Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
7~
;ocket M-249-C
APPLICATOR FOR A LABELING MACHINE
Background of the Invention
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the art of pressure sensitive
labels, method and apparatus for making and using same, and
label printing and applying machines.
Brief Description of the Prior Art
Various U.S. patents are made of record:
Pat. No. Patentee Issued
1,641,387 Reis 1927
2,259,358 Templeton 1941
2,375,064 Moore 1942
2,502,257 Hawkins et al 1950
2,516,487 Schlicksupp 1950
2,620,205 Vogt 1952
2,656,063 Kafka 1953
3,051,353 Krueger 1962
~,265,553 Kind et al 1966
3,343,485 Loeffler 1967
3,440,123 Hamisch, Sr. 1969
3,501,365 Marshall 1970
3,551,251 Yo Sato 1970
3,611,929 Schrotz 1971
.
, - --1--
Docket M-249-C-1-4-1
Summary of the Invention
The invention relates to an applicator for a
label applying machine. The applicator is comprised of a
plurality of wheels. The wheels are mounted for independent
rotational and independent yielding movements. This is
especially useful when applying labels to merchandise
having irregular surfaces.
--2--
Dccket M-249
~rief Descriotion of the Drawin~s
:
FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of label
printing and.applying apparatus for carrying out the method of
the invention;
S FIGURE 2 ls a partly broken away top plan view of
a composite web useful in the label printing and applying
apparatus of the in~ention;
FIGURE 3 is a sectional elevational ~iew of the
apparatus shown in FIGU~E l;
FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken generally along
line 4--4 of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5
of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--5
of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of one of the
subframe sections of the apparatus;
FIGURE 8 is a top plan view taken along line 8--8
of FIGURE 7;
FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view of the other
subframe section;
FIGURE 10 is a top plan view showing the manner in
which the label core for the roll of labels is held and the
manner in which braking force is applied by the subframe sections;
FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11
of FIGUP~E 10;
FIGURE 12 is a sectional view ta};en senerally along
line 12--12 of ~IGURE 3;
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Docket M-249
FIGURE 13 is an e~plod d perspective vie~.~ of the
inking mechanism;
FIGURE 14 is an enlarged sectional ~iew showing a
fragmentary portion of the apparatus in solid lines, and in
S particular showing a fragme~tary portion o. the print head
and the inking mechanism in both solid and phantom line
positions;
FIGURE 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15--15
of FIGURE 4
10FIGURE 16 is a developed view showing the arrangem2nt
of the teeth of the detent mechanism
FIGURE 17 is a sectional view taken along line 17--17
of ~IGURE 15;
FIGURE 18 is a sectiona1 veiw taken generally along
li~e 18--18 of FIGURE lS;
FIGURE 19 ic a sectional view showing one of the three
setS of snap-fit connPctions used to interconnect the frame and
the subframe;
FIGURE 20 is an enlarged view of an applicator xoll
shown mounted in the frame of the apparatus;
FIGURE 21 is a sectional view taken along line 21--21
of FIGURE 20;
FIGURE 22 is a sectional view taken along line 22--22
of FIGURE 21, but omitting the shaft and the frictional member;
25FIGURE ~3 is a partly sectional vie~ of the mountins
shaft which forms part of the applicator roll;
FIGURE 24 is an e~ploded pers~ective view of the print
head;
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- Docket ~ 2~9 1 094879
FIGURE 25 is a sectional view of the print ~ead taken
generally along line 25--25 of FIGURE 3;
FIG~RE ~6 is a sectional vie-~ silowing the selector
in relationship to the associated driven wheels;
FIGURE 27 is an enlarged sectional viPw showing the
manner in which detenting o~ the selec.or is effected, but
showing the driven members as ~eing of different widths;
FIGURE 28 is a view similar to a fragmentary portion
of FIGURE 26, but showing the manner in which det~nting can be
effected directly an a wheel;
FIGURE 29 is an enlarged, partly sectional, ele~ational
view showing an alternative arrangement for constructing the
selector;
FIGURE 30 is a perspective view showing the driYing
mem~er ~epicted in FIGU~E 29;
FIGURE 31 is a partiy e~ploded perspective vlew of a
modified print head in accor~ance with the invention;
FIGURE 32 is an exploded perspective view of the
selector in association with ~ype wheels and mounting structure
for the type wheels;
FIGURE 33 is an end elevational view of the type wheels
and the selector assembled in the mounting members;
FIGURE 34 is a sec~ional view taXen generally along
line 34--34 of ~IGURE 33;
FIGURE 35 is an exploded perspective view of another
embodiment of ~he label printing and applying apparatus;
FIGURE 36 is a partly broken away top plan view of a
composite web useful in the apparatus;
FIGUR~ 37 is a sectional view taken along line 37--37
o~ FIGURE 36;
~ 94~379
et ~ 249
FIGURE 38 is a sectional view taken along line 38--38
of FIGURE 36;
FIGURES 39.through 44 are diagrammatic views illustra-
ting a method of loading the apparaLus;
. FIGURE 45 is an ele~ational view, partly in section,
showing a ~ragment~ry portion of the actuating means including
an operator and 2 spring assembly, with the opera.or being in
its initial position;
PIGURE 46 is an elevational view,partly in section,
showing the operator in its operated position;
FIGURE 47 is an enlarged sectional view of the spring
assembly;
FIGURE 48 is an exploded perspective view of the spring
assembly;
FIGURE 49 is a sectional ~iew taken generally along
line 49--49 of FIGURE 45;
FIGURE 50 is a fragmentary elevational view showing
the operating components of the apparatus in their initial
positions;
FIGURE Sl is an enlarged fragmentary view showing
a portion of the apparatus shown in EIGURE 50, and showing
especially the print head in its operating position with a brake
in accordance with the invention;
FIGURE 52 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURF 51,
but showing the print head out o~ the operative position with
the brake;
FIGURE 53 is a sectional viet~ taken along line 53--53
o FIGURE 52;
PIGURE 54 is a top plan view, nartly in section, of
a ragmentary portlon of the apparatus;
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~ L~ ~7 9
Docket M-249
FIGURE 55 is a top plan view, oartly in section, of
a fragmentary portion of a modified apparatus;
FIGURE 56 is a sectional view taken along line 56--;6
of FIGURE 55;
FIGURE 57 is an elevational view, partly in section,
on a reduced scale from that of FIGURES 55 and 56, showing
a spring for assisting the unwinding of a supply roll;
FIGURE 58 is a view similar to FIGURE 25, but illustra-
ting an improved arrangement by which the human readable s2ction
of the printing mem~er is prevented from being moved to the
printing zone;
FIGURE 59 is a top plan view of a s~eet used in
making a platen;
FIGURE 60 is a diagrammatic sectional vie~w o~ the
shee~ after having been inversely bent, together with a piece
of moldable material, positioned in a press;
FIGURE 61 is a top plan view of the completed platen;
FIGURE 62 is a perspec~ive view of the platen showing
the composite web by phantom lines;
20 ~ FIGURE 63 is a sectional view taken along line 63--63
of FI~URE 62,
FIGURE 64 is a sectional view taken along line 64--64
of FIGURE 62, but showing additionally printing members in
printing cooperation with individual platen sections of the
platen;
FIGURE 65 i.s a side elevational view of the apparatus;
FIGURE 66 is a fragmentary partly s~ctional view of
the apparatus showing a housing secti.on in the closed position
and showing the inking mechanism;
Bq9
Do~ke~ M-2~9
~IGURE 67 is an e~ploded perspective view of an inker
body and ink rcller of the inking me~hanism;
~IGURE 68 is a ~iew similar to FIGURE 66, but showing
t~e housing section in the open positlon
S FIGURE 69 is a fragmentar~ view showing the ink roller
bearing on the print head and inking the printing members; and
FIG'JRE 70 is a perspective exploded YieW of a slug
usad with the print head.
Descri tion of the Praferred Embodiment
P
Referring now to a label printing and applying apparatus
generally indicated at 210 in the em~odiment of FIGU~ES 1 through
27, and initially to FIGURE 1, there is shown to be a housing or
main frame generally indicated at 211. The housing or frame 211
is specifically shown to inc~ude a pair of f~ame sections 212
and 213. Disposed within the housing 211 is a subframe generally
indicated at 214 which comprises a pair of subframe sertions 215
and 216. The frame sections 212 and 213 mo~t a platen 217 which
includes a peel edge 218. A print head generally lndicated at 215
is mounted by the subframe 214. More specifically, the print
head 219 includes a plurality of selectable settable printing
members 220 in the o~m of endless printing bands mounted by
a print head frame 211. ~xtending from the frame 221 are a Fair
of flanges 222 and 223. Gear sections or specifically racks 224
and 225 are proJided at the ends of the respective flanges 222 and
223. Opposed tracks 226 and 227 are formed on the respective
flanges 222 and 223 to receive straight ball bearings 228 and 229.
The subframe sections 215 and 216 have respective tracl~s 230 and
~ Doc~et ~1-249 lOg4879
231. The ball bearing 228 is received in the trac~ 226 o~ the
fla~ge 22~ an in the trac~ 230, and the ball bearing 229 is
recei~ed in the trac~ 227 in the flange 223 and in the track 231.
The ball bearings 228 and 229 have respective balls 228' and 229'
rotatably held b'l respective tangs or holders 228" and 229". In
this manner, the print head 219 is mounted for movement, particu-
l~rly reciprocating movement, toward and away from the platen 217.
