CA1058960A - Label printer with inker body having integrally molded spring - Google Patents
Label printer with inker body having integrally molded springInfo
- Publication number
- CA1058960A CA1058960A CA292,565A CA292565A CA1058960A CA 1058960 A CA1058960 A CA 1058960A CA 292565 A CA292565 A CA 292565A CA 1058960 A CA1058960 A CA 1058960A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- housing
- ink roller
- inker
- printing apparatus
- print head
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Labeling Devices (AREA)
Abstract
LABEL PRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS
Abstract of the Disclosure There is disclosed a hand-held printing apparatus including a housing, a print head mounted in the housing and a traveling inker body of molded plastics material, the traveling inker body having spaced walls for receiving an ink roller therebetween. The inker body has a spring for urging the ink roll into the path of the print head. The inker body has snap-sockets and the ink roller has stub shafts removably received in the snap-sockets. The housing has a removable cover for pivotally mounted the inker body.
Abstract of the Disclosure There is disclosed a hand-held printing apparatus including a housing, a print head mounted in the housing and a traveling inker body of molded plastics material, the traveling inker body having spaced walls for receiving an ink roller therebetween. The inker body has a spring for urging the ink roll into the path of the print head. The inker body has snap-sockets and the ink roller has stub shafts removably received in the snap-sockets. The housing has a removable cover for pivotally mounted the inker body.
Description
Docket M-232-C
~5~
This invention relates to the art of pressure sensitive labels, method and apparatus for making and using same, and label printing and applying machines.
Brief Description of th Prior Art ~:
Variou~ U.S. patents Nos. 1,642,387, J. M. Reis, September 13, 19~7; 2,259,358, R. P. Templeton, October 14, 1941;
~5~
This invention relates to the art of pressure sensitive labels, method and apparatus for making and using same, and label printing and applying machines.
Brief Description of th Prior Art ~:
Variou~ U.S. patents Nos. 1,642,387, J. M. Reis, September 13, 19~7; 2,259,358, R. P. Templeton, October 14, 1941;
2,275,064, G. A. Moore, March 3, 1942; 2,502,257, G. L. Hawkins et al, March 28, 1950; 2,516,487, T. F. Schlicksupp, July 25, 1950;
: 2,620,205, C. W. Vogt, Decamber 2, 1952; 2,656,063, R. S. Kafka, ~
October 20, 1953; 3,0Sl,353, A. P. Krueger, August 28, 1962; ~ ~ :
: 2,620,205, C. W. Vogt, Decamber 2, 1952; 2,656,063, R. S. Kafka, ~
October 20, 1953; 3,0Sl,353, A. P. Krueger, August 28, 1962; ~ ~ :
3,265,553, O. Kind et al, August 9, 1966; 3,343,485, H. H. Loeffler, :. September 26, 1967; 3,440,123, P. H. Hamisch, Sr., April 22, 1969;
.?
3,501,365, E. C. Marshall, March 17, 1970; 3,551,251, Yo Sato et al, .
December 29, 1970; 3,611,929, Kurt Schrotz et al, October 12, 1971;
are made of record.
~ , , ; ' ~''~",.
'' '' :
., i ~ , , , . .
t : .
i~ . .
,'', .
. --1 ,~
. ~ .
~; Docket M-232-C~
Summary~of the Invention ~: The invention comprises an inker or inking mechanism co~perable with printing means in the form of a print head. The inker comprises a one-piece inker ~ody and -~ an ink roller rotata~ly mounted by the ~nker body. The ink , roller comprises a hub snap-fitted into the inker body and .~ an lnk recep~ive roll on the hubo The hub comprises a pair : o~ hub sections. mhere is a stub end on ~ach hub section and a flange on each hub section in~oard of the stub end. A
porous ink receptive tubular roll is mounted ~etween the ~: .
.. ^. flanges of the hub sections. The stub ends of the ink roller are snap-fitted into the inker body~ The inker body is '~''`'7 mounted for relative movement wîth r~spect to the printing means. The inker body inclu~ès an integrally formed resilient ~:~ flexible ~inger for ~rging the ink rs311 into cooperation with he pxinting means.
,; ,.~ ,:
,," ~ .
,,:, ...
.: . .
:..~ -:;
.';: ' : ,, ,,~ , , .
, ".. . . .
:,... ; . . :
',',.,:.' , ~
.:.,.: :~ .
.. `` :.! ~
.; `......
,;.
. - ..
, .,` ' . !
: . ' ' ': .::
-.' ':
': '-.:::
. :'~:, , ',', . " . :
'.:' ,. .:' ':: ' '' ': '':' ~' ' . ;', : "' . ' :. -2~
.''.' ~ , , .
, . . . . .
, ,: ,~ . ,., . :
FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of label printing and applying apparatu.s for carrying out the method of the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a partly broken away top plan view of a composite web useful in the label printing and applying apparatus of the invention;
FIGURE 3 is a sectional elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE l;
: FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken generally along line 4--4 of FIGURE 3; ~ : ~
FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--S ~ .
of FIGURE 3;
~; FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken alsng line 6-~6 ~: . of FIGURE 3;
;. :-~ - .
FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of one or 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;
FIGUR~ 10 i5 a top plan view showing the manner in : `
which the label core foY the ~oll of labels is held and the :~
manner in which braking force is applied by the subframe sections;
FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11 of FIGURE 10;
::, FIGURE 12 is a sectional view taken generally along line 12--12 of FIGURE 3; , -.~ .
: ' ~ 3 . . . . . .. .
~`~5~3~6~ . :
~GU~ 13, in th~ second sheet of drawinc3s, is an exploded ~erspective vi~w of the inking mecha~ism;
FI~UR~ 1~ is an enlarged sectional view showing a fragmentary portion of the appar~tus in solid lines, and in ~ -particular showiny a fragmentary portion o the print head and the inking Mechanism in both solid and phantom line positions;
FIGURE 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15--15 of FIGURE 4;
~ ~IGURE 16 is a developed view showing the arrangement of the teeth of the detent mechanism; : ~ s FIGURE 17 is a sectional view ta}~en along line 17--17 .
o* ~IGURE 15; .
~ FIGURE 18 is ~ sectional view ta~en generally alon~
line 18--18 of FIGURE 15;
;.
FIGURE 19 is a sectional view showing one OI the three sets of snap-fit connections used to interconnect the - :
rame and the subfxa~e;
FIGU~ 20 is an enlaxged view of an applicator roll . shown mount~d in the frame o the apparatus;
: FIGVRE 21 is a sectional view taken along line 21-~21 of FIGUR~ 20;
IGUR~ 22 is a sectional view taken along line 22--22 o~ FIGURE 21~ but omitting the shaft and the frictional member;
FIGURE 23 is a partly sectional view of the mounting sha~t which forms part of the applicator roll;
FIGVl~E 2~ is an exploded perspective view of the print head; , -.
. .
k~6 .''1'" ' ~ .
.: . ' ' ' '' ~ ', ~ ' "', . - , ' '~ '.''' " ' .. ''. .' ' .. . ' .
FIGURE 25 is a sectional view of the print head taken generally along line 25--25 of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 26 is a sectional view showing the selector in relationship to the associated driven wheels;
FIGURE 27 is an enlarged sectional view showing the manner in which detenting of the selectQr is effected, but showing the driven members as being of different widths;
FIGURE 28 is a view similar 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, elevational ~-view showing an alternative arrangement for constructing the selectox;
FI~URE 30 is a perspective view showing the driving`
memher depicted in FIGURE 29; ;-~
FIGURE 31 is a par~ly exploded perspective view of a - :
modified print head in accordance with the invention; ~ ::
FIGURE 32 is an exploded perspective view af the ~ :
selector in association with type wheels and mounting structure ~
for the type wheels; : ~:
FIGURE 33 is an end elevational view of the type wheels and the selector assembled in the mounting me~bers; and ;~
FIGURE 34 is a sectional view taken generally along line 34--34 of FIGURE 33.
,~
1 0589GO ; ~
- ~ .
Referring now to a label printing and applying apparatus generally indicated at 210 in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 27, and initially to FIGURE 1, there is shown to be a housing or main frame generally indicated at 211r The housing or ~rame 211 is specifically shown to include a pair of frame sections 212 and 213. Disposed within the ~ ~-housing 211 is a subrame generally indicated at 214 which compris~s a pair of subframe 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 21~ is mounted by the subframe 214. rlore specifically, the print head 219 .~:
includes a plurality of selectable settable printing members ~:~
.~
220 in the form of endless printing bands mounted by a print ~ : -head fxame 221. E~tending from the frame 221 are a pair of `~
flanges 222 and 223. Gear sections or specificalIy racks 224 and 225 are provided at the ends of the respective flanges 222 and 223. Opposed tracks 2Z6 and 227 are formed on the -respective 1anges 222 and 223 to receive straight ball bearings 228:and 229. The subrame sections 215 and 216 have respective ~ `
tracks 230 and 231. The ball bearing 228 is received in the ;.
.', ' ~"~".
~ .
..
G
. ~ . . .
