Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Summary of the Invention
. _ _
The invention relate~ to a hand-held portable
apparatus for printing and dispensing a series of pressure
sensitive labels carried on a web of supporting materialO
The apparatus includes a housing enclosing means ~upporting a
printing member for movement along a predetermined path. A
feeding mechanism advances the web in a step--by-step manner
.j .
adjacent the path. The print head is moved to move each
label. Thexe is a delaminator for effecting label delamination
when the web is advanced. The housing has an opening. A ``~
removably mounted cover covers the housing opening.~ An inker
including an inker body is mounted to the cover. The inker body -~
carries an ink roller for inking the printing member. A ~pring
connected to the inker body urges the ink roller into inking
cooperation with the printing member. The cover, the inker body
and the ink roller are removable as a unit from the housing.
., .
' ';` ' ' ~ '
,'
`
Brief Description of the ~rawings
FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view oE label :~
printing ana applying apparatus for carrying ouk the method of
the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a partly broken away top plan view of
a composite web useful in the label printing and applying
apparatus of the invention;
~ FIGURE 3 is a sectional elevational view of the
`~ ~ apparatus shown in FI~URE l; -
FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken generally along
line 4- 4 of FIGURE 3;
; FIGURE S is a sectional view taken along line 5--5
of FIGURE 3;.
FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6
of FIGURE 3;
: ~ FIGURE 7 is a si~e 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 lab~ls is held a~d the
manner in which braking force is applied by the subframe
:
sections;
FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11
of FIGURE 10;
FIGURE 12 is a sectional view taken generally along
line 12--12 of FIGURE 3;
$~Eii2~
'
FIGURE 13 appearing on sheet 2 is an exploded
. perspective view of the inking mechanism;
FIGURE 14 is an enlarged sectional view showing a
fragmentary portion of the apparatus in solid lines, and in
, ~ particular showing a ~ragmentary portion of the print head and
::i the inking mechanism in both solid and phantom line positions;
FIGURE 15 is a sectional view taken along line
15--15 of FIGU~E 4;
FIGURE 16 is a developed view showing the arrangement ;
- of the~teeth of the detent mechanism;
I FIGURE 17 is a sectional view taken alony line 17--17
of FIGURE 15;
: E'IGURE 18 is a sectional view taken generally along
~i line 18--18 of ~IGURE 15; :
, FIGURE 19 is a sectional veiw showing one of the
- .
~ three sets of snap-fit connections used to interconnect the
i
. frame and the subframe; .
`, ~ FIGURE 20 is an enlarged view of an applicator rolI :
shown mounted in the frame of the apparatus;
FIGURE 21 is a sectional view taken along line
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
memberi
: ~ ~ FIGURE 23 is a partly sectional view of the mounting
shaft which forms part of the applicator roll;
IGURE 24 is an exploded perspective view of the
;~ print`heads
:~
.
.~
~ -4-
FI~URE 25 is a sectional view of the print head taken
generally along line 25- 25 of FIGURE 3:
FIGURE 26 is a sectional veiw showing the selector in
relatlonship to the associated driven wheels;
FIGURE 27 is an enlarged sectional view showing the
manner in which detenting of the selector is effected, but
;` showing the driven members as being of different widths;
,FIGURE 28 is a view similar to a fragmentary portion
o~ FIGU~E 26, but showing the manner in which detenting can be
: effected directly on a wheel;
FIGURE 29 appearing on sheet 5 is an enlarged, partly
:sectional, elevational view showing an alternative arrangement
for constructing the selector;
FIGUP~E 30 appearing on sheet 5 is a perspective view
showing the driving member depicted in FIGURE 29;
F}GURE 31 is a part1y exploded perspective view of a
modified print head in accordance with the invention;
FIGURE 32 is an exploded perspective view of the
.
selector in association with type wheels and mounting structure
for the type wheels;
FIGU~E 33 is an end elevational view of the type
wheels and the selector assembled in the mounting members; and
FIGURE 34 is a sectional view taken generally along
line 34~-34 of FIGURE 3.
- .
~ r
Referring now to a label printing and applying
apparatus generally indicated at 210 in the embodiment of
FIGURES 1 through 27, and initially to FIGURE 1, there is
shown to be a housing or main frame general:Ly indicated at 211. ::~
The housing or frame 211 is specifically shown to include a
pair of frame sections 212 and 213. Disposed within the
housing 211 is a subframe generally indicated at 214 which :~
comprises a pair of subframe sections 215 and 2160 The frarne
sections 212 and 213 mount a platen 217 which includes a peel
edge 218. A print head generally indicated at 21~ is mounted
by the subframe 214. ~ore specifically, the print head 219
includes a plurality of selectable settable printing members
220 in~the form of ndless printing~bands mounted by a print
head ~same 221. Extendlng from the frame 221 are a pair of
flanges 222 and 223. Gear sections or specifically racks 224
and 225 are provided at th~ ends of the respective flanges
222 and 223. Qpposed tracks 226 and 227 are formed on the
respectlve flanges 222 and 223 to receive straight ball bearings
228 and 229. The subframe sections 215 and 216 have respective
tracks 230 and 231. The ball bearing 228 is received in the
.
