HK1063235B - Printed rigid multiple tags, printable with a thermal transfer printer for marking of electrotechnical and electronic elements - Google Patents

Description

Printed rigid multi-label for marking electrical and electronic components printable with a heat transfer printer

Technical Field

The present invention comprises a marking system for electronic components (cables, systems, instruments, control panels, etc.).

Background

Identification and marking systems comprising a part or a plurality of labels on which characters or symbols are printed during production or by computer software-based plotters have long been known. These marking systems allow for considerably faster and more accurate marking even for large marking sequences, if compared to manual typesetting of marking parts. However, plotter printing takes a considerable amount of time compared to the most advanced printers currently available on the market.

Disclosure of Invention

According to the invention, instead of the above-described system in which the label consists of a single marking element or is computerised by means of a plotter, the marking label is now printed on a pre-packaged rigid plastic sheet with a heat transfer printer.

According to the present invention, printed multi-labels for marking electrical and/or electronic components are provided, these labels being made of a rigid plastic sheet, comprising several comb-shaped units, and being obtained by injection moulding of a thermoplastic material; the comb units are separated or separable by a penetrating cutting line for separating the piercing teeth and by a non-penetrating pre-breaking line, in order to separate the comb units and the label tag from each comb unit; these labels are marked using a heat transfer printer for rigid plates, the printing being adjusted by a computerized system; the printed labels are placed in a suitable support, the labels can be detached from their comb unit and they can be mounted on the electronic component to be identified, or the labels can be detached directly and mounted on the electronic component already having a support.

According to the invention, the pre-packaged rigid plastic panel is characterized by a set of cross-aligned labels alternating with suitable, usually through-going cut lines or non-through pre-break lines. These penetrating and non-penetrating cutting lines allow to separate the individual comb-like members from the plate after printing thereof; these marking elements can then be fitted to special support sleeves or they can be applied directly to identify junction boxes, contactors and the like.

The plate is made of a rigid thermoplastic material, which is obtained by injection moulding in a manner allowing the use of a printing machine of the type described above.

The system that is the subject of the invention is illustrated by its practical and exemplary embodiments in the drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 shows a top view of an exemplary injection molded plate;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary marker sleeve;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged top view of the comb device from which the marking elements are available;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the comb member of FIG. 3;

fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a label tag used to identify a cable.

Detailed Description

With reference to these figures, the panel 1 comprises individual components 1A, 1A ', 1B', 1C ', 1D', obtained from a single panel 1 made of a rigid material, such as an injection-moulded thermoplastic material. A generally penetrating but also non-penetrating cutting wire 2 is provided to separate the teeth 3A, 3A ', 3B ', 3C ' etc. of the comb, while a non-penetrating pre-breaking or pre-cutting (cutting) wire 4 is created to separate the individual parts, i.e. to detach the comb unit 1A, 1A ', 1B ', etc. and the individual marking labels 3A, 3A ', 3B ', etc. from the comb. These non-penetrating pre-fracture lines are indicated in the figure by dashed lines 4.

According to another solution of the invention, the teeth can be separated by a perforation line 2 or a pre-breaking or pre-cutting line 2, and this second solution allows to provide the printing machine with a plate 1 having a very smooth lower surface on the printing machine.

After defining the plate package, the individual characters required for marking can be printed on the labels, which can then be separated from the comb assemblies 1A, 1A ', 1B', etc., so that a support (sleeve) 5 can be placed on each label; the sleeve is characterized by a recess 6 at its upper end, in which the marked label can slide, while the lower part of the sleeve is designed to fix the support to the electronic component to be identified. In this example, the lower part 7 is designed to be mounted on a medium/small cable 8 as shown in fig. 3, while other configurations are applicable to the marking of larger cables or other electronic components, as is normal use.

The indicia on the label is printed with a heat transfer printer specifically designed for rigid plates. After printing with computer control of special software, named simple 2000, the various comb assemblies are separated, the support tube inserted, as in fig. 3 and 4, and then the labels and sleeves are separated from their common comb support for mounting to the identified product, keeping in mind that these labels are also used to mark junction boxes and contacts etc. that already have a support. Fig. 5 shows a marking of a cable 8 featuring, for example, the sample word "GRAFO" printed on a label.

The plate comprising various comb units as shown in fig. 1 typically comprises three consecutive parts and two parts placed side by side, but the number of parts placed side by side and consecutive may also vary.

These new marking labels are compatible with all common and already produced marking components by the applicant and can also be used in the support or in the "Plotter System" family of labels replacing the marks used for printing them with regular plotters.

Claims (3)

1. Printed multi-label for marking electrical and/or electronic components, characterized in that:

these labels are made of a rigid plastic sheet (1) comprising several comb-shaped elements and obtained by injection moulding of a thermoplastic material;

the comb units are separated or separable by a perforation cutting line (2) for separating the piercing teeth and by a non-perforated pre-breaking line (4) in order to separate the comb units and the label from each comb unit;

these labels are marked using a heat transfer printer for rigid plates, the printing being adjusted by a computerized system;

the printed labels are placed in a suitable support (5), the labels being detachable from their comb unit and they being mounted on the electronic component to be identified, or the labels being detachable directly and mounted on the electronic component already having a support.

2. Printed multi-label for marking electrical and/or electronic components according to claim 1, characterized in that the perforation cutting line (2) is replaced by a non-perforated pre-breaking line for separating the perforation teeth.

3. The multi-tag of claim 1, wherein the tag label is compatible with the marking material.