- `~
:~5~9~3 track 22G of t'ne rlange 222 and in the track 230, and the ball bearing 229 is received in the track 227 in the flange 223 and in ~he track 231. The ball bearings 228 and 229 have respecti~e balls 228' and 229' rotatably held by respective tangs or holders 228" and 229". In this manner, the print head 219 is mounted for movement, particularly reciprocating movement, toward and away from the platen 217. : :-The housing 211 has a handle generally indicated at 232 and particularly each housing or frame section Z12 and 213 has a respective handle portion 233 and 234. An operator generally indicated at 235 is shown to comprise a pivotally operated lever 236 pivotally mounted by a post 237 at the lower end of the handle 232. The lever 236 is normally urged in a counterclockwise direction (FIGURE 1) by a torsion spring ;~
238 received about the post 237. The pivotal movement of the lever 236 is limited by an adjustable stop block 239 received by the handle 232 between the handle portions 233 and 234. ~ ~:
The upper ~nd of the operating lever 235 carries a pair of spaced-apart gear sections 240 and 241. The gear sections ~: :
.~, .
240 and 241 are shown to be in the form of spur gear segments. :~
Gear sections 240 and 241 are in meshing engagement with . . , respective spur gears 242 and 243. The spur gears 242 and 243 are in meshing engagement with respecti~e gear sections 224 and 225 carried by the print head 219.
: A roll of pressure sensitive labels, in the form ~ .
for example o the composite web 30 shown in FIGURE 2, iS ~-.~ mounted by its core 44 by the sub-frame 214. As will be ~ ~:
describ0d in greater detail hereinafter, the composite web 30 is drawn off the roll into overlying relationship with ~ .' - :r~ ~1 ~:'' ,.,:, ' . , ' ,, ~ ' i8~6~ ~
respect to the platen 217 and the supporting material 32 is ~:~
engaged by a toothed driver 24~. The gear 243 carrles an integral pawl 45 cooperable with a ratchet wheel ~46 which is coupled to the driver 244 by a detant mechanism generally ~: :
indicated at 247. An input or drive member 248 of the detent mechanism 247 is shown in FIGU~E 1. The toothed driver 244 ~ ~
has a plurality of equally spaced apart drive teeth 249 ~.
arranged about its outer periphery. The pawl 245 is in~egrally joined at but one end to the gear 243. The pawl 245 is flexible and resilient and can ride on the ratchet wheel 246 and deflect :~
into engagement with a tooth 265 of the ratchet wheel 246.
The housing or frame section 213 has an access .
opening 250. A cover 251 is removably connected to the frame section 213 at the access opening 250. The cover 251 mounts an inking mschanism 252 coopPrable with the printing rnembers ~:
220 of the print head 219. The housing sections 212 and 213 mount an applicator 253 disyosed downs.tream 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 ma~erial to the side edges 34 and :
35 of the composite web 30. The cuts 33 known as "butt cuts" .
separate the web 31 of label material into a series of end-to- ~
end labels 36. The underside of the web 31 of label material ~:
has a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive 37 which adheres :
. .
. strongly to the web 31 of label material. The web 32 of . .
supporting material carries a thin film or coating (not shown) :, ,, .
, :~.r,, . _~) _ :~' ' ' ' , ~ ' , ' : . . . .
which allows the labels to be peeled fxom the web 32 of supporting material.
Groups 38 of cuts are provided at e~uall~ spaced apart intervals along the length of the composite web 30.
Each group 33 of cuts is shown to extend through the supporting material as well as through the label material. Each group or cuts is shown to be made in a generally I shaped con~iguration compri~ed of cuts 39S, 40S and 41S in the supporting material and aligned cuts 39L, 40L and 4lL in the label material. The part o the web 32 between the one end of the cut 39S and the cut 40S provides a frangible portion 43S and the part of the web 32 between the other end of the cut 39S and the cut 41S -~
pro~ides frangible portion 4~S. In like manner, the part of ~
the label material between the end of the cut 39L and the cut <-40L provides a frangible portion 43L and the part between the other end o the cut 39L and the cut 41L provides a frangible ;~
portion 42L.
Referring to FIGURE 3, the interrelationship of the components of the apparatus 210 is shown in detail. The composite web 30 is paid out of the roll and passes through a passage provided by subframe sec~ions 215 and 2~6 and ~ ;.. ::
specifically by groove 254 (FIGURE 9) in the sub~rame section 215 and a cooperating groove ~55 (FIGURES 1, 3 and 7) in the `~
subframe section 216. From there the composite web 30 passes -~
partly around a roll 256 and into overlying relationship with the platen 217. Delamination 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 toothed dxiver 244 and the mating die wheel 259.
q .. ~ :. ... .. . :: .. . . . ... ... . . .. . .
~L OtS~6~ ~
As a tooth 24~ moves into mating cooperation with the die wheel 259, the tooth 249 engages the supporting material 32 at the longitudinal cut 39S and effects rupturing or bursting of the frangible portions 42S and 43S, whereupon the tooth 249 which is in mating cooperation with the die wheel 259 (FIGURE
18) is considered to have ormed a feed hole in the supporting material 242~ It is preferred that there be three teeth 249 in driviny engagement with the supporting material 32 at all times. The subframe sections 215 and 216 have respective aligned strippers 2Ç0 and 261 which facilitate disengagement oE the teQth 2~9 with the supporting mat~rial 232 as tne driver 244 rotates. Opposed guide grooves 262 and 263 formed in the su~rame sections 215 and 216 guide the supporting ~aterial 32 to an exit opening 2~4. Exress supporting material which dangles from the apparatus 210 can be readily torn of~ 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 lab~l 36 and the plat~n 217. The operator 235 is sho~m by solid lines in its initial or home position and in phantom lines 235' in the fully actuated position. In the fully actuated position, the print head 219 has been moved into printing cooperation with the labels 36 and the platen 217, and the operator 235 is in abutment with the stop block 239.
In this position of the operator 235, the flexible xesilient pawl 245 ~FIGURE 15), joined integrally at one en~ to the gear 243, has moved to the position shown by phantom lines 245' in driving cooperation with a tooth 265 of the ratchet wheel 246.
When the user releases ths operator 235, the spring 23~ (FIGURE 3) ''A'''~ I~
., ~ . .
, .. . . . ~ .. .
~S~3~6~
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 (FIGURE
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 line position from the fully actuated position indicated :~ :
by phantom lines 235', the gear sections 240 and 241 (FIGUR~S 3 and 4) rotate gears 2~2 and 243 clockwise (FIGURE 3~ to return the pxint 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, drives t:he ratchet wheel 246 counterclockwise (FIGURE 15). This counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel 246 (FIGUR~ 15) causes the driver 244 to advance the supporting material 32 to effect substantially `
complete delamination of a label at ~he 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 prevents the web of supporting material 32 from being accidentally moved -in the return direction.
As best shown in FIGURE 4, the driver 244 has an annular rim 267 joined to a hub 268 by a radial web 269. Tlle hub 26~ has a hub section 268' extending in one direction and .
" I~
~;r~
~ 5139q~
another hub section 26~" extendiny in the opposite direction.
The hub section 268' terminates at a knob 270, and the hub section 268" terminates at a knob 270'. The gear 242 i5 rotatably journaled on and with respect to the hub section 26~'. The gear 242 has a hub or flange 271 which is rotatabl~ journalecl in ol~ening 272 in the ~rame section 212. The 'nub section 268' e;stends through an enlarged opening 273 in tlle subframe section 215. The hub section 2G8" provides a stepped pair of bearing surfaces 274.
The ratchet wheel 246 is formed integrall~ with the drive r~ember 248 of the detent mechanism 247. The ratchet wheel 2~6 and the drive member 248 have a hub 276 with a step~ed bore 275 into which the huh section 268" extends. A hub 276 rotata~ly receives and mounts the gear 243. The gear 243 has a hub 277 rotatably xeceived in a bearing 278 for~ed inteyrally with the housiny section 213. As seen in FIGURE 4 the gears 242 and 243 are in driving engagement with respective gear sections 224 and 225 carried by the print head 219; the relative position of the drive pawl 245 to the ratchet wheel 2~6 is also shown.
~ ith r~ference to FI~UR~ 15l the drive men~er 48 includes a plurality of spring fingers or detent pawls 27R.
The pawls 278 are of equal length, are ~lexible and resilient, -~
and are continuously urged against teeth 279 for~ed on the inside of the annular rim 2570 In the illustrated e~odiment there are one hundred and seventy-seven teeth 279 at equally spaced-apart intarvals. There are twelve pawls 278 integrally connected to the hub 276 at equally spaced-apart intervals.
The teeth 279 comprise respective tooth faces 280 and a recess between adjacent tooth faces 280 in which the end of a pawl 278 can be received. The pawls 278 drive the feed wheel 244 in a -driving direction (counterclockwise in FIGURE 15~ but can ~ove in c,--,,~
,:, . ,, -, ,:
... . .
,:
., . - .
~5~0 a non-driving direction (clockwise in FIGURE lS) relative to the feed wheel 24~ by manually operating the detent mechanism 247.
Acoordingly, 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 28C by different increments as best illustrated in FIGURE 16. l~o~nally, the pawls 278 hold the ratchet wheel 246 and the feed wheel or .
driver 244 in fixed relationship with respect to each other.
