Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
-
~056Z05
Docket M-275-C
: Ba~round of the In~ention
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the art of label printing
and applying apparatus.
; Brief Description of the Prior Art
The following V.S. patents are made of record:
2,909,301 of Fritzinger issued 1959; 3,213,i85 of
Kramer issued 1965; 3,261,288 of Dickerson issued 1966; 3,265,553
of Kind et al issued 1966; 3,296,962 of Gopperton issued 1967;
3,343,485 of Loeffler issued 1967; 3,369,952 of ReigeP issued
1968; 3,420,172 of Kaplan issued 1969; 3,440,123 of Hamisch, Sr.
issued 1969; 3,526,189 of Allen iss~ed 1970; 3,551,251 of
Yo Sato et al issued 1970; 3,611,929 of Schrotz issued 1971;
3,619,324 of Yo Sato et al issued 1971; 3,656,430 of Olsson
issued 1972; 3,705,833 of Tokio Wada issued 1972; 3,724,369
of Gery et al issued 1973; 3,798,106 of Jenkins et al issued
1974 and 3,800,701 of Martin issued 1974.
~,
~2- ~
~056205
Docket M-275
ummary of the Invention
It is a feature of the invention to provide a label
printing and applying apparatus having a brake member for
applying a braking force to a composite web upstream of a
printing zone a feed roll which cooperates with a supporting
material web of the composite web and a feed wheel for advancing
the composite web, and an edge guide for guiding the composite
web at its one side edge. The brake member, the feed roll, and
the edge guide are operable by a deactivating and activating
mechanism. This mechanism enables the brake member, the feed
roll, and the edge guide, which are normally in their effective
positions throughout the operating cycle of the apparatus, to
be moved to their respective ineffective positions. This
arrangement is particularly useful while loading the apparatus
in that in their ineffective positions the brake member~, the
feed roll, and the guide do not interfere with the threading of
the composite web through the apparatus. ~hen the mechanism
is operated, the brake member, the feed roll and the guide are
simultaneously moved to their ineffective positions. This can
be accomplished manually simply by moving a projection in one
direction. The mechanism is coupled to the drive means for the
apparatus so that when the drive means is actuated for the first
time, the brake member, the feed roll and the guide will
simultaneously be activated to thelr effective positiolls.
Alternately, the brake member, the feed roll, and the guide
can be moved to their effective positions by pushing the pro-
jection in the opposite direction. The mechanism includes an
overcenter arrangement for releasably holding the brake member,
the feed roll, the the guide in either their effective or their
ineffective positions until the mechanism is operated.
'
-3-
_ _ ~ _ _ .. . . . . . ... _ _,
~ ket M-275 1056205
Brief Description of the Drawin~s
-
FIGUR~. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one
embodiment of label printing and applying apparatus,
together with a roll-type composite label web supply;
S FIGURE 2 is a partly broken-away top plan view
of the composite label web;
FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the
apparatus shown in FIGURE l;
FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken
alone line 4--4 of FIGURE 3 showing track structure for
mounting a print head of the apparatusi
FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fra~mentary elevational vlew
of a feed wheel for the apparatus;
FIGURE 5A is a view similar to FIGURE 5 but on a
larger scale and showing a cured adherent coating;
FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary top planJview
of the feed wheel shown in PIGURE 5;
FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of
an alternative embodiment of the apparatus;
FIGUR~ 8 is an exploded perspective view of another
embodiment of label printing and applying apparatus together
with an improved roll-type composite label web supply;
FIGURE 9 is a partly broken away top plan view of
the composite labcl web;
FIGURE 10 is a side elevational view of the apparatus
with one handle section and a removable housing section being
removed for clarity;
FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary elevational view of the
other side o the apparatus shown in FIGURE 10;
,
105~205
Docket M-275-C-l
FIGURE 12 is a view taken generally along line 12--12
of FIGURE 10;
; FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary elevational view of another
handle section, showing means for locking the eccentri~ support
-: in position;
FIGURE 14 iS a fragmentary end elevational view of a
manually operable actuator and one end portion of the eccentric
support;
FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary elevational view showing
the other side of the actuator from that shown in FIGURE 14 and
the other end portion of the support;
FIGURE 16 iS a fragmentary elevational view of the
one handle section;
FIGU~E 17, appearing on sheet 5 of the drawings, is an
exploded perspective view of a drive gear, a feed wheel, rollin~-
contact type one-way anti-backup clutch, a ratchet wheel selectively
positionable with respect to the feed wheel, a clamp, and a drive
pawl;
FIGURE 18 is a partly assembled view of the components
shown in FIGURE 17;
FIGURE 19 is a fragmentary perspective view showing
how the clutch is secured in the feed wheel and clutched with
an annular support;
FIGUR~ 20 is a view similar to view 19 but showing
the clutch unclutched as when the feed wheel is rotated in the
direction of the arrow;
PIGURE 21, appearing on sheet 7 of the drawings, is a
fragmentary ele~ational view showing the side of the apparatus
shown in FIGURE 11 with certain parts omitted for clarity, the
operative components being shown in FIGURE 21 in a position
which facilitates loading of the apparatus;
~,. .
5--
Docket M-27~-C~ 56~05
FIGUR~ 22 is a view similar to FIGURE 21 with the
operative components being shown in a position caused by a first
actuation of the actuator following loading;
FIGURE 23 is a view similar to FIGURES 21 and 22,
showing many of the operative components thereof, the brake
mechanism being in its effective braking position caused by
return of the print head;
FIGURE 24 is a fra~mentary perspective exploded view
of the locking mechanism for the remova~le housing section;
FIGURE 25 is a partly sectional view of the locking
mechanism in its assembled condition;
FIGURE 26, appearing on sheet 6 of the drawings, is
a fragmentary perspective exploded view of a resilient device and
mounting structure therefor;
FIGURE 27, appearing on sheet 6 of the drawings, is
a fragmentary perspective exploded view showing a delaminator
and a portion of the platen;
FIGURE 28, appearing on sheet 6 of the drawings, is a
sectional view showing in detail an ink roll of the inking
mechanism;
FIGURE 29, appearing on sheet 6 of the drawings, is
a sectional view taken along line 29--29 of FIGURE 28;
FIGURE 30, appearing on sheet 6 of the drawings, is a
left end elevational view of the ink roll shown in FIGURE 28;
FIGUR~ 31, appearing on sheet 8 of the drawings, is
a sectional view showing fragmentary portions of one housing
section and the frame plate and the means for holding the same
together;
FIGURE 32 is a sectional view o~ the reel;
FIGURE 33 is an elevational view showing a .ragmentary
portion of the apparatus to which a rewinder is cor:nected;
,--.~.'
Docket M-275 1~56205
; . !
,
~ ` . . . .
FIGURE 34 is a side elevational view of an alternate
form,of rewinder;
' FIGUR~ 35 is a sectional view taken along line 35--35
of FIGURE 34; and
FIGUR~ 36 is an enlarged sectional fragmentary view
of ~hc feed wheel showing lands and intervening gaps.
Description of the Preferred Lmbodiments
The embodiments of FIGURES 1 and 3 through 6 and
the embodiment of FIGURE 7 are adapted to utilize a composite
label web 30 illustrated in detail in FIGURE 2. The composite
web 30 of label material 31 is releasably adhered to and carried
by supporting or backing material 32. The label material 31
is cut transversely by transverse cuts 33 extendin~ al~ the way
across the web 31 of label material to the side edges 34 and 35
of the composite web 30. The cuts 33 known as "butt cuts"
separate the web 31 of label material into a series of end-to-
end labels 36. The underside of the web 31 of label material
has a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive 37 which adheres
strongly to the web 31 of label material. The web 32 of
supporting material carries a thin film or coating (not shown)
which allows the labels to be peeled from the web 32 of
supporting material.
.. .. .. ,. ___ . .. .. ...
`- " ' `
,
- '' ' ' ~ .
--7--
. . ' ' ' , .
. _ . .. . _ . . _ .. _ . .. _ . _ _ _ .. . _ .... . _ _ ,
~ Docket M-275
:~ lOS620S
.' ` ' ` ` ':
- Groups 38 of cuts are provided at equally spaced-
apart intervals along the length of the composite web 30.
Each group 38 of cuts is shown to e~tend through the supporting
material as well as through the label material. Each group of
cuts is shown to be made ln a generally I-shaped configuration
comprised of cuts 39S, 40S and 41S in the supporting material
and aligned cuts 39L, 40L and 41L in the label material. The
part of the web 32 between the one end of the cut 39S and the
cut 40S provides a frangible portion 43S and the part of the
web 32 between the other end of the cut 39S and the cut 41c
provides frangible portion 42S. In like manner, the part of
the label material between the end of the cut 39L and the cut
40L provides a frangible portion 43L and the part between the
other end of the cut 39L and the cut 41L provides a frangible
portion 42L.
With reference to the embodiment of ~IGU~S l
and 3 through 6, there is shown label printing and applying
apparatus generally indicated at 50. Tile apparatus 50 has a
frame generally indicated at 51 which is sho~Jn to include frame
sections 52 and 54 to which a cover section 53 is removably
connected. ~ subframe 55 in the form of a single, rigid, metal
plate is suitable secured to the frame section 52 as for example
.. ..
~ Docket M-27i
105~205
. _ . . , ~,
by screws 56. The screws 56 pass through respective holes 57
in the subframe 55, and are threadably received in respective
bosses 58 in the frame section 52. The frame 51 has a handle
. generally indicated at 5.9 comprised in part of handle portion 60
of the frame section 52 and in part by the frame section 5~.
