Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
'7~55~
Docket M-249-C
LABEL PRINTING A~D ~PPLYING APPARATUS
_ . .
Backqround of the Invention
Field of the Invention
Thiæ 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 ~rt
Various U.S. patents are made of record:
Pat. No. Patentee Issued
__
1,641,387 Reis 1927
2,259,358 Templeton ,-1941
3,375,064 Moore 1942
2,502,257 Hawkins et al 1950
2,516,487 Schlicksupp 1950
2,620,20S V~gt 1952
2,656,063 Kafka 1953
3,051,353 Krue~er 1962
3,265,553 Kind et al 1966
3,34~,485 Loeffler 1967
3,440,123 Hamisch, Sr. 1969
3,501`,365 Marshall 1970
3,551,251 Y~ Sato 1970
3,611,929 Schr~tz 1971
~i~
107~)556
~_.
Summary of the Invention
This invention relates to apparatus for printing
and applying pressure sensitive labels utilizing a supply
roll comprising a composite web having pressure sensitive
labels releasably secured to. a web of supporting material.
The apparatus comprises printing means for printing on
successive labels, a delaminator for delaminating successive
printed labels from the supporting material web, an applicator
for applying successive printed labels, means engagea~le
w~th the supporting material web downstream of the delaminator
for feeding the composite web to present partially delaminated
labels to.the applicator, means for operating the printing
means and the feedin~ means in sequence, and means effec~ive
upon completion of the sequence for applying bral;ing force
to the composite web upstream of the delaminator to prevent
the web from adYancing toward the delaminator during application
to a printed label b~ the applicator, wherein the means for
applying braking force includes cooperable parts controlled
by the printing means for movement into and out of bra~;ing
cooperation with the composite web, wherein one of the
cooperable parts includes a rotatably mounted roll, the
printing means including a print head for moving the roll
into bra~ing coaction with the com~osite web.
f 107055~
Docket M-249
rief Description of the Drawings
, FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of label
printing and applying apparatus for carrying out the method of
the invention;
FIGURE 2 i5 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 FIGURE 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 FIGU~E 3;
FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6
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 labe~ core for the roll of labels is held and the
manner in which braking force is ap lied ~y the subframe sections;
FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11--11
of FIGURE 10;
FIGURE 12 is a sectional view taken ~enerally along
line 12--12 of FIGURE 3;
-- 107~55~j
Docket M-249
FIGURE 13 is an exploded perspective view of the
inking mechanism;
- FIGURE 14 is an enlarged sectional ~iew showing a
fragmentary portion of the apparatus in solid lines, and in
~,. . .
particular showing a fragme~tary portion of the print head
and the inking mechanism in both solid and phantom line
positions; . --
FIGURE 15 is a sectional ~iew taken along line 15--15
of FIGURE 4;
FIGURE 16 is a developed ~iew showing the arrangement
of the teeth of the detent mechanism;
FIGURE 17 is a sectional view taken along line 17--17
of FIGURE 15;
FIGURE 18 is a sectional veiw taken generally along
line 18--18 of FIGURE 15;
~IGVRE 19 is a sectional ~iew showing one of the three
setS Of snap-fit connections used to interconnect the frame and
the subframe;
FIGURE 20 is an enlarged view of an applicator roll
shown mounted in the frame of the apparatus;
- FIGU~E 21 is a sectional view taken along line 21--21
of FIGU~E 20;
FIGV~E 22 is a sectional view taken along line 22--22
of FIGURE 21, but omitting the shaft and the frictional member;
FIGURE 23 is a partly sectional view of the mounting
shaft which forms part of the applicator roll;
EIGURE 24 is an exploded perspective ~iew of the print
head;
Do ~et M-249 . lO 7~ 55 6 -
FIGURE 25 is a sectional view of the print head taken
generally along line 25--25 of F~GURE 3;
FIGURE 26 is a sectional view showing the selector
in relationship to the associated driven wheels;
FIGU~E 27 is an enlarged sectional view showing the
manner in which detenting o~ the selec.or is effected, but
showing the dri~en members as being of different widths;
FIGURE 28 is a view si~ilar to a fragmentary portion
of FIGURE 26, but showing the manner in which detenting can be
effected directly on a wheel;
FIGURE 29 is an enlarged, partly sectional, ele~ational
Yiew showing an alternatiYe arrangement for constructing the
selector;
FIGURE 30 is a perspecti~e ~iew showing the driving
member ~picted in FIGURE 29;
~ IGVRE 31 is a partly exploded perspectiYe 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;
FIGURE 33 is an end ele~ational Yiew of the type wheels
and the selector assemhled in the mounting members;
FIGURE 34 is a sectional view ta~en generally along
line 34--34 of FIGURE 33;
FIG~RE 35 is an exploded perspective view of another
embodiment of the 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
of FIGURE 36;
~ cet M-249 1070556
EIGURE 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 apparatus;
- 5 . FIGURE 45 is an ele~ational view, partly in section,
showing a fragmentary portion of the actuating means including
an operator and a spring assembly, with the operator being in
~ts initial position; `
FIGURE 46 is an elevat~onal 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 view taken generally along
line 49--49 of ~IGURE 45;
FIGURE 50 is a fragmentary elevational view showing
the operating components of the apparatus in their initial
positions;
FIGURE 51 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing
a portion of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 50, and showing
especially the print head in its opexating position with a brake
in accordance wit~ the invention;
FIGURE 52 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 51,
but showing the print head out of the operative position with
the brake;
FIGURE 53 is a sectional ~iew taken along line 53--53
of FIGURE 52;
FIGURE 54 is a top plan view, partly in section, of
a frasmentary portion of the apparatus;
107V 5 5 6
Docket M-249
PIGURE 55 is a top plan Yiew, ~artly in section, of
a fragmentary portion of a modified apparatus;
~ FIGURE 56 is a sectional ~iew ta~en along line 56--56
of FIGURE 55; i~,,
FIGURE 57 is an elevational Yiew, partly in section,
on a reduced scale from that of F~GURES 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 section
of the printing member is prevented from being moved to ~he
printing zone;
FIGURE 59 is a top plan view of a sheet used in
making a platen;
FIGURE 60 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the
sheet after having been inversely bent, together with a piece
of moldable material, positioned in a press;
FIG~E 61 is a top plan view of the completed platen;
FIGURE 62 is a perspective view of the platen showing
the composite web by phantom lines;
20 ~ FIGURE 63 is a sectional view taken along line 63--63
of FIGURE 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 is a side elevational view of the apparatus;
FIGURE 66 is a fragmentary partly sectional view of
the apparatus showing a housing secti.on in the closed position
and showing the inking mechanism;
1070556
Docket M-249
FIGURE 67 is an exploded perspective view of an inker
body and ink roller of the inking mechanism;
FIGURE 68 is a view similar to FIGURE 66, but showing
the housing section in the open position;
FIGURE 6~ is a fragmentary view showing the ink roller
bearing on the print head and inking the printing members; and
FIGURE 70 is a perspective exploded view of a slug
used with the print head.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment
Referring now to a label printing and applying appara-
tus generally indicated at 210 in the embodiment of FIGURES 1
through 27, and initially to FIGVRE 1, there is shown to be a
housing or main frame generally 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 sub-
frame generally indicated at 214 which comprises a pair of sub-
frame sections 215 and 216. The frame sections 212 and 213
mount a platen 217 which includes a peel edge 218. A print
head generally indicated at 219 is mounted by the subframe 214.
