Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
-
I 337903
Docket M-496
HAND-HELD LABELER
AND METHOD OF LABELING
Backqround of the Invention
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of hand-held labelers.
Brief Description of the Prior Art
The following U.S. patents are made of record: 3,686,055 to
K. D. Hermann granted August 22, 1972; 3,954,545 to Paul H.
Hamisch, Jr. et al granted May 4, 1976; 3,968,745 to Paul H.
Hamisch, Jr. granted July 13, 1976; 4,264,396 to Donald S. Stewart
granted April 28, 1981; 4,435,245 to G. H. Letz granted March 6,
1984; 4,477,305 to Paul H. Hamisch, Jr. et al granted October 16,
1984; 4,490,206 to James A. Makley granted December 25, 1984;
4,556,442 to Daniel J. Torbeck granted December 3, 1985; and
4,584,047 to James L. Vanderpool et al granted April 22, 1987.
Summary of the Invention
This invention relates to an improved hand-held labeler which
is reliable, easy to use, simple in construction, and which can be
operated with a minimum of fatique.
According to one feature of the invention, there is provided
a hand-held thermographic labeler which has a brake mechanism for
preventing a printed label from pulling the composite label web
from the supply roll during application of a printed label to
- 1 337903
Docket No. M-496 -2-
avoid misregistration of the next label with respect to the
thermal print head, wherein the brake mechanism is mechanically
operated to effect braking and is electricaly operated to remove
the braking force. The brake mechanism is preferably effective
essentially at all times except when it is desired to advance the
composite web. According to a preferred embodiment, the
disablement of the brake mechanism is accomplished by an
electromagnetic device, fo~ example, a solenoid. The solenoid has
relatively small power re~uirements. It is preferred that the
plunge of the solenoid move through a distance before the brake
mechanism is moved so that the inertia of the plunger can be used
to disable the brake mechanism. Also in accordance with the
preferred embodiment the brake mechanism acts on a platen roll
which cooperates with the thermographic print head. Accordingly,
the platen roll is used not only for the printing operation, but
it is used to apply the braking force to the composite label web.
The brake mechanism includes an arrangement whereby there is
virtually no forward movement of the platen roll when the brake
mechanism is applied.
Another feature of the invention is the provision of a brake
that maintains the web immovable at all times except essentially
when the web is being driven during a printing cycle in order to
assure that the registration between the print head and the record
members on the web i8 maintained. To conserve power, the brake
mechanism is biased to maintain the braking force normally
applied, with the braking force being electrically removed only
during the printing cycle, and under the control of a
microprocessor.
It is another feature of the invention to provide a hand-held
labeler which can be readily ~erviced because major operative
components can be moved to accessible positions. Because of the
detachable connectors, servicing can be accomplished without loss
of the labeler's memory and without the complexity of a maze of
wires. In addition, the connectors are so constructed that the
coupling between different portions of the circuit can be effected
even though various labeler components have manufacturing
_ 1 337903
Docket No. M-496 -3-
inaccuracies. In this regard, at least one of the connectors is
mounted for limited floating movement to help accommodate
misalignment between the connectors. It is also preferred that
the connectors have a provision for camming each other into
alignment in the event of this misalignment of the connectors.
It is preferred to provide a hand-held labeler in which the
print head can be readily accessed by mounting the print head for
movement between a first position and a second printing position
with the print head away from the platen. It is also preferred
that the platen be movable away from the print head and it is most
preferred that both the print head and the platen be independently
and individually movable away from each other to allow the
greatest access for servicing.
It is yet another feature of the invention to provide for
improved print head adjustment and control so that not only can
the line of printing elements be brought into precise alignment
with the axis of the platen roll, but the pressure exerted by the
platen against the line of printing elements can be uniform
throughout the length of the line and this be accomplished by
simple structure.
It is still another feature of the invention to provide a
hand-held labeler which can accept label supplies having a variety
of thicknesses including labels having resonant circuits useable
in electronic article surveillance systems. There is provision
for providing a gradual transition of the composite web between
the place where the composite web is paid out of the supply roll
and the print head. This gradual transition by a guide with a
plurality of rollers assures that the relatively thick labels will
not be adversely affected when they pass through the labeler. It
is also preferred to provide a wiper which will allow a definite
small amount of wiping action as the composite web passes toward
the print head.