The sections 53 and 54 are connected to the frame section 52 by
. snap-fit connections including generally snap-fitted flexible
resilient men~ers 61 engageable in undercu~ recesses 62 in the
housing section 52.
... . . . ..
The subframe 55 mounts a print head generally
indicated at 63, a feed wheel 64, a ratchet wheel 65 (FIGURE 3)
formed integrally with the ~eed wheel 64, a gear or gear
segment 66 formed integrally with a lever 67, an applicator 68
in the form of a roll, a platen 69 and an integral guide 69', ~ .
a delmalnator 70 provided by an edge of the platen 69, rollers
71 and 72, a post or stud 73, a po~t or stud.74, a post or
stud 75, and a stripper plate 76 and an integrally formed guide
77. The handle portion 60 and the frame section 54 mount a
pi~ot 78 in respective bosses 79 and 80. The pivot 78
pivotall~ mounts an actuator 81 shown to be in the form of a
lever. When the user grips the handle 59, the actuator 81
can be engaged by the user's fingers, while the thumb passes
around the frame section 54 (assuming the user grips the handle59
Wit~l the right hand). The actuator 81 carries a gear or gear
segment 82 which meshes with the gear 66. A spring assembly
82', including a compression spring 83, bears against the
h~ndlc portion 60 and the actuator 81 and urgcs thc actuator r
81 counterclockwise (FIGURES 1 and 3). The spring assembly
..
_g_
Docket M-275-C
1056205
actuator 81 and thc gear 82 are initially in the position
shown by solid lines in FIGURE 3, hut upon operation are
moved to the position indicated by phantom lines 81'. The
feed wheel 64, the ratchet wheel 65, and the gear 66 are
coaxially mounted on the post 74. The gear 66 carries a
pawl 83 which is cooperable with the ratchet wheel 65. As
the actuator 81 moves ~rom t~e solid line position to the
phantom line position in FIGUR~' 3, the gear 66 rotates
counterciockwise until the pawl 83 passes over a tooth 84 of
the ra-tchet wheel 65, and when the actuator 81 is released
the spring assembly 82' drives tne gear 66 clockwise and
causes the pawl 83 to drive the feed wheel 64 clockwise.
Clockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel 65 and hence the feed
wheel 64 is prevented by a flexible resilient pAWl 84' which
cooperates with the ratchet wheel 65.
The lever 67 lies in a plane which is offset from
; the plane of the gear 66. As best shown in FIGU Æ 1, a
lateral portion 85 integrally connects the gear 66 and the
lever 67. The lateral portion 85 passes through an arcuate
slot 86' in the subframe 55. The lever 67 is connected to
the print head 63 ~y a pin-type connection generally indicated
at 86. The pin-type connection 86 is a pin-and-slot connection
and is shown to comprise an elongated slot 87 in the lever 67
and a pin 88 having a roller 89 received in tl-e slot 87. A
.
--10-- .
,. "_, _ ~ , . , . _ .
1056~:05
,.
I Docket M-275
', ' ' . ,
washer 90 and a clip 91 hold the xoller 89 on the pir, 88.
The pin 88 is secured to the print head 63. As best shown
in ~IGURES 1 and 9, the print head 63 is provided with a pair
of elongated parallel ball tracks 92 and 93. The sub-
frame 55 mounts a pair o~ ball tracks 94 and 95. Ball
.bearing strips 96 and 97 are received in respective ball
tracks 92 and 94, and 93 and 95. The ball tracks
92 through 95 are considered to comprise track structure
for mounting the print head 63 for reciprocating movement
toward and away from the platen 69. The ball track 95 is
mounted to move relative to the ball track 93. Compression
springs 95' urge the ball track 95 toward the ball track 93
and compensate for clearancc between the ball tracks 93
and 95.
.
The apparatus 50 pxovides what is known as a two-
line machine, having two lines Ll and L2 of selectively -~
settable printing bands 98 and.99. The bands 98 of line Ll
are selectively settable by rnanual operation of a knob 100
and the bands 99 of line L2 are selcctively settablc by
manual opcration of a knob 101. The knobs 100 and 101
. project through an opcning 53' in the cover section 53.
A die roll 6~a, having a groovc 64b through which
the tceth ~4' of the feed wheel 64 can pass, is rotatably
''' ''
.
-11- , , ' .
Docket M-275-C 1056Z05
mounted on an arm 64c. The arm 64c is mounted on the post
73. The arm 64c has an integral lateral tab 64g which extends
through a slot 64f in the subframe ~5. A tension spring 64d
is connected to a post 64e secured to the subframe 55 and to
the tab 64g. The spring 64d urges the die roll 64a against the
feed wheel 64. When the feed wheel 64 rotates, the teeth 64'
of the feed wheel 64 cooperate with the die roll 64a to break
the frangible portions 42S and 43S in the supporting material
web 3~, thus making feed holes in the supporting material web 32.
An inking meshanism 102 includes an arm 103 pivotally
mounted on a pivot 104 secured to the subframe 55. A retainer
105 keeps the arm 103 on the pivot 104. The arm 103 carries
a small diameter laterally extending pin 106 which mounts an
ink roil 107. The pin 106 extends through an arcuate slot 108
in the subframe 55. A tension spring 109 acts at its one end on
a lateral tab 110 carried by the arm 103 and at its other end
on a pin 111 secured to the print head 63. The locations of
the tab 110 and th~ pin 111 are selected so that th-xe is
substantially no extension or distention of the spring 109 as
the print head 63 moves during the printing stroke between
the solid line position and the phantom line (printing) position
shown by phantom lines 63'. Likewise on the return stroke
there is no substantial extension or distention of thè spring
109 as the print head 63 moves between these positions. The
-12-
Docket M-275-C-l
1056205
location of the pivot 104 causes the ink roll 107 to be
pushed from its solid line position to the phantom line
position indicated by phanto~ lines 107' during the
printing stroke from which the ink roll 107 is returned to
the solid line position during the return stroke of the print
head 63. In addition, the force of the spring 109 causes
the ball track 92 to be urged toward the ball track 94,
thereby compensatlng for clearance.
The composite label web in roll form can have
a circular cylindrical core 112 composed of paperboard or
other suitable material. A hub 113 composed of plastic or
other suitable materials has three flexible resilient sections
114 onto which the core can be snap-fitted and from which the
core 112 of a spent roll can be readily removed. The hub 113
is rotatably mounted on the post 75 and is retained by a clip
113'.
With reference to FIGURES 5 and 6 (appearing on sheet 1
of the drawings), the periphery of the feed wheel 64 is shown to
have evenly spaced apart generally V-shaped lateral grooves 115.
These grooves 115 greatly reduce the area of contact that the
supporting material web 32 makes with the feed wheel 6~. This
greatly minimizes any tendency for gum ~hich may be on the
supporting material web 32 to be transferred to the feed wheel
64. Gum on the feed wheel 64 can cause problems in fecding the
composite web 30. Lands 116 at the periphery of the feed wheel
64 are about one-fifth as long as the pitch distance d, and thus
the grooves 115 reduce the area of contact ~y eighty percent
over a feed wheel with a continuous, unintexrupted periphery.
-13-
~"
~oc~et ~-275-C-1 1056Z05
In loadiny the apparatus 50, the cover section 53
is unsnapped and removed, and the composite label web supply
roll is snapped onto the hub 113. The die roll 6~a and its
arm 64b are moved to the over-center position. With the
actuator 81 moved partly toward the phantom line position
(FIGURE 3, appearing on sheet 2 of the drawings), the free
end of the composite web 30 is passed between a brake roll
117 and a plate 118 secured to the subframe 55. The free end
of the composite web 30 is passed under and partly around
roller 71, over the platen 69, around the delaminator 70,
under the platen 69, under and partly around the roller 71,
partly around the roller 72, over and partly around the feed
wheel 64, over the stripper plate 76, and over the guide 77.
Now the actuator 81 can be released, whereupon the brake roll
117 is contacted by the end of the print head 63, causing the
brake roll 117 to press the web 30 against the plate 118 to
prevent paying out of the web 30 during application of a
label 36. The die roll 64a and its arm 64c can now be moved
to the position shown in FIGURE 3 (appearing on sheet 2 of
the drawings), and the cover section 53 can be snapped into
place.
~ hen it is desired to print and apply a label 36,
the printing and feeding cycle is commenced when the actuator
81 is squeezed, and this causes the gear 82 to drive the gear
66 and hence the lever 67. Pivoting of the lever 67 causes
the print head 63 to be driven into printing cooperation with
the platen 69 to print data on a label 36. ~hen the actuator
81 is released, the pawl 83 drives the feed wheel 64 to feed
the label 36 that was just printed into label applying position
relative to the applicator 68, in this position the trailing
edge o~ the label 36 is still adhered to the supporting material
web 32. ~lso the next successive label 36 is properly positioned
on the platen 69 fox printing during the next printing cycle.
.~ ,
-14-
M-275-C-1 1056~05
In the embodiment of FIGURE 7 the same reference
characters are applied to functionally similar parts as those
disclosed in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 3 through 6 (FIGURES
1, 5 and 6 appear on sheet 1 of the drawings and FIGURES 3 and 4
appear on sheet 2 of the drawings). Referring to FIGURE 7
(appearing on sheet 2 of the drawings), the actuator 81 carries
a pivot 130. A link 131 is pivotally connected to the pivot 130.
A pivot 132 carxied by the link 131 pivotally connects the
link 131 and a le~er 133. The lever 133 is pivotally mounted
by the post 74. The lever 133 carries a pawl 134 which
performs the same function as the pawl 83 (FIGURE 3 which
appears on sheet 2 of the drawin~s). The pin-type connection
86 is provided by a pivot 135 secured to the print head 63
which extends through a circular hole 136 in the lever 133.