More specifically, the print head 219 includes a plurality of
selectable settable printing mem~ers 220 in the form of endless
printing bands mo~nted ~y a print head frame 211. Extending
from the frame 221 are a pair of flanges 222 and 223. Gear sec-
tions or specifically racks 224 and 22~ are provlded at the
ends of the respective flanges 222 and 223. Opposed tracks 22
and 227 are formed on the respective flanges 222 and 223 to
receive straight ball bearings 228 and 229. The subframe sec-
tions 215 and 216 have respective tracks 230 and
--8--
` 107(~556
Docket M-249
231. The ball bearing 228 is received in the track 226 o~ the
flange 222 and in the track 230, and the ball bearing 229 is
recei~ed in the track 227 in ~he flange 223 and in the track 231.
The ball bearings 228 and 229 have respecti~e balls 228' and 229'
rotatably held by respecti~e tangs or holders 228" and 229n. In
this manner, the print head 219 is mounted for movement, particu-
larly reciprocatin~ 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
has a respective handle portion 233 and 234. An operator gen-
erally indicated at 235 is shown to comprise a pivotally operated
leYer 2~6 pivotally mounted by a post 237 at the lower end of.
the handle 232. The lever 236 is normally urged in a counter-
clockwise direction (FIGURE 1) by a torsion spring 238 recei~ed
about the post 237. The pivotal movement of the lever 236 is
l~mited by an adjustable stop block Z39 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 respectiYe spur gears 242
and 243. The spur gears 242 and 243 are in meshing engagement
with respective gear sections 224 and 225 carried by the print
head 219.
A roll of pressure sensitive labels, in the fo~m
for example of the composite web 30 shown in FIGURE 2, is
mounted by its core 44 by the subframe 214. As will be des-
cribed in greater detail hereinafter, the composite web 30
_g_
Docket M-249 107~556
is drawn off the roll into overlying relationship with respect
to the platen 217 and the supporting material 32 is ensaged
by a toothed driver 244. The gear 243 carries an integral
pawl 245 cooperable with a ratchet wheel 246 which is coupled
to the driver 244 by a detent mechanism generally indicated at
247. An input or drive member 248 of the detent mechanism 247
is sho~m in FIGURE 1. The toothed driver 244 has a plurality
of equally spaced apart drive teet~. 249 arranged about its outer
periphery. The pawl 245 is integrally joined at but one end
to the gear 243. The pawl 245 i9 flexible and resilient and
can ride on the ratchet wheel 246 and deflect into engagement
with a tooth 265 of the ratchet wheei 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 printiny memhers 220 of the
print head 219. The housing sections 212 and 213 mount an
applicator 253 disposed downstxeam of the peel edge 218.
Referring to FIGURE 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 cuts"
separate the web 31 of label material into a series of end-to-
end lahels 36. The underside of the web 31 of label material
has a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive 37 which adheres
strongly to the web 31 of label material. The web 32 of
supporting material carries a thin film or coating ~not shown)
. ] ~) _
Docket M-249 107~.5S~
which allows the labels to be. peeled from the web 32 of
supporting material~
Groups 38 of cuts ar.e provided at equally spaced-
apart inter~als along the length of 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 the supporting material and aligned
cuts 39L, 40L and 41L in the.label material. The part of the
web 32 between the one end of the cut 39S and the cut 40S pro-
~ides a frangible portion 43S and the part of the we~ 32 be-
tween the other end of the cut 39S and the cut 41S provides
frangible portion 42S. In like manner, the part of the label
material between the end of the cut 39L ~nd the cut 40L pro-
~ides a frangible portion 43L and the part between the othe- end
of the cut 39L and the cut 41L pro~ide~ a frangible portion 42L.
Referring to FIGURE 3, the interrelationship of the
components of the apparatus 210 is shown in detail. The com-
posite we~ 30 is paid out of the roll and passes 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 (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
end of the platen 217. The supporting material 32 is drawn
around the peel edge 218 beneath the platen 217 and passes
partly around a roll 257, below the guide 258 and between the
107{~56
D~ocket M- 24 9
toothed dri~er 244 and the mating die wheel 259. As a tooth
249 mo~es 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 coopera-
tion wi~h the die wheel 259 (FIGURE 18) is considered to have
formed a feed hole in the supporting material 242. It is pre-
ferred that there be three teeth 249 in dri~ing engagement with
the 8upporting material 32 at all times. The subframe sections
215 and 216 have respective aligned strippers 250 and 261 which
facilitate disengagement of the teeth 249 with ~he supporting
material 232 as the dri~er:,2i4~ ates. Opposed guide grooves
262 and 263 formed in the subfr~e~,~ ctions 215 and 216 guide
the supporting material 32 to an exit opening 264. Excess
supportin~ material which dangles from the apparatu~ 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 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 actùated
position, the print head 219 has been moved into printing co-
operation with the labels 36 and the platen 217, and the operator
2S 235 is in abutment with the stop block 239. In this position
of the operator 235, the flexible resilient pa~l 245 (FIGURE 15),
joined inte~rally at one end to the gear 243, has mo~ed to the
~J
- ;
Docket ~-2~ 1070556
position shown by phantom lines 245' in dri~ing cooperation with
a tooth 265 o~ the ratchet wheel 246; When the user releases
the operator 235, the spring 238 (FIGURE 3~ returns the operator
235 against stop 239' to the solid line 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 (FIGURES 3 and 4)
rotate gears 242 and 243 clockwise tFIGURE 3~ to return the
, pr~nt head 219 to the solid line position from 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
~n FIGURE lS. 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 ~FIGVRE 3) to return the print head 219 to the
solid line position from 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 engagement with a tooth 265,
dri~es the ratchet wheel 246 counterclockwise (FIGUPE 15).
This countercloc~wise rotation of the ratchet wheel 246 (FIGURE 15)
causes the dri~er 244 to adYance the supporting material 32 to
effect substantially complete delamination of a label at the peel
edge 218. Counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel 246
continues until a pawl 266 (FIGURES 1, 7 and 15) in the form of
a flexible resilient appendage of the subframe section 216,
moves into engagement with a tooth 265 of the ratchet wheel.