It is another feature of the invention to provide method and
apparatus for preventing damage to the thermal labeler circuitry,
including the memory and data contained therein, resulting from
electrostatic discharge. During normal use, electrostatic charges
1 337903
Docket No. M-496- -4-
build up in a totally portable battery powered hand-held thermal
labeler because the labeler is not connected to ground.
Electrostatic charges result mainly from the passage of the
carrier through the labeler and from friction between plastic
parts. Electrostatic charges result especially when the ambient
air is dry. The housing of such thermal labelers is constructed
of molded plastic material. In that the plastic housing is itself
an effective insulator, the electrostatic charge can build up in
the labeler circuitry until there is an abrupt electrostatic
discharge or arc between components of the circuitry. In
accordance with the invention, there is provided an arrangement in
which the electrostatic charge is drained away to the user of the
labeler before the charge is built up to a detrimental level.
Other features advantages and objects will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the
following description.
Brief Description of the Drawinqs
FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of a
hand-held labeler in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view of a guide also shown in
FIGURE l;
FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view of one of the
mounting section~ on which various components are mounted;
FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of the other
mounting section on which various other components are mounted;
FIGURE 5 i5 a fragmentary side elevational view showing both
mounting sections of the labeler in respective open positions for
ready acce~s purposes;
FIGURE 6 an exploded perspective view showing various
components including components of the composite web advancing
mechanism and associated electrical components;
FIGURE 6A is a perspective view of the trigger switch and a
conductive member for dissipating electrostatic charges to the
user;
1 337903
Docket No. M-496 -5-
FIGURE 6B is a partly sectional view through the labeler
housing and looking downwardly and showing the trigger switch and
an electrostatic eliminator;
FIGURE 7 is a sectional view showing structure for mounting a
printed circuit board on the housing;
FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the
structure by which two portions of a control circuit are
detachably connected;
FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line
9--9 of FIGURE 8;
FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a brake
mechanism for preventing loss of registration of the labels with
respect to the thermal print head, with the brake mechanism being
shown in it~ braking or actuated position;
FIGURE 11 is a view similar to FIGURE 10 but showing the
brake mechanism in its non-braking or deactivated position;
FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of the brake
mechanism in it~ braking position.
FIGURE 13 is a top plan view showing a fragmentary portion of
the composite label web;
FIGURE 14 is a bottom plan view of the composite label web
shown in FIGURE 13; and
FIGURE 15 is a block diagram of the labeler.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
With reference initially to FIGURE 1 there is shown a
hand-held labeler generally indicated at 30. The labeler 30
include~ a frame or housing 31 having a handle 32. The housing 31
suitably mounts a label supply roll R. The roll R is shielded
from ambient conditions such as dust by a cover 33. The roll R is
comprised of a composite label web C shown in both solid lines
representing a full roll R and phantom lines representing a nearly
fully depleted roll R. The composite web C is shown in FIGURE 13
to include a carrier web W having a coating of release material 34
such as silicone indicated by light stippling. Labels L are
releasably secured by pressure sensitive adhesive 35 indicated by
heavy stippling to the release material 34. The labels L are
1 337903
Docket No. M-496 -6-
formed from a web Wl of label material severed by complete lines
of severing 36. The lines of complete severing 36 are hidden in
FIGURE 14 and thus are shown by broken lines. Marks 37 preferably
on the underside of the carrier web W are solid and rectangular
and are adapted to be sensed by an optical sensor 38 (FIGURES 1
and 6) for the purpose of controlling various labeler functions.
The marks 37 are hidden in FIGURE 13 and thus are shown by broken
lines.