The housing 211 has a handle generally indicated at
232 and particularly each housing or frame section 212 and 213
lO has a respective hzndle portion 233 and 234. An operator gen- -
erally indicated at 235 is shown to comprise a pivotally operated
le~er 2'6 pi~otally mounted by a post 237 at the lower end of
t~e handle 232. The lever 236 is normally urged in a counter-
clock~Jise di-ection (FIGURE 1) by a torsion spring 238 received
about the post 237. The pivotal movement of the lever 236 is
limited b~l an adjusta~le stop block 239 received by the handle
232 between the handle portions 233 and 234. The upper end of
the operatlng le~er 235 carries a pair of spaced-apart gear
sections 240 and 241. The gear sections 240 and 241 are shown
to be in the form of spur gear segments. Gear sections 240 and
241 are in meshing engagement with respective spur gears 242
~nd 243. The spur gears 242 and 243 are in meshing engagement
with resp2ctive gear sections 224 and 225 carried b~ the print
head 219.
A roll of pressure sensitive labels, in the form
for exc~mple of the composite web 30 shown in FIGURE 2, is
mounted ~y its core 44 by the subframe 214. As will be des-
cribed in greater de.ail hereina~ter, the composite web 30
_g_
I:)ocket M 249 1094879
is drawn off the roll into overlying -elationshi}? wi~;h respect
to the platen 217 and the supporting material 32 is ensaged
by a toothed driver 244. The gear 2~3 carries an i~tegral
pawl 245 cooperable with a ratchet wheel 246 which is coupled
S to the driver 244 by a detent mechanism generally indicated at
247. An input or drive meII~ber 248 of ~he detent mechanism 247
is sho~m in FIGURE l. The toothed dri~rer 244 has a plurallty
of e~ually spaced apart dri~re teeth 249 arranged about its outer
periphery. The pawl 245 is i~tegrally joined at but one end
to the gear 243. The pawl 245 is fle~ible and resilient and
can ride on the ratchet wheel 246 and deflect into engagement
with a tootn 265 of the ratchet wheel 246.
The housing or f ame section 213 has an access opening
250. A cover 251 is remo~ably connected to the frame section
213 at the access opening 250. The cover 251 mounts an inking
mechanism 252 cooperable with the printincJ members 220 of the
print head 21~. The housing sections 212 and 213 mount an
applicator 253 disposed downstream of the peel edge 218.
Refsr~ing to FIGURE 2, there is sho~m composite web
20 30 of label material 31 releasably adhered to and carried by
supporting or bac};ing material 32. The label material 31 is
cut transversely by transverse cuts 33 e~tending all the way
across the web 31 of label material to the side edges 34 and
35 of the composite web 3û. The cuts 33 known as "butt cuts"
25 separate the web 31 of label material into a series of end-to-
end labels 36. The underside or the web 31 of label material
has a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive 37 which adheres
strongly to the we~ 31 of label material. The web 32 of
supporting material carries a ~hin film or coating (not sllown)
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~ 099L87~
Docket M-249
which allows the labels to be peeled from the web 32 of
supporting material~
Groups 38 of cuts are provided at equally spaced-
apart inter~als along the length o the composite web 30. Each
group 38 of cuts is shown to extend through the supporting material
as well as through the label material. Each group of cuts is
shown to be made in a generally I-shaped configuration comprised
of cuts 39S, 40S and 41S in tha supporting material and aligned
cuts 39L, 40L and 41L in the label m~terial. The part of the
web 32 between the one end of the cut 39S and the cut 40S pro-
vides a frangible portion 43S and the part of the web 32 be-
tween the other end of the cut 39S and the cut 41S provides
frangible portion 42S. In li~e manner, the part of the label
material between the end of the cut 39L and the cut 4OL pro- -
vides a frangible portion 43~ a~d the part betweer. the othe~ end
o~ the cut 39L and the cut 41L provides a frangible portion 42L~
Refe~ring to FIGURE 3, the interrelationship of the
components of the apparatus 210 is shcwn in detail. The com-
posite we~ 30 is paid out o~ the roll ana~pasees through a passage
provided by subframe sections 215 and 216 and specifically by
groo~e 254 (FIGURE 9) in the subframe section 215 and a co-
operating groove 255 (FIGUR~.S 1, 3 and 7) in the subframe
section 216. From there the composite web 30 passes partly
around a roll 256 and into overlying relationship with the platen
217. Delamination i5 effected at the peel edge 218 formed at the
end of the platen 217~ The supporting material 32 is drawn
around the peel edge 218 beneath the pla~en 217 and passes
partl~l ~round a roll 257, helow the guide 258 and between the
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~9~879
~ocket M-249
toothed driver 244 and the mating die wheel 259. As a tooth
249 moves into mating cooperation with the die wheel 259, the
tooth 249 engages the supporting material 32 at the longitudinal
cut 39S and effects rupturing or bursking of the frangible portions
42S and 43S, whereupon the tooth 249 which is in mating coope_a-
tion with the die wheel 259 (FIGURE $8) is considered to have
formed a f~ed hole in the supporting material 242. It is pre-
ferred that there be three teeth 249 in driving engasement ~ith
the supporting material 32 at all times. The subframe sections
215 and 216 ha~e respective aligned strippers 260 and 261 whlch
~acilitate disengagement of the teeth 249 with 'he supporting
material 232 as the dri~er 244 ~o~ates. Opposed guide grooves
262 and 263 formed in the subframe sections 21S and 216 guide
th~ supporting material 3Z to an e~it opening 264. Excess
lS supportir.~ material ~hich dangle~ from the apparatus 210 can
be readily torn off at the exit opening 264.
With reference to FIGURE 3, the print head 219 is
shown by solid lines in the initial or home position and ~y
phantom lines 219' in the printing zone ln printing cooperation
with the label 36 and the platen 217. The operator 235 is shown
by solid lines in its initial or home position and in phantom
lines 235' in the fully actuated position. In the fully actùated
position, the print head 219 has been moved into printing co-
operation with the labels 36 and the platen 217, and the operator
235 is in abutment with the ~top block 239. In this position
o~ the operator 235, the flexible resilient pa~.~l 24S (FIGURE 15),
joined inte~raliy at one end to the gear 243, has moved to the
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879
Doc~et .~-~ 4 9
position shown by phantom lines 245' in dri~ing cooperation with
a tooth 265 of the ratchet wheel 246; When the user _eleases
the operator 235, the spring 238 (FIGURE ~ returns tne operator
235 against stop 239' to the solid line position shown in
FIGU~E 3. While the operator 235 is returning to the solid line
position from the fully actuated position indicated by phantom
lines 235', the gear sections 240 and ~41 (FIGURES 3 and 4)
rotate gears 242 and 243 clockwise (FIGURE 3) to return the
, print head 219 to the solid line position from the position snown
by solid lines 219', and to drive the pawl 245 from the position
shown by phantom li~es 245' to the position shown in solid lines
in FIGUR~ lS. Thus, the pawl ~45, which is in line position from
the fully actuated position indicated by phantom line~ 2 5', the
gear sections 240 and 241 (FIGURES 3 and 4) rotate gears 242
and 243 clockwise ~FIGURE 3) to return the print head 219 ~o the
solid line position from the position shown by solid lines 219'
and to dri~re the pawl 245 from the position shown by phantom
lines 245' to the position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 150
Thus, the pawl 245, which is in engagement with a too~h 265,
driyes the ratchet wheel 24~ countercloc~wise (FIGUPE 15).
This counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel 246 (FIGURE l;)
causes the dri~er 24a to advance the supporting material 32 to
effect substantially complete delamination o~ a label at the peel
edge 218. Counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel 246
continues ~ntil a pawl 266 (FIGURES 1, 7 ~nd 15) in the form of
a flexible resilient appendage of the subframe section 216,
moves into engagement with a tooth 265 of the ratchet ~heel.
Thi~ pre~ents the we~ OI supporting material 3 from bein~
acci.dentally moved in the return direc.ion.
: -13-
4~7~
Docket M-249
As best shown in FIGURE 4, the driver 244 has an
annular rim 267 joined to a hub 268 by a radial web 269. The
hub 268 h~s a hub section 268' extending in one direction and
another hub section 268" extending in the opposite direction.
The hub section 268' terminates at a knob ~70, and the hub
section 268" te~minates at a knob 270'. The gear 242 is
rotatably journaled on and with respect to ~he hub section 268'.
The gear 242 has a hu~ or flange 271 which is rotatably journaled
in opening 272 in the frame saction 212. The hub section 268'
extends through an enlarged opening 273 in the subframe section
215. The hub section 268" provides a stepped p~ir of bearins
surfaces 274. The ratchet wheel 246 is formed integrally with
the drive member 248 o~ the detent mechanism 247. The ratchet
wheel 246 and the drive mem~er ~48 ha~e a hu~ 276 with a
stepped bore 27~ into which the hub section 268" extends. A
hub 276 rotatabl~ receives and mounts the gear 243. ~he gear
243 has a hub 277 rotatably received in a bearing 278 formed
integrally with the housing section 213. As seen in FIGURE 4,
~he gears 242 and 243 are i~ driving enga~ement with respective
g2ar sections 224 ana 225 carried by the print head 219; the
relative position of the drive pawl 245 to the ratchet ~vheel ~46
is also shown.