With reference to FIGURE 15, as the drive pawl 245 moves counter- ~
clockwise the ratchet wheel 246 is driven counterclockwise and . ~:
the three pawls 278 which are in driving engagemsnt with their r~spective tooth faces 280 will drive the feed wheel 2~4 counter~
clockwise. Accordingly, there is no relative xotation between . the ratchet wheel 246 and the feed wheel 244. Should it be -desired to change the position to which the labels are advanced by the feed wheel 244 upon actuation of the operator 235, the :~ user will grasp the knobs 270 and 270' and will rotate the knob 270' counterclockwise (FIGURE 1) relative to the knob 270~ This will cause the input member 248 to rotate ~counter- /:
. clockwise in FIGURE 1, clockwise in FIGURE 15) relative to the . ~ :
feed wheel 244 so that tha next three successive teeth move into - engagement with the next three respective tooth faces 280, For example, if it is consider~d that first, fifth and ninth , pawls 278 were initially in engagement with respective teeth 279, only a very slight rotation will cause second, sixth and :
: tenth pawls to move into engagement with their respectiv~ tooth .
.:, : faces 280, and so on. Although any desired number of pawls 278 ~ .
and teeth 280 can be used, the illustrated en~odiment provides : :
. :
'~
: ~ ~3 ; ::
, .. . .. .
, ; - ~ . ;
~ ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ~ . ~ ' . . . ! .
~Q5~g6i0 ver~l minute adjustment of the feed wheel 244 relative to the platen 217 and the peel edye 218 and the arranyement of teeth 280 and cooperating pawls 27~ causes the entire input or drivs member 248 to oe centered within the annular rim 267. With respect to the printing function, adjustment of the detent mechanism 247 changes the position relative to the printing zone between the print head 219 and the platen 217 to t~lich a label 36 is advancedO With respect to the delaminating unction, operation of the detent mechanism 247 also changes the position to which the label 36 is advanced. Accordingly, `
it is apparent that the de~ent mechanism 247 i5 useful both in establishing the position to which a label is advanced relative 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 lahel 36 is held in~that position until it is ready to b0 applied to merchandise by the applicator 253.
As best shown in FIGURES 15, 17, and 18, the supportin~
' ~ material 32 is initially brought into engagement with the feed whe~l 244 as it passes around the die wheel 259. The die wheel 259 is comprised of an annular plastic roll 281 journaled ~ ~.
-~ by subframe sections 215 and 216. The roll 281 has frictional members in the form of rub~r 0-rings 282 received at spaced-apart locations about the periphery of the roll 281. The 0-rings straddle the teeth 249 and are just spaced apart far enough to act as a die wheel with mating teeth 249. As a tooth 249 bPgins to engage the ~Yeb of supporting material 32 at the cut 39S
., ~ .
,~ :
.
, ~:, . ,, ~ , . . ..
,.. . . . . . . ..
~5~
(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 -.
wlleel 2~t4 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 24~ is in driving engagement with the leading cut 41So When the first tooth 249 registexs with the group 38 of cuts in the supporting material 32 the composite web 30 is properly registered with the printing zone and the delaminating zoneO Once such registration is accomplish~d as the result of the tooth 249 cooperating with the die roll 259, correct registration continues. -The platen 217 and the peel edge 218 (FIGUP~ES 1, 3 and 4) are formed from an inversel~-bent plate having 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-~xtensive and are secured to each other by -waldments 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 subframe sections 215 and 216. A label stopper is provided by a pair of aligned plates 218' formed integrally with the .
: subframe sections 215 and 216. The plates 21~' are disposed ~.;
~ beneath but are spaced from the plate 217. Should a label 36 " ~' ' . - :
: :, .,,~
- . . . .. .
~58916~ ~
attempt to fall onto the supporting material 32 after being delaminated at the peel edge 218, the labels 36 will be caught by the plates 218'. This will prevent any label 36 from continuing along the path through which the supporting material 32 passes after passing the peel edge 218. ~:
With reference to FIGURE 3, the stop block 239 is shown to be slidable on a stop surface 287~ The stop bloc}~
239 has a threaded bore 288 which threadably receives an adjusted screw 289. One ~alf of the screw 289 is rotatably received in a semi-circular groove 290 and one-half of the head 291 of the scxew 289 is captive in a semi-circular recess --292 in the seat 293. The handle portion 233 of the frame section 212 provides another stop suxface (not shown) for the stop blook 239 in aligNment with the stop surface 2~7, another semi-circular groove (not shown) opposite the groove 290 for receiving the other one-half of the screw 289~ and another semi-clrcular ~:
recess (~ot shown) opposite the recess 292 for receiving the other one-half of the head 291. A hole 294, one-half of which is ~ormed by each handle portion 233 and 234, enables entry . ~
of a tool ~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 ~ s`
(FIGURE 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 ths operator 235.
:'.', ~ ,, ' ~.
" ::
~, , , ~ . , "
~i39~;0 ~ itIl reference to FIGURE 13, the in~ing mechanism 252 is shown to comprise a one piece inker body 295 having an aligned pair of sockets 296 haviny convergina openings 297.
The sockets 296 extend for more than 1~0 so that the ink roll 29~ can be snapped into the sockets 296. The in~er body 295 has a pair of aligned projections 299 which ars capable of being snapped into sockets 300 ~FIGU~E 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 FIGUP~E 14 to be urged against the cover 251. The spriny finger 301 normally urges the inking r,lechanism 252 into the solid line position shown in FIGURE 14. The in~
roll~r 29~ is sho~m in FIGURE 14 to be in the path of but slightly spaced from the print head l9 because in that position the ink~r ~ ~`
body 295 contacts the frame 221 of the print head 219, ~hen the print head 219 is moved from the solid line position to the ;~
phantom line position, the ink roll 29Z applies in~ to the printing bands 220 and the entire inking mechanism 252 pivots about projections 299 to the position shown in phantom lines.
Whsn 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. ~ ;
~lith reference to FIGURE 13, the ink roller 298 is shown to comprise a pair of hub section 30~ 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 ,'1, -~ ~. - ' . '.
.. . .
: ~:
'. , '. ' ~...:
." ,.
~ ^~ J ~1 :
portion 307~ The reduced portion 307 is disposed between the flange 306 and the projection 304. The other hub portion 303 has an annular flange 308 disposed between a reduced portion 309 and a stub end 310. The reduced portion 309 has a bore 304' into which the projection 304 is adapted to be press-fitted. The projection 304 has straight ~lutes which serve to lock the hub portions 302 and 303 together. ~n ink-receptive tubular porous roll 311, composed for exam~le of rubber or the like, i5 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 311 and prevent the roll 311 from shifting.
With reference to FIGURES 7, 8 and 9, the subframe sections 215 and 216 are shown to have respective integral leaf springs 312 and 313. The 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 313 and 319~ surfaces 318' and 3:L9' of which are received 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 313 and 319 nor the brake members 314 and 315 contact the composite web 30 which is wound on the label core 44. ~n this manner, any gum or adhesive that my exist at the marginal side edges of the composite web 30 will not be transferred to the brake surfaces 316 and 317. FIGVRE 10 illustrates, in exaggerated form, by phantom lines, the initial positions of the leaf springs 312 and 313, the brake members 314 and 315 ~ -and the hubs 318 and 319. The initial canted position of the '':. '' , ' ~,r^~ J g .': ~ ` ' ' , " ' ' ' ' , ~ :
~L~5~6C~
leaf springs 313, the ~rake members 315 and the hub 319 relative to the remainder of the subframe section 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 surfaces 316 and 317 will exert a pre-determined brakiny 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 supporting material from the label roll to the printing zone, to the peel edge 218, and to the toothed driver 244. As the pawl 266 (FIGURE 15) prevents the reverse rotation of the driver 244, it is seen that the appara~us maintains a slight but desirable ~mount of tension on the web of supporting material 32 at all times. ~;~
The frame 211 comprises an essentially closed shellbut ~he 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 disassem~ly of the apparatus 210.
With reference to FIGURES 20 thxough 23, there is shown the applicator 253 mounted by the frame 211. The applicator 253 comprises a hub 320 shown to have four annular generally V-shaped grooves 321 in which respective wheels 322 are rotatably mounted.
The hub 320 also has a pair o annular flanges 323 disposed between the set of thrae wheels 322 and the remaining wheel 322. The wheels 322 have great~r 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 the hub to be retained in cooperating yieldable sockets 326 and 327 in ~rame sections 212 and 213. The sockets 326 and 327 ::
'' "`' ' . , . ' ~, )q .. . . .
.... .. . . . . .
": . , .. ,, ,.: ., . , , . . , :
.": , , , . ,, , -, . ..
l~S1~96~
are compris~d of a plurality of separata 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 th~ cooperating stub ends 32~ provide opposed snap-fit connections, The wheels 322 are identical so only one is de~cribed in detail. Each wheel 322 is comprised o an annular rim 330 having an annular groove 331 in its outer peripher~, A rubber O-ring 332 is received in the groove 331. A plurality of equally spaced-apart arms 333 formed integrally with ths rim 330 have generally V-shaped bearing sections 334 received in the respective groove 321. The bearing sections 334 of the arms 333 exert forces against the hub 320, but enable the wheel 322 to rotate relative to the hub 320 and enable the wheel ~22 to yield as a label 36 is being applied to the merchandise.