The composite label web C is paid out of the roll R when an
advancing or feeding mechanism generally indicated at 39 is
operated. The feeding mechanism 39 includes a resilient driving
roll 40 and a cooperating serrated metal idler roll 41. The
composite web C passes from the roll R to between a pair of spaced
guides 42 and 43 (FIGURE 6). From there the composite web C makes
a gradual transition as it passes about the guide 42. The guides
42 and 43 and a guide 44 define a path for the composite web C
between the place where the composite web C is paid out of the
roll R on the one hand and a print head 45 and a cooperating
platen generally indicated at 46 on the other hand. The print
head 45 has a straight 1ine of closely spaced printing elements
(not shown) which extends perpendicular to the path of travel of
the composite web C. The transition made by the composite web C
is through an angle T not less than 85 and preferably about 96
assuming a full label supply roll R, and in addition, it is
preferred that the radius R' of the path be not less than 18
millimeters and most preferably about 25 millimeters. A
delaminator generally indicated at 47 i8 shown to comprise a peel
roller 47' (FIGURE 5) positioned closely adjacent the line of
pressure contact between the print head 45 and the platen 46. The
carrier web W passes partly about the delaminator 47 to effect
delamination of the leading label L'. The leading label L' is
dispensed into label applying relationship with respect to an
applicator generally indicated at 48. From the delaminator 47 the
carrier web W passes again into contact with the platen 46 and
from there partly about a guide roller 49 to between the nip of
the rolls 40 and 41. The carrier web W has enough stiffness to be
1 337903
Docket No. M-496 -7-
pushed along guides 50, ~1 and Sl' and to exit through an exit
opening 52 in the housing 31 at a point above and behind the
handle 32.
With reference to FIGURE 2, the guide is shown to include
three freely rotatable rolls 53, 54 and 55 rotatably mounted in
the guide 42. The guide 42 mounts a wiper 57 composed of a low
permeable urethane material which wipes across the face of the
advancing labels L. This material has cavities or pockets which
catch the dust or dirt in the labels L as the composite web C
advances. The wiper S7 is adhesively and removably adhered to the
guide 42. A plane P is shown to extend across the tangents of
rolls 54 and 55 where the labels L are in guided contact. The
wiper 57 is shown to project slightly through the plane P of the
advancing labels L. While it is known in the prior art to provide
a thermal hand-held labeler with a wiper to remove dust or dirt
from the labels, the invention involves the position of the wiper
57 between the rolls 54 and 55 so that just the right amount of
wiping action takes place. The position of the rolls 54 and 55
relative to outer surface 58 of the wiper 57 determines the amount
of wiping contact. As shown, the surface 58 is inclined with
respect to the plane P to provide a gradual entry for the
advancing web C. This gradual entry facilitates threading of the
labeler 30. As shown the entry end 59A of the surface 58 is above
the plane P in FIGURE 2 to facilitate threading of the web C.
With reference to FIGURE 3, there is shown a section or
mounting member generally indicated at 59 for mounting various
components. The section 59 helps to protect such components from
damage and ambient contamination and can be considered to
constitute an outer part of the housing 31, if desired. The
section 59 is shown to include a generally box-like member 60
having a wall portion 61 having openings 62. Key pads 63 project
through the openings 62, and an opening 64 receives 64 receives a
display 65. A grid-like sheet 61' has holes 62 ' aligned with
holes 62. The holes 61' receiv- the key pads 63. Different areas
of the sheet 61 ' are color coded to avoid the need for
color-coding the key pads 63. The member 60 has a pair of spaced
tabs 66 with aligned holes 67 for receiving a
1 337qo3
Docket No. M-496 -8-
shaft 68 having flats 69. The flats 69 key the shaft 68 to the
housing 31 against rotation. The shaft 68 passes through a series
of rotatable applicator rollers 70 which comprise the applicator
48. The section 59 can pivot about the shaft 68 between its
normally closed or operative position (FIGURE 1) to its open
position (FIGURE 5).
The keypads 63 and a cooperating printed circuit board 71
constitute a keyboard generally indicated at 72. Another printed
circuit board 73 mounts the display 65, a microprocessor 74 and
various other electric components 74' which are diagrammatically
illustrated. The print head 45 is connected by a ribbon connector
75 to a plug-in type connector 76 which in turn is connected to
the microprocessor 74. The printed circuit board 73 also mounts
an auxiliary or backup lithium battery 77 for powering the
microprocessor 74 when other power to the microprocessor 74 is
interrupted. Additional memory is contained in printed circuit
board 78. The printed circuit boards 71 and 73 are secured to the
section 59 by fasteners 79 secured to the inside of the section 59
by screws 80 received by the fasteners 79 and by spacers 81. The
printed circuit board 78 is secured at two places to the printed
circuit board 73 by stand-offs 82 only one of which is shown.