With re~erence to FIGURE 15, the drive member 248
includes a plurality of spring ingers or detent p~wls 278. The
pawls 278 are of eaual length, are flexible and resilient, and
are continuously urged against teeth 279 formed on the inside
of the annular rim 267. In the illustrated embodiment there
are one hundred and sevent~seven teeth 279 at equally soaced-
apart intervals. There arc twclve pawls 27~ integrally connec~ed
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4~7~
Docket ~-249
to the hub 276 at equally spaced-apart intervals. The teeth
279 compris~ respective tooth faces 280 and a recess between
adjacent tooth faces 280 in which the end of a pawl ~78 can
be recei~ed. The pawls 278 drive the feed wheel 2~ in a
S driving direction (counterclockwise in FIGURE lS) but can move
i~ a non-driving direction (clock~7ise in FIGURE 15) relative to
the feed wheel 244 by manually operating the detent mechanism
247. Accordingly, every fifth pawl 278 is engaged with the
ace 280 OI a tooth Z79. The pawls 278 bet~Jeen e~ery fifth set
of pawls are out o~ engagement with their respective tooth faces
280 by different increments as best illustrated in ~IGURE 16.
Normally, the pa~ls 278 hold the ratchet wheel 246 and the feed
wheel or driver 244 in fixed relationship with respect to
each other. With reference ~o FIGUR~ 15, as the drive pawl 245
lS moves counterclocXwise the ratchet wheel 246 is driven counter-
clockwise and the three pawls 278 ~hich are in driving engagement
with their respective tooth faces 280 will drive the feed wheel
244 counterclock~se. Accordingly, there is no relative rotation
between the ratchet wheel Z46 and the feed wheel 244. Should
it be desired to change the position to whlch the labels are
advanced by the feed wheel 244 upon actuation of the operator 235,
the user wil grasp the knobs 270 and 270' and will rotate the
knob 270'counterclockwise (FIGURE 1) relative to the knob 270.
This will ~ause the input member 248 to rotate (counterclock-
wise in FTGURE 1, clockwise in ~IGURE 15) relative to the feedwheel 244 s~ that the next three successive teeth move into
en~agement with ~he next three respective tooth faces 280. For
example, if it is considered that first, fifth and ninth pawls
278 wcre initially in enga~ement with respective teeth 279,
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Docket M-249
only a very slight rotation will cause second, sixth and
tenth pawls to move into engagement with their respective
tocth faces 280, and so on. Although any desired number of
~awls 278 and teeth 280 can be-used, the illustrated embodiment
pro~ides very minute adjustment o the feed wheel 244 relative
to the platen 217 and the peel edge 218 and the arrang~ment of
teeth 2a~ and cooperating pawls 278 causes the entire input or
drive mem~er 248 to be centered within the annular rLm 267.
With respect to the printing function, zdjustment of the detent
mechanism 247 changes the position relative to the printing zore
between the print head 219 and the platen 217 to which a label
36 is advanced. With respect to the del~minating function,
operation of the detent mechanism 247 also changes the position
to which the label 36 is advanced. Accordingly, it is apparent
that the detent mechan~sm 247 ls useful both in establishing the
position to which a label is advanced relative to the prlntinq
zo~e and to the delaminating zone. It is important that just the
corxect amount of trailing marginal er.d edge of the label remain
dhered to the peel edge so that the label 36 is held in that
position until it is ready to be applied to merchandise by the
applicator 253.
As best shown in FIGURES 15, 17, and 18, the supporting
material 32 is initially brouyht into engagement with the eed
wheel 244 as it passes around the die wheel 259. The die wheel
259 is comprised of an annular plastic roll 281 journaled by
subframe sections 215 and 216. The roll 281 has frictional
members in the form of rub~er O-rings 282 received at spaced-
apart locations about the periphery of the roll 281. The O-rings
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~(~94~3~9
Docket ~-249
straddle the teeth ~49 and are.just spaced apart far enough
to act as a die wheel ~ith matinS teeth 249. As a tooth ~49
begins to engage the weh of supporting material 32 at the cut
39S (FIGURE 2~, the die wheel 259 cooperates with the tooth 249
to hold the supporting material 32 on each side of the group 38
of cuts in i~timate con~act with the outer surface of the feed
wheel 244 as best shown in FIGURE 18. This insures that the
tooth 249 prope_lv bursts or ~orms a hole, facilitated by the
group 38 of cuts, in the supportiny material 32 and that ~he drive
face of the tooth 249 is in dri~ing engagement with the leading
cut 41S. When the first tooth 249 registers with the group 38
of cuts in the sup~orting material 32 the composite web 30 is
properly registered with the printing zone and the delaminatins
- . zon~. Once such registrztion is accom~lished as the result of
the too~h 2~9 ccoperati~g w~th the die roll 259, correct regis-
tration continues.
The platen 217 and the peel edge 218 (~I5U~ES 1, 3
and 4) are foxmed from an inversely-bent plate having a pair
o~ side-by-side plate portions 283 and 284 joined by an inversely-
bent portion 285. The inversely-bent portion 285 has a small
radius and defines the peel edge 218. The plate portiors 283 and
284 are co-extens~ve and are sec~red to each other by weldments
286. The plate which forms the platen 217 ~nd the peel edge
218, received in recesses 286' in subrame sections 215 and 216,
is preferably constructed of highly polished stainless steel.
The sides of the plate that forms the platen 217 and the peel
edge 218 are received in opposed recesses 286' in tne s~bframe
sections ~15 ar.d 216. A label stopper is provided ~y ~ pair o~
aligncd ?lates 218' formed integrally with the subfr~mc sections
- ~09~879
Docket M-249
215 and 216. The plates 218' are disposed beneath but are.
spaced from the plate 217. Should a la~el 36 attempt ~o ~all
onto the supporting material 32 after being delaminated at the
peel edge 218, the labels 36 will ~e caught by the plates 218'.
This will prevent any label 36 from continuing along the path
through which the supporting material 3.2 passes after ~assing
the peel edge 21 a .
With reference to FIGURE 3, the stop block 239 is.
shown to be slidable on a stop sur~ace 287. The stop block
239 has a threaded bore 288 which threadably race_ves an
adjusted screw 289. One half of the screw 289 is rotatabl~
received in a semi-circular groove 290 and one-half of the head
291 of the screw 289 is captive in a semi-circular recess 292
` in the seat 293. The handle portion 233 o the frame section 212
pro~idPs another stop surface (not shown) for the stoo block
239 in alignment wi,h the stop surface 287, another semi-
circular groove ~not shown~ opposite the groove 290 for re-
cei.ving the other one-half of the screw 289, and another semi- -
circular recess (not shown) opposite the recess 292 for receiving
the other one-hal of the he~ad 291. A hole 294, one-half of which
is formed by each nandle portion 233 an 234, enRbles entry of
a tool (not shown) by which the head 291 of the screw 289 càn
be engaged to rotate the screw 289. Rotation of the screw in
one direction will cause the 5top block 239 to move upwardly
2S (~IGUR~ 3) and rotation of the screw 289 in the opposite direction
will cause the stop block 239 to move downwardly ~FIGURE 3). It
is apparent that ad~ustment o~ the position of the stop block
239 will adjust the limit of the travel of the operator 235.
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~9487~
Doc~et M-249
With reference to FIGUR~ 13, the inking mechanism
252 is shown to comprise a one-piece in~er body 29; ha~lng an
aligned pair of sbckets 296 having converging openings 297.
The sockets 296 ~xtend for more than 180~ so that the ink roll
298 can be snapped into the sockets 296. The inker body 295
has a pair of aligned projections 299 which are capable of
being snapped into sockets 300 tFIGURE 1) in the cover 251.
The sockets 300 are shaped like the sockets 296. The inker
body 295 has an integrally formed leaf spring or spring finger
3al which is shown in FIGURE 14 to be urged against the cover
251. The spring finger 301 normally urges the inking mechanism
252 into the solid line position shown in FIGU~E 14. The ink
roller 298 is shown in FIGURE 14 to be in the path of but slightly
spaced ~xom the p-int head 219 because in that position the inkçr
body 2~5 contacts the frame 221 of the print head 219. When the
print head 219 is moved from the solid line position to ~he
phantom line position, the ink roIl 298 applies ink to the
printing bands 220 and the entire inking mechanism 252 pivots
about projections 299 to the position shown in phantom lines.
When the print head 219 returns to the soli~ line position shown
in PIGURE 14, the spring finger 301 returns the lnking mechanism
252 to the solid line position.
With reference to FIGURE 1~, the ink roller 298 is
shown to comprise a pair of hub sections 302 and 303. The hub
section 302 has an elongated projec~ion 30~ at one end and a
stuh end 305 at its opposite end. The hub section 302 h~s an
annular ,lange 306 between the stub end 305 and a reduced
19 -
~ ~09~7~
Docke~ M-249
portion 307. The reduced portion 307 is dis~osed between the
flange 306 and the projection 304. The other hub portion 303
has an annular flange 308 disposed between a reduced portion
309 and a stub end 310. The reduced pcrtion 309 has a bore
304' into which the projection 30~ is adapted to be press-
fitted. The projection 304 has straisht flutes which serve to
lock the hub portions 302 and 303 together. An ink-reeeptive
tu~ular porous roll 311, composed for e~a~ple of rubber or
the like, is received on the reduced portions 307 and 309 OI
respective hub sections 302 and 303. The flanges 306 and 308
abut the ends of the roll 3il and prevent the roll 311 from
shifting.