As the rubber O-rings 332 have a high coefficient of friction, rotation of the wheels 322 cluring 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 printing which was applied to the labels 36 ~y the print head 219. As the label is pressed onto the merchandise, the arms 333 allow the wheels to yield. This yielding action is particularly useful when applying labels to merchandise having irregular surfaces in that the wheels 322 are mounted for both ind~pendent rotational and independent ylelding movements with respect to each other. The flanges 323 -~
prevent the adjacent wheels 322 from deflecting more than a small amount away from the perpendicular with respect to the hub 320.
: ~ .
'; '' , ~0 -2-~-.. , . . . . . . . ,. . . . - :
.
: : ;'' ' :, ' :. '' ' ,' .', . -.:
~89~
Referring to FIGURE 2~, there is shown an 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 are 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 receiving a projection 340 o. the other side plate 341. A post 342 is formed in~egrally ~ -with the side plate 335 in axial alignment with a hole 343 in the side plate 341. A pair o studs or posts 344 formed integrally `: ~
with the side plate 335 have hooks 345 which engage shoulders ;:
346 of the side plate 341. The side plate 341 has projections 347 which are adapted to fit under projections 348 on the block 336. When the projections 347 are positioned underneath the projections 348, that is, between the projections 34~ and the .~-:
side plate 335, the projection 340 is received in the sockst ~ .
.~ 339, and when the hooks 345 are in engagement with shaulders 1 346, then the frame 221 is securely but releasably locked together.
: The printing bands 220 are mounted in the fram~ 221 as best shown in FIGURE 25. The printing bands 220 are urged against the support or pressure member 337 and are detented bscause teeth 349 formed on th underside of each of the printing band~ 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 trained partiall~ around driven members in the form of wheels 351, the printing bands 220 are under slight tension, and the wheiels are cradled in and rotatable on the mounting suraces 338. The wheels 351 have notches 352 in which the teeth 349 are received.
Each printing band 220 has a plurality of printing blocks or elements 353. The diff~rent printing bloc~s 353 ~ ;
of each printing band 220 can print different data, as is ~ `~
conventional. The printing bloc~s 353 are contained in a prin~ing section 354 of the printin~ band 220. The printing band 220 also contains a non-printing human readable section 355. The human readable section 355 contains human readable indiciaO 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 the .. .
print head 219 is to print. This i generally accomplished by advancing the printing band 220 to the printing position in which the selected data will be prin~ed on the label~ A
selQctor, ~enerally indicated at 357, has a knob 358 and a ~haft or tubular portion 359 received by the post 342. The .
selector 357 is freely rotata~le abou~ the post 342 and is movable axially so that its driving members or drive elements ~ ;
in the ~orm of lugs 360 can be shifted into driving cooperation ~ ~
with any one o~ the drive~ members 351. Each driven member 351 ~;-has a central hole 361 which is provided with a plurality of notches 362 for receiviny respective lugs 360. Each driven ~ ~-member 351 is also chamfered at the central hole 361 to the "
~ ::
, ....... .
, ,.'1.~,-,,, . - ~ .. . .. ~ ,. ~ - .
: . : , .: - . :. . ~ "
~s~
driving lugs 360, the selector 357 is shown to have a pair of opposed pawls or spring detent elements or fingers 36~, :
the ends of which engage the recesses provided by the chamfering ;-363. The detent fingers 364 serve to hold the selector 357 in the axial position to which it is manually shifted, but enable the selector 357 to be shited to any desired position so that its driving ~embers 360 will be in driving 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 labelsr ; ;~
The driving lugs 360 are spaced slightly from the ends of the recesses or notches 362. Should the user attempt tu turn ~ ~
the knob 353 so as to apply excessive torque to the selector 357, ,~! ~ ", the driving lugs 360 will deflect and move out of the set of notches 362 in which they are positio.ned in the driven member 351 :
... . .
and will move 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 received.
There is a spacer 365 between each of the driven me.mbers 351 and bands 220. Each of the spacers 365 has a pair of lugs ;` 365' which engage around the ends 366 at the ends of the mounting ::: .
surface 338. ~
;
... .
,"'~ ' ~', ':'. . ~
,`' . ~ ' ,:
: ~ ~3 ::
:, .
-",: :; . . .. .
. .:;
~5139 Ei~l The selector 357 is provided with an annular groove 367 adjacent the knob 358. ~n indicator, yenerall~ indicated at 368, has a split collar 369 with a projection 370 received in the groove 367. The indicator 36~ has a rectangular section 371 which defines the window 356. Tlle posts 344 have tongues ; or guides 344' which are in engagement in grooves 372 in the rectangular section 371. A pair of pointers 373 disposed on : the inner surface of the rectangular section 371 are in align-ment with the lugs 360 on the selector 357. Accordingly, th~
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 driving engagement with the desired driven member 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 seations 212 and 213 by respective guidss 375 and 376 (see FIGURES 1, 3, 14). -~
The housing or frame sections 212 and 213 are connected by ide~tical snap-fit connections including generally snap-shaped :- :
flexible resilient members 377 arranged along the periphery of : :
: ~ , ~he housing section 212 and engaged in undercut recesses 378 in the housing section 213. One of these snap~fit connections ; is shown in detal in FIGU~E 5.
,:
~:
... , ~.
.-:
.
I~ ' ~i : , : r~
~l~58~
The subErame sections 215 and 216 of the subframe 214 are connected to each other and the frame sections 212 and 213 of the frame 211 are connected to the subframe 214 by means of three sets of identical snap-fit connections generally indicated at 379, one of which i5 shown in detail in FIGURE
19. ~7ith reference to FIGURE 19, the frame sections 212 and 213 have respective sockets 380 and 381 comprised of a plurality of respective flexible resilient fingers 382 and ;~
383. The subframe 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 3g6 comprised of a plurality of flexible `~
resilient ingers 387 snap-fitted into the socket 381. The subframe section 215 has a projection 388 comprised of a plurality of ~:~
flexible resilient spring fingers 389 received in a socket 390.
The socket 390 is comprised of flexible resilient spring fingers :~
391. A projection 392 formed inteyrally with the frame section :
212 extands 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 mad2 thinner and consequently 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 21~, the projection 392 prevents the subframe sections 215 and 216 from separating because the spring fingers 389 cannot deflect in~ardly because .
, . , : ' ;.
2~' ,,, , . , -- , . . . .
: :~; . . . .
,, ,,, , . ,, , , . i , ~ , . . , ~, ..
: ,. ~ , , , ~, , " .
~Lal 5~96~
of the interference provided hy the projection 392. Once the frame section 213 has been removed, the inside of the apparatus 218 is exposed. It is apparent that accidental unsnapping of the subrame 214 or the frame section 212 from the subframe 214 is obviated by this construction. ~urther 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 i 380. ~en this has been accomplish_d, the projection 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 FIGURES 7 through 9 for example, the subframe section 216 is shown to have four projections 393 which are adapted to be snugly received in recesses 394 at the end of the guide 262. The projections 393 received in the holes 394 assist in re~ovably holding the subframe sections 215 and 216 together.
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 - 3~6 at its other end. To attacll 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 396 to snap under a lip 398 of the frame section 213. In this manner, the inking , :
mechanism or inker 252 is removably mounted to the apparatus.
To remove the inking 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 39~.
,., ~.,, ~. .i .
, : . . . . .
. . , , , , . ,~ . .
, .. . . . "..... . . . . . . .
~5~96~ :
~' ` .
With reference to ~IGURE 6, the operator 235 is shown to pivot on the pin 237. It ls preferred to pivot the operator 235 al the lower end of the handle 232 in that the user's 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 ana 402 are received in sockets 405 and 406 in respective ~ ~ .
fxame sections 212 and 213. The sockets 405 and 406 are comprisad ::~
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 sectio~. Legs 409 and 410 are shown to be rotatably received about the pin 237. The spiral or torsion spring 23 is shown to be received on pin 237 between the legs ~09 and :`
410~ If it is desired to remove the ~Erame section 213, the -:
frame section 213 is moved relatively away from the frame section 212 causing the socket 406 to move out of snap-fit engagement with the end 402. Only whsn 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. :
With 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 pair of opposed pawls 364a, selectively controls the setting . .~.
o a selected driven member or wheel 351a. The embodiment of FIGURE 28 differs from the embodimenk of the print head 219 shown for e~ample in FIGURFS 24 through 28 in that each of the ',, ' ' .,', " . . . . ..
,',~,' ' '' ' ', . ' . ' '~ ~, . ' . .
~L~S89~
driven members 351a is provided with an internal annular groove 411 and the chamfering 363 (FIGURE 27~ is omitted.
Accordingly, instead of having the pawl 364a engage between adjacent driven members 351 as s~own in FIGUR~S 26 and 27 for example, the pawls 364a engage in the groove 411 of one of the driven members 351a, and as is preferred in the groove 411 of the same wheel with which the lugs 360a are in driving engagement. By this construction, the driving function as well a~ the detenting func~ion are accomplished by the selector 357a in cooperation with a single driven member 351a.