This pre~ents the web or supporting material 32 from being
accidentally moved in the return direction.
Docket M-249 10705S6
As best shown in FIGURE 4, the driver 244 has an
annular rim 267 ~oined 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" terminates at a knob 270'. The gear 242 is
rotatably journaled on and with respect to the hub section 268'.
The gear 242 has a hub or flange 271 which is rotatably journaled
in opening 272 in the frame section 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 dri~e member 248 of the detent mechanism 247. The ratchet
wheel 246 and the dri~e member 248 haYe a hub 276 with a
stepped bore 275 into which the hub section 268" extends. A
hub 276 rotatably receives and mounts the gear 243. The gear
~43 has a hub 277 rotatably received in a bearing 278 formed
integrally with the housing section 213. As seen in FIGURE 4,
the ~ears 242 and 243 are in driving engagement with respective
gear sections 224 and 225 carried by the print head 219; the
relative position of the drive pawl 245 to the ratchet wheel 246
is also shown.
With reference to FIGURE 1~, the dri~e member 248
includes a plurality of spring fingers or detent pawls 278. The
pawls 278 are of equal 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 se~enty-seven teeth 279 at equally spaced-
apart intervals. There are tw~lve pawls 278 integrally connec~ed
Docket M-249 ~ 070556
to the hub 276 at equally spaced-apart intervals. The teeth
279 comprise respectiv~ tooth faces 280 and a recess between
adj~cent tooth faces 280 in which ~he end of a pawl 278 can
be recéived. The pawls 278 drive the feed wheel 244 in a
driving direction (countercloc~wise in FIGURE 15~ but can move
in a non-driving direction (clockwise 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
face 280 of a tooth 279. The pawls 278 between every fifth set
of pawls are out of engagement with their respective tooth faces
280 by different increments as best illustrated in FIGURE 16.
Normally, the pa~Jls 278 hold the ratchet wheel 246 and the feed
wheel or driver 244 in fixed relationship with respect to
each other. With reference ~o ~IGURE 15, as the dri~e pawl 245
moves counterclockwise the ratchet wheel 246 is dri~en counter-
clockwise and the three pawls 278 which are in driving engagement
with the~r respective tooth faces 280 will drive the feed wheel
244 counterclockwise. 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 23S,
the user will grasp the knobs 270 and 270' and will rotate the
knob 270'counterclockwise ~FIGURE 1) relative to the knob 270.
This will cause the input member 248 to rotate (counterclock-
wise in FIGURE 1, clockwise in ~IGU~E 15) relative to the feedwheel 244 so that the next three successi~e teeth move into
engagement with the next t~lree respective tooth faces 28~. For
example, if it is considered that first, fifth and ninth pawls
278 were initially in engaqement with respective teeth 279,
_ 1.S
1070556
Docket M-249
only a very slight rotation will cause second, sixth and
tenth pawls to move into engagement with their respectiYe
tooth faces 280, and so on. Although any desired number of
... . . .
pawls 278 and teeth 280 can be';used, the illustrated embodiment
provides very minute adjustment of the feed wheel 244 relati~e
to the platen 217 and the peel edge 218 and the arrangement of
teeth 280 and cooperating pawls 278 causes the entire input or
drive member 248 to be centered within the annular ri~ 267.
With respect to the printing function, adjustment of the detent
mechanism 247 changes the position relative to the printing zor.e
between the print head 219 and the platen 217 to which a label
36 is advanced. With respect to the delaminating 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 mechanism 247 is useful both in establishing the
position to which a label i8 advanced relatiYe to the printing
zone and to the delaminating zone. It is important that just the
correct amount of 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
applicator 253.
As best shown in FIGURES lS, 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 wheel
259 is comprised of an annular plastic roll 281 journaled by
subframe sections 215 and 216. Thè roll 281 has frictional
members in the form of rubber O-rings 282 received at spaced-
apart locations about the periphery of the roll 281. The O-rings
-16-
107~556
Docket M-249
~traddle the teeth 249 and are.just spaced apart far enough
to act as a die wheel with matins teeth 249. As a tooth ~249
begins to engage the web 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 intimate contact with the outer surface of the feed
wheel 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 the supporting material 32 and that the drive
face of the tooth 249 is in driving engagement with the leading
- cut 41S. When the first tooth 249 registers with the group 38
of cuts in the supporting material 3~ the composite web 30 is
properly registered wi'h the printing zone and the delaminating
zone. Once such registration is accom~lished as the result of
the tooth 249 cooper~t~ng with the die roll 259, correct regis-
tration continues.
The platen 217 and the peel edge 218 (FIGUP~S 1, 3
and 4) are formed from an inversely-bent plate ha~ing a pair
of 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 portions 283 and
284 are co-extensive and are secured to each other by weldments
286. The plate which forms the platen 217 and the peel edge
218, received in recesses 286' in subframe 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 the suhframe
sections 215 and 216. A label stopper is provided by a pair o'
aligned plates 218' formed integrally with the subfr~me sectlons
_1 7_
-
107~)556
Docket M- 24 9
215 and 216. The plates 218' are disposed beneath but are.
spaced from the plate 217. Should a label 36 attempt .o fall
onto the supporting material 32 after being delaminated at the
peel edye 218, the labels 36 will ~e caught by the plates 218'.
S This will prevent any label 36 from continuing along the path
throuqh which the supporting material 32 passes after Fassing
the peel edge 218.
With reference to FIGURE 3, the stop block 239 is
shown to be slida~le on a stop surface 287. The stop block
239 has a threaded bore 288 which threadably rece-ves an
ad~usted screw 289. One half of the screw 289 is rotatablv
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 of the frame section 212
pro~ides another stop ~urface (not shown) for the stop block
239 in alignment with the stop surface 287, another semi-
c~rcular groove ~not shown) opposite the groove 290 for re-
cei.Ying the other one-half of the screw 289, and another semi-
circular recess (not shown) opposite the recess 292 for receiving
the other one-half of the head 291. A hole 294, one-half of which
is formed by each handle portion 233 and 234, enables entry of
a ~ool (not shown) by which the head 291 of the screw 289 can
be engaged to rotate the screw 289. Rotation of the screw in
one direction will cause the stop block 239 to move upwardly
(FIGU~E 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 adjustment of the position of the stop block
239 will adjust the limit of the travel of the operator 235.
107055f~
Docket M-249
With reference to FIGURE 13, the inking mechanism
252 ~s shown to comprise a one-piece inker body 295 having an
aligned pair of sockets 296 having con~erging openings 297.
