are provided inside the circumferential side wall

32

and extend from proximate the upper end of the circumferential side wall

32

of the holder member

4

to the bottom of the support rods

27

such that the bottoms of the support rods

27

and ink supply holes

26

define a to plane. The ink supply holes

26

are used to supply ink supplementally when the amount of ink stored in the stamp material

3

decreases. In such a case, ink is poured through the ink supply holes

26

when the grip member

5

is detached.

Further, as shown in

FIG. 11

, the plurality of support rods

27

, which are several millimeters in length, are provided so as to form a lattice on the lower holder portion

31

of the holder member

4

. The support rods

27

extend to and contact the stamp material

3

held by the holder member

4

and the bottom ends of the support rods

27

substantially form a plane. The lower holder portion

31

is integrally formed with the upper holder portion

30

as a single body and has a circumferential side wall

38

which is larger than the circumferential side wall

32

. The holder member

4

is preferably made of ABS resin, polyolefine resin, such as, for example, polyacetal copolymer, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, or PC resin.

The cutting rib

25

is used to cut and open the ink pack

6

when the ink page

6

is pressed downward via a thick paper plate

37

by the grip member

5

. The edge of the cutting rib

25

is sharp so that the ink pack

6

can be reliably opened. The ink flow hole

24

guides the ink flowing from the ink pack

6

which is opened by the cutting rib

25

, downward so that the ink impregnates the stamp material

3

.

Inclined grooves

43

are preferably formed, having an inwardly directed wedge shape at the upper center of outer surface of the front and rear walls of the circumferential side wall

38

constituting the lower holder portion

31

. One or two detecting grooves

44

are preferably formed beside the inclined grooves

43

. The inclined grooves

43

are used to position the holder member

4

at a predetermined stamp making position in a stamp manufacturing device, then a stamp is manufactured on the stamp material

3

therein. As both sides of the inclined grooves

43

are inclined surfaces, the holder member

4

is moved to ensure that the positioning projection

177

(

FIGS. 23 and 24

) contacts the center portion of the inclined grooves

43

based on a cam effect between the positioning projection

177

, which provides a positioning member, and the inclined surfaces of the inclined grooves

43

. Therefore, the holder member

4

is positioned in a predetermined stamp making position.

The number of grooves and the position of the detecting grooves

44

differ based on the size of holder member

4

. The detecting grooves

44

are used to specify the size of holder member

4

in association with a groove sensor (not shown) disposed in the positioning mechanism

170

of the stamp manufacturing device. The positions of the inclined grooves

43

and the detecting grooves

44

on the outer surface of the circumferential side wall

38

are configured to be rotationally symmetrical so that the holding unit U can be positioned from either direction, without having to consider the orientation of the holding unit U.

As shown in

FIG. 8

, a pair of engaging protrusions

45

are formed at the lower portion of the circumferential side wall

38

. The engaging protrusions

45

engage with engaging grooves

62

(

FIG. 16

) of the cap member

60

and are used to set the cap member

60

to cover the lower end of the lower holder portion

31

(

FIGS. 1

,

15

and

16

). Thereby, the surface of the stamp material

3

, supported on the lower end of the side wall

38

, is protected by the cap member

60

.

Ink pack

6

(shown in FIG.

1

), which is preferably bag-shaped and made of a film material, is stored in the ink pack storing portion

22

. The ink pack

6

is substantially fully filled with ink. The thick paper plate

37

is arranged between the ink pack

6

and the bottom of the grip member

5

. The film material is preferably polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, or nylon alone, or two types laminated together.

The grip member

5

will be described with reference to

FIGS. 12

to

14

.

FIG. 12

is a side view,

FIG. 13

is a bottom view, and

FIG. 14

is a transverse sectional view of the grip member

5

according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In

FIGS. 12

to

14

, a label portion

50

is formed on the upper surface of the grip member

5

. A label, which indicates the contents of the stamp formed on the stamp material

3

, is pasted on the label portion

50

.

An insertion portion

51

, which is inserted into the circumferential side wall

32

of the upper holder portion

30

of the holder member

4

, is formed on the inside surface of the top of the grip member

5

, as shown in

FIGS. 2

,

13

and

14

. The insertion portion

51

acts to press against the ink pack

6

, disposed in the holder member

4

, via the thick paper plate

37

.

The insertion portion

51

preferably has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the bottom, as shown in FIG.

