Chip holding arrangement, pad printing system incorporating the arrangement, and method of pad printing a chip using the arrangement

1. A holding arrangement for a chip comprising:

a support having a first end for supporting the chip;

a vacuum chamber arranged in the support;

the first end comprising an opening that communicates with the vacuum chamber;

an annular seal arranged around the opening at the first end;

a vacuum source which evacuates the vacuum chamber;

a multiple valve assembly coupled to the vacuum chamber, wherein the multiple valve assembly allows a user to control the pressure inside the vacuum chamber and wherein the multiple valve assembly is capable of isolating the vacuum chamber and of connecting the vacuum chamber either to the vacuum source or to an ambient source of air, and

the support being mounted to a stand that is movably guided at least between a position wherein the vacuum chamber is connected to the vacuum source and a position wherein the vacuum chamber is isolated.

2. The holding arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the first end comprises an upper surface and the annular seal extends above the upper surface, and wherein the annular seal is compressed when the chip is installed on the first end, when the vacuum chamber is evacuated, and when the chip abuts the upper surface.

3. The holding arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the support comprises a cylindrically shaped support, the opening comprises a central opening, and the annular seal is arranged concentrically with the central opening.

4. The holding arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the chip comprises one of a gambling chip, a token and a tile.

5. The holding arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the holding arrangement is adapted to be used in a pad printing system.

6. The holding arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the annular seal comprises an elastomeric material.

7. The holding arrangement of claim 6 , wherein the annular seal comprises at least one of a synthetic rubber, a natural rubber, a polyurethane, and a silicone.

8. The holding arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the annular seal is a washer having flat faces.

9. The holding arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the annular seal is arranged concentrically to an axis running through the support.

10. The holding arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the support comprises a ring-shaped support portion.

11. The holding arrangement of claim 10 , wherein the ring-shaped support portion is sized to receive the annular seal.

12. The holding arrangement of claim 11 , wherein the annular seal projects above an upper surface of the ring-shaped support portion.

13. The holding arrangement of claim 12 , wherein, when the chip is installed on the first end and the vacuum chamber is evacuated, the annular seal is compressed by an amount equal to the amount that the annular seal projects above the upper surface of the ring-shaped support portion.

14. The holding arrangement of claim 13 , wherein the annular seal ensures a vacuum-tight sealing between a face of the chip and the annular seal.

15. The holding arrangement of claim 1 , further comprising a centering device for centering the chip on the support.

16. The holding arrangement of claim 15 , wherein the centering device is axially movably mounted to the support.

17. The holding arrangement of claim 16 , wherein the first end of the support comprises a ring-shaped support portion.

18. The holding arrangement of claim 17 , wherein the centering device is movable from an extended position above the ring-shaped support portion to a retracted position below the ring-shaped support portion.

19. The holding arrangement of claim 15 , wherein the centering device includes a centering collar secured to a sleeve which is slidable with respect to the support.

20. The holding arrangement of claim 19 , further comprising at least one mechanism for biasing the centering device towards an extended position.

21. The holding arrangement of claim 19 , further comprising at least one mechanism for biasing at least one of the centering collar and the sleeve towards an extended position.

22. The holding arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the multiple valve assembly comprises a three-way valve.

23. The holding arrangement of claim 22 , wherein the multiple valve system includes a connection system.

24. The holding arrangement of claim 23 , wherein the connection system comprises two non-return valves having two disconnectable end pieces.

25. The holding arrangement of claim 24 , wherein one of the two disconnectable end pieces is a connection and isolation end piece having a non-return valve and being configured to be connected to the vacuum chamber.

26. The holding arrangement of claim 24 , wherein one of the two disconnectable end pieces is a suction end piece having a non-return valve.

27. The holding arrangement of claim 1 , further comprising a frame wherein the stand is movable with respect to the frame.

28. The holding arrangement of claim 1 , further comprising at least one pad-printing station comprising an ink pad which is movable coaxially and a flat inking plate, wherein the support is movable from a position outside the pad printing station to a position within the pad printing station.

29. A holding arrangement for a chip comprising:

a support having a first end for supporting the chip;

a vacuum chamber arranged in the support;

the first end comprising an opening that communicates with the vacuum chamber;

an annular seal arranged around the opening at the first end;

a vacuum source which evacuates the vacuum chamber; and

a multiple valve assembly coupled to the vacuum chamber, wherein the multiple valve assembly allows a user to control the pressure inside the vacuum chamber and wherein the multiple valve assembly comprises a three-way valve which is capable of isolating the vacuum chamber and of connecting the vacuum chamber either to the vacuum source or to an ambient source of air,

wherein the multiple valve system includes a connection system,

wherein the connection system comprises two non-return valves having two disconnectable end pieces, and

wherein one of the two disconnectable end pieces is a connection and isolation end piece having a non-return valve and being configured to be connected to the vacuum chamber and wherein another of the two disconnectable end pieces is a suction end piece having a non-return valve and being configured to be connected to the vacuum source, and wherein the two non-return valves are mounted face to face in order to butt against each other in a double opening position when the two end pieces are connected.