~he sockets 296 extend 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 (FIGURE 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
301 which is shown in FIGURE 14 to be urged against the cover
251. The spring finger 301 nonmally urges the inking mechanism
252 into the solid line position shown in FIGURE 14. The ink
roller 298 is shown in FIGURE 14 to be in the path of but slightly
spaced from the print head 219 because in that position the inker
body 295 contacts the frame 221 of the print head 219. When the
pr~nt head 219 is moved from the solid line position to the
phantom line position, the ink roll 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 solid line position shown
in FIGURE 14, the spring finger 301 returns the inking mechanism
252 to the solid line position.
With reference to FIGURE 13, the in~ roller 298 is
shown to comprise a pair of hub sections 302 and 303. The hub
section 302 has an elongated projection 304 at one end and a
stub end 305 at its opposite end. The hub section 302 has an
annular flange 306 between the stub end 305 and a reduced
-19-
Docket M-249 1070556
portion 307. The reduced portion 307 is disposed ~etween 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 portion 309 has a bore
. . .
304' into which the projection 304 is adapted to be press-
fitted. The projection 304 has straisht flutes which ser~e to
loc~ the hub portions 302 and 303 together. An ink-receptive
tubular porous roll 311, composed for example of rubber or
the like, i~ received on the reduced portions 307 and 309 of
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 respectiva integral leaf
springs 312 and 313. The leaf springs 312 and 313 are provided
with integral annular 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 recei~ed in and mount label
core 44. The brake surfaces 316 and 317 cooperate to exert
braking forces on the label core 44. Neither the hubs 318 and
319 nor the brake members 314 and 315 contact the composite,web
30 which is wound on the label core 44. In this manner, any gum
or adhesive that may exist at the marginal side edges of the
composite web 30 will not be transferred to the braXe surfaces
316 and 317. FIGURE 10 illustrates, in exaggerated form, by
phantom lines, the initial positions of the leaf springs 312
-20-
1~7~556
Docket M-249
and 313, the brake members 314 a~d 315 and the hubs 318 and
319. The initial canted position of the leaf springs 313, the
brake members 315 and the hub 319 relative to the remainder of
the su~frame secti~n 216 is also shown in FIGURE 8. Insertion
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 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 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
~IGURE 15) prevents the reverse rotation of the driver 244,
it is seen that the apparatus maintains a slight but desirable
amount of tension on the web of supporting material 32 at all
times.
The frame 211 comprises an essentially closed shell
but the rear part provides an access opening 211' through which
a roll of labels can be inserted 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 applica-
tor 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 323 also has a pair of annular flanges 323
disposed between the set of three wheels 322 and the remaining
wheel 322. The wheels 322 have greater diameters than the flanges
323. The ends of the hub 320 beyond the grooves 321 are stub
ends 324. Undercuts 325 inboard of the stub ends 324 enable
` ~ 107V556
Docket M-249
the hub to be retained in cooperating yieldable sockets 326 and
327 ~n frame sections 212 and 213. The sockets 32~ and 327
are comprised of a plurality of separate socket sections or
flexible resilient fingers 328 and 329 to enable the stub ends
324 to be snapped into place. The sockets 326 and 327 and the
cooperating stub ends 324 pro~ide opposed snap-fit connections.
The wheels 322 are identical so only one is described
~n detail. Each wheel 322 is compriséd of an annular rim 330
ha~ing an annular groove 331 in its outer periphery. A rubber
0-ring 332 is recei~ed 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 recei~ed in the respective
groove 321. The bearing sections 334 of the arms 333 exert
forces a~a~nst the hub 320, but enable the wheel 322 to rotate
relat~ve to the hub 320 and enable the wheel 322 to yield as a
label 36 is being applied to the merchandise.
As the rubber 0-rings 332 have a high coefficient of
~riction, 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 without contacting
the pxinting which was applied to the labels 36 by the print head
219. As the label is pressed onto ~he 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 ~he wheels 322 are mounted for both independent
rotational and independent yielding movements with respect to
107~556
- Docket M-249
each other. The flanges 323 prevent the adjacent wheels 322
rom deflecting more than a small amount away from the per-
pendicular with respect to the hub 320.
Referring to ~IGURE 24, there is shown ~n exploded
view 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
axe joined. 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 mounting
block 336 also has a socket 339 for recei~ing a projection 340
of the other side plate 341. A post 342 is formed integrally with
the side plate 335 in axial alignment with a hole 343 in the side
plate 341. A pair of posts 344 formed integrally with the side
plate 335 ha~e hooks 345 which engage shoulders 346 of the side
plate 341. The side plate 341 has projections 347 which are
adapted to fit under projectîons 348 on the block 336. When
the projections 347 are positioned underneath the projections
348, that is, between the projections 348 and the side plate 335,
the projection 340 is received in the socket 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 FIGU~E 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 received in the socket 339, the printing bands are
107055~
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 notches 352 in which the teeth 349
are received.
Each printing band 220 has a plurality of printing
blocks 353. The different printing blocks 353 of each printing
band 220 can print different data, as is conventional. The
printing bloc~s 353 are contained in a printing section 354 of
the printing band 220. The 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 353 at the pressure member 337 will
print by peering through a window 356.
It is often desirable to change the data which 'he
print head 219 is to print. This is generally accomplished by
advancing the printing band 220 to the prin~ing position 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 pos~ 342. The selector
357 is freely rotatable about the post 342 and is movable
axially so that Lts driving me~bers or 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 of notches 362 for receiving respective lugs 360.
Each driven member 351 is also chamfered at the central hole 361
-24-
Docket M-249
107055~;
as best indicated at 363. In addition to the driving lugs 360,
the selector 357 is shown to have a pair of opposed pawls or
3pring detent fingers 364, the ends of which engage the recesses
pro~ided by the chamfering 363. The detent fingers 364 serve
to hold the seiector 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 drivin~ members 360 will be
in dri~ing engagement with the selected driven member 351.
Accordingly, by shifting the selector 357, any one or all of the
driven members 351 can be rotated, one at a time, which results
in the respective printing bands or bands 220 being selectively
moved to the selected position to print the selected data on
the labels.
The dri~ing lugs 360 are spaced slightly from the ends
of the recesses or notches 362. Should the user attempt to turn
the knob 358 50 as to apply excessive torque to the selector 357,
the driving lugs 360 will deflect and move out of the set of
notch~s 362 in which they are positioned in the driven member
351 and will mo~e into the next set of notches 362 in the same
driven member 351. Accordingly, there will be relative rotation
between the selector 357 and the driven member 351 in which the
lugs 360 are recei~ed.
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' which engage around the ends 366 at the ends of the mounting
surface 338.
-25-
Do~ket M-249
107~556
The selector 357 is pro~ided with an annular groove
367 ad~acent the knob 358. An indicator, generally indicated at
368, ha~ a split collar 369 with a projection 370 recei~ed 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 groo~es 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 that if
the selector 357 is not in position to drive the desired 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
dri~ing engagement with the desired driven m~mber 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 frame sections 212 and 213 by respective guides 375 and
376 (see FIGU~ES 1, 3, 14).