With reference to FIGURES 7, 8 and 9, the subframe
sections 215 and 216 are shown to have respective integral leaf
lS springs 312 and 313. The lea springs 312 and 313 are provided
with inte~ral znnular brake members 314 and 315 having respective
annular brake surfaces 316 and 317. Brake members 314 and 315
are formed integrally with projections or hubs 318 and 319,
surfaces 318' and 319' of which are received in and mount label
core 44. ~he brake surfaces 316 and 317 cooperate to exert
braking forces on the label core 44. ~either the hubs 318 and
319 nor the brak~ members 314 and 315 contact the composite web
30 which is wound on the label core 44. In this ma~ner, any gum
or adhesi~e that may exist at the marginal side edges of the
composite web 30 ~lill not be transferred to the brake surEaces
316 and 317. FIGURE lO illustrates, in exaggerated form, by
phantom lines, the initial positions o~ the leaf springs 312
-20-
~4~37~
Doc~et M-249
and 313, t~e brake members 314 and 315 and the hubs 318 and
31g. The initial canted position of the leaf springs 313, the
brake mem~ers 31S and the hu~ 319 relati~e to the remainder of
the subframe section 216 is also show~ in FIGURE 8. Insertion
S of the label core 44 onto the hubs 318 and 319 will cause the
leaf springs 312 and 313 to flex outwardly and the brake sur-
faces 316 and 317 will`exert a predetermined braking orce on
the ends of the core 44. The braking force applied to the core
44 will insure that there is tension in the web 32 of support-
ing material from the label roll to the printing zone, to the
peel edge 218, and to the toothed driver 244. As the pawl 266
(FIG~RE 15) prevents the re~erse rotation of the driver 2~4,
it is seen that the apparatus maintains a slight but desirable
amount of tension on the web of supporting material 32 at all
times.
~ he frame 211 comprises an essentiallv closed shell
but the rear part provid~s an access opening 21I' through which
a roll of labels can be inserted and a spent core 44 can be
removed without even partial disassembly of the ap~aratus 210.
. With reference to FIGURES 20 through 23, there is
shown the applicator 253 mounted by the frame 211. The applica-
tor 253 comprises a hub 320 shown to have four annular generally
~-shaped groo~es 321 in which respective wheals 322 are rotatably
mounted. The hub 320 also has a pair of annular flanges 323
disposed between the set of three wheels 322 and the remaining
whe~l 322. The wheels 322 have greater diameters than the flanges
323. The ends of the hub 320 beyond the ~roovcs 321 are stub
ends 324. Undercuts 325 inboard of the stu~ ends 324 enable
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~9~79
Docket M~249
the hub to be retained in coaperating yieldable sockets 326 and
327 in frame sections 212 and 213. The sockets 326 and 327
are comprised of a plurality of separate socket sections or
flexible resilient ~ingers 328 and 329 to enable the stub ends
324 to ~e snapped into place. The soc~ets 326 and 327 and the
cooperating stub ends 324 provide opposed snap-fi. connections.
The wheels 322 are ide~tical so only one is described
in detail~ Each wheel 322 is comprîsed of an annular rim 330
having an annular groove 331 in its outer periphery. A rubber
0 0-ring 332 is recei~ed in the groove 331. A plurality of equally
spaced-apart a~ms 333 formed integrally with the rim 330 have
generally V-shaped bearing sections 334 received in the respective
groove 321. The bearing sections 334 of the arms 333 exert
forces aga-nst the hub 320, but enable the wheel 322 to rotate
relative to the hub 320 znd enable the wheel 322 to yield as a
la~el 36 is being applied to the merchandise.
As the r~bber Q-rings 332 have a high coefficient of
friction, rotation of the wheels 322 during label application is
facilitated. The spacing of the wheels 322 allows the applicator
253 to press the label 36 onto the merchandise wi~hout contacting
the printing which was applied to the labels 36 by the print head
219. As the label is pressed onto ihe merchandise, the arms` 333
allow the wheels to yield. This yielding action is particularly
useful when applyins labels to merchandise having irregular
surfaces in that the wheels 322 are mounted for both independent
rotational and independent yielding mo~cments with respect to
-22-
48~g
.
Docket M-249
each other. The flanges 323 pre~ent the adjacent wheels 322
from deflecting more than a small amount away from the per- -
pendicular with respect to the hub 320.
Referring to FIGURE 24, there is shown an exploded
~iew of the print head 219. The print head frame 221 is shown
to comprise a side plate 335 to which the flanges 222 and 223
are ~oined. A mounting block 336 is molded integrally with
the side plate 335. The block 336 has a platen or pressure
member 337 and arcuate mounting surfaces 338. The mounti~g
block 336 also has a socket 339 for receiving a projection 340
of t~e other side plate 341. A post 342 is formed lntegrally with
the side plate 335 in axial alignment with a hole 343 in the side
plate 341. A pair of posts 344 ormed integrall~ with the side
plate 335 have hooks 345 which engage shoulders 346 of the side
lS plate 341. The side plate 341 has projections 347 which are
adapted to fit under projections 348 on the block 336. When
the projections 347 are ~ositioned underneath the projections
3~8, that is, between the projections 348 and the side plate 335,
the projection 340 is received in the soc~et 339, and when the
hooks 345 are in-engagement with shoulders 346, then the frame
221 is securely but releasably locked together.
The printing bands 220 are mounted in the frame 221
as best shown in FIGURE 25~ The printing bands 220 are urged
against the support or pressure member 337 and are detented
because teeth 349 formed on the underside of each of the printing
bands 220 are in engagement with notches 350 formed on the side
of the support 337. In this position, the projection 340 is
shown recei~ed in the socket 339, the printing bands are
-23-
879
Docket M-249
trained partially around driven members in the form of wheels
351, the printing bands 220 are under slight tension, and the
wheels are cradled in and rotatable on the mounting surfaces
338. The wheels 351 have notc~es 352 in which the teeth 349
are received.
Each printing band 220 has a plurality of printing
blocks 353. The different printing bloc~s 353 of each printing
band 220 can print dif~erent data, as is conventional. The
printing blocks 353 axe contained in a printing section 354 of
the printing band 220. ~he printing band 220 also contains a
- non printing human readable section 355. The human readable
section 355 contains human readable indicia. The user knows
what data the printing block 3S3 at the pressure memDer 337 will
print by peering through a window 356.
l~ is often desirable to change the data which ~he
print head 219 is to pxint. This is generally accomplished by
advancing the printing band 220 to the prin1-ing positlon in which
the selected data will be printed pn the label. A selector,
generally indicated at 357, has a knob 358 and a shaft or
tubular portion 3S9 received by the pos~ 342. The selector
357 is freely rotatable about the post 342 and is mova~le
axially so that its driving members or lugs 360 can be shifted
into driving cooperation with any one of the driven members 351.
Eaçh driven member 351 has a central hole 361 which is provided
with a plurality of notches 362 for receiving respective lugs 360.
Each driven member 351 is also chamfered at the central hole 361
-24-
-
~4~3~9
Docket M-249
as best indicated at 363. In addition to the driving luss 3~0,
the selector 357 is shown to have a pair of opposed ~awls or
spring detent fingers 364, the ends of which engage the recesses
provided ~y the chamfering 363. The detent fingers 364 serve
to hold the selector 357 in the axial position to which it is
manually shifted, but enable the selector 357 to be shifted
to any desired position so that its driving membe-s 360 will be
in driving engagement with the selected dri~en member 351. -
Accordingly, by shifting the selector 357, any one or all or the
lQ driven mem~ers 351 can ~e rotated, one at a time, whLch results -^
in the respective printing bands or bands 220 being selectively
mo~ed to the selected position to print the selected data on
the la~els.
The driving lugs 360 are spaced slightly from the ends
~f the recesses or notches 362~ Should the user attempt to turn
the knob 358 so as to apply excessi~e torque to the selector 357,
the driving lugs 360 wilL deflect and move out of the set of
notches 362 in which they are positioned in the driven member
351 and will mo~e into the next set of~notches 362 in th~ same
driven member 351. Accordlngly, there will be relative ro~ation
~etween the selector 357 and the d~iven member 351 in which the
lugs 360 are received.
There is a spacer 365 between each of the driven members
351 and bands 220. Each of the spacers 365 has a pair of lugs
365' ~Jhich engage around the ends 366 at the ends of the mounting
surface 338.
-25-
~C3948~79
Doc~et ~1-249
The selector 357 is pro~ided with an annular groove
367 adjacent the ~nob 358. An indicator, senerally indicated at
368, has a split collar 369 with a projection 370 recei~ed in
the groove 367. The indicator 368 has a rectangular section 371
which defines th~ window 356. The posts 344 ha~e tongues or
guides 344' which are in engagement in grooves 372 in the
rectangular section 371. A pair of p~inters 373 disposed on
the inner surface of the rectangular section 37I are in align-
ment with the lugs 360 on the selector 357. Accordingly, the
pointers 373 indicate th~ position of the lugs 360 so that if
the selector 357 is not in position to drive the desired driven
member 351 and its associated ~rinting band 220, the selector
357 can be shifted to .a position in which the lugs 360 are in
dri~ing engagement with the desired driven mem~er 351 to advance
the associated printing band 220 to the selected position.
As shown in FIGURE 24, the side plate 341 has a
projection or lug 374 by which the printing head 219 is guided
by the fr2me sections 212 and 213 by respective guides 375 and
376 (see FIGURES 1, 3, 14).
The housing or frame sections 212 and 213 are connected
by identical snap-fit conne~tions including generally snap-shaped
~lexible resilient mem~ers 377 arranged alons the periphery of
the housing section 212 and engaged in undercut recesses 378 in
the housing section 213. One of these snap-fit connections is
shown in detail in FIGURE 5.
