Automated slide marker using a dry pressure sensitive marking medium

摘要

A slide marker that automatically makes a mark onto a predetermined location of a slide using a dry marking medium. A puncher during a full cycle of movement tamps a punched through portion of the marking medium onto the predetermined location of the slide with near zero contact velocity. The marking medium has a contact surface having a pressure sensitive adhesive such that the mark will remain securely on the predetermined location of the slide. A section of unused marking medium is spooled into a throat of a puncher guide that carries the puncher over the predetermined location on the slide. A controller and sensor automate the process of making a mark at a predetermined location of the puncher by limiting the movement of the puncher to one full cycle of movement when the puncher is over any predetermined location of the slide for marking. The controller and another sensor also monitor the supply level of the unused marking medium, and the controller warns the user when that supply level has diminished to a predetermined low level.