:
~ 1
,
' ` . ~ . ' . ` ' . ` , ~ ' ,:
track 2~6 of the flange 222 and in the track 230, and the
ball bearin~ 229 is received in the track 227 in the flange
223 and in the track 231. The ball bearings 228 and 22g
have respective balls 228' and 229' rotatably held by
respective tangs or holders 228" and 229". In this manner,
the print head 219 is mounted for movement, particularly
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 Z12 and 213
has a respective handle portion 233 and 234. An operator
generally indicated at 235 is shown to comprise a pivotally
operated lever 236 pivotally mounted by a post 237 at the
lower end of the handle 232. The lever 236 is normally urged
in a counterclockwise direction (FIGURE 1) by a torsion spring
23R received about the post 237. The pivotal movement of the
lever 236 is limited by an adjustable stop block 239 received
by the handle 232 between the handle portions 233 and 234.
The upper end of the operating lever 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 and 243. The spur gears 242 and
243 are in meshing engagement with respective gear sections
224 and 225 carried by tile print head 219.
A roll of pressure sensitive labels, in the form
for example of the composite wab 30 shown in FIGURE 2, is
mounted by its core 44 by the sub~frame 214. As will be
described in greater detail hereinafter, the composite web
30 is drawn off the roll into overlying relationship with
_9"_
.
respect to the platen 217 and the supporting material 32 is
engaged by a toothed driver 244. The gear 243 carrias an
integral pawl -45 cooperable with a ratchet wheel 246 which
is coupled to the drivar 244 by a detent mechanism generall~
indicated at 247. An input or drive member 248 of the detent
m~chanism 247 is shown in FIGURE 1. The toothed driver 244
has a plurality of equally spaced apart drive teeth 249
arranged about its outer periphery~ The pawl 245 is integrally
joined at but one end to the gear 243. The pawl 245 is flexible
and resilient and can ride on the ratchet wheel 246 and deflect
into engagement with a tooth 265 of the ratchet wheel 246.
The housing or frame section 213 has an access
opening 250. A cover 251 is removably connected to the frame
section 213 at the access opening 250. The cover 251 mounts
an inking mechanism 252 cooperable with the printing rnembers
220 of the print head 219. The housing sections 212 and 213
mount an applicator 253 disposed downs.tream of the peel edye
218~
Referring to FIGU~E 2, there is shown composite web
30 of label material 31 releasably adhered to and carried by `
supporting or backing material 32. The label material 31 is
cut transversely by transverse cuts 33 extending all 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 cutsl-
separate the web 31 of label material into a series of end-to-
end labels 36~ The undexside 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)
, ~
:., t ' ~
~ ~fl~
which allows the labels to be peeled from the web 32 of
supporting material.
Groups 38 of cuts are provided a~ equally spaced
apart in~ervals along the length of the compositP web 30~
~; Each group 38 of cuts is shown to extend through the suppoxting
material as well as through the label material. Each group or
cuts is shown to be made in a generally I-shaped configuration
co~prised of cuts 39S, 40S and 41S in the supporting material
and aligned cuts 39L, 40L and 41~ in the label material. The
part of the web 32 ~etween the one end of the cut 39S and the
cut 40S provides a frangible portio~ 43S and the part of the
web 32 between the other end of the cut 39S and the cut 41S
provides frangible portion 42S. In like manner, the part of
the label material ~etween the end of the cut 39L and the cut
40~ 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.
; Referring to FIGURE 3, the interrelationship of the
components of the apparatus 210 is shown in detail. The
composite web 30 is paid QUt of the roll and passes through
a passage provided by subframe sections 215 and 216 and
specifically by groove 254 (FIGURE 9) in the subframe section
215 and a cooperating groove 255 (FIGURES 1, 3 and 7) in the
subframe section 216. From there the composite we~ 30 passes
partly around a roll 256 and into overlying relationship with
the platen 217. Delamination is effected at the peel edge 218
formed at the and of the platen 217. The supporting material 32
is drawn around the peel edge 218 beneath the platèn 217 and
pas~es partly around a roll 257, ~elow the guide 258 and
between the toothed driver 244 and the mating die wheel 259.
2~
; Docket M-232-C-l-l-l
.. . .
As a tooth 2~9 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 bursting
of the frangible portions 42S and 43S, whereupon the tooth 249
which is in mating cooperation with the die wheel 259 (FIGURE
18) is considered to have formed a feed hole in the supporting
material 242. It is preferred that there be three teeth 249
in driving engagement with thé supporting material 32 at all
times. The subframe sections 215 and 216 have respective
aligned strippers 260 and 261 which facilitate disengagement
of the teeth 249 with the supporting material 232 as the driver
244 rotates. Opposed guide grooves 262 and 263 formed in the
subframe sections 215 and 216 guide the supporting material 32
to an exit opening 264. Excess supporting material which -
dangles 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 soIid lines in the initiaI or home position and by
phantom lines 219' in the printing zone in 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
actuated position, the print head 219 has been moved into
- printing cooperation with the labels 36 and the platen 217,
: `:
and the operator 235 is in abutment with the stop block 239.