The housing or frame sections 212 and 213 are connected
by identical snap-fit connections including generally snap-shaped
flexible resilient members 377 arranged along the periphery of
the housing section 212 and engaged in undercut recesses 378 in
the housing section 213. One of these snap-fit connections i5
shown in detail in FIGURE S.
The subframe sections 215 and 216 of the subfra~.e
214 are connected to each other and the frame sections 212 and
- Docket M-249 1070556
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
FIGURE 19. With reference to FIGURE 19, the frame sections 212
S and 213 have respecti~e sockets 380 and 381 comprised of a plurality
~f respective flexible resilient fingers 382 and 383. The sub-
frame section 215 has a projection 384 snap-fitted into the
socket 380. The projection 384 has a plurality of flexible
resilient spring fingers 385. The subframe section 216 has a
projection 386 comprised of a plurali~y of flexible resilient
fingers 387 snap-fitted into the socket 381. The subframe section
215 has a projection 388 comprised of a pluralîty of flexible
re~ilient spring fingers 389 received in a socket 390. The
socket 390 is comprised of flexible resilient spring fingers 391.
A projectîon 392 formed integrally with the frame section 212
extends through the socket 380, through the projection 384, and
to about the end of the projection 388 in the socket 390. The
spring fingers 383 of the socket 381 are made thinner and con-
sequently more flexible than the spring fingers 383 of the socket
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 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 separating
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
Docket M-249 1070556
218 is exposed. It is apparent that accident~l unsnapping
of the subframe 214 or the frame section 212 from the subframe
214 is obviated by this construction. Further disassembly can
be accomplished by deliberately unsnapping the subframe 214
from the frame section 212. This is accomplished by moving the
projection 384 out of the socket 380. When this has been
accomplished, the pro~ection 392 has moved out of the space
between the spring fingers 389 of the projection 388 and
consequently the subframe sections 215 and 216 can be separated.
With reference to FIGU~ES 7 through 9 for example,
the subframe section 216 is shown to ha~e four projections 393
which are adapted to be snugly received in recesses 394 at the
end of the guîde 262. The projections 393 received in the holes
394 a~sist in removably holding the subframe sections 215 and
216 to~ether.
With reference to FIGURES 1 and 14 the cover 251 is
shown to have an L-shaped flange 395 at one end and a projection
396 at its other end. To attach the inking mechanism 252 to the
apparatus, the projection 395 is pushed under a shoulder 397 of
the frame section 213 and thereafter the cover 251 is snapped into
position by causing the projection 36 to snap under a lip 398
of the frame 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~-
Docket M-249 1070556
With reference to FIGURE 6, the operator 235 is
shown to pilrot on the pin 237. It is preferred to pivot the
operator 235 at the lower end of the handle 232 in that the
user' 8 strongest fingers, namely his index, middle and ring
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 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 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
received about the pin 237. The spiral or torsion spring 238 is
shown to be received on pin 237 between the legs 409 and 410. If
~t is desired to remove the frame section 213, the frame section
213 i9 moved relatively away from 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 socket 405 because
of interference caused by leg 409. This construction obviates
accidental disconnection of the pin 237 from the frame sections
212.
~ith reference to FIGURE 28, there is shown an alternative
construction by which a selector 357a having a plurality of
driving lugs 360a like the lugs 360 and also having a pai^ of
opposed pawls 364a, selectively controls the setting of a selected
driven meml~er or wheel 351a. The embodiment of FIGURE 28 differs
--29--
Docket M-249 1070556
from the e~odiment of the print head 219 shown for example in
FIGURES 24 through 28 in that each of the driven members 351a
is provided with an internal annular groove 411 and the
chamfering 363 ~PIGURE 27) is omitted. Accordingly, instead
of ha~ing the pawl 364a engage between adjacent driven members
351 as shown in FIGURES 26 and 27 for ex~mple, the pawls 364a
engage in the groo~e 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 dri~ing engagement. By this construction,
the driving function as well as the detenting function are
~ccomplished by the selector 357a in cooperation with a single
driven member 351a.
~ IGU~E 27 is actually an alternative embodiment
which shows the detenting of one of the ~awls 364 in recesses
lS or grooveQ provided by be~eling or chamfering 363. FIGURE 27
shows one or 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 with-
out affecting detentin~. 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 t~e same as the selector 357 in that it has
four drive lugs 360~, 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--
1070556
Docket M-249
sections 412 and 413 snap-fitted ~ogether. 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 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
~10 selector 357b is used in the same manner as the selector 357.
If desired, the selector 357a (FIGURE 28) can be made in two
parts as illustrated in FIG~RES 29 and 30.
~eferring to the embodiment of FIGU~E 31, there is
shown a print head generally indicated at 219c 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 the flanges 222 and 223 and gear sections 224
and 225. Accordingly, the pair of gears (not shown) which would
mesh with gear sec~ions 224c and 225c would have to be spaced
apart by a greater distance than the gears 242 and 243. It is
also apparent that bali tracks (not shown) which would coxrespond
to the ball tracks 230 and 231 would have to be spaced wider
apart, as would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.
Side plate 341c carries a guide member 374c. The side plate
-31-
1070556
Docket M-249
3~1c rotatably mounts a pair of selectors 357c for the espective
~et'of dri~en members 351c. The posts 344c mount respecti~e
rectangular sections 371c which provide respective wi~dows 356c.
It is readily apparent that with slight modifications the print
S head 219c can be operated by a mechanism the same in principle
and construction as the mechanism which operates the prin~ head
219.
Referring to the embodiment of FIGU~ES 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 be identical
and comprises printing elements 421 carried by an annular hub
422. A mounting and detenting wheel 423 i~ shown to be formed
integrally with each side of the hub 422. The wheels 423 have
generally annular outer surfaces 424 recei~ed in sockets 425 of
ad~acent mounting members 426. The sockets 425 comprise an
annular portion 427 and a pair of flexible resilient arms 428
formed integrally therewith. Accordingly, the print wheels 220d
can be inserted either axially into the sockets 425 or they can
be inserted into or removed from the respecti~e sockets 425
by spreading arms 428. Mounting members 426 are provided with
recesses 429 in ~rhich offset integrally formed detent pawls or
spring fingers 430 and 431 are disposed. The pawl 430 of one
mounting member 426 is cooperable with notches 430' to effect
detenting of 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.
_ ~ q
Docket M-249 - 10705S6
Each wheel 220d has a central hole 432, the ends of
which are chamfered as indicated at 433. As best shown in
~IGURE 34, pawls 364d are received in the chamfering between
ad~acent wheels 220d and drive lugs 360d are in driving en-
gagement with the adjacent print wheel 220d. If desired,detenting can be effected in the manner illustrated in the
embodiment of ~IGURE 28.