30. A pad-printing arrangement for printing a chip comprising:

at least one pad-printing station which includes an ink pad that is movable towards and away from the chip and a flat ink plate;

at least one holding device including a support having a first end for supporting the chip, a vacuum chamber arranged in the support, the first end comprising an opening that communicates with the vacuum chamber, an annular seal arranged around the opening at the first end, and a vacuum source which evacuates the vacuum chamber, the support being mounted on a movable stand;

a frame having a track mounted thereto;

at least one chip placement/removal station arranged adjacent the frame; and

a multiple valve assembly coupled to the vacuum chamber, wherein the multiple valve assembly allows a user to control the pressure inside the vacuum chamber and wherein the multiple valve assembly is capable of isolating the vacuum chamber and of connecting the vacuum chamber either to the vacuum source or to an ambient source of air,

wherein the stand is movable on the track, and

wherein the support is movable from a position outside the pad printing station to a position within the pad printing station and wherein the vacuum chamber is capable of being isolated prior to the support being positioned within the pad printing station.

31. A holding arrangement for a chip comprising:

a support having a first end for supporting the chip;

the support being mounted to a stand that is movably guided;

a space arranged in the support;

a seal having a through opening arranged at the first end;

a collar movably mounted to the first end of the support and being arranged to surround the seal;

a vacuum source which evacuates the space; and

an opening arranged between the space and the through opening of the seal,

wherein the seal is compressed when the chip is installed on the first end and when the space is evacuated, and

wherein the collar is a centering collar secured to a sleeve which is slidable with respect to the support.

32. The holding arrangement of claim 31 , further comprising at least one mechanism for biasing at least one of the centering collar and the sleeve towards an extended position.

33. A holding arrangement for a chip comprising:

a support having a first end for supporting the chip;

the support being mounted to a stand that is movably guided;

a space arranged in the support;

a seal having a through opening arranged at the first end;

a collar movably mounted to the first end of the support and being arranged to surround the seal;

a vacuum source which evacuates the space;

an opening arranged between the space and the through opening of the seal;

a frame;

the stand is movable with respect to the frame; and

at least one pad-printing station comprising an ink pad which is movable and a flat inking plate, wherein the support is movable from a position outside the pad printing station to a position within the pad printing station,

wherein the seal is compressed when the chip is installed on the first end and when the space is evacuated.

34. A holding arrangement for a chip comprising:

a support having a first end for supporting the chip;

the support being mounted to a stand that is movably guided on a track;

a vacuum chamber arranged in the support;

an annular seal arranged at the first end;

a collar movably mounted to the first end;

a vacuum source which evacuates the vacuum chamber; and

a multiple valve assembly coupled to the vacuum chamber, wherein the multiple valve assembly allows a user to control the pressure inside the vacuum chamber and wherein the multiple valve assembly comprises a three-way valve which is capable of isolating the vacuum chamber and of connecting the vacuum chamber either to the vacuum source or to an ambient source of air.

35. A holding arrangement for a chip comprising:

a support having a first end for supporting the chip;

the first end comprising a peripheral projecting wall having an upper surface and a shoulder;

a collar movably mounted to the first end;

a vacuum chamber arranged in the support;

an opening communicating with the vacuum chamber and extending to the shoulder;

a compressible annular seal supported on the shoulder and arranged within the peripheral projecting wall;

a vacuum source which evacuates the vacuum chamber; and

a multiple valve assembly coupled to the vacuum chamber, wherein the multiple valve assembly allows a user to control the pressure inside the vacuum chamber and wherein the multiple valve assembly is capable of isolating the vacuum chamber and of connecting the vacuum chamber either to the vacuum source or to an ambient source of air,

wherein, when the annular seal is not compressed, a portion of the annular seal extends above the upper surface of the peripheral projecting wall.

36. The holding arrangement of claim 35 , wherein the annular seal comprises a rectangular cross-section.

37. The holding arrangement of claim 35 , wherein the annular seal comprises an O-ring.

38. The holding arrangement of claim 35 , wherein the multiple valve assembly comprises a three-way valve.

39. A holding arrangement for a chip comprising:

a support having a first end for supporting the chip;

a space arranged in the support;

a seal arranged at the first end;

a vacuum source which evacuates the space;

a collar movably mounted to the first end; and

a multiple valve assembly coupled to the space, wherein the multiple valve assembly allows a user to control the pressure inside the space and wherein the multiple valve assembly comprises a three-way valve which is capable of isolating the space and of connecting the space either to the vacuum source or to an ambient source of air,

wherein the seal is compressed when the chip is installed on the first end and when the space is evacuated, and

wherein the first end comprises an upper surface and the seal extends above the upper surface, and wherein the seal is compressed when the chip is installed on the first end, when the chip abuts the upper surface, and when the space is evacuated.

40. A holding arrangement for a chip comprising:

a support having a first end for supporting the chip;

the first end comprising an annular peripheral projecting wall having an upper surface;

a collar movably mounted to the first end;

a space arranged in the support;

an opening communicating with the space;

an annular compressible seal supported on the first end;

a vacuum source which evacuates the space; and

a multiple valve assembly coupled to the space, wherein the multiple valve assembly allows a user to control the pressure inside the space and wherein the multiple valve assembly comprises a three-way valve which is capable of isolating the space and of connecting the space either to the vacuum source or to an ambient source of air,

wherein, when the annular compressible seal is not compressed, a portion of the annular compressible seal extends above the upper surface of the annular peripheral projecting wall, and

wherein the annular compressible seal is compressed when the chip abuts the upper surface and when the space is evacuated.

41. A holding arrangement for a chip comprising:

a support having a first end for supporting the chip;

a vacuum chamber arranged in the support;

an annular seal arranged at the first end;

a vacuum source which evacuates the vacuum chamber; and

a multiple valve assembly coupled to the vacuum chamber, wherein the multiple valve assembly allows a user to control the pressure inside the vacuum chamber and wherein the multiple valve assembly comprises a three-way valve which is capable of isolating the vacuum chamber and of connecting the vacuum chamber either to the vacuum source or to an ambient source of air.