In this position of the operator 235, the flexible resilient
pawl 245 (FIGURE 15), joined integrally at one end to the gear
243, has moved to the position shown by phantom lines 245' in
driving cooperation with a tooth 265 of the ratchet wheel 246.
When the user releases the operator 235, the spring 238 (FIGURE 3)
-1 0-
returns the operator 235 ayainst stop 239' t:o the solid ].ine
position shown in FIGURE 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 241
(FI~URES 3 and 4) rotate gears 242 and 243 clockwise (FIGURE
3) to return the print head 219 to the solid line position froln
the position shown by solid lines 219', and to drive the pawl 245
from the position shown by phantom lines 245' to the position
shown in solid lines in FIGURE 15. Thus, the pawl 245, which
is in line position from the fully actuated position indicated
by phantom lines 235', the gear sections 240 and 241 (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
shown b~ solid lines 219', and to drive the pawl 2~5 from the
position shown by phantom lines 245' to the position shown in
solid lines in FIGURE 15. Thus, the pawl 245, which is in
engaqement with a tooth 265, drives the ratchet wh~el 246
counterclockwise ~FIGURE 15). This counterclockwise rotation
of the ratchet wheel 246 (FIGURE 15) causes the driver 244 to
advance the supporting material 32 to effect substantially
complete delamination of a label at the peel edge 218.
Counterclockwise rotation o the ratchet wheel 246 corltinues
until a pawl 266 (FIGURES 1, 7 and 15) in the form of a flexible
resili~nt appendage of the subframe section 216, moves into
engagement with a tooth 265 of the ratchet wheel. This prPvents
the web of supporting material 32 from being accidentally moved
in the return direction.
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 has a hub section 268' extending in one direction and
_~_
62~
another hub section 26a" sxtending in the opposite direction.
The hub section 268' terminates at a knob 270, and the hub section
268" terminates at a knob 270'. The gear 242 is rotatably journaled
on and with respect to the hub section 263'~ The ~ear 242 has a
hub or flan~e 271 which is rotatabl~ journaled in opening 272
in the frame section 212. The hub section 268' extends through
an enlarged opening 273 in the subframe section 215. Th~ hub
section 26S" provides a step~ed pair of bearing surfaces 274.
The ratchet wheel 246 is formed integrally with the drive me~ber
248 of the detent mechanism 247. Ths ratchet wheel 246 and the
drive member 248 have a hub 276 with a step~ed bore 275 into
which the hub section 268" extends. A hub 276 rotatably receives
and mounts the gear 243. The gear 243 has a hub 277 rotatably
received in a bearing 27~ for~ed integrally with the housing
section 213. As seen in FIGURE 4 the gears 242 and 243 are in
driving engagement with respective gear sections 224 and 225
carried by the print head 219; ~he relative position of the drive
pawl 245 to the ratchet wheel 2~6 is also shown.
~ Jith rererence to FIGURE 15, the drive m~mber 24
includes a plurality of spring fin~ers or detent pawls 278.
The pawls 278 are of equal length, are flexible and resilient~
and are continuously urged against te.eth 279 formçd on the
inside of the annular rim 2670 In the illustrated embodiment
there are one hundred and seventy-seven teeth 279 at equally
spaced-apart intervals. There are twelve pawls 278 integrally
connected to the hub 276 a~ equally spaced-apart intsrvals.
The te~th 279 compriae rsspectivs tooth faces 280 and a recess
between adjacent tooth faces 280 in which the end of a pawl 278
can be received. The pawls 278 drive the feed wheel 244 in a
driving direction (countexcloc~wise in FIGURE 15) but can ~ove in
-~4-
3,
r~
a non-driving direction (clockwise in FIGURE 15) relative to the
feed wheel 24~ by manually operating the detent mechanism ~47.
Accordingly, avery fifth pawl 278 is engaged with the face 280
of a tooth 27~. The pawls 278 ~etween every fifth set of pawls ~-
are out of engagemsnt with their respective tooth fa~es 280 by
diff~rent increments as best illustrated in FIGURE 16. ~ormally,
the pawls 278 hold the ratchet wheel 246 and the feed wheel or
driver 244 in fixed relationship with respect to each other.
Wlth reference to FIGURE 15, as the drive pawl 245 moves counter-
clockwise the ratchet wheel 246 is driven counterclockwise and
the three pawls 278 which are in driving engagement with their
respective tooth ~aces 280 will drive the feed wheel 2~4 counter-
clockwise. Accordingly, there is no relative rotation between
the ratchet wheel 246 and the feed wheel 244. Should it be
desired to change the position to which the labels are advanced
by the feed wheel 244 upon actuation of the operator 235, the
user will grasp the knobs 270 and 270' and will rotate the
knob 270' counterclockwise (FIGURE l) relative to the k~ob
270. This will cause the input member 248 to rotate ~counter-
clockwise in FIGURE 1, clockwise in FIGURE 15) relative to the
feed wheel 244 so that the next three successive teeth move into
engagement with the next three respective tooth ~aces 280.