FIGURE 27 is actually an alternative embodiment ~
which shows the detenting of one of the pawls 364 in recesses ~ --or grooves provided by beveling or chamering 363. FIGUR~ 27 shows one of the wheels 351 as wider than the adjacent wheel 351 to show that the selectox 357 in accordance with the invention can work equally well with wheels 351 of different sizes without ~affecting detenting. With such a cons~ruction some of the printing bands 220 can be wider than oth2rs as is highly desirable in some applications.
With reference to FIGU~ES 29 and 30, there is shown another embodiment of a selector generally indicated at 357b.
The selector 357b is the same as the selector 357 in that it has four drive lugs 360b, and a pair of opposed pawls 364b. -The selectox 357b di~fers fxom 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 sections 412 and 413 snap-fitted together. The body section 412 has a non-circular hole, and in particular a square hole 414, , and the body section 413 has a corresponding square portion 415 ~-, ~.
~ ~8 ~, , ~ , , , : . :
~L~S8~66~ ~
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 selsctor 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 FIGURES 29 and 30.
Referring to the embodiment of FIGU~E 31, there is shown a print head generally indicated a 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 1anges 222 and 223 and gear sections 224 and 225. According:Ly, the pair of gears (not shown) which would mesh with gear sections 224c and 225c would have to be spaced apart by a greater distance than the ~ :
gears 242 and 243. It is also apparent that ball tracks ~not ~ ~:
shown) which would c~rrespond to the ball tracks 230 and 231 would have to be spaced wider apart, as would be readily apparant to one skilled in the art. Side plate 341c carries a guide - ^
member 374c. The side plate 341c rotatably mounts a pair of selectors 357c or the respective set of driven members 351c.
The posts 344c mount respective rectangular sections 371c which provide respective windows 356c. It i5 readily apparent that .: ~
~ with slight modification tne print head 219c can be operated ., .
., .
~ 5~396(~
by a mechanism the same in principle and construction as the mechanism which operates the print head 219.
Referring to the embodiment of FIGURES 32, 33 and 34, there is provided a selector 357d which is identical to the selector 357. Printing members take the form o~ 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 is shown to be formed integrally with each side of the hub 422. The wheels 423 have generally annular outer surfaces 424 received in sockets 425 of adjacent mounting members 426. The sockets ~25 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 respective soc~ets 425 by : .
spreading arms 428. Mounting members 426 are providad with recesses 429 in which offset integrally formed detent pawls or ~;
spring fingers 420 and 431 are disposed. The pawl 430 of one - , mounting member 426 is cooperable with no~ches 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 e~ect detenting of the adjacent print wheel 220d on the other side o~ the mounting member 226.
Each wheel 220d has a central hole 432, the ends of which are chamfered as indicated at 433. As best shown in FIGURE 34, pawls or detent elements 364d are received in the .. ~
chamfering between adjacent wheels 220d and drive elements or ~`
lugs 360d are in driving engagement with notches 362d in the adjacent print wheel 220d. Notches 352d and associated lugs ,.
,;"", .,, , , , . , :' - .' ' ~ , :~
.. . . .
, ~0589~
3G2d' of each wheel 220d constitute a dxiven element which can be driven by the drive elements 360d~ I desired, detenting can be effected in the manner illustrated in the embodir,lent of FIGU~E 28. ;~
It is preferred to mold the driver or feed wheel ~;
24~ 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. Ho~7ever, ~he 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 polytetrafluoroeth~lene lubricants. One '~ Such material is sold commercially under the ~rademark ~hermocomp, ~;~
i ~ Numbex KL-4030 by Liquid Nitrogen Processing Corporation, Ualvern, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. The remaindex of the apparatus I in FIGURES~I through 34 except for the platen 217, O-rings 282 `~
1 and 332, the ball bearings ~28 and 229, the spring 23~, the !`
washers 365~ and rubber printing ban~s 220, are composed of suitabl~ lightweight r.loldable plastic materials, for example, - -; a~etal, acrylonitrile-~utadiene-styrene, or the like, but the in~roll 311 is preferably constructed of porous vinyl. -~
,,: , 1', , .
ccordingly, the apparatus is very ligh~ in weigh~, and easy and convenient to use with a minimum of fatigue.
O~her embodiments and modifications of this invention ~;
will suggest themselves to those s~illed in the art, and all ;~
~uch o these as come within the spirit of this invention are included within its scope as best deined by the appended claims.
. . .
r-p ,~, ,~, : .
., . - . . - . . .. . .
,, :... , . , . , .. :
, . ~, , , :
, ,: , . " . . ..... . ... ..
.
, . .. .. .
.?
3,501,365, E. C. Marshall, March 17, 1970; 3,551,251, Yo Sato et al, .
December 29, 1970; 3,611,929, Kurt Schrotz et al, October 12, 1971;
are made of record.
~ , , ; ' ~''~",.
'' '' :
., i ~ , , , . .
t : .
i~ . .
,'', .
. --1 ,~
. ~ .
~; Docket M-232-C~
Summary~of the Invention ~: The invention comprises an inker or inking mechanism co~perable with printing means in the form of a print head. The inker comprises a one-piece inker ~ody and -~ an ink roller rotata~ly mounted by the ~nker body. The ink , roller comprises a hub snap-fitted into the inker body and .~ an lnk recep~ive roll on the hubo The hub comprises a pair : o~ hub sections. mhere is a stub end on ~ach hub section and a flange on each hub section in~oard of the stub end. A
porous ink receptive tubular roll is mounted ~etween the ~: .
.. ^. flanges of the hub sections. The stub ends of the ink roller are snap-fitted into the inker body~ The inker body is '~''`'7 mounted for relative movement wîth r~spect to the printing means. The inker body inclu~ès an integrally formed resilient ~:~ flexible ~inger for ~rging the ink rs311 into cooperation with he pxinting means.
,; ,.~ ,:
,," ~ .
,,:, ...
.: . .
:..~ -:;
.';: ' : ,, ,,~ , , .
, ".. . . .
:,... ; . . :
',',.,:.' , ~
.:.,.: :~ .
.. `` :.! ~
.; `......
,;.
. - ..
, .,` ' . !
: . ' ' ': .::
-.' ':
': '-.:::
. :'~:, , ',', . " . :
'.:' ,. .:' ':: ' '' ': '':' ~' ' . ;', : "' . ' :. -2~
.''.' ~ , , .
, . . . . .
, ,: ,~ . ,., . :
FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of label printing and applying apparatu.s for carrying out the method of the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a partly broken away top plan view of a composite web useful in the label printing and applying apparatus of the invention;
FIGURE 3 is a sectional elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE l;
: FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken generally along line 4--4 of FIGURE 3; ~ : ~
FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--S ~ .
of FIGURE 3;
~; FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken alsng line 6-~6 ~: . of FIGURE 3;
;. :-~ - .
FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of one or 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;
FIGUR~ 10 i5 a top plan view showing the manner in : `
which the label core foY the ~oll of labels is held and the :~
manner in which braking force is applied by the subframe sections;
FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11 of FIGURE 10;
::, FIGURE 12 is a sectional view taken generally along line 12--12 of FIGURE 3; , -.~ .
: ' ~ 3 . . . . . .. .
~`~5~3~6~ . :
~GU~ 13, in th~ second sheet of drawinc3s, is an exploded ~erspective vi~w of the inking mecha~ism;
FI~UR~ 1~ is an enlarged sectional view showing a fragmentary portion of the appar~tus in solid lines, and in ~ -particular showiny a fragmentary portion o the print head and the inking Mechanism in both solid and phantom line positions;
FIGURE 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15--15 of FIGURE 4;
~ ~IGURE 16 is a developed view showing the arrangement of the teeth of the detent mechanism; : ~ s FIGURE 17 is a sectional view ta}~en along line 17--17 .
o* ~IGURE 15; .
~ FIGURE 18 is ~ sectional view ta~en generally alon~
line 18--18 of FIGURE 15;
;.
FIGURE 19 is a sectional view showing one OI the three sets of snap-fit connections used to interconnect the - :
rame and the subfxa~e;
FIGU~ 20 is an enlaxged view of an applicator roll . shown mount~d in the frame o the apparatus;
: FIGVRE 21 is a sectional view taken along line 21-~21 of FIGUR~ 20;
IGUR~ 22 is a sectional view taken along line 22--22 o~ FIGURE 21~ but omitting the shaft and the frictional member;
FIGURE 23 is a partly sectional view of the mounting sha~t which forms part of the applicator roll;
FIGVl~E 2~ is an exploded perspective view of the print head; , -.
. .
k~6 .''1'" ' ~ .
.: . ' ' ' '' ~ ', ~ ' "', . - , ' '~ '.''' " ' .. ''. .' ' .. . ' .
FIGURE 25 is a sectional view of the print head taken generally along line 25--25 of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 26 is a sectional view showing the selector in relationship to the associated driven wheels;
FIGURE 27 is an enlarged sectional view showing the manner in which detenting of the selectQr is effected, but showing the driven members as being of different widths;
FIGURE 28 is a view similar 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, elevational ~-view showing an alternative arrangement for constructing the selectox;
FI~URE 30 is a perspective view showing the driving`
memher depicted in FIGURE 29; ;-~
FIGURE 31 is a par~ly exploded perspective view of a - :
modified print head in accordance with the invention; ~ ::
FIGURE 32 is an exploded perspective view af the ~ :
selector in association with type wheels and mounting structure ~
for the type wheels; : ~:
FIGURE 33 is an end elevational view of the type wheels and the selector assembled in the mounting me~bers; and ;~
FIGURE 34 is a sectional view taken generally along line 34--34 of FIGURE 33.