A support generally indicated at 83 is shown to include a
member 84 having spaced guides 85 for loosely and slidably guiding
a mounting member generally indicated at 86. The guides 85 fit
into oversize grooves 85' only one of which is shown. The member
84 has spaced tabs 87 having aligned round holes 88 which receive
the shaft 68. Two screws 80 secure the support 83 to the section
59. A pair of adju-~ting screws 89 pass through oversize holes 90
in the member 84, through C-rings 91 and are threadably received
in threaded members 92 secured in holes 93 in the mounting member
86. The C-rings 91 are received in grooves 89' in the screws 89
to prevent shifting of the screws 89 axially of the holes 90.
Because of the loose sliding fit between the members 84 and 86,
rotation of the screws 92, or either one of them, can skew the
member 86 to in turn bring the ~traight line of printing elements
on the print head 45 into alignment with axis A of the platen roll
1 337903
Docket No. M-496 -9-
46'. The mounting member 86 has a pair of spaced arms 94 with
round holes 95 whic~ receive aligned studs 96. A compression
spring 97 acting on the member 86 midway between arms 94 and a
metal heat sink 98 which mounts the print head 45, urges the print
head 45 into pressure contact with the platen roll 46' along a
line of contact. The spring 97 also enables the print head to
yield to accommodate thick labels. The spring 97 nests in a
pocket (not shown) in the mounting member 86 and in a pocket 98'
in the heat sink 98. A unique feature of the invention is that
the print head mounting member 86 can change shape. The member 86
is preferably constructed of molded plastics material and is of
generally U-shaped configuration. The member 86 is preferably
relatively flexible and resilient and can twist to enable the
print head 45 to compensate for variations between the print head
45 and platen roll 46' due for example to manufacturing
variations. As shown, the arms 94 are parallel to each other but
they can skew due to their flexible and resilient construction.
Each arm 94 is joined to a bight portion 93'. Each arm 94 has a
hook-like member 86' which snaps under the heat sink 98 to couple
the mounting member 86 to the heat sink 98. The members 86' allow
for limited movement between the member 86 and the ~eat sink 98
but prevent their separation.
The guide 42 is shown in FIGURE 3 to have a body 100 with a
pair of tabs 101 at its one end portion and a pair of tabs 102 at
its other end portion. The tabs 101 have studs 103 received in
aligned holes 104 (FIGURE 5) in tabs 105 on member 60. The member
83 also has projections 106 having holes 107 for receiving studs
108 on tabs 102. The guide 42 is thus pivotal about studs 103 on
the member 60, and by flexing the tabs 102 toward each other the
studs 108 can be aligned with and inserted into the holes 107 to
retain the holder 56 in its operative position or the tabs 102 can
be flexed toward each other to enable the studs 108 to be
withdrawn from the holes 107 to enable the holder 56 to be pivoted
away to allow access to the printed circuit boards 71, 73 and 78
for ease of access and disassembly.
-- Docket No. M-496 -10- 1 3 3~ 9 0~
With reference to FIGURE 4, a support generally indicated at
109 is fixed to the housing 31 by suitable means including the
shaft 68 which passes through non-circular holes 110. The support
109 is generally U-shaped and includes a pair of arms 111 and a
connecting-bar 112. A pair of opposed man~ally operable latches
113 (only one of which is shown) is mounted in arms 111. Each
latch 113 includes a slider 114 with a latch pin 115. Each slider
114 is slidably received in a slot 116 in the respective arm 111
and is urged generally to the left as viewed in FIGURE 4 by a
compression spring 117. The support 109 also mounts part of a
brake mechanism generally indicated at 118 and shown in detail in
FIGURES 10 through 12. The brake mechanism 118 is operated by an
electromagnetic device or actuator generally indicated at 119
mounted on the support 109. Screws 120 pass through a washer
plate 121 and through a tab 122 on the support 109 and are
threadably received by a U-shaped bracket 123. The
electromagnetic device 119 includes a solenoid 124 having a
movable plunger or core 125. The plunger 125 has a cap 125' which
serves as a stop. A compression spring 126 on the plunger 125
bears against the bracket 123 and a ring 127 fixed to the plunger
125. In the deactivated position of the device 119, the spring
125 moves the plunger 125 to the position shown in FIGURE 10.