For example, if it is considered that first, fifth a~d ninth
pawls 278 were initiall~ in:engagement with respective teeth
279, only a very slight rotation will cause second, sixth and
tenth pawls to move into engagement with their respectiv2 tooth
faces 280~ and so on. Although any desired number of pawls 278
and teeth 280 can be used, the illustrated en~odiment provides
,~:
'~ '
.~ 1 3
~ ~4~ ~r~!~
very minute adjustment of the feed wheel 244 relative to the
platen 217 and the peel edge 213 and the arrangement of teeth
280 and cooperating pawls 278 causes the entire input or drive
member 24~ to be centered within the annular rim 267. With
respect to ~le printing function, adjust~ent of the detent
mechanism 247 changes the position relative to the printing
zone between the print head 219 and the platen 217 to which
a label 36 is advanced. With respect to the delaminating
function, operation o the detent mechanism 247 also changes
the position to which the label 36 is advanced. Accordingly,
it is apparent that the detent mechanism 247 is useful both
in establishing the position to which a label is advanced
relative to the printing zone and to the delaminating zone.
It is i~portant that just the correct amount o~ trailing
marginal end edge of the label remain adhered 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 applicakor 253.
As bPst shown in FIGURES 15, 17, and 18, the supporting
material 32 is initially brought into engagement with the feed
wheel 244 as it passes around the die wheel 259. The die
whsel 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 rubber O-rings 282 received at space~-apart
locations about the periphery of the roll 281~ The O-rings
straddle the teeth 249 and are just spaced apart far enough to
act as a die wheel with mating teeth 249. As a tooth 249 begins
to engage the ~eb of supporting material 32 at the cut 39S
J~J
~,~
tFIGURE 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 intimate contact with the outer surface of the feed
wh~el 244 as best shown in FIGURE 18. This insures that the
tooth 249 properly bursts or forms a hole, facilitated by the
group 38 of cuts, in th~ supporting material 32 and that the
drive face of the tooth 249 is in driving enyagement with the
leading cut 41S. When the first too~h 249 registers with the
group 38 of cuts in the supportin~ material 32 the compasite
web 30 is properly registered with the printing zone and the
delaminating zone. Once such registration is accomplished
as the result o the tooth 249 cooperating with the die roll
259, correct registration continues.
The platen 217 and the peel edge 218 (FIGUP~ES 1, 3
and 4) are formed from an inversely-bent plate having a pair of
side-by-side plate portions 2~3 and 284 joined by an inversely-
bent portion 285~ The inversely-bent portion 2as has a small
radius and defines the peel edge 218. The plate portions ~33
and 284 are co-extensive and are secured to each other b~
weldments 286. The plate which forms the platen 217 and the
peel edge 218, received in recesses 286' in subfra~le sections
215 and 216, is preferably constructed of highly polished
stainless steel. The sides of the plate that foxms the platen
~2I7 and the peel edge 213 are received in opposed recesses 2~6'
in the subframe sections 215 and 216. A label stopper is provided
by a pair of aligned plates 218~ formed int grally with the
subframe sections 215 and 21~. Th plates 218' are disposed
beneath but are spaced rom the plate 217. Should a label 36
,. /~,,
attempt to fall onto the supporting material 32 after being
delaminated at the peel edge 218, the labels 36 will be caught
by the plates 218'. This will prevent any label 36 from
continuing along the path through which the supporting
material 32 passes after passing the peel edge 218.
With referenc~ to FIGUP~ 3, the stop block 239 is
shown to be slidable on a stop surface 287. The stop block
239 has a threaded bore 288 which threadably receives an
adjusted screw 289. One half of the screw 289 is rotatably
received in a semi-circulax 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 of the fr~ne section
212 provides another stop surface (not shown) for the stop block
239 in alignment with the stop surface 237, another semi-circular
groove (not shown) opposite the groova 290 for receiving the
other one-half of the screw 289, and another semi-circular
recess (not shown~ opposite the recess 292 for recelving the
other one-half of the head 291. A hole 294, one-hal~ of which
is formed bv each handle portion 233 and 234, enables entry
of a tool (not shown) by which the head 291 of the screw 239
can be enga~ed to rotate the screw 289. Rotation of the screw
in one direction will cause the stop block 239 to move upwardly
(FIGURE 3) and rotation of the screw 28~ in the opposite directio~
wilI cause the stop block 239 to move do~nwardly (FIGURE 3). It
is apparent that adjustment of the posit-on of the stop block
239 will adjust the limit of the travel of the operator ~35.
.
~l~
:! ,i``.
.
.:: ' ' .
6~
Witll reference to FIGURE 13, the in~ing mechanism
252 is shown to comprise a one-piece inker body 295 having an
aligned palr of sockets 296 having convergin~ openings 297.