Instead of being provided with the tracX structure of the embodiment
of FIGURES 1 and 3 through 6, subframe 55 in the embodiment of
FIGURE 7 has track structure provided by an elongated slot 137.
The print head 63 carries a pin 138 which mounts a roller 139.
The roller 139 is received in the slot 137. In that the pin 135
~ollows a slight arc as the lever 133 moves, the right end of
the print head 63 also travels in a slight arc. The left end of
the print head 63 has movement which is essentially reciprocating
in that the roller 139 moves in a straight line. ~hen the print
head 63 is in the printing position, the pivot 135 is in the
position indicated by phantom lines 135' and in this position
the print head 63 is perpendicular to the platen 69. ~hen
the actuator ~1 is released the spring assembly 82' (FIGURE 1)
causes the actuator 81 to pivot counterclockwise which drives
the lever 133 clockwise to return the print head 63 to the position
shown in FIGURE 7, and at the same time the pawl 134 drives the feed
--15--
~i .
Docket M-275-C-1 1056Z05
wheel 64 to advance the composite web 30 a distance equal to
the length of one label 36. In the embodiment or FIGURE 7
(appearing on sheet 2 of the drawings), the gear 82 has been
eliminated from the actuator 81.
The apparatus of the embodiments of FIGUP~S 1 and
3 through 6, and 7 (~IGURES 1, 5 and 6 appear on sheet 1 of the
drawings and FIGURES 3 and 4 appear on sheet 2 of the drawings),
is constructed mainly of molded plastic material. The subframe
55 is preferably composed of steel. The actuator 81, the gear
66 and the lever 67, the ratchet and feed wheels 65 and 64, a
substantial portion of the print head 63, sections 52, 53 and
54, the hub 113, and tracks 94 and 95 are composed of a suitable
molded plastic material. With reference to FIGURE 7, link 131
and lever 133 are also composed of plastic material.
In practice is has been found that, in some instances,
minor amounts of gummy pressure-sensitive adhesive remains on
the supporting web 32 after the labels have been separated.
If this occurs, when the supporting web is contacted with the
feed wheel 64 transfer of this gummy substance to thP feed wheel
can be encountered, which durin~ continued use of the apparatus,
may interfere with efficient operation.
The feed wheel 64 has a web contactîng surface 116
of both disclosed embodiments of the invention treated to provide
a coating 116' having non-stick or release properties sufficient
to substantially retard or prevent trasnfer of gum or pressure-
sensitive adhesive, which may be present on the supporting web 32,
to the feed wheel. Preferably the web contacting surface of the
feed wheel should readily release a pressure-sensitive tape (e.g.,
~M* Transparent Tape 5910) after the pressure-sensitive tape has
been applied to the feed wheel under 10 p.s.i. pressure for 2-5
seconds.
*Trademark
-16-
. . : - . :
:
S620S - `-
bockct M-275
'
~ particularly pre~erred m~thod of impar~iny cnhanc~
r~lease propertics to the feed wheel, formed from a mctal, or
an organic polymeric plastic material, such as polyacctal rcsins
-unsaturated polyester n~olding resins and the like, is to apply
to the supporting web contacting surfaces of the feed wheel an
adherent continuous coating.of a resinous coating composition
having ~ lower surface energy than the substrate polymeric material
from ~hich the wheel is-formed. The presently preferred coating v
compositions include those based on a material such as moisture
cured, one component, all silicone resins tlleretofore utilized
in the art for orming aircraft and maintenance protective finishes,
and solvent based paper curable coatiny compositions based on
silicone polymers heretofore described in the art as useful in
forminy releas~ paper for pressure-scnsitive adhesive compositions.
Since the coatiny must have sufficient adhesion to the feed ~.heel
so that it is 210t removed during use, it may be desirable to etch
or otherwise sligiltly roughen the surface to be coated prior to
applyiny and curiny the coating.
This preferred method is distinyuishable from the
method in wllich the surface of the feed whcel which contacts
the wcb has means providing material possessing release properties
sufficient to retard the accumulation oF yum by incorporating a r
lubricant in the feed whcel while the fecd wheel is molded, and it is
L
r . _ .,
:
~ . I
-17- '
,
" ,- :, . .
- . .
Docket M-275-C 1056205
~,
also distinguishable from the method in which a liquid lubricant
is applied to the feed wheel for this purpose. While these
other methods are adYantageous, the preferred method is more
effecti~e for longer periods of time.
With reference to the embodiment of FIGURES 8 and
10 through 36, thcre is shown label printing and applying
apparatus generally indicated at 150. Tile apparatus 150
has a frame generally indicated at 151 which is shown to comprise
a frame or housing having housin4 sections 152, 153 and 154
and a subframe comprising a single, rigid, metal frame plate
155. Thc housing lS essentially closed. The frame 151 has
a handle gencrally indicated at 159 comprised in ~art of a handle
portion 160 and in part of the frame sec-tion 154. The housing
section 154 is secured to the housing section 152 by screws
161 received in respective threaded holes 162. The frame
section 153 is positioned in front of a lip 163 of the section
15~ and projections 164 on the section 153 extend behind a wall
165. The section 153 is connected to the scc-tion 152 by snap-
it connections including generall~ snap-shaped flexi~le rcsilient
-members 166 engageable in respective undercut recesses 167 in
the section 152. The section 153 is also provided with locating
studs 168 received in respective recesses 169 of the section 152.
- The frame plate 155 mounts a print head 170, a feed
wheel 171, a ~ear or gear segment 172, an applicator 173 shown
to be in the form o~ a roll, a platen 174, a delaminator 175,
a mounting pin 176 and a plurality of rollers 177, mounting
posts 178, 179, 180 and 181, and a support 23G.
The frame plate l55 is provided with two spaced-apart
prcciscly loca~cd rectangular holcs 182 in which respectivc sc~uare
' '
-18-
........ . ~ ... . . . , . . .~
: '
'
Docket M-275
~V56~05
matiny locatinq pins or studs 183 arc rcccived. The holcs 182
extend at right anglcs ~o each othcr and tllc two opposcd sidc
faces of each stud contacts thc corrcspondin~-~ long sides of the
respective rectangular hole 182. The pins 183 are cooperable
with the respective holes 182 to locate the frame plate 155
previsely relative to the housing section 152. There are three
identical hold-down connections which secure the frame plate 155
to the housing section 152, although only one is shown in detail
in FIGURE 31. The frame plate 155 has three enlarged holes or
cutou~s 184. The houslng ~ection 152 has pins or studs 185
which extend through the cutouts 184. With reference to FIGURE
31, a retainer in the form of a grip ring 186 grips a stud 185.
A compression spring 187 received about the stud 185 bears against
- the frame plate 155 and against the retainer 186. With age and
lS continued use of the apparatus the stud 185 tends to elongate.
The spring 187 insures that the plate 155 will always be held
solidly against the housin~ scction 152. In that the stud 185
is consideràbly smaller in diameter than the cutout 184, location
of the framc plate 155 relative to the housing section 152 remains
to be accomplished by the pins 183 in respective recesses 182.
The frame plate 155 has a pair of elongated cutouts
or open ended slots 188 and a pair of oppositely facin~ elonga-
ted cutouts or open ended slots 189. The slots 188 and 189
communicate with larger respective cutouts 190 and 191.
Oppositely facing ball tracks 192 and 193 are received in
respective cutou~s 190 and 191. The print head 170 comprises
a print llead frame 194 having a pair of oppositely facing
ball tracks 195 and 196. A ball bearing strip 197 is rcccived
.
-19-
.
_ ... ... ..... _ . . .. ..... ... ........ _ _.. _.. __._ .. --. _.. _ .. . . . . . .. . . _ ___ __. . _ __ _
: . :
' ~ocket M-275
.. , , , ~ , .................................................... ....
n mating ball bearing tracks 192 and 195 and a ball bearing
~trip 198 is reeived in mating ball bearing tracks 193 and 196.
he ball tracks 192 and 193 are sho~m to be generally channel-
` ' ~haped in construction. When the ball tracks 192 and 193 are
in the position~ as shown in FIGURES 10 and 11, the ball tracks
192 and 193 are received by the frame plate 155. Threaded
fasteners 199 extend through the cutouts 188 and are threadably
received in holes 199' in the ball track 192. Similarly,
..threaded fasteners 200 extend through cutouts 189 and are
. 10 threadàbly received in holes 200' in the ball track 193. The
'print head 170 is capable of printing two lines of data in that
,the print head 170 has two lines of printing bands as shown in
~etail in ~IGURE 31 of Canadian SeriaI ~o, 173,790, filed June,
': 12, 1973. It is important to printiny quality that the~print
~15 head 170 move relativëly to the platen 174 such that the
~: characters on the printing bands 201 contact the label 207 on
. . ; . .
the platen uniformly. I~ the print head 170 is improperly aligned
, with the platen 174, some of the selected characters will be
.
~` printed and others will not be printed at all or will only be
faintly printed. In that the cutouts 188 and 189 are larger
than the diameters of ~asteners 199 and 20~ which extend
; therethrough, the ball tracks 192 ~nd 193 can be precisely
positioned during manufacture of the apparatus so that the
' print head 170 is precisely aligncd with the platen 174 and so
that clearancc between thc ball tracks and their rcspectivc
~all bearin~ strip is held to a minimum. Print head frame 194
and thc ball txacks 195 and 196 which arc molded inteyrally
; thercwith and thc ball trac~s 192 and 193 are compose~ of
. . ,, -20~
.