Projecting from the arm 111 is a post or shaft 128 which pivotally
mounts a lever 129. An E-ring 130 maintains the lever 129 on the
shaft 128. A generally U-shaped member 131 is formed on the arm
111 and has aligned holes 132. A pair of levers or pawls 133 and
134 is mounted in the space within the U-shaped member 131. A pin
135 pas~es through the holes 132 and holes 136 in the levers 133
and 134. A bifurcated leaf spring 137 has separate leaves 138 and
139 which bias the respective levers 133 and 134 counterclockwise
in FIGURES 4, 10, 11 and 12 into contact with respective unitarily
molded brake wheels 140 and 141. As shown, the levers 133 and 134
are generally L-shaped and have respective teeth 142 and 143. The
brake wheels 140 and 141 have respective teeth 144 and 145. The
levers 133 and 134 are individually biased by means of the springs
138 and 139 into contact with a projection 146 on the lever 129.
1 337~03
Docket No. M-496 -11-
A~ shown in FIGURES 10 and 12, the leaf springs 138 and 139 cause
the teeth 142 and 145 to contact the brake wheels 140 and 141. In
order to obtain precise braking at any rotational position of the
platen roll 46', the teeth 144 are relatively small or fine and
the teeth 145 are also relatively small or fine, but in addition
the teeth 144 and 145 are offset by one-half tooth pitch. The
pitch is the tooth-to-tooth distance from tooth-end to tooth-end.
Because the levers 133 and 134 are identical and are mounted
coaxially only one lever 133 or 134 will be engaged with a tooth
144 or 145 and the other lever 134 or 133 will be in contact with
a tooth 145 or 144 but will not be engaged. With reference to
FIGURE 10, the tooth 143 is engaged with a tooth 145, whereas the
tooth 142 on the lever 133 will contact but will not be engaged
with a tooth 144. Thus, in this example, only the lever 134
effects braking. It is seen in FIGURE 10 that the leaf spring 139
urges the lever 134 counterclockwise into contact with the
projection 146 and in turn the lever 129 is urged clockwise
against a stop 147 on the arm 111. It is also seen in FIGURE 10
that terminal end 148 of the plunger 125 is spaced from an anvil
149 on the lever 129 to provide a lost-motion connection 150. The
eLectromagnetic force exerted by winding 151 of the solenoid 124
upon the plunger 125 is relatively small. When the winding 51 is
initially energized, the force exerted on the plunger i8 low. As
energization in the winding continues, the electromagnetic force
exerted by the winding 151 on the plunger 125 increases, so
therefore it is very advantageous to enable the plunger 125 to
travel a certain distance before the plunger 125 strikes the anvil
149. This is especially advantageous in the hand-held labeler of
the invention where the physical size, weight and energy
consumption of electrical components are to be kept as small as
possible. When the plunger 125 strikes the anvil 149, the lever
129 is pivoted counterclockwise and both levers 133 and 143 are
pivoted clockwise to the position shown in FIGURE 11 against the
biasing action of the leaf springs 138 and 139. As soon as the
teeth 142 and 143 move clear of the teeth 144 and 145, the platen
roll 46' is free to rotate. It is preferred that the levers 133
1 337903
Docket No. M-496 -12-
and 134 move clear of the teeth 144 and 145 only a short time
interval before the advancing mechanism 39 advances the web W,
that the winding 151 remain energized during advance of the web W
to the extent that the plunger 125 remains in the position shown
in FIGURE 11`, and that the winding 151 cease to be energized to
enable one of the teeth 142 or 143 to engage a respective tooth
144 or 145 upon completion of the advance of the web W. The brake
mechanism 118 is intended to be operative essentially at all times
except when the web W is being advanced by the advancing mechanism
39. The brake mechanism 118 is effective to prevent advance of
the web W by mechanical force alone, namely by the force exerted
by one of the springs 138 or 139. The brake mechanism 118 is
deactivated or inhibited by means of electrical energy only when
the winding 151 is energized.