The sockets 296 extend for more than 1~0 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
-bein~ snapped into sockets 300 (FIGU~E 1) in the cover 251.
The sock~ts 300 are shapQd like the sockets 296. The inker
body 295 has an integrally formed leaf spring or spring finger
301 which is shown in FIGUP~ 14 to be urged against tne cover
251. The spriny finger 301 normally urges the inking mechanism
252 into the solid line position shown in FIGURE 1~. The in~
roll~r 29~ is shown in FIGURE 14 to be in thQ path of but slightly
spaced from tha print head 21g because in that position the in~er
body 295 contacts the frame 221 of the print head 219. When the
print head 219 is moved from the solid line position to the
phantom line position, the ink roll 298 applies in~ 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 solid line position
shown in ~IGURE 14, the spring finger 301 returns the inking
mechanism 252 to the solid line position.
With referen~e to FIGURE 13,-the ink roller 298 is
shown to comprise a pair of hub section 302 and 303. The hub
section 302 has an elongated projection 304 at one end and a
stub end 3Q5 at its opposite end. The hub section 302 has an
annular flange 306 between the stub end 305 and a reduced
,q
. : ... , -
portion 307. The reduced portion 307 is disposed between t}le
flange 306 and the projection 304. The other hub ~ortion 303
has an armular flange 308 disposed between a reduced portion
309 and a s~ub end 310. The reduced portion 309 has a bore :
304' into which th~ projection 304 is adapt:ed to be press-
Eitted~ The projection 304 has straight 1.utes which serve ~o
lock the hub portions 302 and 303 together. An in~.-receptivs
tubular porous roll 311, composed for example of rubber or ~:
the like, is received on the reduced portions 307 and 30g of
respective hub sections 302 and 303. The flanges 306 and 308
abut the ends of the roll 311 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 springs 312 and 313. The lea springs 312 and 313 are
provided with integral annular brake members 314 and 315
having respective annular brake surfaces 316 and 317, Brake .
memb~rs 314 and 315 are formed integrally with projections or
.
hubs 31~8~and 319, surfaces 318' and 319' of which are recaived
in and mount label core 44. The brake surfaces 316 and 317
cooperate to exert braking forces on the label core 44. Neithar
the hubs 313 and 319 nor the brake me~bers 314 and 31i contact .
the composite web 30 which is wound on the label core 44. In
,, : :
~ this manner, any gum or adhesive that my exist at the marginal ~
,
` side edges of the composite web 30 will not be transferred to
: the brake surfaces 316 and 317. FIGURE 10 illustrates, in
exaggerated foxm, by phantom lines, the initial positions of
the lea~ springs 312 and 313, the brake members 314 and 315
and the hubs 318 and 319. The initial canted position of the
1 ~
leaf springs 313, the brake members 315 and the hub 319
rela~ive to ~he remainder of ~he subframe section 216 is also
shown in FIGURE 8. Insertion o the label core 44 onto the
hubs 318 and 319 will cause the leaf sprinys 312 and 313 to flex
outwardly and the brake surfaces 316 and 317 will exert a pre-
determined braking force 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 o supporting material from the label roll to the
printing zone, to the peel edge 218, and to the toothed driver
244. As the pawl 266 ~FIGURE 15) prevents the reverse rotation
of he driver 244, it is seen that the apparatus maintains a
sIight but desirable amount of tension on the web of supporting
material 32 at all times.
The frame 211 comprises an esse.ntially closed shell
but the rear part provides an access opening 211' through which
a roll of labels can be inserled and a spent core 44 can be
removed without even partial disassembly of the apparatus 210.
With reference to FIGURES 20 through 23, there is shown
the applicator 253 mounted by the frame 211. The applicator 253
comprises a hub 320 shown to have four annular generally V-shaped
grooves 321 in which respective wheels 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 rema.ining ~heel
322. The wheels 322 have ~reater diameters than the flanges
323. The ends of the hub 320 be~ond the grooves 321 are stub
ends 324. Undercuts 325 inboard of the stub ends 32a enable
the hub to be retained in cooperating yielda~le sockets 326
and 327 in frame sections 212 and 213~ The sockets 326 and 327
J~
-::, .
- .. ~: ...
6~
are comprised of a plurality of separata socket section~ or
flexible r~silisnt fingers 3~8 and 329 to enable the stub
ends 324 to be snapped into place. The sockets 326 and 327
and the cooperating stub ends 324 provide opposed snap-fit
connections.
The wheels 322 are identical so only one is described
in detail. Each wheel 322 is comprised of an annular rim 330
having an annular groove 331 in its outer periphery. A rubber
O-ring 332 is received in the groove 331. A plurality of equally
spaced-apart arms 333 formed integrally with the rim 330 have
generally V-shaped bearing sections 334 received in the
respective groove 321. The bearin~ sections 334 of the arms ~ !
333 exert forces against the hub 320, but enable the wheel 322
to rotate relative to the hub 320 and enable the wheel 322 to
yield as a label 36 is being applied to the merchandise.