,~
1 0589GO ; ~
- ~ .
Referring now to a label printing and applying apparatus generally indicated at 210 in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 27, and initially to FIGURE 1, there is shown to be a housing or main frame generally indicated at 211r The housing or ~rame 211 is specifically shown to include a pair of frame sections 212 and 213. Disposed within the ~ ~-housing 211 is a subrame generally indicated at 214 which compris~s a pair of subframe 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 21~ is mounted by the subframe 214. rlore specifically, the print head 219 .~:
includes a plurality of selectable settable printing members ~:~
.~
220 in the form of endless printing bands mounted by a print ~ : -head fxame 221. E~tending from the frame 221 are a pair of `~
flanges 222 and 223. Gear sections or specificalIy racks 224 and 225 are provided at the ends of the respective flanges 222 and 223. Opposed tracks 2Z6 and 227 are formed on the -respective 1anges 222 and 223 to receive straight ball bearings 228:and 229. The subrame sections 215 and 216 have respective ~ `
tracks 230 and 231. The ball bearing 228 is received in the ;.
.', ' ~"~".
~ .
..
G
. ~ . . .
- `~
:~5~9~3 track 22G of t'ne rlange 222 and in the track 230, and the ball bearing 229 is received in the track 227 in the flange 223 and in ~he track 231. The ball bearings 228 and 229 have respecti~e balls 228' and 229' rotatably held by respective tangs or holders 228" and 229". In this manner, the print head 219 is mounted for movement, particularly reciprocating movement, toward and away from the platen 217. : :-The housing 211 has a handle generally indicated at 232 and particularly each housing or frame section Z12 and 213 has a respective handle portion 233 and 234. An operator generally indicated at 235 is shown to comprise a pivotally operated lever 236 pivotally mounted by a post 237 at the lower end of the handle 232. The lever 236 is normally urged in a counterclockwise direction (FIGURE 1) by a torsion spring ;~
238 received about the post 237. The pivotal movement of the lever 236 is limited by an adjustable stop block 239 received by the handle 232 between the handle portions 233 and 234. ~ ~:
The upper ~nd of the operating lever 235 carries a pair of spaced-apart gear sections 240 and 241. The gear sections ~: :
.~, .
240 and 241 are shown to be in the form of spur gear segments. :~
Gear sections 240 and 241 are in meshing engagement with . . , respective spur gears 242 and 243. The spur gears 242 and 243 are in meshing engagement with respecti~e gear sections 224 and 225 carried by the print head 219.
: A roll of pressure sensitive labels, in the form ~ .
for example o the composite web 30 shown in FIGURE 2, iS ~-.~ mounted by its core 44 by the sub-frame 214. As will be ~ ~:
describ0d in greater detail hereinafter, the composite web 30 is drawn off the roll into overlying relationship with ~ .' - :r~ ~1 ~:'' ,.,:, ' . , ' ,, ~ ' i8~6~ ~
respect to the platen 217 and the supporting material 32 is ~:~
engaged by a toothed driver 24~. The gear 243 carrles an integral pawl 45 cooperable with a ratchet wheel ~46 which is coupled to the driver 244 by a detant mechanism generally ~: :
indicated at 247. An input or drive member 248 of the detent mechanism 247 is shown in FIGU~E 1. The toothed driver 244 ~ ~
has a plurality of equally spaced apart drive teeth 249 ~.
arranged about its outer periphery. The pawl 245 is in~egrally joined at but one end to the gear 243. The pawl 245 is flexible and resilient and can ride on the ratchet wheel 246 and deflect :~
into engagement with a tooth 265 of the ratchet wheel 246.
The housing or frame section 213 has an access .
opening 250. A cover 251 is removably connected to the frame section 213 at the access opening 250. The cover 251 mounts an inking mschanism 252 coopPrable with the printing rnembers ~:
220 of the print head 219. The housing sections 212 and 213 mount an applicator 253 disyosed downs.tream 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 ma~erial to the side edges 34 and :
35 of the composite web 30. The cuts 33 known as "butt cuts" .
separate the web 31 of label material into a series of end-to- ~
end labels 36. The underside of the web 31 of label material ~:
has a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive 37 which adheres :
. .
. strongly to the web 31 of label material. The web 32 of . .
supporting material carries a thin film or coating (not shown) :, ,, .
, :~.r,, . _~) _ :~' ' ' ' , ~ ' , ' : . . . .
which allows the labels to be peeled fxom the web 32 of supporting material.
Groups 38 of cuts are provided at e~uall~ spaced apart intervals along the length of the composite web 30.
Each group 33 of cuts is shown to extend through the supporting material as well as through the label material. Each group or cuts is shown to be made in a generally I shaped con~iguration compri~ed of cuts 39S, 40S and 41S in the supporting material and aligned cuts 39L, 40L and 4lL in the label material. The part o the web 32 between the one end of the cut 39S and the cut 40S provides a frangible portion 43S and the part of the web 32 between the other end of the cut 39S and the cut 41S -~
pro~ides frangible portion 4~S. In like manner, the part of ~
the label material between the end of the cut 39L and the cut <-40L provides a frangible portion 43L and the part between the other end o the cut 39L and the cut 41L provides a frangible ;~
portion 42L.
Referring to FIGURE 3, the interrelationship of the components of the apparatus 210 is shown in detail. The composite web 30 is paid out of the roll and passes through a passage provided by subframe sec~ions 215 and 2~6 and ~ ;.. ::
specifically by groove 254 (FIGURE 9) in the sub~rame section 215 and a cooperating groove ~55 (FIGURES 1, 3 and 7) in the `~
subframe section 216. From there the composite web 30 passes -~
partly around a roll 256 and into overlying relationship with the platen 217. Delamination 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 toothed dxiver 244 and the mating die wheel 259.
q .. ~ :. ... .. . :: .. . . . ... ... . . .. . .
~L OtS~6~ ~
As a tooth 24~ moves into mating cooperation with the die wheel 259, the tooth 249 engages the supporting material 32 at the longitudinal cut 39S and effects rupturing or bursting of the frangible portions 42S and 43S, whereupon the tooth 249 which is in mating cooperation with the die wheel 259 (FIGURE
18) is considered to have ormed a feed hole in the supporting material 242~ It is preferred that there be three teeth 249 in driviny engagement with the supporting material 32 at all times. The subframe sections 215 and 216 have respective aligned strippers 2Ç0 and 261 which facilitate disengagement oE the teQth 2~9 with the supporting mat~rial 232 as tne driver 244 rotates. Opposed guide grooves 262 and 263 formed in the su~rame sections 215 and 216 guide the supporting ~aterial 32 to an exit opening 2~4. Exress supporting material which dangles from the apparatus 210 can be readily torn of~ 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 lab~l 36 and the plat~n 217. The operator 235 is sho~m by solid lines in its initial or home position and in phantom lines 235' in the fully actuated position. In the fully actuated position, the print head 219 has been moved into printing cooperation with the labels 36 and the platen 217, and the operator 235 is in abutment with the stop block 239.
In this position of the operator 235, the flexible xesilient pawl 245 ~FIGURE 15), joined integrally at one en~ to the gear 243, has moved to the position shown by phantom lines 245' in driving cooperation with a tooth 265 of the ratchet wheel 246.
When the user releases ths operator 235, the spring 23~ (FIGURE 3) ''A'''~ I~
., ~ . .
, .. . . . ~ .. .
~S~3~6~
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 (FIGURE
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 line position from the fully actuated position indicated :~ :
by phantom lines 235', the gear sections 240 and 241 (FIGUR~S 3 and 4) rotate gears 2~2 and 243 clockwise (FIGURE 3~ to return the pxint 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, drives t:he ratchet wheel 246 counterclockwise (FIGURE 15). This counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel 246 (FIGUR~ 15) causes the driver 244 to advance the supporting material 32 to effect substantially `
complete delamination of a label at ~he 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 prevents the web of supporting material 32 from being accidentally moved -in the return direction.
As best shown in FIGURE 4, the driver 244 has an annular rim 267 joined to a hub 268 by a radial web 269. Tlle hub 26~ has a hub section 268' extending in one direction and .
" I~
~;r~
~ 5139q~
another hub section 26~" extendiny in the opposite direction.
The hub section 268' terminates at a knob 270, and the hub section 268" terminates at a knob 270'. The gear 242 i5 rotatably journaled on and with respect to the hub section 26~'. The gear 242 has a hub or flange 271 which is rotatabl~ journalecl in ol~ening 272 in the ~rame section 212. The 'nub section 268' e;stends through an enlarged opening 273 in tlle subframe section 215. The hub section 2G8" provides a stepped pair of bearing surfaces 274.
The ratchet wheel 246 is formed integrall~ with the drive r~ember 248 of the detent mechanism 247. The ratchet wheel 2~6 and the drive member 248 have a hub 276 with a step~ed bore 275 into which the huh section 268" extends. A hub 276 rotata~ly receives and mounts the gear 243. The gear 243 has a hub 277 rotatably xeceived in a bearing 278 for~ed inteyrally with the housiny section 213. As seen in FIGURE 4 the gears 242 and 243 are in driving engagement with respective gear sections 224 and 225 carried by the print head 219; the relative position of the drive pawl 245 to the ratchet wheel 2~6 is also shown.