It is shown that the teeth 144 and 145 have a rake angle to
prevent the brake wheels 140 and 141 and hence the platen roll 46'
from rotating forward or counterclockwise in FIGURES 4, 10, 11 and
12. Thus, pulling of the composite web from the roll R during
application of the leading label L' is prevented to in turn
prevent misregistration of the next label with the print head 45.
With reference to FIGURE 4, the platen roll 46' is mounted on
a mounting member generally indicated at 152. The member 152
mounts a pair of bearings 153. Retainers 154 hold the bearings
153 in position. The platen roll shaft 46" extends through one
retainer 154 and the platen roll 46' and brake wheels 140 and 141
are secured against rotation on and relative to the shaft 46 n .
The roll 41 ia rotatably mounted in a bracket member 155.
The member 155 is biased upwardly as viewed in FIGURE 4 by spaced
compression springs 156 which bear against a shelf (not shown) on
the member 152. The upward movement of the member 155 relative to
that shaft is limited by hook~ 157. Thus, the roll 41 is
resiliently biased against the roll 40. End portions 41' of the
roll are snap-fitted into snap ~ockets 155' and are rotatable.
therein. The member 152 also mounts the guide roll 49.
With reference to FIGURE 5, the mounting member 59 as well as
the mounting member 152 are shown in their open or non-operating
1 337 jO3
Docket No. M-496 -13-
positions. All of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 3 except
guide 43 have been pivoted to the open position to expose the
print head 45 and the interior of the housing 31, and the mounting
member 152 and components mounted thereon as illustrated in FIGURE
4 have been pivoted to the open position to expose the platen 46,
the roll 41 and the interior of the housing 31. The mounting
member 152 pivots about the shaft 68 which passes through round
holes 154'. When the mounting member 152 has been pivoted to the
open or non-operating position shown in FIGURE 5, the brake
mechanism 118 on the mounting member 152 is separated from the
electromagnetic device mounted on the support 109. When the
mounting member 152 is moved to its operative position as in
FIGURE 1, teeth 158 (FIGURES 4 and 5) cooperate with respective
pins 115 (FIGURE 4) to hold the mounting member 152 latched to the
support 109.
With reference to FIGURE 6, there is shown a subframe
generally indicated at 159 disposed within the frame or housing
31. The subframe 159 includes a pair of subframe sections 160
connected in spaced relationship by connectors 160'. An electric
motor 162 is secured to the section 160. A pair of internally
threaded studs 163 is secured to one section 160. A screw 164
passes through a motor temperature sensor 165 and a hole 166 in a
motor flange plate 167 and is threadably received by the
associated stud 163. Another screw 168 passes through an arcuate
slot 169 in the flange plate 167 and is threadably received in the
associated stud 163. A gear 170 is secured against rotation on
and with respect to output shaft 171 of the motor 162. The gear
170 me~he~ with a larger gear 172 rotatably mounted in a bearing
173 secured to the respective section 160. Coaxially secured to
the gear 172 is a 8ma11er gear 174 which meshes with a larger gear
175. The gears 170, 172, 174 and 175 result in speed reduction
and constitute a speed reducer SR. Bearing 176 received in hole
177 in the one section 160 rotatably mounts the roll 40. The roll
40 has a shaft 178 received in the bearing 176 and is secured to
the gear 175. Thus, rotation of the motor shaft 171 causes the
speed reducer SR to rotate the drive roll 40.
1 337qO3
Docket No. M-496 -14-
The optical sensor 38 is connected by snap fasteners 179 to
the guide 50. There is a window 180 in the guide 50 through which
the sensor 38 can sense the presence or absence of the marks 37 on
the underside of the carrier web W. The motor 162 and the sensor
38 have respective conductors 181 and 182 connected to respective
connectors 183 and 184. The connectors 183 and 184 pass through
respective openings 185 and 186 and plug into plug-in type
connectors 187 and 188 on a printed circuit board 189. The
winding 151 of the solenoid 124 is connected to a connector 190 by
conductors 191. The printed circuit board 189 also contains
electronic components for controlling the electric motor 162. A
flexible ribbon connector 192 is detachably plugged into a
connector 193 on the printed circuit board 189. The ribbon
connector 192 is electrically connected to a connector 194 and to
a manually operable trigger or switch 195 which is used to
initiate a printing and feeding cycle. An on/off switch 195' is
also connected to the ribbon connector 192. The connector 194 is
connected to a source of electrical energy illustrated to be
rechargeable batteries 196 in the detachably connected handle 32.
