(19)
(11) EP 0 296 723 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
24.01.1990 Bulletin 1990/04

(43) Date of publication A2:
28.12.1988 Bulletin 1988/52

(21) Application number: 88304987.6

(22) Date of filing: 01.06.1988
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)4: B44B 3/00, B44F 11/00, B44C 1/22
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE ES FR GR IT LI LU NL SE

(30) Priority: 03.06.1987 GB 8712977

(71) Applicant: Ashley Accessories Limited
Cumbria, LA12 9BN (GB)

(72) Inventor:
  • Burrow, Christopher John
    Nr. Ulverston Cumbria (GB)

(74) Representative: Cardwell, Stuart Martin et al
Roystons Tower Building Water Street
Liverpool, Merseyside L3 1BA
Liverpool, Merseyside L3 1BA (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Marking surfaces


    (57) A marking system for an engraved surface which eliminates hand filling, comprising a dispenser (11, 71) for a flowable marker material which is driven to traverse the engraving, and a controller (5, 6, 7, 35) for the amount and timing of material delivered. The dispenser is carried by a computer controlled X-Y-Z coordinate type machine and a computer program controls movement of the dispenser to traverse the engraving and also a pressure/vacuum controller (35) for material delivery via the dispenser in to the engravure.
    The dispenser is paired physically with an engraving tool (a) relative to a single head system of the X-Y-Z coordinate machine whereby engraving and filling are implemented within the same equipment with related program. The dispenser is constructed as a floating head to eliminate variations in work surface heights.
    Engraving and filling of multiple workpieces in one loading is accommodated by use of a locating jig and appropriate program structure.







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