~ ith r~ference to FI~UR~ 15l the drive men~er 48 includes a plurality of spring fingers or detent pawls 27R.
The pawls 278 are of equal length, are ~lexible and resilient, -~
and are continuously urged against teeth 279 for~ed on the inside of the annular rim 2570 In the illustrated e~odiment there are one hundred and seventy-seven teeth 279 at equally spaced-apart intarvals. There are twelve pawls 278 integrally connected to the hub 276 at equally spaced-apart intervals.
The teeth 279 comprise respective tooth faces 280 and a recess between adjacent tooth faces 280 in which the end of a pawl 278 can be received. The pawls 278 drive the feed wheel 244 in a -driving direction (counterclockwise in FIGURE 15~ but can ~ove in c,--,,~
,:, . ,, -, ,:
... . .
,:
., . - .
~5~0 a non-driving direction (clockwise in FIGURE lS) relative to the feed wheel 24~ by manually operating the detent mechanism 247.
Acoordingly, 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 28C by different increments as best illustrated in FIGURE 16. l~o~nally, the pawls 278 hold the ratchet wheel 246 and the feed wheel or .
driver 244 in fixed relationship with respect to each other.
With reference to FIGURE 15, as the drive pawl 245 moves counter- ~
clockwise the ratchet wheel 246 is driven counterclockwise and . ~:
the three pawls 278 which are in driving engagemsnt with their r~spective tooth faces 280 will drive the feed wheel 2~4 counter~
clockwise. Accordingly, there is no relative xotation between . the ratchet wheel 246 and the feed wheel 244. Should it be -desired to change the position to which the labels are advanced by the feed wheel 244 upon actuation of the operator 235, the :~ user will grasp the knobs 270 and 270' and will rotate the knob 270' counterclockwise (FIGURE 1) relative to the knob 270~ This will cause the input member 248 to rotate ~counter- /:
. clockwise in FIGURE 1, clockwise in FIGURE 15) relative to the . ~ :
feed wheel 244 so that tha next three successive teeth move into - engagement with the next three respective tooth faces 280, For example, if it is consider~d that first, fifth and ninth , pawls 278 were initially in engagement with respective teeth 279, only a very slight rotation will cause second, sixth and :
: tenth pawls to move into engagement with their respectiv~ tooth .
.:, : faces 280, and so on. Although any desired number of pawls 278 ~ .
and teeth 280 can be used, the illustrated en~odiment provides : :
. :
'~
: ~ ~3 ; ::
, .. . .. .
, ; - ~ . ;
~ ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ~ . ~ ' . . . ! .
~Q5~g6i0 ver~l minute adjustment of the feed wheel 244 relative to the platen 217 and the peel edye 218 and the arranyement of teeth 280 and cooperating pawls 27~ causes the entire input or drivs member 248 to oe centered within the annular rim 267. With respect to the printing function, adjustment of the detent mechanism 247 changes the position relative to the printing zone between the print head 219 and the platen 217 to t~lich a label 36 is advancedO With respect to the delaminating unction, operation of the detent mechanism 247 also changes the position to which the label 36 is advanced. Accordingly, `
it is apparent that the de~ent mechanism 247 i5 useful both in establishing the position to which a label is advanced relative 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 lahel 36 is held in~that position until it is ready to b0 applied to merchandise by the applicator 253.
As best shown in FIGURES 15, 17, and 18, the supportin~
' ~ material 32 is initially brought into engagement with the feed whe~l 244 as it passes around the die wheel 259. The die wheel 259 is comprised of an annular plastic roll 281 journaled ~ ~.
-~ by subframe sections 215 and 216. The roll 281 has frictional members in the form of rub~r 0-rings 282 received at spaced-apart locations about the periphery of the roll 281. The 0-rings straddle the teeth 249 and are just spaced apart far enough to act as a die wheel with mating teeth 249. As a tooth 249 bPgins to engage the ~Yeb of supporting material 32 at the cut 39S
., ~ .
,~ :
.
, ~:, . ,, ~ , . . ..
,.. . . . . . . ..
~5~
(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 -.
wlleel 2~t4 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 24~ is in driving engagement with the leading cut 41So When the first tooth 249 registexs with the group 38 of cuts in the supporting material 32 the composite web 30 is properly registered with the printing zone and the delaminating zoneO Once such registration is accomplish~d as the result of the tooth 249 cooperating with the die roll 259, correct registration continues. -The platen 217 and the peel edge 218 (FIGUP~ES 1, 3 and 4) are formed from an inversel~-bent plate having 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-~xtensive and are secured to each other by -waldments 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 subframe sections 215 and 216. A label stopper is provided by a pair of aligned plates 218' formed integrally with the .
: subframe sections 215 and 216. The plates 21~' are disposed ~.;
~ beneath but are spaced from the plate 217. Should a label 36 " ~' ' . - :
: :, .,,~
- . . . .. .
~58916~ ~
attempt to fall onto the supporting material 32 after being delaminated at the peel edge 218, the labels 36 will be caught by the plates 218'. This will prevent any label 36 from continuing along the path through which the supporting material 32 passes after passing the peel edge 218. ~:
With reference to FIGURE 3, the stop block 239 is shown to be slidable on a stop surface 287~ The stop bloc}~
239 has a threaded bore 288 which threadably receives an adjusted screw 289. One ~alf of the screw 289 is rotatably received in a semi-circular groove 290 and one-half of the head 291 of the scxew 289 is captive in a semi-circular recess --292 in the seat 293. The handle portion 233 of the frame section 212 provides another stop suxface (not shown) for the stop blook 239 in aligNment with the stop surface 2~7, another semi-circular groove (not shown) opposite the groove 290 for receiving the other one-half of the screw 289~ and another semi-clrcular ~:
recess (~ot shown) opposite the recess 292 for receiving the other one-half of the head 291. A hole 294, one-half of which is ~ormed by each handle portion 233 and 234, enables entry . ~
of a tool ~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 ~ s`
(FIGURE 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 ths operator 235.
:'.', ~ ,, ' ~.
" ::
~, , , ~ . , "
~i39~;0 ~ itIl reference to FIGURE 13, the in~ing mechanism 252 is shown to comprise a one piece inker body 295 having an aligned pair of sockets 296 haviny convergina openings 297.
The sockets 296 extend for more than 1~0 so that the ink roll 29~ can be snapped into the sockets 296. The in~er body 295 has a pair of aligned projections 299 which ars capable of being snapped into sockets 300 ~FIGU~E 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 FIGUP~E 14 to be urged against the cover 251. The spriny finger 301 normally urges the inking r,lechanism 252 into the solid line position shown in FIGURE 14. The in~
roll~r 29~ is sho~m in FIGURE 14 to be in the path of but slightly spaced from the print head l9 because in that position the ink~r ~ ~`
body 295 contacts the frame 221 of the print head 219, ~hen the print head 219 is moved from the solid line position to the ;~
phantom line position, the ink roll 29Z applies in~ to the printing bands 220 and the entire inking mechanism 252 pivots about projections 299 to the position shown in phantom lines.
Whsn 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. ~ ;
~lith reference to FIGURE 13, the ink roller 298 is shown to comprise a pair of hub section 30~ 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 ,'1, -~ ~. - ' . '.
.. . .
: ~:
'. , '. ' ~...:
." ,.
~ ^~ J ~1 :
portion 307~ The reduced portion 307 is disposed between the flange 306 and the projection 304. The other hub portion 303 has an annular flange 308 disposed between a reduced portion 309 and a stub end 310. The reduced portion 309 has a bore 304' into which the projection 304 is adapted to be press-fitted. The projection 304 has straight ~lutes which serve to lock the hub portions 302 and 303 together. ~n ink-receptive tubular porous roll 311, composed for exam~le of rubber or the like, i5 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 311 and prevent the roll 311 from shifting.
With reference to FIGURES 7, 8 and 9, the subframe sections 215 and 216 are shown to have respective integral leaf springs 312 and 313. The 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 313 and 319~ surfaces 318' and 3:L9' of which are received 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 313 and 319 nor the brake members 314 and 315 contact the composite web 30 which is wound on the label core 44. ~n this manner, any gum or adhesive that my exist at the marginal side edges of the composite web 30 will not be transferred to the brake surfaces 316 and 317. FIGVRE 10 illustrates, in exaggerated form, by phantom lines, the initial positions of the leaf springs 312 and 313, the brake members 314 and 315 ~ -and the hubs 318 and 319. The initial canted position of the '':. '' , ' ~,r^~ J g .': ~ ` ' ' , " ' ' ' ' , ~ :
~L~5~6C~
leaf springs 313, the ~rake members 315 and the hub 319 relative to the remainder of the subframe section 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 surfaces 316 and 317 will exert a pre-determined brakiny 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 supporting material from the label roll to the printing zone, to the peel edge 218, and to the toothed driver 244. As the pawl 266 (FIGURE 15) prevents the reverse rotation of the driver 244, it is seen that the appara~us maintains a slight but desirable ~mount of tension on the web of supporting material 32 at all times. ~;~
The frame 211 comprises an essentially closed shellbut ~he 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 disassem~ly of the apparatus 210.