' ~
Docket M-275-C ~056Z05
:'
plastics material. The balls of the ball strips 197 and 198
are comprised of a hard material such as steel. As shown
diagrammatically in FIGURES 21 through 23, the type characters
or faces 202 extend parallel to the platen 174. The print head
170 is caused to move in a straight line because all the ball
tracks 192 through 195 are straight. Consequently, for quality
printing the print head 170 should move perpendicularly with
respect to the pla~en 174. There is thus provided means whereby
the travel of the print head into printing cooperation with the
labels of the composite web can be adjusted during manufacture
or even subsequent thereto to insure precise alignment of the
print head 170 with the platen 174.
The apparatus 150 is shown to utilize a composite web
203. The composite web 203 of label matèrial 204 is releasably
adhered to supporting a backing material 205. The label material ,
204 is cut transversely by bar cuts or slits 206 extending all
the way across the web 204 of label material, thereby separating
the label material 204 into a series of end~to~end labels 207.
The composite web 203 is wound onto a circular cylindrical core
208 composed of paperboard or other suitable material. The
composite web roll is mounted on a reel generally indicated at
209. The reel 209 is comprised of a generally flat disc 210
haying a central,hole 211. Disc 210 has a plurality of equally
spaced-,apart pins 212 disposed at equal distances from the
,
.
-21-
,
.. ...... ~
. . . _ , . .
~ Docket ~-275
-56Z05
central hole 211. The disc 210, the hole 211 and the integral
pins 212 are formed when the disc 210 is molded in an injection
molding machine. The reel 209 also includes a hub generally
indicated at 213. The hub 213 has a central tubular hub portion
S 214 joined to an end wall 215. The pins 212 are received in
mating holes 212' in the end wall, thereby keying the disc 210
and the hub 213 for rotation together as a unit. Spaced out-
wardly from the hub portion 214 and joined integrally to the end
wall 215 are a plurality of flexible, resilient, cantilever
mounted fingers 216. The fingers 216 extend slightly outwardly
.. . . .. .. . . . _ .. . _ . _ _ _ , , ,, , , , , , , ,, , -- _
and away from each other while the core 208 is disposed thereon.
The free ends of the fingers 216 have projections 217. Each of
the projections 217 has a pair of sloping faces 218 and 219.
The face 218 facilitates loading of the label roll on~o the
- 15 hub 213, and the face 219 provides a ramp which prevents
accidental shifting of the roll off from the hub 213, but enables
the spent core 208 to be readily removed by the user. When the
supply roll is loaded onto the reel 209 and when the spent core
208 is removed, the fingers 216 deflect inwardly. The post or
shaft 181 extends through the hole 211 in the disc 210 and
through a bore 220 in the hub portion 214. A retainer 221 re-
ceived by the mar~inal end of the shaft 181 prevents the reel
209 from shifting off the post or shaft 181 and prevents the hub
213 from separatin~ from the disc 210 so that the pins 212 do not
loose engagement with the holes 212'. The hub 213 i5 also injectlon
molded. The disc 210 defines one edge of the feed path so that
the composite web 203 which is paid out of the roll starts in
precise ~lignment with the platen 174 and the feed wheel 171.
, :
-22-
- ~ :
' ...,,,. .~ocket M-275 , , ~
n actuator generally indicated at 222 is shown to
, ., take. the form o~ a pivotally operated lever mounted by support
,'-;. .~tructure generally indicated at 222s including a pivot pin
,.'. ..; 223 xeceived in an eccentric 224 in ~he form of a sleeve. The
,.5 actuator 222 is urged in a counterclockwise direction (FIGUT~ES
' 8 and 10~ b~ a spring assembly 225 sho~Jn in greater detail in
' FIGURES 45 through 48 and descri~ed in the accompanying des-
~. .,cription of Canadian ~erial ~o.'173,790. . Briefly stated,
,. -. the spring assembly 225 includes a compression spring 226.
' , 10 , ' .The'actuator 222 carries a gear or gear section 227
having an opening 22.8 provided by a missing tooth. The gear
,',' ., section 227 is in meshing.engagement with the gear section 229
~- . -of the gear 172. The gear section 229 has one large tooth
-i 230 which meshes ~ith the teeth adjacent the space 228. In'
.''15 that the tooth 230 can only fit into the opening 228, the
,, . actuator 222 can only be assembled in the proper relative ' ',
'position with respect to the gear 172. The gear 172 also has
a'gear section or segment 231 in meshing engagement with the
.., `~ear section or rack 232 formed in~egrally with the print head
20 'frame 194. The gear sec~ion 231 has an opening 233 provided by
',. .`a missing tooth and the gear section 232 has one large tooth
..:'... 23~ rec~ived in the opening 233 so that the print head 170 can
;only be assemblcd in thc proper relative position with respcct
,. to the gear 172. ~ssumil;g the handlc 159 is being lleld in the
.?s user's hand, the,user's fingers can operate the actuator 222 to
pivot the actuator 222 clock~ise (FIGUI~ES ~ and 10~ against
the'forcc o~ the spring 226 in thc spring dcvice 225, thcrcby
' "' '' . '; ' ' ;' ' ~'.' '. ' '.' ' ' ,. . ':'
,. . ! ' ~ ; . ; . ` , ~ . ~, . ;
- -23-
.. . . .
', .
.
. ' " ' ' ' " .
- ~ ~ocket M-275
..... - 1056Z05'
causing the qear 172 to rotate counterclockwise to in turn
drive the print head l?o into printing cooperation with a
label 207 which is disposcd in overlying rclationship on the
platen 174. Release of the actuator 222 enables the spring
226 to return the actuator 222, the gear 172, and the print
head 170 as well as other components to be described below,
to their initial positions. Sections 152 and 154 have stops
151'.
A drive shaft 235 is molded integrally with the
gear 1?2. A support 236 in the form of a tube or tubular bearing
is suitably secured in a hole 237' in the frame plate 155 as best
shown in ~IGURE 18. The feed wheel 171 has a plurality of pairs
of transversely spaced-apart teeth 171' which engage the
supporting material web 205, as is described below in greater
detail. The teeth 171' are shown exaggeratedly in FIGURE 21
to be inclined in thc forward direction so as to catch the
feed edges in the web 205. The feed wheel 171 is shown to
include a rim 238 to which the teeth 171' are integrally joined.
The rim 23 8 is comprised of annular peripheral web engageab]e
sections or beads 238 ' and an intervening space or gap provicled
by an annular section 238" having a reduced or lesser diameter
than the sections 238 ' . As shown in FIGURE 36, the sections 238 '
having lands 116a wllich are shown to comprise relatively sharp
xidges so as to provide essentially line contact betweèn the web
205 and the lands 116a. Gaps in the form of grooves 115a between
the lands 116a and the scction 238" reduce the contact area to
a very snall percentage, less than fifty perccnt and as illustrated
',
-24-
Docket M-275 ~
1056i205
preferably less than ten percent of the peripheral area which
would otherwise constitute the surface area of the feed wheel
' 171. Some adhesive, gum or the like that adheres to the feed
wheel 171 will collect in the gaps 115a, but because of this,
the external diameter of the feed wheel 171 as defined by the
lands 116a will not increase; such an increase in diameter would
be detrimental in that it would increase the lengths of the web
which the feed wheel 171 would feed upon each actuationg of
actuator 222. By way of example not limitation, the depth of
the gaps 115a is about 0.025 inch and each section 238' has
one hundred nineteen lands 116a. Although the lands 116a are
characterized as being sharp they do not cut into the web 205.
Feeding is brought about through engagement of the teeth 171'
with the web. The feed wheel being comprised at leas't at its'
periphery of plastics material (which inhere~tly has a low'
coefficient of friction~. Additionally, the peripheral suxface
of the feed wheel 171 is preferably coated with either a liquid
or a permanent coating of a material that tends to retard the
accumulation of adhesive, gum or the like, or to incorporate
a suitable lubricant along with the plastics material from which
the feed wheel 171 is molded. An annular wall 239 joins the rim 238
and a hub portion 240. The hub portion 240 has a bore portion 241
which merges into a larger bore portion 242. The bore portion 242
is provided with projections comprised of a great number of grooves
and ridges or flutes 244 which extend in the axial direction. A
rolling~contact type one-way clutch 243 is received in the bore
portion 242. The initial internai diamoter of the bore portion
242 defined by the crests of the projections, that is, ridges
244 is less than the outer diameter of the clutch 243. The
- .
-25-
. ~
Doc~et M-275-C-l
1056205
clutch 243 is assembl~d into the feed wheel 171 by forcing the
clutch 243 into the bore portion 242 and the ridges 244 yield
slightly and frictionally hold the clutch 243 in the position
shown in FIGUR~ 18 (appearing on sheet 6 of the drawings). The
clutch 243 has a plurality of rollers 245 which contact the outer
circular cylindrical surface 246 of the support 236. The one-way
clutch 243 acts as a bearin~ and enables the feed wheel 171 to
rotate clockwise as viewed in FIGURES ~ (appearing on sheet 3 of
the drawings) and 17 (appearing on sheet 5 of the drawings) but
prevents counterclockwise movement. By way of example not limitation,
a specific embodiment of a clutch which is useful in the present
invention is made by The Torrington Company, Torrington, Connecticut
06790 U.S.A. and is described in their catalog RC-6, Copyright 1969,
and is referred to as a roller clutch, catalog No. RC-081208.