~ As the rubber O~rings 332 have a high coefficient o
~riction, rotation o the wheels 322 during label application
is facilitated. The spacing o~ the wheels 322 allows the
applicator 253 to press the label 36 onto the merchandise
without contacting the printing which was applied to the labels
36 by the print head 219. As the label is pressed onto the
merchandise, the arms 333 allow the wheels to yield. This
yielding action is particularly useful when applying labels
to merchandise having irregular surfaces in that the wheels 322
are mounted for both independent rotational and independent
yielding movements with respect to each other. The flanges 323
prevent the adjacent wheels 322 from deflecting more than a
small amount away from the perpendicular with re~pect to the
hub 320
'
~, . . ~ ,
;; , " ; ~ :
,. : .. :, ~.
6~
Referring to FIGURE 2~, there is shown an exploded
view of the print haad 219. The print head frame 221 is shown
to comprise a side plate 335 to which the flanges 222 and 223
are joined. A mounting block 336 is molded integrally with
~he side plate 335~ The block 336 has a platen or pressure
member 337 and axcuate mounting surfaces 338. The mounting
block 336 also has a socket 339 for receiving a projection 340
of the o~her side pla~e 341. A post 3~2 is formed .integrally
with the side plate 335 in axial alignment with a hole 343 in
the side plate 341. A pair of studs or posts 344 formed integrally
with the side plate 335 have hooks 345 which engage shoulders
346 o the side 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 positioned underneath the
projections 348, that is, between the projections 3d8 and the
side plate 335 f the projection 340 is received in the socket
339, and when the hooks 345 are in engagement with shouldexs
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 ~rojection 340 is
~r i ~1
~ ~3-
shown received in the socket 339, the printing bands are
trained paxtially around driven members in the form of wheels
351, the printin~ bands 220 are under ~light tension, and the
wheels are cradled in and rotatable on the mounting surfaces
338, The wheels 351 have notches 352 in which the teeth 349
are received.
Each printing band 220 has a plurality of printing
blocks or elements 353. The di~ferent printing bloc~s 353
of each printing band 220 can print different data, as is
conventional. The printing blocks 353 are contained in a
printing section 354 of tha printing band 220. The printing
band 220 also contains a non-printing human readable section
355. The human readable section 355 co~tains human readable :
indicia. The user ]~nows what data the printing block 353 at the
pressure member 337 will print by peering through a window 356.
It is often desirable to change the data which the
print head 219 is to print. This is generally accomplished by
advancing the printing band 220 to the printing posi~ion in
which the selected data will be printed on the label. A
selector, generally indicated at 357, has a knob 358 and a
shaft or tubular portion 359 received by the post 342. The
selector 357 is freely rotatable about the post 342 and is
movable axially so that its driving members or drive elements
in the form of lugs 360 can be shifted into driving cooperation
with any one of the driven members 351. Each driven member 351
has a central hole 361 which is provided with a plurality o~ ~:
~otches 362 for receiving respective lugs 360. Each driven
member 351 is also chamfered at the central hole 3Gl to the
.
.
- ,; ; , ,
driving lugs 360, the selector 357 is shown to have a pair
of opposed pawls or spring detent elements or fingers 36~,
the ends of which engage the recesses provided by 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 ~o be shifted to any desired position so that
its driving members 360 will be in driving engagement with the
selected driven member 351. Accoxdinglyl by shifting the
selector 357, any one or all of the driven members 351 can be
rota~ed, one at a time, which results in the respective printing
bands or bands 220 being selectively mov~d to tha selected
position to print the selected data on the labels.
The driving lugs 360 are spaced slightly from the ends
of the recesses or notches 362. Should the user attempt to turn
the knob 358 so as to apply excessive torque to the selector 357,
the driving lugs 360 will deflect and move out of the sek of
notches 36~ in which they are positioned in the driven member 351
and will move into the next set of notches 362 in the same ~riven
member 351. Accordingly, there will be relative rotation between
the selector 357 and the driven member 351 in which the lugs 3G0
are received.
There is a spacsr 365 betwQen each of the driven members
; 351 and bands 220. Each of the spacers 365 has a pair of lugs
: :365' which engage around the ends 366 at the ends of the mounting
surface 338.
~3
- . ..
:
.
The selector 357 is provided with an annular grOQve
367 adjacent the knob 35~. An indicator, generally indicated
at 36~, has a split collar 369 with a projection 370 received
in the groove 367. The indicator 368 has a rectangular section
371 which defines the window 356. The posts 344 have tongues
or guides 344' which are in engagement in grooves 372 in the
rectangular section 371. A pair of pointers 373 disposed on
the inner surface of the rectangular section 371 are in align-
ment with the lugs 360 on the selector 357. Accordingly, the
pointers 373 indicate the position of the lugs 360 so t:hat if .;
the selector 357 is not in position to drive the ~esired driven
member 351 and its associated printing band 220, the selector
357 can be shifted to a position in which the lugs 360 are in
driving engagement with the desired driven member 351 to advance
the associated printing band 220 to the selected ~osition.
