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AssigneeHollister Incorporated
InventorsDavid D. Rhodes, David L. Doerschner
Estimating the term…
Retaining elements are disclosed for mounting on a platen of an imprinter in order to position and secure an identification band on the platen for an imprinting operation. Each retaining element comprises a base having a planar bottom surface and an upper surface generally parallel with the bottom surface and including a band support portion, an adhesive layer along the bottom surface for securing the retaining elements to the platen, and a cantilevered spring arm secured at one end to the base (and extending over the band support portion of the base). A pair of such elements are affixed in spaced relation on the platen on opposite sides of an imprinting zone so that an identification band can be slipped between the undersides of the spring arms and the support portion of the bases with the imprint-receiving portion of the band traversing the imprinting zone and, preferably, the clasp of the band engaging a side edge of one of the retaining elements. Each spring arm is adapted to engage a portion of the band and temporarily deform to exert a clamping force which immobilizes the band for imprinting.
A retaining element for mounting on a platen of an imprinter in order to secure a flexible patient identification band in place for imprinting, said retaining element comprising a base having a planar bottom surface and an upper surface generally parallel with said bottom surface, said upper surface having a band support portion, means along said bottom surface for securing said retaining element to the platen of an imprinter, and a flexible, cantilevered spring arm mounted upon and extending over said base, said spring arm resiliently deforms exerting a clamping force on said identification band securing and immobilizing said band for imprinting, and means disposed on said spring arm for concentrating said clamping force on said band, said force concentrating means comprising a longitudinal rib extending from said underside of said spring arm for engaging said identification band and localizing the clamping force applied thereto.
A retaining element for mounting on platen of an imprinted in order to secure a flexible patient identification,band in place for imprinting, said retaining element comprising a base having a planar bottom surface and an upper surface generally parallel with said bottom surface, said upper surface having a band support portion, means alonq said bottom surface for securing said retaining element to the platen of an imprinter, and a flexible, cantilevered spring arm mounted upon and extending a clamping force on said spring arm resiliently deforms exerting a clamping force on said identification band securing and immobilizing said band for imprinting, and means disposed on said spring arm for concentrating said clamping force on said band, said base having a first pair of side edges connecting said upper and bottom surfaces and said spring arm having a second pair of opposed side edges extending generally perpendicular to said underside, said first and second side edges being positioned to engage a clasp on said band when said band is pulled in a direction transverse to said first and second edges.
In combination, an imprinter having a platen providing a surface portion for supporting an embossed identification card and having a cover equipped with pressure roller means mounted for travel along a path of movement over said platen;
A method of positioning and immobilizing a flexible patient identification band for the imprinting of indicia thereon by means of a conventional imprinter having a cover equipped with a pressure roller mounted for travel along a horizontal path and a platen having a horizontal card supporting surface for holding an embossed identification card along the path of travel of said roller;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.