A fragmentary portion fo the clutch 243 is shown in
~IGURES 19 and 20 (appearing on sheet 6 of the drawings). In the
position shown in FIGURE 13, the clutch 243 is preventing the feed
wheel 171 from rotating counterclockwise in that the rollers 245
are in wedging contact with respective inclined surfaces 247,
whereas in FIGURE 20 the feed wheel 171 is shown to be rotating
in the direction ~f arrow A and the rollers 245 are not binding
between the surfaces 247 and the surface 246. The clutch 243 is
spring loaded in that springs diagrammatically indicat~d at 248
urge the rollers 245 continuously against both the surfaces 246
and 247 so that any bac~lash of the clutch 243 is ne~ligible and
is substantially less than in the event a pawl such as the pawl
248 of ~anadian Serial ~Jo. 173,790, now patent No. 1,031,624 of
Paul H. ~lamisch, Jr. which issued on ~lay 23, 1978 is used. The
feed wheel 171 also includes webs 249 which join the rim 238,
the wall 239, and the hub 240. The inner periphery of the
-26-
~'
- : ,
.
-`~
Docket M-275-C-1 1056ZOS
rim 238 on one side of the wall 239 has a plurality of grooves
250 and ridges 251 in an annular arrangement. The grooves 250
and ridges 251 extend in the axial direction. A ratcllet wheel
generally indicated a~ 252 has a plurality of ratchet teeth 253.
The teeth 253 are formed integrally with one side of a wall 254.
An annular wall or flange 255 shown to have a plurality of
equally spaced-apart openings 256 has a plurality of grooves 257
and ridges 258. The grooves 250 and ridges 251 and the grooves
257 and ridges 258 have the same pitch and are complementary with
respect to each other. The ratchet wheel 252 also has an annular
hub 259 with an internal bore 260. The support 236 is adapted to
extend into the bore 260 to a position in which the Pnd of the
hub 259 contacts one end of the clutch 243. In this position,
the ridges 25~ and grooves 257 of the ratchet wheel 252 are
received respectively in the complementary respective grooves 250
and ridges 251 of the feed wheel 171. By moving the ratchet wheel
out of its assembled position to the position shown in FIGURE 18
(appearing on sheet 6 of the drawings~, the position of the ratchet
wheel 252 relative to the feed wheel 171 can be selectively changed.
Such a change will result in a change of registration of the label
207 at the printing zone between the print head 170 and the platen
174 and in a change in position to which the web 205 and the leading
label 207 are advanced relative to the delaminator 175. The
mechanism by which this is accomplished is similar in some
respects and different in others from that disclosed in U.S. patent
No. 3,783,083 of William A. Jenkins which issued January 1, 1974.
The grooves 250 and ridges 251 cooperable with
respective ridges 258 and grooves 257 Xey the feed wheel 171
and the ratchet wheel 252 together against relative rotation.
Also the feed wheel i71 and the ratchet wheel 252 can rOtatQ onl~
in one direction due to the action of the clutch 243.
-27-
,;~,,
. -.
.. . . ~ , .. ~, : ,
Docket M-275-C-1 ~056ZOS
Drive shaft 235 is rotatably mounted in a circular
cylindrical bore 261 in the support 236. The drive shaft 235
receives a split yieldable hub 263 of pawl structure generally
indicated at Z64. The pawl structure 264 includes a pawl 265
which is cooperable with the teeth 253 one-at-a-time as seen
for example, in FIGURE 10 (appearing on sheet 4 of the drawings).
Like the gear 172, the feed wheel 171 and the ratchet wheel 252,
the pawl structure 264 is composed of molded plastics ma~erial.
The split hub 263 has an internal bore 266 with a flat 267 which
is received against a flat 262 on the shaft 235. A clamp 268 is
received about the hub 263. The clamp 268 places the split hub
263 under hoop compression so that the pawl structure 264 is
securely and reliably but removably mounted on the shaft 235.
Because of the cooperable flats 262 and 267 and because the
drive shaf~ 235 is formed integrally with the gear 172, the pawl
structure 264 and the gear 172 rotate as a unit. ~Jhen the operator
222 is pivoted clockwise, as viewed in FIGUR~S 8 (appearing on
sheet 3 of the drawings) and 10, the gear 172, as previously
described, rotates counterclockwise. Counterclockwise rota~ion
of the gear 172 causes the pawl structure 264 to also rotate
counterclockwise; thereby bringing the pawl 265 into driving
relationship with the next successive tooth 253. Upon release
of the actuator 222, the return spring 226 causes the gear 172
and the pawl structure 264 to rotate clockwise. Accordingly,
the drive end 269 of the pawl 265 drives the ratchet wheel 252
and the feed wheel 171 in a clockwise direction, thereby causing
advance of the composite web 203.
-28-
~' ~ .
- . . . :
,, . .,,, . :. .
. Docket M 2,5-C-1 1056Z05
With reference to FIGURES 21 through 23 (appearing on
sheet 7 of the drawin~s) there is shown a brake mechanism
generally indicated at 270. The brake mechanism 270 includes
a brake men~er 271 and an arm 272 integrally joined by a hub 273.
The hub 273 is pivotally mounted on a stud 273' secured to tlle
frame plate 155. The brake member 271 includes a flexible
resilient brake shoe 274 for apl~lying a braking force against
the composite web 203. A tension spring 275 (FIGURES 8, appearing
on sheet 3 of the drawings and 11, appearing on sheet 5 of the
drawings~ is connected at one end to a turned-up tab 276 of the
frame plate 155 and at its other end to a post 277 formed inte~rally
with the brake member 271. The post 277 extends through an arcuate
slot 278 in the frame plate 155 and the spring 275 connects the
tab 276 and the post 277 on the front side of the frame plate
155 as viewed in FIGURE 11. The tab 276 and the post 277 are so
situated relative to the axis of the stud 273' that the spring
275 normally urges the brake member 271 and the arm 272 into one
of two overcenter positions. In FIGURE 23, the spring 275 is
exerting a spring force along centerline 279.
The print head 170 is shown to be provided with a pair
of spaced-apart abutments 280 and 281. In the retracted position
of the print head 170 shown in FIGURE 23, the arm 272 is against
the abutment 280 and the brake shoe 274 is in contact with the
composite web 203 upstream of the platen 174. Upon operation of
the actuator 222, the print head 170 is driven from the retracted
position shown in FIGURE 23 to the extended position shown in
FIGURE 22, causing abutment 281 to contact and pivot the arm 272
-29-
>r -
Docket M-275-C-1 1056205
and to consequently pivot the brake member 271 to the position
illustrated in FIGUR~ 22 (appearing on sheet 7 of the drawings),
and thus moving the brake shoe 274 out of braking cooperation
with the composite web 203. In the position as shown in FIGUP~
22, the spring 275 exerts a force along centerline 282 which is
now on the other side of the axis of the stud 273'. The arm 272
and the bra};e member 271 remain in the position shown in FIGUP2
22 until such time as the print head moves far enough away from
the platen 174 toward its retracted position to enable the abutment
280 to contact the arm 272. When the abutment 280 contacts the
arm 272, the arm 272 and the brake member 271 are pivoted so that
the spring force is again exerted along centerline 279, thereby
causing the arm 272 and the brake member 271 to remain in the
position shown in FIGURE 23 (appearing on sheet 7 of the drawings),
until the next cycle, when the print head 170 again moves toward
the platen 174 and the arm 272 is contacted by the abutment 281.
Due to the overcenter arrangement, the arm 272 and the
brake member 271 remain in the position shown in FIGUR~ 22 until
almost the very e~d of the movement of the print head 170 to
its retracted position (FIGURE 23). During the retracting
movement of the print head 170, the pawl 265 drives the ratchet
wheel 252 and the feed wheel 171 'o advance the composite web
203. The brake 270 is effective substantially simultaneously
with the completion of feeding of the web 203.
-30-
.
"~
.
Docket M-275
. , I
lOS6205
With reference to FIGURE 22 initially, the brake
mechanism 270 is also shown to include a brake member 283 which
has a brake shoe 284 composed of a flexible resilient material.
During use of the apparatus the brake member 283 is stationary
in the position shown in FIGURE 22. However, during loading of
the composite web 203, the brake member 283 can be moved manually
to its ineffective position shown in FIGURE 21. The brake
member 283 is integrally joined by a hub 285 to a slotted arm
286. The hub 285 is pivotally mounted on the post 178. The
arm 286 has an elongated slot 287. A slide 288 has an elongated
slot 289 which receives the post 178 and a pin 290 secured to the
arm to provide a pin-and-slot connection. The slide 288 has a
finger-engageable projection 288 by which the slide 288 can
be moved between the position shown in FIGURE 22 and the
position shown in FIGURE 21. As the slide 288 moves from the
position shown in FIGURE 22 to the position shown in FIGURE 21
the pin 290 cooperates with the slot 287 to pivot the arm 286
and the brake member 283 counterclockwise so that the brake member
283 is in its ineffective position shown in FIGURE 21. A shaft
291 extends throu~h a bore 292 in the slide 288. Because of the
position of the axis of the shaft 291 as viewed in FIGURE 21,
in which the arm 286 is counterclockwise of the position shown
in FIGURE 22, the brake member 283 is in its ineffective position.
When the shaft 291 has moved to the position shown in FIGURES
22 and 23, the arm 286 has moved clockwise and hence the brake
member 2B3 is in its effective position. With reference to
~IGUR~ 23, due to the inclination of the brake member 271 and
the location of the brake shoe 274 relative to the brake shoe
-31-
Docket M-275
1056Z10S -
.
284 the brake 270 is self-energizing. Thus, when a label
207 is being applied, the tug that the label exerts on the web
203 upstream of the delaminator 175 causes the brake 270 to
exert an even greater braking force on the web 203.