As shown in FIGURE 24, the side plate 341 has a
projection or lug 374 by which the printiny ~ead 219 is guided
by ~he Erame sPctions 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 connections includin~ generally snap-shaped
flexible resilient members 377 arranged along the periphery of
the housing sec~ion 212 and engaged in undercut recesses 378
in the housing section 213. One of these snap-fit connections
is shown in detal in FIGU~E 5.
`' ' ' .
, . ..
:, , ~ , ,.;
The subframe sections 215 and 216 of the subframe
214 are connected to each other and the frame sections 212 and
213 of the frame 211 are connected to the subframe 214 by means
of three sets of identical snap-fit connections generally
indicated at 379, one of which is shown in cletail in FIGURE
19. With reference to FIGURE 19, the rame sections 212 and
213 have respective socke~s 380 and 331 comprised of a
plurality of respective flexible resilient finyers 382 and
383. The subframe section 215 has a projection 384 snap fitted
into the socket 3~0. The projection 384 has a pluraLity of
flexible resilient spring fingers 385, The subframe section
216 has a projection 3~6 comprised of a plurality of flexible
resilient fingers 387 snap-fitted into the socket 381. The subframe
section 215 has a projection 388 comprised of a plurality of
1exible resilient spring fingers 389 receivèd in a socket 390.
The socket 390 is comprised of flexible resilient spring fingers
391. A projection 392 ormed integrally with the frame section
212 extends through the socket 380, through the projection
384, and to about the end of the projection 3a8 in the socket
390. The spring fingers 3~3 of the socket 381 are made thinner
and consequently more flexible than the spring fingers 333 of the
sock~t 380. An attempt 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 conn~cted 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
~c~
of the interference provided by the projection 392. Once
the fram~ section 213 has been removedt the inside of the
apparatus 218 is exposed. It is apparent that accidental
unsnappinq of the subframe 214 or the frame section 212 from
the subframe 214 is obviated by this construction. Further
disasser~ly can ~e accomplished by deliberately unsnap~iny
the sub~rame 214 from the frame section 212. This is
accomplished by moving the projection 384 out of the socket
380. I~en this has been accomplished, the projection 392
has moved out of the space between the spring fingers 389
of the projection 338 and consequently the subframe sections
215 and 216 can be separated.
With reference to FIGURES 7 through 9 for example,
the subframe section ~16 is shown to have four projections 393
which are adapted to be snugly received in recesses 394 at the
end of the guide 262. The projections 393 xeceived in the holes
394 assist in removably holding the subframe sections 215 arld
216 together.
With reference to FIGURES 1 and 14 the cover 251 is
shown to have an L-shaped 1angP 395 at one ~nd and a projectio.n
396 at its other end. To attach the inking mechanism 252 to th~
apparatus, the projection 395 is pushed under a shoulder 397 OL
the frame section 213 and thersafter the cover 2Sl is snapped
into position by causin~ the projection 396 to snap under a lip
398 of the frame section 213, In this manner, the inking
mechanisrn or inker 252 is removably mounted ~o the apparatus,
To remove the inking mechanism, the user can engage his ~ingernail
beneath an extension 399 of the cover 251, thereby causing the
projection 396 to snap around the lip 39~.
~6 ~
,: ; . ., . , , :
.. - ~ ,:
. - ,;
With reference to FIGURE 6, tha operator 235 is
shown to pivot on the pin 237. It is praferrs~ to pivot the
operator 235 at the lower end of the handle 232 in that the
user's strongest fingers, namely his index, middle and ring
ingers 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 of 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 respective
frame sections 212 and 213. The sockets 405 and 406 are comprised
of respective flexible resllient 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
received about the pin 237. The spiral or torsion spring 238
is shown to ~e received on pin 237 between the legs ~09 and
410. If it is desired to remove the frame section 213, the
frame section 213 is moved relatively away rom the frame section
212 causing the socket 406 to move out of snap~fit engagement
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 soc~et
405 because of interference caused by leg 409. This construction
obviates accidental disconnection of the pin 237 from the frame
sections 212.
With reerence to FIGURE 28, there is shown an
alternative construction by which a selector 357a having a
plurality o driving lugs 360a li~e 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 from the embodiment of the print head 219
shown for exampls in FIGURES 24 through 28 in that each of the
,~ ~
~ r~
driven members 351a is pro~ided wi~h an internal annular
groove 411 and the chamfering 363 ~FIGURE 27~ is omitted.
Accordingly, i~stead of having the pawl 364a engage between
adjacent driven members 351 as shown in FIGURES 26 and 27
for ~xample, 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 in driving
angagement. By this constructionj the driving function as well
as the detenting function are accomplished by the selec~or 357a
in cooperation with a single driven member 351a.