13

. Four concave portions

52

are preferably formed at opposed positions at a center peripheral portion of the insertion portion

51

. The concave portions

52

permit the insertion portion

51

to bypass the wall portion of the ink supply holes

26

disposed on a surface of the circumferential side wall

32

when the insertion portion

51

of the grip member

5

is inserted into the circumferential side wall

32

of the holder member

4

. Two pairs of concave portions

52

are formed to prevent the wall portion of the ink supply holes

26

from being an obstacle and to allow the grip member

5

to be inserted with either side opposing the ink supply holes

26

. Further, a plurality of ribs

53

(twelve ribs

53

, for example, as shown in

FIG. 13

) are formed in a vertical direction on the inner surface of the outer wall of the grip member

5

. A rib protrusion

54

is integrally formed at the lower end of each rib

53

. A rib protrusion

54

is received in an opposed groove

33

formed on the upper surface of the outer wall of the circumferential side wall

32

, whereby the holder member

4

and the grip member

5

are integrated or assembled.

In addition, four ribs

53

are found on the inside of the short sides of the grip member. Steps

55

are formed on the ribs

53

that are arranged on the inside of the short sides of the grip member

5

. When the holder member

4

is moved downward within the skirt member

2

to press the stamp material

3

onto a sheet for printing, the steps

55

strike the upper end of the opening portion

10

formed with the inner wall

11

of the skirt member

2

. Thus, the steps

55

prevent the holder member

4

from moving to far downward and causing excessive printing, i.e., excess ink leading to blurring.

The cap member

60

disposed at the lower end portion of the lower holder portion

31

of the holder member

4

will be described with reference to

FIGS. 15 and 16

.

FIG. 15

is a side view, and

FIG. 16

is a sectional side view of the cap member

60

according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The cap member

60

is preferably box-shaped having an opening upward as shown in

FIGS. 1

,

15

and

16

. The hand holding portion

61

, which is held by the operator's fingers when fixing the cap member

60

onto or detaching the cap member

60

from the holder member

4

, is preferably formed substantially at the center portion of both sides of the surface of the outer wall, as shown in FIG.

15

. Further, a pair of engaging grooves

62

, which are engaged with the engaging protrusions

45

formed on the circumferential side wall

38

, is preferably provided on both sides of the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the cap member

60

. The cap member

60

is attached to the circumferential side wall

38

by each engaging groove

62

of the cap member

60

being engaged with an opposed engaging protrusion

45

of the side wall

38

. Thereby, the surface of the stamp material

3

, which is held at the lower end of the circumferential side wall

38

, is protected by the cap member

60

.

Next, the stamp manufacturing device

101

in which the holding unit U, formed of the stamp material

3

and the holder member

4

is inserted will be described in detail.

FIG. 17

is a general perspective view of the stamp manufacturing device

101

according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The stamp manufacturing device

101

has a film magazine

102

storing transparent films; an inlet

103

for a label cut sheet called CS hereinafter formed near the film magazine

102

; a printing portion

104

having a thermal head

105

therebeneath; a stamp making portion

106

; and an outlet

158

for the CS and the original film near the stamp making portion

106

. The film magazine

102

, which stores transparent films

108

, can be attached to and removed from the device

101

. A stamp is manufactured from the stamp material

3

held at the lower end portion of the holding unit U, to reflect the design, characters or images, of the original film in the stamp making portion

106

.

An original film making unit

1040

, which includes the film magazine

102

and the printing portion

104

, creates a desired image on the transparent film by placing an untransparent material on it. A head holder unit

152

includes a thermal head

105

therebeneath, and is capable of rotating upward around an axis

160

(refer to FIG.

18

). The stamp making unit

106

comprises a presser unit formed of an upper lid

136

and a front lid

156

, which contains the holding unit U within the stamp making portion

106

of the stamp manufacturing device

101

, when closed, and presses the stamp material

3

downward against an irradiation unit

110

. The irradiation unit

110

is arranged beneath the stamp making portion of the device

101

, and can be attached to and removed from the stamp manufacturing device by moving a slide lever

151

upward.