The suhframe sections 215 and 216 of the subframe
214 are connected to each otll2r and the frame sections 212 and
. -26-
4~
Docket ~l-249
213 of the frame 211 are connected to the subframe 214 by
means of three sets of identical snap-fit connections gen-
erally indicated at 379, one of which is shown in detail in
~IGURE 1~. With reference to FIGURE 19, the frame sections 212
S and 213 have respective sockets 380 and 381 comprised of a pluralitv
~f respective flexible resllient fingers 382 and 383. The sub~
frame section 215 has a projection 3S4 snap-fitted into the
socket 380. The projection 384 has a plurality of fl~xible
resilient spring fingers 385. The subframe section 216 has a
projec~ion 386 comprised o~ a plurality of flexi~le resili~nt
~ingers 387 snap-fitted into the socket 381.. The su~frame section
- 215 has a projection 388 comprised of a plurality of flexible
resilient ~pring fingers 389 received in a socket 390. The
socket 390 is comprised of flexible resilient spxing fingers 391.
A projection 392 formed integrally with the fr~me section 212
extends through tha soc~e~ 380, through the projection 384, and
to about the end of the projection 38~ in the socket 390. The
spring finger~ 383 of the socket 381 are made thinner and con-
sequently more flexible than the spring fingexs 383 of the socket
380. An attemp~ to open up the frame 211 by separating the
frame sections 212 and 213 will cause the frame section 213 to be
separated from the subframe section 216. The frame section 212
will remain connected to the subframe 214. As the frame section
213 is being separated from the subframe 214, the projection
392 prevents the subframe sections 215 and 216 from separatin~
because the spring fingers 389 cannot deflect inwardly because
of the interference provided by the projection 392. Once the
frame section 213 has been removed, the inside of the apparatus
-
~09A~13q9
Docket ~!-249
218 is exposed. It is apparent that accidental unsnappir.g
of the subframe 214 or the frame section 212 rom the subfr2me
214 is ob~iated by this construction. Further disassembly can
be accomplished by deliberately unsnapping the subframe 214
S rom the frame section 212. This is accomplished by moving the
projection 384 out of the soc~et 380. When this has been
accomplished, the projection 392 has moved out of the space
between the spring fingers 389 of the projection 3~8 and
consequently the subfr~ne sections 215 and 216 can be separated.
With reference to FIGURES 7 through 9 for e~ample,
th subframe section 216 is shown to have four projections 393
which are adapted to ~e snugly received in recesses 394 a~ the
end of the guide 262. The projections 393 received in the hol~s
394 assist in removably holding the subframe sections ~15 and
276 to~ether.
~ith reference to FIGUR~5 1 and 14 the cover 251 is
shown to have an L-shaped flange 395 at one end and a pro~ection
396 at its other end. To attach the inking mechanism 252 to ~he
apparatus, the projection 395 i5 pushed under a shoulder 397 of
the frame section 213 and thereafter the cover 251 is snapped into
position by causing the projection 3a6 to snap under a lip 393
o~ thP fram~ section 213. In this manner, the inking mecha~ism
or inker 252 is removably mounted to the apparatus. To remove
the in~ing mechanism, the user can engage his fingernail beneath
an extension 399 of the cover 251, thereby causing the projection
396 to snap around the lip 398.
-2~-
~.~9~q~
Docket M-249
With reference to FIGU~E 6, the operator 235 is
shown to pivot on the pin 237O It is preferred to pivot the
operator 235 at the lower end of the handle 232 in that the
user's stron~est fingers, namely his index, middle and ring
S fingers engage the operator 235 at substantial distances from
the pivot pin 237, while the user's relatively weak little finger
is close to the pivot pin-237. The ends o the pin 237 are
undercut as indicated respectively at 403 and 404. The ends 401
and 402 are received in sockets 405 and 406 in respec~ive rame
sections 212 and 213. The sockets 405 and 406 are comprised or
respective flexible resilient fingers 407 and 408. The operator
235, as best shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, is shown to be generally
U-shaped in section. Legs 409 and 410 are shown to be rotatably
recei~ed about the pin 237. The spiral or torsion spring 238 is
shot~n to be received on pin 237 }~etween the legs 409 and 410. If
it is desired to remove the frame section 213, the frame sectlon
213 is moved relatively away fro~n the frame section 212 causing
the socket 406 to move out of snap-fit en~agement with the end
402. Only when the operator 235 is moved away from the frame
section 212 can the end 401 move out of the socket 405 because
of interference caused by leg 4û9. This construction obviates
accidental disconnection of the pin 2~7 from the frame sections
212
With reference to FIGU~E 28, there is shown an alternative
construction by which a selector 357a having a plural~ ty of
driving lugs 360a like the lugs 360 and also having a pair of
opposed pawls 364a, selectively controls the setting of a selected
driven member or wheel 351a. The embodiment of FIGURE 28 differs
--29--
~L0~4~9
Doc~et M-249
from the em~odLment of the print head 219 shown for ~xample in
FIGURES 24 through 28 in that each of the driven members 351a
is pro~ided with an internal annular groove 411 and the
chamfering 363 (~IGURE 27~ is omitted. Accordingly, instead
S of having the pawl 364a engage between adjacent driven members
~51 as shown in FIGURES 26 and 27 for ex~mple, the pawls 364a
engage in the groove 411 of one of the driven members 351a,
and as is preferred in the groove 411 of the same wheel with which
the lugs 360a are i.n dri~ing engagement. By this construction,
the driving function as well as the detenting function are
accomplished by the selector 357a in cooperation with a single
driven member 351a.
~ IGURE 27 is actually an alternati~e embodiment
which shows t~e detenting of one of the ~awls 364 in recesses
or grooves provided ~y beveling or cham~ering 363. FIGURE 27
shows one OI the wheels 351 as wider than the adjacent wheel 351
to show that the selector 357 in accordance with the invention
can wor~ equally well with wheels 351 of different sizes with-
out afecting aetentins. With such a construction some of the
printing bands 220 can be wider than others as is highly desirable
in some applications.
With reference to FIGURES 29 and 30, there is shown
another embodiment of a selector ~enerally indicated at 357b.
The selector 357b is the same as the selector 357 in that it has
; 25 four drive luss 360b, and a pair of opposed pawls 364b. The
selector 357b differs from the selector 357 only in that the
selector 357 is of one-piece construction and the selector 357b
is of two-piece construction. The selector 357b comprises body
-30-
-
~0~a8'7g~
Docket M- 2 4 a
sections 412 and 413 snap-fitted to~ether. The body section
412 has a non-circular hole, and in particular a square hole 414,
and the body section 413 has a corresponding square portion 415
received in the hole 414. By this construction, the body sections
412 and 413 are incapable of rotating relative to each other.
The body section 413 has four rlexible resilient fingers 416
terminating at projections 417 shown in F~GURE 29 to be received 3
over a bead 418. In this position, an annular flange 419 is in
abutment with a shoulder 420 on the body section 412 The
~10 selector 357~ is used in the s~me manner as the selector 357.
If desired, the selector 357a (FIGURE 28) can be made in two
~arts as illustrated in FIGURES 29 and 30~
Referring to the embodiment of FIGURE 31, there i5
shown a print head generally indicated a~ Z19c having two
spaced-apart sets of printing members 220c. The print head 219c
has two sets of mounting blocks 366c, two sets of driven members
351c and posts 344c, aLl formed integrally with side plate 335c.
Flanges 222c and 223c and gear sections 224c and 225c are spaced
apart wider than ~he flanges 222 and 223 and gear sections 22~
and 225. Accordingly, the pair of gears (not shown) which would
- me~h with gear sections 224c and 225c would have to be sp ced
apart by a greater distance than the sears 242 and 243. It is
also apparent that ball tracks (not shown~ which would correspond
to the ball tracks 230 and 231 would have to be spaced ~ider
apart, as would be readily appaxent to one s~illed in the art.
Side plate 341c carries a guide member 374c. The side plate
109~879
Doc~et ~1-249
341c rotatably mounts a pair of selectors 357c for the respeCti~Je
se~ of driven members 351c~ The posts 344c mount respecti~e
rectangular sections 371c which provide respective windows 356c.
It is readily apparent that with slight modificatlons the print
head 219c can be operated ~y a mechanism the same in principle
and construction as the mechanism which operates the prin~ head
219.
Referring to the embodiment of FIGURES 32, 33 and
34, there is provided a selector 357d which is identical to
the selector 357. Printing members take the form of print
wheels 220d. Each print wheel 220d is shown to ~e identical
and comprises printing elements 421 carried by an annular hub
422. A mounting and detenting wheel 423 i~ shown to be formed
integrally wit~ each side of the hu~ 422. The wheeis 423 have
generally annular outer sur~aces 424 receive2 in sockets 425 of
adjacent mounting members 426. The sockets 425 comprise an
annular portion 4~7 and a pair of flexible resilient arms 428
formed integrally therewith. Accordingly, the print wheels 220d
can be inserted either axially ir,to the sockets 42i or they can
b~ inserted into or removed from the respective soc~ets 425
by spreading arms 428~ Mounting members 426 are provided with
recesses 429 in ~hich offset integrally formed detent pawls or
spring fingers 430 and 431 are disposed. ~he pawl 430 of one
mounting member 426 is cooperable with notches 430' to efect
detenting of an adjacent print wheel 220d on one side of the
mounting member 426, and the other is cooperable with notches 431'
to ef~ect detenting of ~he adjacent print wheel 220d on the other
side of the mounting member 226.