Referring to FIGURES 35 through 54 and 58 through
70, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the label print-
ing and applying apparatus generally indicated at 210a. In thisembodLment, those components which are generally related to those
in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 34 are indicated by the
same reference characters, with the addition of the letter "a".
~hose components of the apparatus 210a which differ from or are
lS in addition to components in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through
34 are 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 frame 211a includes a
handle 232a having handle portions 233a and 234a. The frame
sections 212a and 213a have relatively movable frame parts ~00
and 501, and 502 and 503. The handle portion 232a is a part of
the frame part S01, 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-
Docket M-249 107~ 556
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. S07.
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 S06 as a
unit with respect to the respective frame parts S01 and S03.
The subframe sections 215a and 216a receive and
retain platen 217a which 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 relatively
toward and away from the platen 217a. The print head frame 221a
has integrally formed racks 224a and 225a and respective tracks
226a and 227a. The subframe section 215a has a track 230a and
the subframe section 216a has an opposite track tnot 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 bod~ 514
of an inking mechanism 252a are received. As the print head
219a moves toward 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 239a
-3~
Docket M-249 10705S6
~ ad~ustable by means of a screw 289a receiYed in a threaded
bore 288a. The operator 235a is urged away from the stop block
239a by means of a spring assembly 515 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 ena against a
socket 517 (FIGU~E 471 integral with the operator 235a. Gear
sections 240a and 241a carried by the lever 236a are in meshing
engagement with respective compound gears 242a and 243a. Specifi-
cally, the gear sections 240a and 241a mesh with respective
~ections 518 and 519, and sections 520 and 521 mesh with respective
racks 224a and 225a of the print head 219a. Toothed driver 244a
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 driver 244a engage the supporting
material of the composite web in the manner shown and described
ln the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 34 and 45. Rolls 256a and
257a guîde the composite web 30a and the supporting material web
32a, respectively, and roll 259a cooperates with the toothed
driYer 244a. The composite web 30a is in the form of a roll
carried on a core 44a which can be inserted into the housing
through an opening 211a'. The core 44a is mounted by hubs 318a
and 319a carried by respective leaf springs 312a and 313a. Annular
brake 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. Label material 31a is
Docket M-249 ~070556
cut transversely at longitudinally spaced-apart intervals by
transverse cuts 33a. The composite web 30a is like the
composite web 30 except th~t there is an additional group of
cuts 38b between groups of cuts 38a. The shapes of the groups
of cuts 38a and 38b are identical to each other and to ~he shape
of the cuts of groups 38.
With reference to FIGURES 39 through 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 composite web 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 236a
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 ~IGVRE 35) and the groove 255a. He
now passes the marginal end portion 30' of the composite web 30a
partly around the roll 256a and over platen 217a and then between
a guide 523 and the applicator 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, thc composite web 30a is pulled in
~ direction away 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-
-
Docket M-249
'~ 07~5S6
platen 217a. In that the marginal end portion 30' is pulled
in a direction substantially parallel to the plater and the
supporting material undergoes 2 sharp bend of about 180,
in so doing, the supporting material 32a is torn as indicate2
at 32t as it is forced past the guide 523 and against the under-
side 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" of 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 having to manually remove them one-by-one from
the supporting material 32a. If desired, the marginal end portion
30' can be se~ered ~rom the end section 30n at the tear 32t
pre~erably through one group of cuts 38a in the supporting material
web 38a so that the end section which is devoid of labels 36a can
be passed between the toothed member 244a and the cooperating die
xoll 259a, as best shown in FIGURE 42. In the position shown in
~IGURE 42, slackness exists in the end section 30". By manually
operating the operator 235a, the end section 30" can be advanced
through the apparatus until all the slackness 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
will cause a label 36a to be printed and therea~ter-~ispensed to
the position shown in FIGURES 43 and 44 in which the trailing
edge of the label 36a is still adhered to the supporting
material ~2a.
.
-37-
Doc~et M-249
107~)556
Referring to FIGURES 45 through 48, the relationship
of the spring assembly 515 to the handle 232a and to the operator
¦ 235a is shown in greater detail than in PIGURE 35. The spring
assembly 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 haYing 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 surface 516l slîghtly greater than 180 in
extent. The surface 529 extends transversely with respect to
the tubular body 524 and more specifically the axis of the surface
529 extends perpendicularly and through the axis of the tubular
section 524. A tubular plunger 530 having a circular cylindrical
outer surface 531 is shown to be received in slidable 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
Z0 outer surface 535 substantially greater than 180 in extent is
formed integrally with the end wall 533. The surface 535 extends
transYersely with respect to the plunger 530 and more specifically
the axis of 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
517' slightly grea~er than 180 in extent. A compression spring
536 is received in a bore 537 of the plunger 530 and abuts at
one end a~ainst the end wall 533. The other end of the spring 536
_~Q._
Docket M-249 107~556
abuts against the end wall 527 of th~ body 524. A keeper
538 formed integrally with the 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
has a pair of opposed resilient spring fingers 541 and 542
ha~inq respective abutment surfaces 543 and 544. The end5 of
the slots 539 and 540 constitute stops 545 and 546. In the
position shown in ~IGURE 47, the abutment surfaces 543 and 544
are in abutment with respecti~e stops 545 and 546. In that the
plunger 53~ is constructed of resilient plastic material, the
fin~ers 541 and 542 can resiliently yield while the spring
assembly 515 is being assembled, specifically as the end 532
of the plunger 530 is inserted into the open end 526 of the
tubular body 524. As the abutment surfaces 543 and 544 clear
the stops 545 and 546 while the plunger 541 is being pushed into
the tubular body 524, the ~pring fingers 541 and 542 first
deflect and then spring outwardly to the position shown in
FIGURE 47. Assembly of the spring assembly 515 is now complete
and the tubular body 524 and the plunger 530 can now undergo
l~mited relative movement with respect to each other. The
spring assembly 515 is easy to assemble in manufacturing and is
easy to install in the apparatus 210a as a modular spring assembly
or unit. In that the sockets 516 and 517 are resilient they can
expand resiliently to receive respective connectors 528 and 534.
During use the spring assembly 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 FIG~RE 46. Upon sub-
sequent release of the operator 235a, the spring assembly 515
returns the operator 235a to its initial positi.on.