The shaft 291 mounts a roll generally indicated at
293 comprised of a roll member 294 on one side of the slide 288
and a roll member 295 on the other side of the slide 288. The
shaft 291 also passes through an elongated arcuate slot 296 of
an arm 297 which is pivotally connected to a pin 298 (FIGURES
i0 8, 1~ and 21~ of the gear 172. A washer 299 (FIGURE 8) is
disposed on the shaft 291 between the roll member 294 and the
arm 297 and a retractable guide 300 is disposed on the shaft 291
between the roll member 295 and a retainer 301 secured to the
marginal end of the shaft 291. ~uide section 312 has an
15 integral pin 300' received in an elongated slot 300" in the
guide 300. In the position shown in FIGURE 10 in which the
guide 300 is shown in its retracted solid line position, the
guide 300 is out of guiding relationship with respect to the
side edge of the composite web 203. In the position shown in
20 phantom lines 300PL in FIGURE 10, the guide 300 is in its
effective guiding position.
The sha~t 291 is secured to an arm 302 (FIGURES 21
through 23) pivotally mounted on a stud 303 carried by the
~rame plate 155. A tension spring 304 is connected at its one
25 end to a ta~ 305 ~ormed integrally with the arm 302 and at its
other end to a pin 306 secured to the frame plate 155. In
the position shown in FIGVRE 22, the roll 293 is in cooperation
-32-
.
.
~ ocket M-275
`-~056~:05
.
- with the feed wheel 171 and the arm 302 is in its most clock-
wise position. In this position of the arm 302, the spring
304 exerts a force along centerline 307 on one side of axis
308 of the stud 303 tending to urge the arm 302 and the roll
2g3 which it carries into their most clockwise positions best
shown in FIGURE 22. In FIGURE 21, the arm 302 and the roll 293
are in their most counterclockwise positions and the spring 304
exerts a force along centerline 309 on the other side of the
; axis 308 to hold the arm 302 and the roll 293 in the position
shown.
With reference to FIGURE 10, it is apparent that th~
user can shift the slide 288 into the position shown by
exerting a force to the left on the projection 288'. Not only
are the roll 293, the guide 300, the arm 302 which it carries,
the associated arm 286, and the brake member 283 moved to the
position shown in FIGURE 10 and hence the roll 293, the guide
300, and the brake 270 are deactivated, but the spring 304
~FIGUR~ 21) holds thesè components in that position for easy
loading of the apparatus 150. It is noted in FIGUR~ 10, that
the shaft 291 is at one end of the slot 296 in the arm 297.
Assuming the apparatus has been threaded with the label supply,
- upon the first actuation of the actuator 222, the arm 297 acting
on the shaft 291 will cause the arm 302 to be pivoted counter~
clockwise (FIGURE 10) so that the roll 293 is returned to co-
2S operation with the supporting material web 203 and the~feedwheel 171, so that the guide 300 is moved into guiding
cooperation with the side edge of the web 203, and so that the
brake member 283 is moved to its effective position as shown in
-33-
:
~ocket M-275 ~O 5~Z O 5
... _ ................... -- . :
~IGUR~ 23. Subscqucnt operation of thc actuator 222 will cause
the arm 297 to move relative to the shaft 291 but because of
t~?e slot 296 the arm 297 will have no effect on the shaft 291.
Optionally, the slide 288 and the operatively associated .:
;. S components can be returned from the position shown in FIGURES
10 and 21 to the position shown in FIGUI~ 23 by pushing the
projection 2~8' to thc riyht as viewed in FI~UR~ 10.
From the place where the composite web 203 is paid
out of the roll, it passes over and in contact with a resilient
: 10 device 310 in the form of a curved leaf spring. The resilient
device 310 deflects when the feed wheel 171 is advancing tl~e
composite web 203 and after the brake 270 is applied the device
310 gradually returns as additional web 203 is caused ~o be
paid out of the supply roll. Track structure generally indicated
at 311 includes guide track sections 312, 313 and 314. The
track scction 312 has a forked end 315 which is received by
marginal end 316 of an extension 31~ of the platen 174. The
track section 312 has a short tubular portion 319 which is
received by the post 179. Accordingly, the track section 312
is securely held in position relative to the frame plate 155 by
the marginal end 316 and by the post 179. After passing in
contact with the resilient deYice 310, the composite web 203
enters a ~irst zone Zl above the track structure 312 and below
the print hcad 170. The print head 170 carrics a roll 320
comprised of a plurality of for example, three rollers 321
rotata~ly mounted on a shaft 322 mounted on the print head 170.
The rollcrs 321 deflect ~-hè composite !~eb 203 into contact
with thc track section 312 as the print head 170 movcs bctwccn
,
-3~- .
,Docket,M-275
~056~05
its retracted posi~ion shown in solid lines in FIGURE 10 and
the printing position shown in phantom lines in FIGURE 10.
The roll 320 reduces to a minimum the frictional force which
would otherwise exist if the composite web 203 would be rubbed
by the print head 170. In that there are a plurality of rollers
321 there is no tendency to bind on the shaft 322 as if only
one long roll (not shown~ were provided. From the zone Zl
the composite web 203 passes partly around a roll generally
indicated at 323 which is comprised of a plurality, for example
thre~, rollers 177. The rollers 177 can rotate freely on the
post 176. In that a plurality of rollers 177 are provided,
there is no tendency of these rollers 177 to bind on the post
176 as if only one long roll (not shown) were provided. After
the composite web 203 passes around the roll 323, a l~bel 207
of the composite web 203 is disposed be~ween the platen 174 and
the print head 170. FIGURE 10 shows one of the labels 207 as
being almost entirely delaminated from the supporting material
web 205 and ready to be applied by applicator 173. The applicator
173 is shown to comprise a roll rotatably mounted on a post 325
secured to the frame plate 155, although other types of applica-
tors can be used instead if desired. A removable retainer 326
maintains the applicator 173 on the post 325. In the loading
position shown in FIGURE 10, the composite web 203 passes partly
around an end of the slide 288 and partly around the roll 293
ana from there partly around the feed wheel 171. The shaft
178 carries a roller 327 (FIGURE 8) between the hub 285 and
the frame plate 155 and a roller 328 disposed between the
slide 288 and a retalner 329. When the slide 288 is in thc
~35-
Docket M-275-C-l
1056205
position shown in FIGURE 22 (appearing on sheet 7 of the drawings),
for example, the w~b 205 is in sliding contact with the end of
the slide 288 and in rolling contact with the rollers 327 and
328.
The track section 313 cooperates with the track
section 31A to provide a discharge chute at a zone Z2 through
which the supporting material web 205 exits. The track section
313 has a pair of spaced-apart tubular portions 330 and 331
received respectively by posts 179 and 180. The track section
313 has an integrally formed curved retaining brack~t 332
which passes partly around a flange 333 of a post 334. Thus,
the track section 313 is secured to the frame plate 155 and
to the housing section 152. The track section 313 includes a
channel-shaped portion 335 to which the connector 332 is joined.
The track section 314 has an offset flange 336 which fits into
the channel-shaped portion 335 to interlock the trac}; section 314
with the track section 313. The track section 314 also has a
curved retaining bracket 337 which extends partly around the
flange 333 and nas a pair of spaced-apart offset flanges 338
and 339 which fit against the outside of the channel-shaped portion
335. A tubular portion 330' secures one end of the track section
314 to the frameplate and the flanges 336, 338 and 339 interlock
the track sections 313 and 314. The tubular portion 319 is
received by the post 179 between the tubular portion 330 and 330'.
The track structure 311 also includes a stripper 340 which engages
the s~nooth annular outer surface 171a of the feed wheel 171.
The stripper 340 is provided with a pair of offset flanges
341 and 342 which fit respectively into grooves 343 and 344 in
the track section 313. The post 179 is longer than the combined
lengths of the tubular porti.ons 319, 330 and 33C' and
-36- ~ :
. ! ~,q;
rl ~ .
Docket M-275
105~2015
thus a projcction 345 ~ormed integrally with thc stripper 340
can fit snugly in~o the ~nd of the tubular portion 331.
As bcst shown in FIGURE 26, the resilient device
310 has a marginal end 346 having a pair of holes 347. A
connector 348 includes a plate section 349, a pair of up-
standing aligned members 350 which lie in one plane, and a
member 351 which lies in a plane parallel to the plane of members 350.
Each member 350 includes a tapercd stud 352. The device
310 can be assembled onto the connector 348 by passing the
1~ marginal portion 346 between the members 350 and 351 wltil the
studs 352 are received in the holes 347; the marginal ~nd
346 flexes slightly to allow this to happen. The member 351
retains the spring device 310 ïn the assembled position relative
to the connector. The connector 348 is received in an undercut
xecess 353 in the track section 312 as shown in FIGURE 10.
The housing is snown to have an opening 354 (FIGUR~ 10) having
relatiYely sharp external edges 355 and 356 which can serve as
cutting edges for removing the excess web 205. The knife 355
can cut the web 205 by drawing the web 205 up~ardly and the
knife 356 can cut the web by pulling the web downwardly.
The housing section 153 mounts a lock generally
indicated at 357 best sho~!n in FIGUR~S 24 and 25. The lock 357
includes a slide member 358 received in an eloncJaterl Ijocket 359
in the housinc3 section 153. The slide 358 includes a manually
engageable projec~ion 3G0 for moving the slide 357 against the
force of a compression spring 361. The spring 361 bcars
against a flange 362 and the end of the slot 363. The slide ~~
, r
. .