-32-
~4~37~
DQ cket M-249
Each wheel 220d has a central hole 432, the ends of
which are chamered as indicated at 433. As best shown in
FIGURE 34, pawls 364d are recei~ed in the chamfering between
adjacent wheels 220d and drive lugs 360d are in driving en-
S gagement with the adjacent print wheel 220d. If desired,de~enting can be effected in the manner illustrated in the
embodiment of FIGUR~ 2~.
Referring to FIGURES 35 through 54 and 58 through
70, there is shown an alternative em~odLment of the la~el print-
lG ing and applying apparatus generally indicated at 210a. In thisembodiment, those components whic~ are generally related to thos2
in the em~odiment of FIGURES 1 through 34 are indicated by the
same reference characters, with the addition o the letter 17 al~ .
Those ccmponents of the apparatus 210z which differ Erom or are
in addition to components in the embodLment of FIGURES 1 through
34 æe more specifically indicated with reference characters
starting with the number 500.
Referring initially to FIGURE 35, the apparatus 210a,
which includes a housing 211a, has two-part frame sections gen-
erally indicated at 212a and 213a. The rame 211a includes a
handle 232a having handle portions 233a and 2~4a. The frame
sections 212a and 213a have relatively movable rame parts 500
and 501, and 502 and 503. The handle portion 232a is a part of
the frame part 501, and the handle portion 234a is a part of
the housing part 503. A subframe 214a includes subframe sections
215a and 216a. The subframe section 215a and the movable frame
-33-
879
Docket M-249
part 500 respectively have a socket 504 and a pivot pin 505.
Similarily, the subframe section 216a and the movable frame
part 502 respectively have a socket 506 and a pivot pir. 507.
Applicator 253a snaps into sockets 326a and 327a in respective
frame parts 500 and 502. The frame parts 500 and 502 and the
applicator 253a are pivotal about pivot pins 505 and 506 as a
unit with respect to the respective frame par~s 501 and 503.
T~e subframe sections 215a and 216a rec~ive and
retain platen 217a ~hich has a delaminator such as a peel edge
or turning edge 218a~ Print head 219a, having printing members
220a carried by its print head frame 221a, is movable relati~ely
toward and away from t~e platen 21Ja. The print head ~rame 221a
has integrally foxmed racks 224a and 225a and respective tracks
226a and 221a. The subframe section 215a has a track 230a and
the su~frame section 216a has an opposite track Inot shown)for
respective ball bearings 228a and 229a.
Frame parts 500 and 502 have respective sockets 510 and
511 in which respective pivot pins 512 and 513 of inker bodl 514
¢f an inking mechanism 252a are received. As the print head
219a moves ~oward and away from the platen 217a, the inking
mechanism 252a oscillates first in one direction and thereafter
in the opposite direction about its pivot pins 512 and 513 to
effect inking of the print head 219a.
The apparatus 210a has an operator 235a in the form
of a lever 236a pivotally mounted by a post 237a. Stop block 23ga
-34-
` -
Docket M~24~
is ad~ustable by means of a screw 289a received in a threaded
bore 288a. The opera~or 235a is urged away from ~he stop bloc~
239a by means of a spring assembly 51$ which bears at one end
against a socket 516 formed partly by handle portion 233a and
partly by handle portion 234a and at its other end against a
socket 517 tFIGUR~ 47~ integral with the operator 235a. Gear
sections 240a and 241a carried by the le~er 236a are in meshing
engag~ment with respective compound gears 242a and 243a. Specifi-
cally, the gear sections 240a and 241a mesh with respective
sections 518 and 519, and sections 520 and 521 mesh with respective
racks 224a and 225a of the print head 219a. Toothed driver 241a
is driven by a pawl 245a which cooperates with a ratchet wheel
246a. Detent mechanism 247a is coupled to the toothed driver
244a~ Teeth 249a of the dri~er 244a engage t~e supporting
mate~ial of t~e composite web ln the manner shown and described
i~ the embQdiment of FIGURES 1 through 34 a~d 45. Rolls 256a and
257a guide the composite web 30a and the supporting material web
32a, respectiv~ , and roll 259a cooperates with the toothed
dri~er 244a. The composite web 30a is in the form of a roll
' 20 carried on a core 44a which can be inserted ~nto the housing
throu~h an opening 211a'. The core 44a is mounted by hubs 318a
and 319a carried by respective leaf springs 312a and 313a. Annular
bxake members 314a and 315a exert slight braking forces against only
the core 44a.
With reference to FIGURES 36, 37 and 38, the composite
web 30a has label material 31a releasably adhered to and carried
by supporting or backing material 32a. J.abel material 31a is
-35-
879
Doc~et M-249
cut transversel~ at longikudinally spaced-apart inter~als by
transverse cuts 33a. The composite web 30a is like the
composite web 30 eYcept that there is an additional group of
cuts 38b between groups o~ cuts 38a. The shapes of the groups
of cuts 38a and 38b are identical to each other and to the shape
of the cuts of groups 38.
With reference to FIGU~ES 39 t.~rough 44, there is
illustrated a method by which either the apparatus 210 or the
apparatus 210a can be loaded. In loading the apparatus, for
example the apparatus 210a, the com~osite we~ 30a in roll form
is inserted into the frame 211a into position on the hubs 318a
and 319a. While the user holds the labeler 210a in his one
hand by means of the handle 233a and depresses the lever 23~a
slightly to release brake 522, the marginal end portion 30' of
the web is inserted through brake 522 into a passageway formed
partly by the groove 254a (FIGURE 35) and the groove 255a. He
now passes the marsinal end portion 30' of the composite web 30a
partly around the roll 256a and o~er platen 217a and then between
a guide 523 and the appllcator 253a. The user then grasps the
marginal end portion 30' between the thumb and index fingers of
his other hand, and while holding the apparatus 210a in an attitude
that will prevent the delaminated labels 36a from coming into
contact with and adhering either to the apparatus 210a or to the
supporting material web 32a, the composite web 30a is pulled in
a direction a~ay from the applicator 253a such that the supporting
material 32a is caused to undergo a sharp change of direction
as it passes around peel edge 218a at the terminal end of the
-36-
9~379
-
Do~ket M-249
platen 217a. In that the marginal end portion 30' is pulled
in a direction substantially parallel to the pla~er. and the
supportins material undergoes z sharp bend of about 180,
in so doing, the supporting mat,erial 32a is torn as indicate~
at 32t as it is forced past the guide 523 and against the under-
sid~ of the platen 217a and is pull~d to the position shown
in FIGURE 40, The marginal end portion 30' is pulled to a
predetermined point 232' at the front tip of the handle 232a so
that just the right number of labels 36a are delaminated.
The result is that an end section 30" o~ the supporting material
32a is completely stripped of a plurality (such as about seven)
labels 36a. The labels on the end section 30" are readily
removed without ha~ing to manually remove them one-by-one from
the suppQrtir.g material 32a~ If desired, the marginal end portion
30$ can be severed f~o~ the end section 30" at the tear 32t
preferably through one group of cu~s 38a in the supporting material
web 3~a so that the end section which is devoid of labels 36a can
b~ passed between the toothed member 244a and the cooperating die
roll 259a, as ~est shown in FIC-URE 42. In the position shown in
PI~URE 42, slackness exists in the end section 30". By manually
operating the opera~or 235a, the end section 30" can be advanced
through the apparatus until all the slac~ness has been removed
as best shown in FIGURE 43. The apparatus 210a is now rc~dy for
use. In this position, each manual operation of the operator 235a
2S will cause a label 36a to be printed and ~hereafter d'ispensed to
the position shown in FIGURES 43 and 44 in whicll the trailing
edge of the label 3Ga is still adhered to the sup~orting
matexial 32a.
-37-
~09~L8~9
~oc~et M-249
Referring to FIGURES 45 through 48, the relationship
of the spring assembly 515 'o the handle 232a and to ~he operator
235a is shown in greater detail than in FIGURE 35. The spring
assèmbly 515 is shown to have a tubular body or sleeve 524 having
a circular cylindrical internal wall 525. One end of the tubular
body 524 is open as indicated at 526 and its other end is closed
off by an end walL 527. A connector 528 having a circular
cylindrical outer surface 529 substantially greater than 180
in extent is formed integrally with the end wall 527. The
connector 528 is received by the socket 516 which has a circular
cylindrical inner sur~ace 5161 slightly greater than 180 in
ext~nt. The surface 529 extends transversely with respect to
the tubular body 524 and more specifically the axis of the surface
529 extends ~erpendicularly and throu~h the axis of the tubular
section 524. A ~ubular plunger 530 having a circular cylindrical
outer surface 531 is shown to be received in 5 lidable contact
with the wall 525 of the body 524. The plunger 530 is open at
one end as indicated at 532 and is closed off at its other end
by an end wall 533. A connector 534 having a circular cylindrical
outer sur~ace 535 subs.antially greater than 180 in extent is
formed inteyrally with the end wall 533. The surface 535 extends
transversely with respect to the plunger 530 and more specifically
the axis o the outer surface 535 extends perpendicularly to and
; through the axis of the plunger 530. The connector 534 is received
by the socket 517 which has a circular cylindrical inner surface
5t7' slightly greater than 180 in extent. A compression spring
536 is received in a ~ore 537 of the ~lunger 530 and abuts at
one end against the end wall 533. The other end of the spxing 536
-38-
Doc~et ~-249 ~09~7
abuts against the end wall 527 of the body 524. A keeper
538 formed integrally with th~ end wall 527 extends coaxially
within the inside wall 525. The body 524 has a pair of opposed
longitudinally extending slots 539 and 540. The plunger 530
S has a pair o~ opposed resilient spring fingers 541 and 542
having respecti~e abutment surfaces 543 and 544. The ends of
the slots 539 and 540 constitute stops 545 a~d 5460 rn the
position shown in ~IGURE 47, the abutment surfaces 543 and 544
are in abutment with respective stops 545 and 546. In that the
plunger 530 is constructed o~ resilient plastic material, the
fingers 541 and 542 can resiliently yield while the spring
ass~mbly SlS is being assembled, specifically as the end 532
o~ the plunger 530 is inserted into the open end 526 of the
tubular body 524. As the abutment surfaces 543 and 544 clear
t~e stops 545 and 546 while t~e plunger 541 is being pushed into
the tu~ular body 524, the spring fingers 541 and 542 first
deflect and then spring outwardly to the position shown in
FIGU~E 47. Assem~ly or the spring assembly 515 is now complete
and the tubular body 524 and the plunger 530 can now undergo
limited relative movement wlth respect to each other. The
spring ass~mbly 515 is easy to assemble in manufacturing and ls
easy to install in the apparatus 210a as a modular sprin~ assembly
or unit. In that the sockets 516 ar.d 517 are resilient ~hey can
expand resilientl~ to recei~e respective connectors 528 and 534.