-39--
Docket M-249
~07~)556
With reference to FIGU~ES 35, 45 and 49, there is shown
a lubricant applicator generally indicated at 547. The purpose
of the applicator 547 is to apply a lubricant to the peripheral
surface of the toothed driver 244a to retard the accumulation
of gum (adhesive, paper dust, and the like) on the toothed
driver 244a. The applicator 547 is shown to be comprised of a
cuxved strip of porous flexible resilient material, for example,
felt. The applicator 547 is generally hat-shaped in transverse
section. The applicator 547 is disposed between the outer surface
of the tooth~d driver 244a and flanges 548 and 549 of respective
subframe sections 215a and 216a. The flanges 548 and 549 support
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 subframe sections 215a and 216a and their respective
flanges 548 and 549 amply support and retain the applicator
547. $he applicator 547 has a surface 551 which is in light
contact with the peripheral surface of the toothed driver 242a.
This light contact assures that lubricant contained in the appli-
cator 547 is transferred to the peripheral surface of the driver
244a, but that the frictional drag on the driver 242a is
negligible. The surface 551 of the applicator 547 corresponds
generally to the contour of the peripheral surface of the driver
244a. Transverse slits or slots 547' in the applicator 547
facilitate bending of the strip to the shape of the periphery
of the driver 244a. As best shown in FIGURE 35, the applicator
547 has a groove 552 in which the teeth 249a of the driver 244a
travel.
-40-
Docket M-249
107~556
With reference to FIGURE 45, it is noted that the
applicator 547 is positioned in contact with that portion of
the driver 244a which is out of the path of the supporting
,: :
material web 32a. This obviat~s any wicking or bleeding of
~ubricant from the applicator 547 to the supporting material 32a.
This is especially beneficial during such tLme as the apparatus
21~a is not in use. Although the applicator 547 could be in the
form of a roll, it is preferred to use an applicator in the form
of a strip which is easy to manufacture and assemble. The applica-
tor 247 can contain any suitable lubricant which can-
re$ard the transfer 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
lubricant: Dow Corning 1107 fluid, a liquid silicone, described in
Bulletin :05-169 da~ed February, 1967, of the Chemical Products
Division, Dow Corning Corporation, Midland, Michigan 48640.
Referring to FIGURES 50 through 54, the brake 522
is show~ to include a roll 553. The roll 553 has a pair of
spaced apart O-rings 554 and 555 comprised of resilient material
such as rubber. The roll 553 has stub ends 556 and 557 received
in respective tracks 558 and 559 in respective subframe sections
215a and 216a. It is apparent that the roll 553 is rotatable and
also movable relatively toward and away from surfaces 560 and
561 of respective subframe sections 215a and 216a. As shown
in FIGURES 50 and 51, end portion 562 of print head frame 221a
is in engagement with the O-rings 554 and 555 of roll 553, and
the composite web 30a is clamped between the roll 553 and the
-4~-
Docket M-249 1070556
surfaces 560 and 561. Accordingly, in this position of the
brak~ 522, because of the friction exerted between the roll
- 553 and end portion 562 of the print head 219a, rotation of
the roll 553 is prevented. Consequently, the compcsite web
30a which is in frictional engagement with the roll 553 and is
clamped between the roll 553 and surfaces 560 and 561 is pre-
vented from being ad~anced toward the delaminator 218a. In
this position of the print head 219a (in which the operator
235a is in its initial position~, a printed label 36a is in
applying position relati~e to applicator 253a ready to be
applied to an article. Once the label 36a has been applied,
the user can again operate the operator 23Sa which causes the
print head 219a to move toward the platen 217a. As the print
head 219a mo~es toward the platen 217a, the portion 562 of
the frame 221a of the print head 219a moves o~t of contact 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 driver 244a to advance 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 51, the roll 553 permits the composite web 30a to advance
as it rolls on the advancing web 30a. However, upon the substan-
tial completion of travel of the print head 219a, the portion 562
again operates the brake 552 to effect cl2mping of the composite
-42-
Docket M-249 1~7055~
web 30a between the roll 553 and surfaces 560 and 561. The
brake 522 is simple in construction and automatic in its
operation and yet it serves the purpose of preventing any
paying out of the composite web 30a from the roll during applica-
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 on_ label 36a
remains connected to the leading edge of the next subsequent
label 36a. As is evident in thîs embodiment of the invention
the brake 522 exerts a substantial braking force on the web
30a, while brake surfaces 318a and 319a exert only a slight
braking force on the core 44a.
With reference to FIGURES 55 through 57, there is
shown a modification for the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 34
and for the embodiment of FIGURES 35 through 54 and 58 through
70~ Components which are generally related to those of either
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 printing and applying
apparatus 210b includes subframe 214b having subframe sections
215b and 216b. The apparatus 210b differs from apparatus 210a
only in the respect that leaf springs 312a and 313a rotatably
mount 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 frustro-
conica] surfaces 572 and 573 wl~ich serve to automatically center
-43-
Docket M-249 1070556
the core 44b with respect to the center line CL of the sub-
fr~m~ 214b. The rolls 570 and 571 have respective hubs 574
and ~75 ha~ing respective bearing shoulders 576 and 577. ~he
bearing shoulders 576 and 577 bear against the arms 312b and 313b.
S As the rolls 570 ~nd 571 rotate the shou;ders 576 and 577
prevent other portions of the respective rolls 570 and 571
from rubbing on the arms 312b and 313b. The arms 312b and 313b
æe flexible znd resilient enough to enable the core 44b to be
inserted on rolls 570 and 571 and yet rigid enough to enable
lQ the core 44b to be mounted as illustrated in FIGURES 55 and 57.
The anm~ 312b and 313b are sufficiently yieldable to accommodate
for manufacturing variations in the length of core 44b. The
hubs 574 and 575 are rotatably received in holes 578 and 579
in arms 312b and 313b. Spring clips 580 and 581 prevent ~he
hubs 574 and 575 from shifting off the arms 312b and 313b but
- permit the rolls 570 and 571 to rotate. Rolls 570 and 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 curved leaf spring, serves to facilitate
the gradual paying out of the composite web 30b. In that the
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 t36, 36a or 36b~ in succession per second,
the device 584 is conducive to the gradual unwinding of the
composite web roll. When the composite web 30b is advanced,
~4~-
.
~oc~ct M-249-C-l
10705S6
the resili~nt device 584 will moYe from the position shown
~y phantom lines to the position shown by solid lines in
~IGURE 57. As the roll unwinds gradually, the device 584
mo~es to the position shown b~ phantom lines in FIGURE 57.
One end 585 of the device 584 is retained in fixed position
relative to a subîrame 214b by fitting into a retaining pocket
586 formed partly in the subframe section 21~b and partly by
the subframe section 216b.