The stamp manufacturing device

101

is connected to and controlled by a personal computer so as to execute various commands, such as creating a positive image onto the film

108

, printing the label onto the CS, and producing a stamp according to the original film. The film

108

is transported from the film magazine

102

to the printing portion

104

and a positive image, such as characters and symbols, is printed onto the film

108

by the thermal head

105

according to an image data printed on the original film. The original film, on which the positive image is printed, is transported to the stamp making portion

106

so that the original film is placed above the irradiation unit

110

. The holding unit U holding the stamp material

3

is placed above the original film, and then, the front lid

156

and the upper lid

136

are closed so that the stamp material is pressed against the original film. The stamp is manufactured by illuminating or exposing the stamp material

3

through the original film.

In the case of printing a label, a positive image data is printed onto the CS. The CS is fed from the inlet

103

and discharged from the outlet

158

. The CS, on which the positive image has been printed and which indicates the contents of the stamp formed on the stamp material

3

, is pasted as a label onto the label portion

50

on the top of the grip member

5

, shown in

FIGS. 2 and 12

.

The presser unit

141

arranged in the stamp making unit

106

will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

18

.

FIG. 18

is a perspective view of the frame structure of the stamp manufacturing device

101

.

A head holder unit

152

is supported by an axis

160

so as to rotate upward around the axis

160

, in front of a main frame having a concave section. The presser unit

141

is attached to the rear side of the main frame

140

with bolts

162

. The presser unit

141

is composed of a frame unit

144

comprising both side frames

142

and a front frame

143

, an upper lid

136

and a front lid

156

. A positioning mechanism

170

for the holding unit U is provided in the frame unit

144

.

A rotation axis

136

a

of the upper lid

136

is supported by both side frames

142

. The upper lid

136

is attached to the main frame

140

by a torsion spring

136

b

wound around the rotation axis

136

a

, so as to be opened vertically. The front lid

156

is attached to the front end of the upper lid

136

by a torsion spring (not shown), and is capable of moving forward when it is opened. Thus, the holding unit U can be positioned without being obstructed by the upper lid

136

and the front lid

156

.

Arcing cuts

156

c

are provided in a rib

156

b

so as to extend toward the back of the front lid

156

. When the upper lid

136

and the front lid

156

are moved against the urging of a spring (not shown) so as to be closed, the cuts

156

c

are hooked by a hook pole

145

, which is attached to the front frame. A photo sensor PS

1

, formed of an emitting element (not shown) and an accepting element (not shown), is obstructed by the rib

156

b

when the lids are closed. Thus, whether the upper lid

136

and the front lid

156

are opened or closed can be detected.

A metallic presser plate

146

is fixed on the bottom side of the upper lid

136

. The presser plate

146

presses the holding unit U against the stage

133

(

FIGS. 21

,

22

and

27

) of the irradiation unit

110

so as to press the stamp material

3

held at the lower end portion of the holding unit U, when the holding unit U is attached to the positioning mechanism

170

and the lids

136

,

156

are closed.

Next, the assembly process of the presser unit

141

in the stamp manufacturing device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described referring to

FIGS. 19 and 20

.

The presser unit

141

is inserted in the predetermined position in the main frame

140

, as shown in FIG.

19

. An adjustment fixture

161

, which has a fixed height, is placed on the bottom of the main frame

140

by opening the positioning mechanism

170

. After the presser unit

141

is fixed to the main frame

140

with bolts

162

, the adjustment fixture

161

is removed from the main frame

140

. The irradiation unit

110

(described later) is also placed in the main frame

140

with an error of less than 0.1 mm. Thus, the positional relations between the main frame

140

and the presser unit

141

, and between the irradiation unit

110

and the presser unit

141

are always the same. As a result, it is possible to change the height of the holding unit U according to the stamp size in every stamp manufacturing device according to the invention.

Further, an irradiation unit

110

according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, which can be positioned in and removed from the frame unit

144

, will be described referring to

FIGS. 21 and 22

.

FIG. 21

is a sectional view, and

FIG. 22

is an end view of the irradiation unit

110

according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The irradiation unit

110

has a xenon tube

111

; a stage

133

, which is preferably a transparent acrylic plate located between the holding unit U and the xenon tube

111

; and a reflector box

134

surrounding the xenon tube

111

. The xenon tube

111

, the stage

133

and the reflector box

134

are preferably formed as a single body.