Durin~ use the spring ~ssembly 515 normallv urges the operator
235a to its initial position as shown in FIGURE 45. When the
operator 235a is operated by the user, the plunger 530 telescopes
into the tubular body 524 as best shown in ~IGURE 46. Upon sub-
se~uent release or the operator 235a, the sp-~in~ assembly 515
re~urns the operator 235a to its iJli tial position.
-39-
~ 0~8~9
Docket M-249
With reference to FIGU~ES 35, 45 and 49, there is shown
a lubricant applicator generally indicated at 547. The pur~ose
of the applicator 547 is to apply a lubricant to the perlpheral
surface of the toothed driver 244a to retard the accumulation
of yum ~aahesive, paper dust, and the like~ on the toothed
dxiver 244a. The applicator 547 is shown to be comprised of a
curved strip of porous flexi~le resilient material, for example,
feIt. The applicator 547 is generally hat-shaped in transverse
section. The applicator 547 is disposed ~etween the outer surface
of the toothed driver 244a and flanges 548 and 549 of respective
subframe sections 215a and 216a. The flanges 548 and 549 sup~ort
the applicator 547. A portion 550 of the applicator is disposed
between the ends of the flanges 548 and 549 so it is apparen~
that the su~frame sections 215a and 216a and their respective
flanges 548 and 549 amply support and retain the applicator
547. The applicator 547 has a surface 551 which i5 in light
contact with the peripheral surface of the toothed driver 242a.
This light contact assures that lubricant contained in the appli-
cator 541 is transferred to the peripheral surface of the driver
244a, but that the fri tional drag on the driver 242a is
negligible. The surface 551 of the applicator 547 corresponds
generally to the contour of the peripheral surface of the d-river
244a. Transverse slits or slots 547~ in the applicator 547
acilitate bending of the strip to the shape of the periphery
of the driver 244a. As best shown in FIGURE 35, the applicator
547 has a groo~e 552 in which the teeth 249a of the driver 244a
travel.
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879
Docket .~-249
With reference to FIGURE 45, it is noted tnat the
applicator 547 is positioned in contact wit~ that portion of
the driver 244a which is out of the path o the supporting
material web 32a. This obviates any wicking or bleeding of
lubricant from the applicator 547 to the supporting material 32a.
This is especially beneficial during such time as the apparatus
210a is not in use. Although the applicator 547 could be in the
form of a roll, it is preferred to use an ap~licator in the form
of a strip which is easy to manufacture and assemble. The applica-
tor 247 can contain any suitable lu~ricant which can
retard the trznsfer of gum from the supporting material 32a
onto the driver 244a. By way of example, not limitation, the
absorbent applicator 547 can contain the following suitable
lubricanto Dow Corning 1107 fluid, a liquid silicone, described in
Bulletin :05~169 dated February, 1967, of the Chemical Products
Division, Dow Corning Corporation, Midland, Michigan 48640.
Referring to FIGURES 50 through 54, the brake 522
is shown to include a roll 553. The roll 553 has a pair of
spaced apart O-rings 554 and 555 comprisad of resilient material
such as rubber. The roll 553 has stub ends 556 and 557 received
in respective trac.~s 558 and 559 in respectiv2 subframe sections
215a and 21~a~ It is apparent that the roll 553 is rotata~le and
also mova~le relatively toward and away from sur~aces 560 and
561 of respective su~frame sections 215a and 216a. ~s shown
in FIGURES 50 and 51, end portion 562 of print head frame 221a
is in engagement wi.h the O-rings 554 and 555 of roll 553, and
the composite ~eb 30a is clamped between ~he roll 553 and the
-41-
879
Docket ~i-2~9
sur~aces 56~ and 561. Accordingly, in this position of the
bra~e 522, because of the friction exerted between the roll
553 and end portion 562 of the print head 21ga, rotation of
th~ roll 553 is prevented. Consequently, the compcsite web
30a which is in frictional engagement with the roll 5;3 and is
clamped between the roll 553 and surfaces 560 and 561 is pre-
~ented from being advanced toward the delaminator 218a. In
this position of the print head 219a (in which the operator
235a is in its initial positionl, a printed la~el 36a is in
applying position relative to applicator 253a ready to be
applied to an article. Once the label 36a has been applied,
the user can again operate the operator 235a ~hich causes the
print ~ead 219a to mo~e toward the platen 217a. As the print
head 219a moves toward the platen 217a, the portior~ 562 of
the fra-me 221a of the print head 219a mo~es out of conta~t with
the roll 553. At the printing position of the print head 219a,
the portion 562 of the frame 221a is in the position shown in
FIGURE 52. When the user releases the operator 235a, the spring
assembly 515 causes the toothed drivex 244a to ad~ance the com-
posite web 30a and to effect return of the print head 219a to the
position shown in FIGURE 51. During return of the print head 219a
from the position shown in FIGURE 52 to the position shown in
FIGURE Sl, the roll 5S3 permits the composite web 30a to advance
as it rolls on the ad~ancing web 30a. Howeve~, upon the substan-
tial completion of travel of the print head 219a, the portion 562
again operates the brake 552 to effect clamping of the composite
-42-
99~879
Docket M-249
web 30a between the roll 553 and sur~aces 560 and 561. The
brake 522 is simple in construction and automatic in its
operation and yet it serves the pureose of preventing any
paying out of the composite web 30a from the roll during ap~lica-
S tion of the label 36a~ Such paying out of the web 30a can resultin the event that the cuts 33a through the label material 31a
are not complete so that the trailing edge of one label 36a
remains connected to the leading edge of the next subseauent
label 36~.. As is evident in this embodiment of the in~rention
the brake 522 exerts a substantial braking force on the web
30a, while brake surfaces 318a and 319a e~ert only a slight
braking force on the core 44a.
With reference to ~IGURES 55 ~hrough 57, there is
shown a modification for the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 34
and for the embodiment of FIGUR~S 35 through 54 and 58 through
70. Components which are generally related to those of ei~her
the embodiments of FIGURES 1 through 34 or 35 through 54 and 58
through 70 are indicated by the same reference characters, with
the addition of the letter "b". Label pxinting and applying
apparatus 210b includes subframe 214b having qubframe sections
215b and 216b. The apparatus 210b differs from apparatus 210a
only in the respect that leaf springs 312a and 313a rotatably
~ount core 44b of composite web 306. More specifically, axially
aligned, one-piece, rolls 570 and 571 are rotatably mounted by
arms or leaf springs 312a and 313a. The rolls 570 and 571 are
identical in construction. The rolls 570 and 571 have frus~ro-
conical surfaces 572 and 573 which serve to automatically center
-43-
~4~7~
Doc~et M-249
~he core 44b with espect to the center line CL of the sub-
frame 214~. The rolls 570 and 571 have _especti~e hubs 574
and 57S having respective bearing shouldexs 576 and 571. The
bearing shoulders 576 and 577 bear against the arms '12b and 313b.
As the rolls 570 and 571 rotate the shou;ders 5~6 and 577
prevent other portions of the respecti~e rolls 570 and 571
~rom rubbing on the arms 312~ and 313b. The arms 312b and 313b
are fle~ible znd resilient enough to ena~le the core 44b to,~e
inserted on rolls 570 and 571 and yet rigid enough to enable
the core 44~ to be mounted as illustrated in FIGURES 55 and 57.
The arms 312b and 313b are sufficiently yieldable to accommodate
for manufacturing ~ariations in the length of core 44b. The
hubs 574 and 575 are rotatably received in holes 578 and 579
in arms 312~ and 313b. Spring clips 580 and 581~,,prevent ~he
hubs 574 ~nd 57S from shifting off the arms 312b and 313b but
- permit the rolls 570 and 571 to rotate. Rolls 570 ana 571 have
respective circular cylindrical portions 582 and 583 which
prevent the core 44b from slipping off when the composite web
30b is advanced. With reference to FIGURE 57, a resilient device
584, illustrated as being a cu'~ed leaf spring, serves to facilitate
the gradual paving out of the composite web 30b. In that ~he
apparatus 210b causes the composite web 30b to be pulled once
for each actuation and return cycle of the operator ~235 or
235a), and in that the apparatus is capable of printing and
applying multiple labels (36, 36a or 36bJ in succession per second,
the d~vice 584 is conducive to the gradual unwinding of the
composite w~b roll. Wh~n the composite ~Jeb 30b is advanced,
, -44-
Docket M-249-C-1 ~og~79
the resili~nt device 584 will mo~e from the position shown
by phantom lines to the posit~'on s~own ~v solid lines in
~IGURE 57. As the roll unwinds gradually, the device 584
moves to the positi~n shown b~ phantom lines in FIGU~E 57.
