TECHNOLOGY

The invention relates to a method of attachment of the finished balloon during surface treatment of a part of its surface, especially when printing. The balloon is attached so that its surface was stable and did not move during processing and moving the balloon. Subject of this invention is also a device which can attach and stick a balloon in a stable position so during the movement of the balloon on the line it ensures its precise position, particularly a position against the technical elements of printing such as silkscreen sieves, pad-prints and so on.

PRESENT TECHNOLOGY STATUS

In practice, finished balloons are often printed by for example promotional print, children's themes and so on. Until now, the printing was made in the state of inflated balloon. Basically, in an empty state, balloon can not be effectively printed since its distension would lead to stretching and deformation of the printed pattern. Balloons are printed in inflated condition so that it is necessary to set up the filling rate then the balloon is pressed by a frame with tight silkscreen sieves and after that is on the balloon spread a color layer according to the pattern of the sieve. Should there by a requirement for a multiple print on a balloon, the position of the balloon is changed beyond particular sieves or other means of printing. This situation does not allow a precise overlay of several colors. Required is a solution which will ensure an accurate balloon position during the entire process and at any movement on the line with multiple printing units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The deficiencies mentioned above are to a large extent eliminated by a method of affixing the balloon especially during its multicolor printing according to this invention of which principle is in the fact that during the print the balloon is not inflated but stretched from outside on a working hoof. The balloon is stretched from the outer surface on the hoof so that on the desktop of the hoof are both layers of the balloon, the hoof is not inside the balloon. This method does not require a difficult construction of the hoof. In the final stage of attachment the balloon is not inflated and its edges are stretched over the edge of the hoof. The edges of the balloon will shrink thanks to their material flexibility onto retaining surface under the rim of the hoof.

This method uses high flexibility of balloons, where is used stretching of the balloon while filling it with gas and continuously its tightening during its discharge. Filling gas is mainly ordinary compressed air. Tightening the balloon is, according to this invention, controlled in the way that it occurs at the time when a part of the balloon is already below the level of the peripheral rim of the hoof, at this time there is a natural effort of the balloon to reach the smallest size and stretches under the peripheral rim, in practice it will gain conical, downward tapering shape.

Balloon, in at least partially inflated state is placed on the hoof, its throat will be released which will lead to its discharge. During the discharge of gas from the balloon from the top moving compressive element of the balloon compresses it on the hoof so that the edge of the balloon with the gas remnants goes down through the level of the hoofs rim and the tightening material of the emptied balloon will shrink under the rim of the hoof, preferably on the retaining surface of the hoof. Complete emptying of the balloon causes the balloon material shrinkage on a retaining area, this section basically stretches a part of the balloon which is on the desktop of the hoof. At this point, the balloon is stretched over the hoof and remains there by its own flexibility. It is there like "fixed by rubber" by its own material.

In order to increase the stability of the stretched balloon position, the balloon may be pushed from its bottom onto the bottom part of the hoof with the help of the retaining element. The effects of keeping it from the bottom can be strengthen by shaped contact so that during pushing the retaining element the nib located on the retaining element fits into a groove in the compressive area. In this way, the two layers of the balloon lock and the balloon is attached to the hoof so that without releasing the retaining element it can not be slipped out of the hoof. Slipping out of the balloon from the hoof is made so that the retaining element is released by downward movement, then it is possible to slip the balloon out of the hoof. It is preferred that this process is replenished by blowing compressed gas such as air to the peripheral rim of the hoof. By this method it is possible to fully mechanized and automate the process of slipping out the balloon in the required position of the line.

Deficiencies mentioned in the present technology status are also eliminated by a device for affixing the balloon, especially for printing, including compressive element according to this invention, of which principle lies in the fact that it contains a hoof with a peripheral rim under which is located tapered retaining area, while the desktop of the hoof is smaller than the area of the stretched balloon. The shape of the hoof is usually a circle or ellipse, in principle always without sharp edges and transitions.

The retaining area has smaller diameter than the edge of the hoo s rim, thus creating a space into which the balloon shrinks in the process of affixing and the flexible material itself creates balloon a holding force between the balloon and the hoof. The compressive element, unlike the up to now known machines for printing balloons only functions during the fitting, later it does not retain the balloon. Basically, the speed of the compressive element defines the speed of forced discharge of the balloon.

In preferable solution, the device for affixing the balloon also contains the retaining element which presses from the bottom at least a part of the balloon to the retaining area. Then the retaining element may have a nib which corresponds with its shape and position to the groove in the retaining area. Such configuration creates not only frictional but direct profiled contact forming a connection lock.

Slipping out of the balloon is easier if on the edge of the hoof, especially in a zone of desktop ending continuing to the peripheral rim is at least one output of air.

The hoof is connected to a carrier which is provided with at least one locking element to ensure precise positioning. The entire carrier may be within the printing line or other processing moveable. Locking elements are then used to ensure the working position within the required position on the line.

The advantage of the described invention is high repeatability of the balloon's position anywhere within the line and also high productivity of affixing the balloon. Slipping out of the balloon can be completely automated, without any intervention of the staff.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention is deeply explained with pictures 1 to 7, where in Fig. 1 is displayed the first phase with inflated balloon at the beginning of the movement of a compressive element.