A connector

149

, which connects the irradiation unit

110

with the stamp manufacturing device

101

, is formed of a female connector

149

A, which is arranged in the stamp manufacturing device

101

, and a male connector

149

B, which is arranged in the irradiation unit

110

. The male and female connectors

149

A,

149

B each include eight terminals

149

C, four terminals are for irradiation of the xenon tube

111

(two terminals supplying power to the xenon tube and two terminals for generating light) and four terminals are for detecting and identifying the xenon tube. A radiation amount indicating portion

148

, which indicates a radiation amount per unit electric power (radiation performance) of the xenon tube

111

and which is measured in advance, is connected to the male connector

149

B. As the irradiation unit

110

can be attached to and removed from the stamp manufacturing device

101

, the xenon tube

111

, for example, can be replaced easily. Maintenance, such as cleaning the transparent surface, can also be done easily. The irradiation unit is placed in the main frame with an error of less than 0.1 mm. Thus, the positional relationship between the stage

133

and the presser plate

146

is always kept the same.

The positioning mechanism

170

and size detecting system

180

arranged in the positioning mechanism

170

will be described with reference to

FIGS. 23

to

26

.

FIG. 23

is a top view,

FIG. 24

is a side view, and

FIGS. 25 and 26

are cross sectional views schematically showing a state where the holding unit is positioned in a predetermined stamp making position of a holding unit storage part

169

in the stamp manufacturing device

101

according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. As mentioned above, the holder member

4

of the holding unit U has the inclined grooves

43

and the detecting grooves

44

. The positioning mechanism

170

can detect the existence and the size of the holding unit U in association with the inclined grooves

43

and the detecting grooves

44

.

As shown in

FIGS. 23

to

26

, the positioning mechanism

170

comprises two holder fixing members

171

,

172

. The holding unit U is positioned and held by sandwiching it between the holder fixing members

171

,

172

. The holder fixing member

171

is fixed within the positioning mechanism

170

. Then, a switch plate

174

is attached to the fixing member

171

by three screws

173

. Preferably, six microswitches

175

A,

175

B,

175

C,

175

D,

175

E and

175

F are arranged along an edge of the switch plate

174

; however, other numbers of microswitches may also be appropriate. Switch terminals of each microswitch

175

A,

175

B,

175

C,

175

D,

175

E and

175

F oppose the holding unit U. The switch terminals protrude a little toward the position of the holding unit U when the holding unit U is not positioned in the positioning mechanism

171

. According to the ON-OFF state of the microswitches

175

A,

175

B,

175

C,

175

E and

175

F, the size or type of the holding unit U can be detected. The microswitch

175

D can be used to detect the existence of the holding unit U. The microswitches

175

A,

175

B,

175

C,

175

E and

175

F and the detecting grooves

44

form the size detecting system

180

. The positioning projection

177

is formed in the center of the longitudinal portion of the holder fixing member

171

and above the microswitch

175

D. The positioning projection

177

properly mates with the inclined grooves

43

. A set mark M is provided in a position corresponding with the positioning projection

177

, and is used as a general index for positioning the holding unit U. The holder fixing member

172

is arranged so as to be capable of moving against the holder fixing member

171

, and is attached by a spring (not shown) in the direction of an arrow shown in FIG.

23

.

To position the holding unit U in the predetermined stamp making position in the positioning mechanism

170

, the fixing member

172

is moved in the direction opposite to the arrow shown in

FIG. 23

against the urging spring (not shown). This opens the positioning mechanism

170

and the predetermined stamp making position becomes available. Using the set mark M as a general index, the holding unit U is placed approximately in the middle of the holding unit storage part

169

so that the center of the longitudinal side of the circumferential side wall

38

(rear wall), namely the inclined grooves

43

can mate with the positioning projection

177

. The holding unit U is sandwiched and held between the holder fixing members

171

and

172

.

As both sides of inclined grooves

43

are inclined surfaces, the holding unit U is moved to ensure that the positioning projection

177

contacts the center portion of the inclined grooves

43

based on a cam effect. Thus, contact is made between the positioning projection

177

of the positioning mechanism

170

and the inclined surfaces even in the case that the center of the longitudinal side of the circumferential side wall

38

is somewhat erroneously positioned to the set mark M. Therefore the holding unit U is placed in a predetermined stamp making position. In this position, the stamp is manufactured on the surface of the stamp material.