One end 585 of the device 584 is retained in fixed position
relative to a su~Irame 214b by fitting i~to a retaining pocket
586 foDmed partly in the subframe section 215b and partly ~y
the subframe section 216b.
With reference to FIGURE 58, there is sho~m
diao~ammatically the structure which is already shown in greater
~etail in FIGURES 24, 25 and 26, for example. Specifically,
printing band 22~a has a printing section 354a and a non-printir.s
human readable section 355a. The printing
section 354a has printing bloc~s 353a and the non-prin~ing
section cortair.s human readable indicia (FIGURE 25~ representa-
tive of the data which the printing bloc~s 353a are capa~le
o p,inting. The printing section 354a is thicker than the
non-printing section 35;a as best seen in FIGURE 58. ~he pointers
373 ~FIGU~E 2) ~re modi~ied to the extent that they are e~tended
as sho~m at 373a in FIGURE 58. The Pointers 373a axe molded
inte~rally ~ith the frame 371a whlch can be shifted in a
direction parallel to the axis of the driven members 351a
~only one of w~ich is shown in FIGURE 58). It is apparent
that the pointers 373a include stop faces 587 and that the
pxinting bloc~s 353a adjacen~ the nor.-printing section 355a
have abu~nen1 faces 588. Thus, the non-printing
.
-45-
8~
Docket M-249
section 35~a is incapable of being moved to the printing position
at.which it would b~ inked by the ink roller. Inadvertent movement
of t~e non-printins section to the printing and inking zone would
result in inking of the human reada~le indicia which would ma~e
them difficult to read; but this problem is obviated by the
present invention~ The invention can be applied as well to
type wheels of the type illustrated in FIGURES 32 through 34
which can have a prin~ing section and an ad~acent non-printing
human reada~le section.
~0 With reference to FIGU~ES 59 through 64, there is
illustrated a method by ~-nich the platen 217a is made. Rerexring
i~itially to FIGURE 59, there is provided a flat sheet composed
of benda~le subs~antially rigid material. Although any suitable
sheet material can be employed, it~is preferred to use steel
haYing a smooth surface, for ~ample, pol1shed stainless steel.
Elongated sets of holes 601 and 602 and round holes 603 are shown
to be cut through the sheet 600~ The holes 601 and 602 are
elongated in the same direction and are generally rectangular in
shape. The holes 601 and 602 are symmetrical about a center
line 604 extanding through the centers of holes 603, with the
holes 601 and 602 b~lng in alignment with each other and wi~h
the holes 603. If desired the center line 604 of the inve~se
bend need not pass through the .centers of the holes 603. The
sh~et 600 is inversely bent a~out the line 604 to provide a
pair of plates or plate portion~ 605 and 606 joined by a
bight portion 607. ~ith a sheet of fle~i~le, resilient moldable
material 608 disposed bet~een the plates 605 and 606 there is
-46-
~09~37~
Docket M-249
provided a sand~ich arrangement ~nich is placed between
press members 609 and 610 of a press to effect extrusion OL
the moldable material into the space within the holes 601 and
602. This extrusion can ~e accomplished by applying pressure
using the press mem~ers 609 and 61~ accomp?nied by suitable
heating means ~not shown] ~or heating t.he moldable material
608. For this purpose, the platen mem~.ers 609 and 610 can ~e
heated. As shown in FIGURES 63 and 64 the sets of holes 601 and
502 ~re in alignment with each other. The piaten 217a thus
has flexible resilient platen sections 611, G12 and 613 which
can yield independently of each other during printing as
iilustrated in FIGURE 64. The oomposlte we~ 30a is o~itted
from between printing members 220a and 220a' and the platen
217a in FIGURE 64 for the sake of clarity. This means that
each llne of p~inting c~aracters can produce quality printing
irrespective of minor manufacturing ~ariations in the prin~
head or the platen which might other~rise cause poor printing
quality. The plates or plate portions 605 and 606 cooperate
to support the platen sections 611,-612 and 613 only at their
peripheral edges, and ~.ore specifically they support the
sections 611, 612 and 613 along the entirety of their
respective peripheral edges but the platen sections 611, 61`2,
and 613 are otherwise unsupported so that they can yield even
beyond the surface of the underside of the platen 217a. The
resultant platen 217a has a relati~ely sharp delaminator or peel
edge 217a and the holes 603 provide generally semi-circular
notc~les 614 at the pcel edge ~17a. Each notch 614 constitutes
-47-
Docket M-249 ~O 9487 9
an interruption in the edge which reduces tne area of contac~
with the web of supporting materiaL 32a thereby reduci~g friction
therebetween as the web 32a is drawn in the direction of arrow
615~ With reference to FIGU~ES 61 and 62, the moldable material
608 which would othe~ise exist in the notches 614 is pre~erably
trimmed away.
Referring to FIGURE 66, the inking mechanisIn 252a
is shown in its operative in~ing position between the print head
219a and t~e platen 217a. The inking mec~anism 252a includes the
inker body 514 and an ink roller 620 carried by the inker ~ody
514. The inking mechanism 252a also includes a pair of tracks
621 and 622 which gulde the i~k roller 620 as the print head 219a
is driven toward and a~ay from the platen 217a. Wit~ reference
to FIGURE 67, the one-piece inker body 514, which is composed
of a ~lexible resilie~t material, has a pair of slotted arms
623 and 624 having respective elongated aligned slots 625 and 626.
The ink roller 620 includes an ink receptive, tubular, porous
ink roll 627 rece~ted by a hub 628 having hub portions 629 and
630. The hub portion 630 has a fluted projection 361 and the
hub portion 629 has a bore 632 into which the projection 631
is adapted to be press-fitted. The ink roll 627, composed for
ex~mple of rubber or the like~ is received by the hub portions
629 and 630, as best shown in FIGURE 69. The hub portions 629
and 630 have respective integral flanges or bearing rolls 633
and 634, which are adapted to ride on bearing surfaces 635 and
636 of the print head 219a. Stub ends 637 and 638 mount
respective rollers 639 and 640, and 641 and G42. T~e rollers
-48-
-cket M-249 ~487~
640 and 641 are received in the elongated slots 625 and
626 of slotted portions 623 and 624, the rollers 639 and 642
are received in respective tracks 621 and 622.
The inker body 514 also has integrally formed arms
or leaf springs 643 and 644 which carry the integrally formed
pivot pins 512 and 513 received in the respective sockets 510
and 511.
As the print head 219a moves toward the platen 217a
(FIGURE 66), the constant slope of the tracks 621 and 622 causes
the ink roller 620 to travel across the ink and the printing
members 220a at the constant rate. When the print head 217a is
in printing cooperation with the label 36a at the printing zone,
the ink roller 620 has moved to the position shown by phantom
lines (FIGURE 66). When the print head 219a moves away from the
platen 217a, a spring finger or leaf spring 645, formed integrally
with the inker body 514, causes the bearing rolls 633 and 634
to roll along bearing surfaces 635 and 636. During all this
travel of the inker body 514 and the ink roller 620 which it
carries, the slotted portions 523 and 524 serve to mount the
ink roller 620 and trac~s 621 and 622 define the path of travel
of the ink roller 620. Installation of the inker body 514 and
its ink roller 620 is accomplished by flexing together the leaf
springs 643 and 644 so that the respective pivot pins 512 and 513
can be inserted into the respective sockets 510 and 511. The
inker body 514 can be removed by flexing to~ether leaf springs
643 and 644. The ink roller 620 can be installed or removed
from the inker body by flexing apart the slotted arms 623 and
624. FIGURE 68 shows the inker body 514 and its ink roller 620
being removed from the apparatus~ while housing part 502 and the
corresponding housing part 502 (FIGURE 65) are in an open position
relative to the respective housing parts 501 and 503.
-49-
9487~
Docket M~249~C-l
The print head 219a has two rows of printing bands
as is shown in somewhat greater detail in FIGURE 31. rn order
to print a third line o~ data between the two lines of ~rinting
members 22a, a slug 646 (~IGURES 66, 69 and 70) is insertæd into
the print head frame 221a. As best shown in FIGURE 70, the slug
646 comprises a base 647 having a dovetail portion 648, a printing
member 220a' and has a mating portion 648' received by the dovetail
648. The base 647 has a projection 650 receivable in a recess
6Sl in the print head frame 221a. The base 6~7 has an elongated
~xtension 652 having a projection 653 which is receivsd in a
recess 654 in the print head frame 221a. In this manner, the
slug 646 can be inserted into a slot 655 in the print head frame
221a and resiliently snapped into place by means of the pro jection
656 which can be used to facilitate insertion or removal o the
slug ~46.
It is ~referred to moLd the driver or feed whe~l 2
of a material which incor?orates a lubricant to dimlnish the
amount of gum or adhesive that is transferred to the f ed whe~l
24~ duxing use to prevent Lmproper feeding. ~y incorporating the
lubricant in the feed wheel 244 the surface of the feed wheel
244 has a low coefficient of friction. however, ~he tPeth 249
are adequate to grip and drive the web 32. One specific materia'
to be used to mold the feed wheel is an acetal resin combined wi~h
polytetraflueroethylene lubricants. One such material is sold
commercially und~r Number XL~4030 by Liquid Nitrogen
Processing Corporation, Malvern, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
--50--