FIGURE 27 is actually an alterna~ive embodiment
which shows the detenting of one of the pawls 364 in recesses
or grooves provided by beveling or chamfering 363. FIGU~ 27
shows one of the wheels 351 as wider than the adjacent wheel
351 to show that the selector 357 in accordance with the invention
can work equally well with wheels 351 of different sizes without
.~
affecting detenting. 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 generally indicated at 357b.
The selector 357b is the same as the selector 357 in that it
has four drive lugs 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-pieca construction and the s~lector
;~ 357b is of two-piece construction. The selector 357b comprises
body sections 412 and 4~3 snap-fitted together. 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
~ ..
.: ....
receiv~d 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 ~our flexible resilient
fingers 416 terminating at projections 417 shown in FIGURE 29
to be received over a bead 418. In this position~ an annular
flange 419 is in abutment with a shoulder 420 on the body
section 412. The selector 357b is used in the same manner
as the selector 357. If desired, the selector 3S7a ~F}GURE 28)
can be made in two parts as i1lustrated in FIGURES Z9 and 30.
Referring to the embodiment of FIGURE 31, there is
shown a print head generally indicated at Z19c hav~ng 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 wlder than the flanges 222 and 223 and
gear sections 224 and 225. Accordingly, the pair of gears
(not shown) which would mesh with gear sections ~24c and 225c
would have to be spaced apart by a greater distance than the
gears 242 and 243. It is also apparent that ball tracks (not
shown) which would corr~spond to the ba~l tracks 230 and 231
would have to be spac~d wider apart, as would be readily appaxent
to one skilled in the art. Side plate 3~1c carries a guide
member 374co The side plate 341c rotatably mounts a pair of
selectors 357c for the respective set of driven members 351c.
The posts 344c mount respective rectangular sections 371c which
provide re~pective windows 356c~ It is readily apparent that
with slight modification the print head 219c can be operated
~ . ~7
- . , ~ . . .................................. . ; .;
.'1 ~ . . ~ ..................... . ........... ... .
. ~ ...... . .
2~3
!
by a mechanism the same in principle and construction as the
mechanism which operates the print head 219.
Referring to the embodiment of FIGURES 32, 33 and
34, there is provided a selector 357d which i5 identical to
the selector 357. Printing mQmbers take th~! form of print
wheels 220d. Each print wheel 220d is showm to be identical
and comprises printing elements 421 carried by an annular hub
422. A mounting and detenting wheel 423 is shown to be formed
integrally with each side of the hub 422. The wheels 423 have
generally annular outer surfaces 424 received ~n sockets 425 of
adjacent mounting members ~26. The sockets 425 comprise an
annular portion 427 and a pair of flexible resilient arms 42~
formed integrally therewith. Accordingly, the print wheels 220d
can be inserted ei~her axially into the sock~ts 425 or they can
be inserted into or removed from the respective socXets 425 by
spreading ~rms 423. Mounting members 426 are provided with ~ ;~
recesses 429 in which offset integrally forrned detent pawLs or
spring ~ingers 420 and 431 are disposed. The pawl 430 of one
mounting member 426 is cooperable with notches 430' to effect
detenting o~ an adjacent print wheel 220d on one side of the
mounting member 426, and the other is cooperable with notches
431' to effect detenting of the adjacent print wheel 220d on
the other side of the mounting member 226.
Each wheel 220d has a central hole 432, the ends of
which are chamfered as indicated at 433. As best shown in
FIGURE 34, pawls or detent elements 364d are received in the
chamfering between adjacent wheels 220d and drive elements or
lugs 360d are in driving engagement with notches 362d in the
adjacent print wheel 220d. Notches ~52d and associated lugs
r
_~_
~ Docket M-232-C-l-l-l
6;2~ ~
362d' of each wheel 220d constitute a driven element which
can be driven by the drive elements 360d. If desired, detenting
can be e~fected in the manner illustrated in the embodiment of
FIGURE 28.
It is preferred to mold the driver or feed wheel
244 of a material which incorporates a lubricant to diminish
the amount of gum or adhesive that is transferred to the feed
wheel 244 during use to prevent improper feeding. By
incorporatin~ the lubricant in the feed wheel 244 the surface
of the feed wheel 244 has a low coefficient of friction. However,
the teeth 249 are adequate to grip and drive the web 32. One
specific material to be used to mold the eed wheel is an acetal
resin combined with polytetrafluoroethylene lubricants. One
such material is sold commercially under the trademark T~IE~50COM~,
Number KL-4030 by Liquid Nitrogen Processing Corporation,
Malvern, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. The remainder of the apparatus
in FIGUR~5 l through 34 3xce~t for the platen 217, O-rings 282
and 332~ the ~all bearings 228 and 229, the spring 238r the
washers 365, and rubber printing bands 220, are composed of
suitable lightwei~ht moldable plastic materials, for examplei,
acetal, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, or the like, but the
ink roll 311 is preferably constructed o porous vinyl.
Accordingly, the apparatus is very light in weight, and easy
and convenient to use with a minimum of fatigue.
Other embodiments and modifications of this invention
wlll 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.
`~
~ -31-
: ~.
' : ~