A handle 32 with discharged batteries 196 can be detached and
replaced by a handle with charged batteries, and the handle with
discharged batteries 196 can meanwhile be recharged.
The printed circuit board 189 is mounted for limited floating
movement to the section 160 of the subframe 159 by a pair of
resilient elastomeric bushings 197. The bushings 197 are forced
through hole~ 189' in the printed circuit board 189 and are
received on post~ or studs 198. Screws 199 pass through washers
200 and are threadably received in the studs 198. The printed
circuit board 189 can pivot slightly about a line extending
through the centers of the ~tuds 198. This line i~ indicated at a
point 201 in FIGUR~ 7. The washer 200 helps provide restraint to
the pivotal floating movement of the printed circuit board 189 so
that the pivoting i~ only slight in the directions of double
headed arrow A. The ribbon connector 192 enables the printed
circuit board 189 to pivot. As shown in FIGURES 5, 6, 8 and 9,
the printed circuit board 189 has a male-type connector 202. The
Docket No. M-496 -lS- 1 337~ 03
connector 202 can be detachably connected or coupled to a
female-type connector 203. The connector 202 has a series of
contacts 204 aligned with resilient contacts 205 when coupled.
The connector 202 has cam faces 206 at its opposite ends
cooperable with cams 207 on the connector 203 to facilitate the
coupling. The connector 202 also has cam faces 208 which
cooperate with the converging contacts 205 which can result in the
above-described pivoting of the printed circuit board 189. While
the bushings 197 enable some realignment of the printed circuit
board 189 in the plane of the printed circuit board 189, when the
connectors 202 and 203 are being coupled, most of the realigning
movement can occur in the directions shown by arrows A. Thus,
when the mounting member 59 is moved from the open or
non-operating position of FIGURE 5 to the operating position of
FIGURE 1, the connection between two circuit parts (shown by 31
and 59 in FIGURE 15) of the circuitry iq made. The microprocessor
74 on the printed circuit board 73 is connected to the connector
203. The lithium battery 77 is used to maintain the memory of the
microprocessor 75 when connectors 202 are uncoupled and/or when
the handle 32 is detached. The connector 202 is connected to the
portion of the circuitry on the printed circuit board 189. The
use of the connectors 202 and 203 enables ready access and allows
servicing of the labeler 30 while maintaining the memory of the
microprocessor 74. In addition, the need for numerous individual
electrical conductors and complexity are eliminated.
Referring now to FIGURE 15, many of the various components
illustrated in the drawing figures are illustrated in block
diagram form in FIGURE 15. The components mounted on the mounting
member 59 and on the housing 31 are grouped separately, with the
components mounted on the mounting member 59 being enclosed by the
block 59' and the components mounted in the housing 31 being
enclosed by the block 31'. The connectors 202 and 203 disposed on
the respective housing 31 and mounting member 59 are illustrated
to show the interconnection between the components on the housing
31 and the mounting member 59. The housing 31 contains a base
electronics board 300 that serves to receive signals from the
1 337~3
Docket No. M-496 -16-
sensor 38, the trigger 195, preferably located in the handle of
the labeler (FIGURE 1), as well as data and power. Typically the
data may be received from a central computer via a suitable
connector mounted on the housing 31, and power may be received
from a battery contained within a removable handle affixed to the
housing 31. The data applied to the labeler may be received from
a central computer and may contain data defining, for example, the
type of label to be printed, the format of the label, the font of
the characters to be printed as well as currency symbols and price
and merchandise identifying codes.