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Docket M-275
~056Z05
-
358 includes a pair of spaced apart generally parallel flexible
resilient arms 364 having respective projections 365 and
; tapered faces 366. In assembling the slide 358 onto the
housing section 153, the slide is manually pressed into the slot
363; this causes the arms 364 to yield resiliently and to return
once their pro~ections 365 are against the inside of the housing
section 153 as shown in FIGURE 25. A block 367 disposed
between and spaced from the arms 364 has a blind hole 368 for
recei~ing the other end portion of the spring 361. In its
assembled condition, the spring 361 urges on the block 367
toward end 369 of the slot 363. When the housing section 153
is in the position to be locked, a curved tip or retaining edge
370 of the block 367 is recei~ed in an annular recess 371 in
the post 179, thereby locking the section 153 in plaçe. To un-
lock the lock 357 and remove the housing section 153, the pro-
jection 360 is pushed generally to the left as viewed in FIGURE
24, thereb~ moving the tip 370 out of the recess 371 and compressing
th~ spring 361, and thereupon the section 153 can be unsnapped
from the remainder of the housing. When it is desired to replace
the housing section 153, the housing section 153 is positioned
so that the flanges 16~ (FIGURE 8) are behind the flange 165 and
then the housing section 153 is simply snapped into its final
locked position. In so doing, the members 166 snap into recesses
167 and the lock 357 loc~ automaticall~. This automatic locking
of the lock 357 is feasible because of the cam face 372 on the
block 367 which cooperates with a chamfered or cam face 373
-38-
Docket M-275
1,,056ZID5
on the post 179. ~s the housing scc~ion 153 is pushed in~o
place the cam face 372 cooperates with the cam face 373 to
cause the slide 358 to be moved yenerally to the lef-t (FIGUR~
24) away from end 369 of the slot 363. When the housing
section 153 is snapped into place, the tip 370 moves into
alignment with the recess 371, and this allows the entire
slide 358 to move gcnerally to the right (FIGUR~ 24) to cause
. the tip 370 to be received in the recess 371, thereby locking
the housing section 153 in place.
It is conducive to smooth operation of the gear
section 227 and the gear section 229 of the gear 172 to have
. precise meshing engagement in spite o~ manufacturing variations.
This is especially true in that the gear 172 is mounte,d by a
support 236 secured to the fràme plate 155 and the actuator
lS 222 is mounted in the handle 159 of the housing at a
considerable distance from the axis of the support 236.~ The
eccentric 224 has an outer circular cylindrical surface and an
eccentric internal bore 376. The pin 223 is received in the
bore 376. The housing section 154 has a boss 379. A hole
generally indicated at 380 extends tllrough the housing section
154 and its boss 379. The hole is stepped so as to provide a
shoulder 381. A self-tapping screw 382 passes through the hole
380 and is threadably received in an elongated hole 223' in
the pin 223. ,~s the screw 382 is tightened, the end of the pin
223 is drawn against the shoulder 381 by the head of the screw
382. The housing section 160 has a boss 383 with a great
.
r
~39~
~ Docket M-275
. .
~056205
number of ridges 384 and grooves 385 as best shown in FIGURE 13.
: The eccentric 224 has external ridges 386 and grooves 387
arranged concentrically with respect ~o the eccentric hole 223'.
A hole generally indicated at 388 extends through the housing
; 5 section 160 and its boss 383. The hole 388 is of reduced diameter
at a shoulder 389. ~ self-tapping screw 390 bears against the
shoulder 389 and is threaded into the hole 223' in the sleeve
223. It is apparent that by loosening the screw 382 and removing
the housing section 154 and by shifting the eccentric 224 on
: 10 the sleeve 223 so that the ridges 386 and grooves 387 loose
contact with the respective grooves 385 and ridges 384, the
. eccentric 224 can be manually rotated relative to the housing
: section 160 on the sleeve 223 until the eccentric 224 is at the
selected position and then the eccentric 224 can be shifted back
into the hole 388 so that its ridges 386 and grooves 387 are
again in locking engagement with respect1ve grooves 385 and
ridges 384. In this manner the meshing engagement of the gear
sectiolls 227 and 229 can be initially precisely adjusted and
maintained in adjustment during use. As an aid to rotating the
eccentric 224 while making the adjustment, the eccentric 224
is provided with a knurled section 391 which can be easily
gripped by the assembler's fingers.
With reference to FIGURE 27 there is shown the
delaminator 175. The delaminator comprises an injection molded
one-piece support 392 having a pair of ~orked end sections 393,
a plate-like retainer portion 394, and a channel-shaped end
portion 395. The forked portions 393 are received in respective
cutouts 396 of the platen 174 and the channcl-shaped portion 395 is
.
- -40-
I~ct M-275
5~05
.
r!~ci~ under a marcJinal cnd 397 of ~he platen 174. q'he
pDr~ion 394 is flexible and resilient so as to enable a pro-
~sc~i~n 398 to snap into a hole 398' in the platen 174 as shown
in ~I~URE 27. The hole 398' is disposed so that between the
places where the printing bands 201 contact the platen 174 so
~h~t ~he hole 398' will not interfere with the printing function.
A plurality of ~mall diameter rollers 400, for example, seven
in n~mber, are rotatably mounted on a rod 399. It is preferred
~at ~he diameter of the rollers 400 be as small as possible
lD 50 ~h~t the supporting materi,~l web 205 is caused to undergo
a Y~Iy sharp change in direction. By way of example, not
limitation, the outer diameter of the rollers 400 is about 0.08
in~h~ ~he inside diameter is about 0.05 inch, and the lenyth is
abo~t 0.150 inch. The outside diameter of the shaft~399 is about
~.D4 inch. There are a plurality of relatively small rollers
4D0 in that the rollers 400 rotate considerably more freely than
w8~1~ a roll having a combined length of all the rollers 400.
With reference to FIGVR~ 11, ink roll 40i is shown
to be rotatably mounted on a post 401' secured to an arm 402.
The arm 402 is pivotally mounted on a post 403 secured to the
`~r~me plate 155. A tension spring 404 is connected at one end
to an upstanding tab 405 on the arm 402 and its other end to
a post 406 mounted on the frame plate 155. The arm~402 and
the ink roll 401 are shown in one extreme position by solid lines
in which the print head is in its retracted position and by
.
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. , . . :
: -
Docket M-275-C
105620S
phantom lines in which the print head 170 is in its extended
or printing position. The sha~t 401' extends through an
arcuate slot 407 in the frame plate 155. With reference to
~IGURE 28, the ink roll 401 is shown to comprise a hub
generally indicated at 408. The hub 408 is shown to include
a pair of hub portions 409 and 410 having respectivs bores 411
and 412 aligned with respect to each other. The shaft 401' is
shown to be received in the bores 411 and 412. The hub portion
409 has a reduced-diameter, continuous, annular projection 413
received in a continuous annular socket 414. The projection
413 has a continuous annular external groove 415 and the hub
portion 410 has a continuous annular internal bead or pro-
jection 416. The groove 415 i.s shallow and the mating bead
416 is relatively small so that the projection 413 ca~ be snap- .
fitted into the socket 414 as the flexible resilient material
of which the hub portions 409 and 410 is composed yields. It
is a feature of the invention that the bead 416 in the socke~
414 provides an ink-tight seal so that ink contained in a
porous roll 417 received about the hub 408 cannot seep into
the bores 411 and 412 to cake or gum up which would interfere
with the free rotation of the ink roll 401 on the shaft 401'.
The hub portions 409 and 410 have respective annular outwardly
extending flanges 418. The flanges 418 bear against bearing
surfaces 419 at each side of the print head 170. The groove
415 and the mating bead 416 obviate the need for a separate
seal member (not shown). A washer 420 is received by the shaft
401' betwe~n the hub section 410 and the frame plate 155. Hub
section 409 has an integrally formed flexible resilient finger
or projection 421 shown to be received in a continuous annular
groove 422 near the free end of the shaft 401'. As the ink
roll is inserted onto the shaft 401', the finger 4~1 yields.
42-
Docket M-275-C 1056Z05
and then is received in the groove 422 to removably hold
~he roll 401 on the shaft 401'. The ~ub portion 409 also
has an extension 423 and an obstruction 424 in the form of
a ridge which extends into alignment with the bores 411 and
412. The obstruction 424 prevents the ink roll 401 from
being inserted onto the shaft 401' in the wrong direction in
which event the resilient finger 421 would not be able to
-cooperate with the ~roove 422 and the ink roll 401 might
shift off the shaft 401'.
Referring to FIGURE 9 there is shown the c~mposite
web 203 which constitutes an improvement ovar U.S. patent
~o. 3,783,083. Groups 425 of bar cuts or slits are provided at
longitudinally spaced-apart intervals along the length of the
co~posite web 203. Although there are shown to be two spaced-
apart groups 425 of cuts disposed ~tween the butt-cuts 206
which define the end edges of each label 207, one or more han
t~Yo groups 425 can be provided in each label 207, and although
the groups 425 are shown to be generally centrally located
between the end edges of the respective labels 207, the group
425 can be at other locations. Each group 425 of cuts is shown
to be in a generally T-shaped configuration and to comprise
a transversely ali~ned pair of bar cuts or slits 426L in and
preferably through the la~el material 204 and a transvcrsely
ali~ned pair of bar cuts or slits 426S in the supporting material
205. The respective pairs of cuts 426L and 426S are separated
by respective lands 472L and 427S. Longitudinally extending bar
cuts or slits 428L and 42BS are shown to extend in and pr~ferably
-43- . .
- , : , :
..