In Fig. 2 is a balloon in the process of being pushed against the hoof.

In Fig. 3 is depicted a balloon with dragging through the hoof rim and in the process without a grip of the retaining element.

In Fig. 4 is a balloon in the fastened position, stretched on the hoof, yet without a grip of the retaining element.

In Fig. 5 is a balloon affixed in a position with closed compressive element. In Fig. 6 is a detail of the edge of the hoof and the retaining element.

In Fig. 7 is schematically shown the location of a number of hooves on the balloon processing line with one compressive element at the beginning of the line and where the carriers orbit on the line using the transport system lines.

REALIZATION EXAMPLES

In Example 1, according to Figures 1-7 is a hoof1 formed by a circular plate which has in a rim 2 a groove with a rubber O ring. Desktop 3 of the hoof 1 is planar and has an adhesive surface. O ring creates a soft edge so that the surface of the balloon 9 is not damaged. Below the rim 2 is conical, tapered holding area 4^

On its outer edge is a holding area 4 provided with all-round groove 5 of a round shape. Basically, centric to the hoof above is placed compressive element In our example it has a shape of a flat plate and is pneumatically moved down to the surface of the hoof. In this example is on balloon processing line 9 is in this example only one compressive element 6. The hoof1 is located and screwed on a pivot 12 tightly coupled with the carrier 13. In pivot \2 axes is positioned retaining element 7, which in our example consists of a circular ring. Its upper surface corresponds to the shape of the holding area 4 of the hoof 1 and adjacent to the groove 5 is formed a nib 8 in the form of embedded rubber O ring. The entire ring is slid-ably lead in two lines so that it moves along the pivot axis 12 of the hoof L_ It is pushed into holding position by two springs which are mounted in the axis of the sliding lines.

In our example is thus the position of retaining secured by springs and the opposite position of releasing is achieved by pneumatic downward movement of the retaining element 7. Actuating force is transmitted by forks 14. The ring is provided with a groove into which fits the fork \4 connected to a straight pneumatic engine.

On the edge of the desktop 3 of the hoof 1 and near the O ring is drilled slantwise upward directed hole which creates output 1 lof the air for balloon 9 retraction from the hoof L Locking elements ) are two and are formed by a tube, which fits into the pin with bevel guiding tip. The entire carrier J_3 with the hoof1, a holding element 7, springs and two locking elements ) is movable within the ordinary course of the transport system of the balloon 9 processing line. In our example, it may be a chain sliding system of orbiting working positions or a vertical carousel or so on. Subject matter of protection is not restricted to a particular link of the hoof 1 with other subsystem lines. Also for the scope of protection is not significant the shape of individual elements though preferably the most suitable are circular and elliptical shapes of the hoof 1 and the retaining element 7^ Also, it is not significant of which materials are the particular elements made. In our example described solution using besides others also O rings from rubber can be replaced by all-rubber extrusion of hoof 1 and also of the retaining element 7. The most common used gas will be compressed air.

The operator in our example inflates the balloon 9 with air through sensor controlled outlet near a free hoof L The operator places the balloon 9 in its inflated state on the hoof J_, starts the downward movement of the compressive element 6 and after the contact of the compressive element 6 with the balloon 9 the operator releases completely the throat of the balloon 9 which he was holding the balloon by. During the discharge of air from the balloon 9 the compressive elements 6 keeps moving downwards, the balloon compresses to the hoof1 and has a natural desire to flow over the peripheral rim 2. By this process, a part of the balloon 9 with air remnants goes under the level of the rim 2 of the hoof L

Since at the same time the balloon 9 shrinks, the tightening material of the emptying balloon 9 is withdrawn below the rim 2 of the hoof \ on the holding area 4 of the hoof L _. Basically the balloon 9 is stretched over the edges of the hoof J_, where thanks to the elasticity of the material is shrunk on the holding area 4 under the rim 2 of the hoof L _.

After reaching the bottom level the compressive element 6 comes back upwards and via a pneumatic control through two forks \4 the retaining element 7 is released upwards to the bottom part of the hoof \ where it compresses on there present material of the balloon 9. During compressing the retaining element 7 fits the O-ring forming the rim 8 of the retaining element 7 into peripheral groove 5 in the holding area 4.

After the above described attaching of the balloon 9, the entire carrier J_3 with the hoof 1 moves into a working position on the line and under the compressive element 6, another carrier J_3 is moved with free hoof 1 or a hoof \ which is intended to release the balloon 9. This will be done so that the retaining element 7 is withdrawn downwards against the spring pressure and into the air output jj_ is lead a short blast of compressed air. The balloon 9 will be slipped out and blown away into prepared container.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to this invention it is possible, industrially and repeatedly, to affix balloons in devices for printing on their surface. The balloon is attached in a stable position and in various positions within the line of multicolor printing it is possible to ensure the exact location desired for the balloon's surface. It is also possible to produce industrially devices for affixing balloons with a simple and rapid fitting and retraction of the balloon. LIST OF RELATED SYMBOLS:

1 - hoof

2 - rim

3 - desktop

4 - holding area

5 - groove

6 - compressive element

7 - retaining element

8 - retaining element nib

9 - balloon

10 - locking element

1 1 - gas output

12 - pivot

13 - carrier

14 - fork