As shown in

FIG. 23

, when the holding unit U is placed in the positioning mechanism

170

and the positioning projection

177

properly mates with the inclined grooves

43

, the terminal

176

D of the microswitch

175

D contacts with the circumferential side wall

38

and stays in the inner part of the microswitch

175

D. The terminals

176

A and

176

F of the microswitches

175

A and

175

F also contact with the circumferential side wall

38

and stay in the inner part of the microswitches

175

A and

175

F. On the other hand, the terminals

176

B,

176

C and

176

E of the microswitches

175

B,

175

C and

175

E project into the detecting grooves

44

and are positioned out of microswitches

175

B,

175

C and

175

E, as shown in FIG.

25

. In this case, the microswitches

175

A,

175

D and

175

F are in an ON state and the microswitches

175

B,

175

C and

175

E are in an OFF state. According to the combination of the ON-OFF states of the microswitches, the type and size of the holding unit U is detected. The existence of the holding unit U in the positioning mechanism

170

is also detected according to the ON-OFF state of the microswitch

175

D.

Further, as shown in

FIG. 23

, the inclined grooves

43

and the detecting grooves

44

are rotational-symmetrically provided on both of the longitudinal sides of the holding unit U. Therefore, the holding unit U can be placed in the holding unit storage part

169

from either direction, without it being necessary for a user to take into account the orientation of the holding unit U.

Finally, the process by which the holding unit U is placed into the holding unit storage part

169

according to a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG.

27

. As shown in the

FIG. 27

, the holding unit U is placed on the stage

133

of the irradiation unit

110

, by opening the upper lid

136

, the front lid

156

and the holder fixing members

171

and

172

in the positioning mechanism

170

. The original film has previously been fed from the film printing unit (not shown) and placed on the stage

133

by a feeding unit (not shown) of the film printing unit. The holding unit U is fixed in its proper position, above the original film, and its size is detected by the positioning mechanism

170

. After the upper lid

136

and front lid

156

are closed, the stamp material

3

is pressed by the presser plate

146

.

As mentioned above with reference to

FIGS. 19 and 20

, every stamp manufacturing device is formed to have almost the same distance between the presser plate

146

and the stage

133

when the upper lid

136

and front lid

156

are closed. However, the presser plate

146

and the stage

133

are subjected to a reaction force in proportion to the size of the stamp material

3

of the holding unit U. The presser plate

146

and the stage

133

bend according to an amount of the reaction force. As the result, an amount of pressure applied to the holding unit U during exposure of the stamp material may be insufficient and the quality of the manufactured stamp may be reduced.

To avoid insufficient pressure, the holding unit U is heightened in proportion to the size of the stamp material

3

, as shown and described with reference to

FIG. 3

so as to increase the amount of pressure or to absorb the decrease in pressure caused by the bending operation. Thus, in the stamp manufacturing device

101

according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the stamp material

3

is pressed uniformly for every size holding unit U. The heat generated at the exposed portion by the light energy absorption material is transferred to a portion of the elastic and transformable porous resin around the light energy absorption material. As a result, sealing is performed at a desired portion without requiring an increase in the amount of heat generated at the exposed light energy absorption material. For example, without increasing the energy of the exposure or having to develop a light energy absorption material that generates a higher amount of heat, a stamp having high quality can be manufactured regardless of its size.

Further, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the size of the holding unit U is minimized, including the holder member

4

, which holds the stamp material

3

. Therefore, the space needed for the holding unit U in the stamp manufacturing device

101

can be small and the stamp manufacturing device

101

can be miniaturized. Further, since the positioning grooves

43

for positioning the holding unit U and the detecting grooves

44

for detecting the stamp size are provided on an upper portion of the circumferential side wall

38

of the holder member

4

and such portion is inserted and masked within the skirt member

2

when the holder member

4

is attached to grip member

5

during use, a good outward appearance is maintained. Also, since the holding unit U is formed substantially from only the holder member

4

, it is easy to maintain high reliability while heightening the holding unit U in proportion to the size of the stamp material

3

being utilized.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiment of the invention as set forth herein is intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Number	Name	Date	Kind
5595112	Seo	Jan 1997	A
5611279	Ando et al.	Mar 1997	A
5741459	Ando et al.	Apr 1998	A
5858298	Humal	Jan 1999	A
5873308	Taira	Feb 1999	A
6030743	Okumura et al.	Feb 2000	A

Stamp unit and method of manufacturing the stamp unit

Information

Patent Number

Date Filed

Date Issued

Inventors

Original Assignees

Examiners

Agents

CPC

US Classifications

Field of Search

US

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (1)

US Referenced Citations (6)

Foreign Referenced Citations (1)