With reference to FIGU~E 58, there is shown
diagrzmmatically the structure which is already shown in greater
detail in FIGURES 24, 25 and 26, for example. Specifically,
printing band 220a has a printing section 354a and a non-printing
human reaaable section 355a. The printing
_ _
section 354a has printing blocks 353a and the non-prin'ing
section contains human readable indicia (FIGURE 25) representa-
t~ve o~ the data which the printing blocks 353a are capable
of printing. The printing section 354a is thicker than the
non-printing section 355a as best seen ;n FIGURE 58. The pointers
373 (FIGURE 24) are modified to the extent that they are extended
as shown at 373a in FIGURE 58. The pointers 373a are molded
integrally with the frame 371a which can be shifted in a
direction parallel to the axis of the driven members 351a
~only one of which is sho~n in FIGURE 58). It is apparent
that the pointers 373a include stop faces 587 and that the
printing bloc~s 353a adiacent the nor.-printing sect.ion 355a
have abutment faces 588. Thus, the non-printing
--.15- .
Docket M-249 io70556
~ection 355a is incapable of being mo~ed to the printing position
at,which it would be inked by the ink roller. lnadvertent movement
of the non-printing section to the printing and inking zone would
sesult in inking of t~e human readable indicia wh~ch would make
S 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 printing section and an ad~acent non-printing
human readable section.
With reference to FIGURES 59 through 64, there is
illustrated a method by ~-hich th~ platen 217a is made. Referring
initially to ~IGURE S9, there is provided a flat sheet composed
of bendable subs~antially rigid material. Although any suitable
sheet material can be employed, it is preferred to use steel
ha~ing a smooth surface, for example, polished stainless steel.
Elongated sets of holes 601 and 602 and round hol~s 603 are shown
to be cut through the sheet 600. The holes 601 and 602 are
elongated in the same direction and are generall~ rectangular in
shape. The holes 601 and 602 are symmetrical about a center
line 604 extending through the centers of holes 603, with the
holes 601 and 602 béing in alignment with each other and with
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
sheet 600 is in~ersely bent about the line 604 to pro~ide a
pair of plates or plate portion~ 605 and 606 joined by a
bîght portion 607. With a sheet of flexible, resilient moldable
material 608 disposed between the plates 605 and 606 there is
_ ~,
Docket M-249 1070556
provided a sandwich arrangement ~hich is placed between
pre~s members 609 and 610 of a press to effect extrusion of
the moldable material into the space within the holes 601 and
602. This extrusion can be accomplished by applying pressure
S using the press members 609 and 610 accompanied by suitable
heating means tnot shown~ for heating the moldable material
608. For this purpose, the platen members 609 and 610 can be
heated. As shown in FIGURES 63 and 64 the sets of holes 601 and
602 are in alignment with each other. The platen 217a thus
has ~lex~ble resilient platen sections 611, 612 and 613 which
can yield independently of each other during printing as
illuRtrated in FIGURE 64. The composite web 30a is omitted
from between printing members 220a and 220a' and the platen
217a in FIGURE 64 for the sake of clarity. This means that
lS each line of printing characters can produce quality printing
irrespecti~e of minor manufacturing ~ariations in the print
head or the platen which might otherwise 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 more specifically they support the
sections 611, 612 and 613 along the entirety of their
respective p~ripheral edges but the platen sections 611, 612,
and 613 are otherwise unsupported so that they can yield e~en
beyond the surface of the underside of the platen 217a. The
resultant platen 217a has a relatively sharp delaminator or peel
edge 217a and the holes 603 provide general]y semi-circular
notches 614 at the peel edge 217~. Each notch 614 constitutes
-47-
Docket M-249
1070556
an interruption in the edge which reduces the area of contact
with the web of supporting material. 32a thereby reducing friction
therebetween as the web 32a is drawn in the direction of arrow
615. With reference to FIGURES 61 and 62, the moldable material
608 which would otherwise exist in the notches 614 is preferably
trimmed away.
Referring to FIGURE 66, the inking mechanism 252a
~g shown in its operative inking position between the print head
219a and the platen 217a. The inking mechanism 252a includes the
inker body 514 and an ink roller 620 carried by the inker body
514. The inking mechanism 252a also includes a pair of tracks
621 and 622 which guide the ink roller 620 as the print head 219a
is driven toward and away from the platen 217a. With reference
to ~IGURE 67, the one-piece inker body 514, which is composed
of a flexible resilient material, has a pair of slotted arms
623 and 624 having respecti~e elongated aligned slots 625 and 626.
The ink roller 620 includes an ink recepti~e, tubular, porous
ink roll 627 received 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
example of rubber or the like, is recei~ed by the hub portions
629 and 630, as best shown in FIGURE 69. The hub portions 629
and 630 ha~e respective int~gral flanges or bearing rolls 633
and 634, which are adapted to rid~ on bearing surfaces 635 and
636 of the print head 219a. Stub ends 637 and 638 mount
respecti~e rollers 639 and 640, and 641 and G42. The rollers
_A ~_
Docket M-249 10705S6
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 respecti~e tracks 621 and 622.
The inker body 5~4 also has integrally formed arms
S or leaf springs 643 and 644 which carry the integrally formed
pivot pins 512 and 513 recei~ed 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 ana 634
to roll along bearing surfaces 635 and 636. During all this
tra~el 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 tracks 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 together leaf springs
6~3 and 644. The ink roller 620 can be installed or re~oved
from the inker body by fiexing apart the slotted arms 623 and
624. FIGURE 68 shows the inker body 514 and its ink roller 620
beiny re~oved from the apparatus, while housing part 502 and the
corresponding housing paxt 502 (FIGURE 65) are in an open position
relative to the respective housing parts 501 and 503.
Docket M-249-C-l
107055~
The print head 219a has two rows of printing ba~ds
as is shown in somewhat greater detail in FIGuRæ 31. In order
to print a third line of data between the two lines of printing
members 22a, a slug 646 (FIGURES 66, 69 and 70) is inserted 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
651 in the print head frame 221a. The base 647 has an elongated
extension 652 having a projection 653 which is received 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 projection
656 which can be used to facilitate in~ertion or removal of the
slug 646.
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 incorporating 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 feed wheel is an acetal resin combined with
polytetrafluoroethylene lubricants. One such material is sold
commercially under Number KL-4030 by Liquid Nitrogen
Processing Corporation, Malvern, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
-50-
. _
Docket M-249 107V556
The remainder of the apparatus in FIGU~ES 1 through 70,
except for the platens 217 and 217a, O-rings 282 and 332, the
ball bearings 228, 228a, 229 and 229a, the spring 238, the
~ashers 365, rubber printing members 220, 22a and 220a, portion
648', spring 536, applicator 552, O-rings 554 and 555, clips 581
and 582, and the resilient device 584, are composed of suitable
lightweight moldable plastic materials, for example, acetal,
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, or the like, but the ink rolls
311 and 627 are preferably constructed of porous vinyl. Accord-
ingly, the apparatus is very light in weight, and easy and con-
. venient to use with a minimum of fatigu.e.
Other embodiments and modifications of this invention
will suggest themselves to those s~illed 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 ap~ended claims.