:
Docket M-275-C
lOS6205
~hrough the label material 204 and through supporting material 205
respectively to the respective lands 427L and 428S. There are
also two longitudinally extending bar cuts or slits 429 which
extend in and preferably through the label material 204 across
each of the butt-cuts 206 into the marginal ends of the labels
207. The cuts 429 however extend only through the label
material 204. The two cuts 426S and the cut 428S of a group
are aligned with respective two cuts 426L and the cut 428L
of the group. When the teeth 171' of the feed wheel 171 engage
the supporting material 205 at the cuts 428S, the portion of
the web between the adjacent ends of both cuts 426S and the
cut 428S tears or ruptures to form a hole in the supporting
material web 205. A tooth 171' is preferably almost as wide as
the combined length of adjacent cuts 426S and the intérvening
land 427S so that a substantial portion of the length of each
cut 426S provides a drive face. -
In order to load the apparatus 150, the housing section
153 is first removed by moving the projestion 360 generally to
the right (FIGURE 8). Next the projection 288' is moved
generally to the left as viewed in FIGURE 10 to cause brake
member 283, roll 293 and guide 300 to move to their ineffective
positions. If there is a spent core 208 on the reel 209, then
the core 208 is removed manually and a new supply roll is pushed
onto the hub 213. The leading end of the composite web 203 is
passed over the resilient device 310 and pushed into the zone Zl
as best shown in FIGURE 10. From there the web 203 is passed
around roll 323 and around the delaminator 175, and from there
the web 203 is passed around the end of the slide 288 and under
the roll 293. From there the web 203 is passed partly around
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' ' ~ . ., ~ .:
Docket M-275-C 1056Z05
the feed wheel 171 and through the zone Z2. The entire threading
of the composite web 203 just described can be accomplished
without removing any of the labels 207 from the supporting
material web 205. Now the print head 170 can be set to print
the selected indicia on the label 207 which is registered with
the platen 174. Upon the first actuation of the actuator 222,
the gear 172 causes the arm 297 to pul] slide 288 to the right
as viewed in FIGURE 10, thereby causing the roll 293 to move
into cooperation with the web 203 and the feed wheel 171,
to cause the brake member 283 to move into its effective position
as shown in FIGU~E 23, and to cause the guide 300 to move to its
ef~ective position shown by phantom lines 300PL. In that the
first acutation of the actuator 222 from its initial position
drives the geax 172 to in turn drive the print head 170 into
printing cooperation with the platen 174, the label 207 at r
the printing position or zone will be prin'ed. When the
print head 170 is in printing cooperation with the platen 174,
the drive end 269 of the pawl 265 has moved into position adjacent
the next successive tooth 253 of the ratchet wheel 252. Upon
xelease of the actuator 222, the spring 226 of the assembly
225 will cause the actuator 222 to pivot counterclockwise
(FIGURE 10) thereby causing the gear 172 and the pawl 265 to
move clockwise. This movement of the pawl 265 causes the feed
wheel 171 to rotate clockwise. In that the feed wheel 171 and
the roll 293 are in cooperation the teeth 171' will break throuah
the portion of the supporting material 205 between the ends of
the bar-cut 428S and the adjacent ends of the bar-cuts 426S.
The teeth 171' engage the drive faces formed by the bar-cuts
426S to advance the web 203 when the feed wheel 171 is rotated.
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:' .
Docket M-275
~o56205
The cycle operation is complete when the actuator 222 has
returned to its initial position. During continued operation
of the apparatus 150, labels 207 are successively delaminated
~rom the supporting material web 205. It is apparent that upon
each actuation and release of the actuator 222, the print head
170 is first moved into printing cooperation with a label 207
and thereafter that label is ad~anced to a position shown in
FIGURE 10 in which the leading label 207 is shown almost entirely
delaminated from the supporting material web 205. The leading
label 207 is thus lightly adhered to the web 205 at its trailing
end until it is applied to an article.
Referring to FIGURES 8 and 33, a rewinder 440 is shown
to include a unitary body 441 having a generally annular portion
442 defining a compartment 443. The body 441 has an ;nlet
portion or inlet 444 with an inlet slit or narrow slot 445.
The annular portion 442 is open at its one side as shown and
has a side wall 446 closing off its other side. The inlet 444
has a connector 447 including a pair of notches 448 and 449
adjacent flanges 950 and 451. The rewinder 440 is removably
connected to the apparatus 150 by sliding the connector 447
through the open end of the opening 354. As the supporting
material web 205 passes through zone Z2 it enters the inlet slot
445 and winds intG a roll as shown in FIGURE 33. The inside of
the annular portion 442 is provided with a scalloped configura-
tion defined by ridges 335 and intervening grooves 336. Asthe web 205 contacts only the ridges 335 there is very little
., - '
. i , . .
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Docket M-275
1056Z05
friction between the portion of the web 205 and the ridges
335. In addition, the inside of the compartment 443 can be
coated with a suitable lubricant such as silicone. Viewing
both FIGURES 10 and 33, it is noted that the web 205 is wound
up in the rewinder 440 in the same direction of curl of the
web 205 caused by the web 205 being wound on the roll R. This
facilitates rewinding. The end of the inlet slot 445 terminates
at a cutting edge or knife 457 by which the portion of the web
205 in the compartment 443 can be severed from the remainder of
the web 205 simply by reaching into the open side of the
compartment 443 and pulling the web 2b5 against the knife 457.
In the embodiment of FIGURES 34 and 35, a rewinder
460 is shown to include a unitary body 461 having a generally
annular portion 462 defining a compartment 463. The ~ody 461
has an inlet portlon or inlet 464 with an inlet slit or narrow
slot 445. The annular portion 462 has a side wall 466 closing
off one side. The inlet 464 has a connector 467 identical to
the connector 447. The inside of the annular portion 462 is
provided with a scalloped configuration like that of the
rewinder embodiment of FIGURES 8 and 33. The inlet 464
terminates at a cutting edge or knife 477. A shaft 478 is formed
integrally with the wall 466 and rotatably mounts a spool or
reel 479. The reel 479 includes a hub 480 integrally joined to
a disc 481. A compression spring 482 received abo~t the shaft
978 bears against the side wall 466 and a shoulder 483 inside
the hub 480. A sh~ft 484, snap-fitted into spaced-apart holders
485jis joined to an annular portion 486. The annular portion
486 seats a flexible resilient O-ring or other suitable
., ' , ,
-47-
. Docket M-275
iOS6z05
. :
frictional drive member 487. The drive member 487 is in
frictional contact with the disc 481 and the disc 210. The
drive member 487 contacts a radiused annular portion 488 of
the disc 481 and the surface of disc 210. The holders
485 have respective annular portions 489 which extend through
slightly more than 180 so that the shaft 484 can be snapped
into the annular portions 489 or removed therefrom if desired.
A compression spring 490 received about the shaft 484 exerts
. a force on one of the holders 485 and the annular portion 486.
The force exerted by the spring 490 is greater than the force
exerted by the spring 482 so the drive member 487 is always
urged into contact with the disc 210 and the drive member 487
is always urged into contact with the disc 481. J
A finger 491 is formed integrally with the disc 481
and extends generally parallel to the hub 480. Marginal end
205' of the supporting material web 205 is received between the
' hub 480 and the finger 491. The annular portion 486 and the
drive member 487 constitutes an idler or idler wheel generally
indicated at 492. It is apparent that the reel 209 is driving~.y
coupled to the reel 479. As the apparatus 150 is operated the
disc 210 turns, thereby driving the idler wheel 492 which in
turn drives the reel 479. The purpose of the idler wheel 492
is to cause the reel 479 to rotate in the direction of the
natural curl of the web 205 on the roll R. In the illustrated
2S e~bodiment the reel 479 turns in the same direction as the
reel 209.
.
-48- .
Docket M-275-C ~056Z05
By way of example, not limitation, the apparatus of
the disclosed embodiments is constructed mainly of molded
plastics material. In the embodiment of FIGURES 8 and 10 through
36, all the components are composed of molded plastics material,
except the frame plate lS5 and the platen 174 which are preferably
composed of a rigid metal such as steel, the metal posts 32S, 176,
178, 179, 180, 181, 291, 273 and 401, the metal support 236, the
steel rod or shaft 399, the steel springs 187, 304, 361, 404, 226,
- 482 ~and 496, the spring steel resilient device 310, the steel arms
297 and 402, the spring steel slamp 268, the spring steel retainers
301, 326, 329, the flexible resilient applicator 173 and the
~rictional member 487 composed of rub~er, the ball bearing strips
197 and 198, the porous ink roll 417 composed of a suitable, porous,
rubber, vinyl or rubber-modified plastics material, and fasteners
199, 200, 161, 382 and 390. A small number of components of the
print head 174 are also constructed of metal.
The hand-held apparatus 150 of the e~bodiment of FIGURES
8 and 10 through 36 is rugged in construction but is also light
weight so that it can be used for extended period of time,
namely the apparatus weighs about 1.6 pounds without a label
supply roll and without the rewinder 440 or 460. The rewinder 440
weighs about 0.08 pounds. In any event the apparatus of the various
. ~
_49_
~ Docket M-275
- - - ~620S
embodiments of the invention is of the type that weighs less
than about three pounds and this distinguishes it from bulky
or stationary apparatus which are not practical to be hand held
and operated. It is, however, readily apparent that many of
S the features of the invention can also be used in stationary
type apparatus. Moreover, it is apparent that certain of the
features of the invention are also applicable to apparatus that
imprints and dispenses labels, tags or the like but that does
not apply them and that other features of the invention are also
applicable to apparatus that applies labels but which does not
print them.
Other embodiments and modifications of this invention
will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and all
such of these as come within the spirit of this invention are
included within its scope as best defined by the appended claims.
,
-50-