The base electronics board 300 also contains drivers for
driving the web avancing motor 162 and a brake actuator or
solenoid 119 that releases a brake mechanism 118 that maintains
the web C in a fixed position relative to the print head 45 except
essentially when the motor 162 is energized to prevent the web C
from shifting with respect to the print head 45, particularly when
the label is being applied to an article of merchandise. An
annunciator 302, which may be an audible beeper or the like, is
used to provide prompts to the operator during the programming and
operation of the labeler.
While the housing 31 contains most of the circuitry for
performing the web advance and braking functions, the mounting
member 59 contains most of the circuitry for providing the data
inputting, computational and printing functions. Data received
via the key pads 63 of the keyboard 72 is applied to the circuit
board 73 which contains the display 65 and the microprocessor 74
as well as additional circuitry generally indicated as 74' and a
backup battery 77. Based on the data received via the keyboard 72
and other data received from the base electronics board 300 in the
housing 31 via the connectors 202 and 203, the circuitry on the
board 73 energizes the print head 45 in the appropriate sequence
to print the desired information on the web C. The additional
memory board 78 is optional and is utilized only when additional
features, such as, for example, the ability to print bar codes and
non-standard characters is desired.
Docket No. M-496 -17- 1 3 3 7 9 n 3
The mounting member 59 is intended to be maintained in its
closed position except for servicing. The tabs 105 have aligned
holes 209 in which shiftable posts 210 and 211 are received. The
post 210 has a projection 212 which fits into a pocket 213 on the
post 211, and the post 211 has a projection 214 which fits into a
pocket 215 on the post 210. A screw 216 passes through an
oversize hole in printed circuit board 189 and a hole 217 in the
subframe section 160 and is threadly received in the end portion
of the post 211. A screw 2~8 passes through a hole in the other
subframe section 160 and is threaded into the end portion of the
post 210. By rotating the screws 216 and 218 in one direction,
the posts 210 and 211 are moved away from each other into the
holes 209 in the tabs 105 to lock the mounting member 59 in its
operating position. By rotating the screws 216 and 218 in the
other direction, the posts 210 and 211 are moved toward each other
out of the holes 209 to unlock the mounting member S9.
With reference to FIGURES 6A and 6B, the switch 195 is
mounted in the housing 31. The switch 195 includes a manually
operable switch button 195a and a switch body 195b. The switch
195 is normally open but is closed when the switch button 195a is
depressed or actuated. An electrostatic charge eliminating device
in the form of a conductive member generally indicated at 303
extends about the switch body 195b and terminates at two parallel
side portions 304 which straddle the switch button 195a. The
switch body 195b has two contacts 305 and 306 connected
respectively to the microprocessor input and to the negative side
of the battery powered circuit on the ribbon conductor 192. The
conductive member 303 is electrically connected to the negative
side contact 306, as by soldering. When the user's index finger
depresse~ the switch button l95a to initiate operation of the
labeler, the user's index finger also contacts or at least comes
into close proximity to the conductive member 303, and this causes
the electrostatic charge in the labeler to be drained off to the
human user. The conductive material 303 is actually a conductive
extension from the negative side of the circuit to the user. The
draining or dissipation of the charge prevents the accumulation of
1 3379C3
Docket No. M-496 -18-
a large electrostatic charge which can cause arcing in the
electronic circuit of the labeler which can result in damage to
the labeler circuitry and/or loss of memory. Also, the invention
results in the dissipation of electrostatic charges while they are
still small enough so that damage to the circuitry does not result
and while still at a safe level for the user. Thus, high
electrostatic voltage arcs detrimental to the circuitry are
obviated. While it is preferred that the side portions 304 extend
far enough so that upon depression of the switch button 195a, the
user's index finger actually contacts the side portions 305 and
306, it i~ adequate that the index finger comes into close
proximity to the side portions 304, and by "close proximity" is
meant close enough to result in the detrimental electrostatic
charge being drained away into the user. If desired, the
conductive member 303 can be located so that it contacts the
user's hand at other than the index finger or is suitably wired to
the user. The conductive member 303 can even be slightly
electrically insulated from the user just so long as the
insulation is slight enough to enable the electrostatic charge to
drain through the insulation to the user's body.
Other embodiments and modifications of the invention will
suggest themselve~ 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.