With reference to FIGURES 20 thxough 23, there is shown the applicator 253 mounted by the frame 211. The applicator 253 comprises a hub 320 shown to have four annular generally V-shaped grooves 321 in which respective wheels 322 are rotatably mounted.
The hub 320 also has a pair o annular flanges 323 disposed between the set of thrae wheels 322 and the remaining wheel 322. The wheels 322 have great~r 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 the hub to be retained in cooperating yieldable sockets 326 and 327 in ~rame sections 212 and 213. The sockets 326 and 327 ::
'' "`' ' . , . ' ~, )q .. . . .
.... .. . . . . .
": . , .. ,, ,.: ., . , , . . , :
.": , , , . ,, , -, . ..
l~S1~96~
are compris~d of a plurality of separata 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 th~ cooperating stub ends 32~ provide opposed snap-fit connections, The wheels 322 are identical so only one is de~cribed in detail. Each wheel 322 is comprised o an annular rim 330 having an annular groove 331 in its outer peripher~, A rubber O-ring 332 is received in the groove 331. A plurality of equally spaced-apart arms 333 formed integrally with ths rim 330 have generally V-shaped bearing sections 334 received in the respective groove 321. The bearing sections 334 of the arms 333 exert forces against the hub 320, but enable the wheel 322 to rotate relative to the hub 320 and enable the wheel ~22 to yield as a label 36 is being applied to the merchandise.
As the rubber O-rings 332 have a high coefficient of friction, rotation of the wheels 322 cluring 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 printing which was applied to the labels 36 ~y the print head 219. As the label is pressed onto the merchandise, the arms 333 allow the wheels to yield. This yielding action is particularly useful when applying labels to merchandise having irregular surfaces in that the wheels 322 are mounted for both ind~pendent rotational and independent ylelding movements with respect to each other. The flanges 323 -~
prevent the adjacent wheels 322 from deflecting more than a small amount away from the perpendicular with respect to the hub 320.
: ~ .
'; '' , ~0 -2-~-.. , . . . . . . . ,. . . . - :
.
: : ;'' ' :, ' :. '' ' ,' .', . -.:
~89~
Referring to FIGURE 2~, there is shown an 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 are 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 receiving a projection 340 o. the other side plate 341. A post 342 is formed in~egrally ~ -with the side plate 335 in axial alignment with a hole 343 in the side plate 341. A pair o studs or posts 344 formed integrally `: ~
with the side plate 335 have hooks 345 which engage shoulders ;:
346 of the side plate 341. The side plate 341 has projections 347 which are adapted to fit under projections 348 on the block 336. When the projections 347 are positioned underneath the projections 348, that is, between the projections 34~ and the .~-:
side plate 335, the projection 340 is received in the sockst ~ .
.~ 339, and when the hooks 345 are in engagement with shaulders 1 346, then the frame 221 is securely but releasably locked together.
: The printing bands 220 are mounted in the fram~ 221 as best shown in FIGURE 25. The printing bands 220 are urged against the support or pressure member 337 and are detented bscause teeth 349 formed on th underside of each of the printing band~ 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 trained partiall~ around driven members in the form of wheels 351, the printing bands 220 are under slight tension, and the wheiels are cradled in and rotatable on the mounting suraces 338. The wheels 351 have notches 352 in which the teeth 349 are received.
Each printing band 220 has a plurality of printing blocks or elements 353. The diff~rent printing bloc~s 353 ~ ;
of each printing band 220 can print different data, as is ~ `~
conventional. The printing bloc~s 353 are contained in a prin~ing section 354 of the printin~ band 220. The printing band 220 also contains a non-printing human readable section 355. The human readable section 355 contains human readable indiciaO 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 the .. .
print head 219 is to print. This i generally accomplished by advancing the printing band 220 to the printing position in which the selected data will be prin~ed on the label~ A
selQctor, ~enerally indicated at 357, has a knob 358 and a ~haft or tubular portion 359 received by the post 342. The .
selector 357 is freely rotata~le abou~ the post 342 and is movable axially so that its driving members or drive elements ~ ;
in the ~orm of lugs 360 can be shifted into driving cooperation ~ ~
with any one o~ the drive~ members 351. Each driven member 351 ~;-has a central hole 361 which is provided with a plurality of notches 362 for receiviny respective lugs 360. Each driven ~ ~-member 351 is also chamfered at the central hole 361 to the "
~ ::
, ....... .
, ,.'1.~,-,,, . - ~ .. . .. ~ ,. ~ - .
: . : , .: - . :. . ~ "
~s~
driving lugs 360, the selector 357 is shown to have a pair of opposed pawls or spring detent elements or fingers 36~, :
the ends of which engage the recesses provided by the chamfering ;-363. The detent fingers 364 serve to hold the selector 357 in the axial position to which it is manually shifted, but enable the selector 357 to be shited to any desired position so that its driving ~embers 360 will be in driving 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 labelsr ; ;~
The driving lugs 360 are spaced slightly from the ends of the recesses or notches 362. Should the user attempt tu turn ~ ~
the knob 353 so as to apply excessive torque to the selector 357, ,~! ~ ", the driving lugs 360 will deflect and move out of the set of notches 362 in which they are positio.ned in the driven member 351 :
... . .
and will move 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 received.
There is a spacer 365 between each of the driven me.mbers 351 and bands 220. Each of the spacers 365 has a pair of lugs ;` 365' which engage around the ends 366 at the ends of the mounting ::: .
surface 338. ~
;
... .
,"'~ ' ~', ':'. . ~
,`' . ~ ' ,:
: ~ ~3 ::
:, .
-",: :; . . .. .
. .:;
~5139 Ei~l The selector 357 is provided with an annular groove 367 adjacent the knob 358. ~n indicator, yenerall~ indicated at 368, has a split collar 369 with a projection 370 received in the groove 367. The indicator 36~ has a rectangular section 371 which defines the window 356. Tlle posts 344 have tongues ; or guides 344' which are in engagement in grooves 372 in the rectangular section 371. A pair of pointers 373 disposed on : the inner surface of the rectangular section 371 are in align-ment with the lugs 360 on the selector 357. Accordingly, th~
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 driving engagement with the desired driven member 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 seations 212 and 213 by respective guidss 375 and 376 (see FIGURES 1, 3, 14). -~
The housing or frame sections 212 and 213 are connected by ide~tical snap-fit connections including generally snap-shaped :- :
flexible resilient members 377 arranged along the periphery of : :
: ~ , ~he housing section 212 and engaged in undercut recesses 378 in the housing section 213. One of these snap~fit connections ; is shown in detal in FIGU~E 5.
,:
~:
... , ~.
.-:
.
I~ ' ~i : , : r~
~l~58~
The subErame sections 215 and 216 of the subframe 214 are connected to each other and the frame sections 212 and 213 of the frame 211 are connected to the subframe 214 by means of three sets of identical snap-fit connections generally indicated at 379, one of which i5 shown in detail in FIGURE
19. ~7ith reference to FIGURE 19, the frame sections 212 and 213 have respective sockets 380 and 381 comprised of a plurality of respective flexible resilient fingers 382 and ;~
383. The subframe 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 3g6 comprised of a plurality of flexible `~
resilient ingers 387 snap-fitted into the socket 381. The subframe section 215 has a projection 388 comprised of a plurality of ~:~
flexible resilient spring fingers 389 received in a socket 390.
The socket 390 is comprised of flexible resilient spring fingers :~
391. A projection 392 formed inteyrally with the frame section :
212 extands 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 mad2 thinner and consequently 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 21~, the projection 392 prevents the subframe sections 215 and 216 from separating because the spring fingers 389 cannot deflect in~ardly because .
, . , : ' ;.
2~' ,,, , . , -- , . . . .
: :~; . . . .
,, ,,, , . ,, , , . i , ~ , . . , ~, ..
: ,. ~ , , , ~, , " .
~Lal 5~96~
of the interference provided hy the projection 392. Once the frame section 213 has been removed, the inside of the apparatus 218 is exposed. It is apparent that accidental unsnapping of the subrame 214 or the frame section 212 from the subframe 214 is obviated by this construction. ~urther 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 i 380. ~en this has been accomplish_d, the projection 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 FIGURES 7 through 9 for example, the subframe section 216 is shown to have four projections 393 which are adapted to be snugly received in recesses 394 at the end of the guide 262. The projections 393 received in the holes 394 assist in re~ovably holding the subframe sections 215 and 216 together.
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 - 3~6 at its other end. To attacll 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 396 to snap under a lip 398 of the frame section 213. In this manner, the inking , :
mechanism or inker 252 is removably mounted to the apparatus.
To remove the inking 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 39~.
,., ~.,, ~. .i .
, : . . . . .
. . , , , , . ,~ . .
, .. . . . "..... . . . . . . .
~5~96~ :
~' ` .
With reference to ~IGURE 6, the operator 235 is shown to pivot on the pin 237. It ls preferred to pivot the operator 235 al the lower end of the handle 232 in that the user's 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 ana 402 are received in sockets 405 and 406 in respective ~ ~ .
fxame sections 212 and 213. The sockets 405 and 406 are comprisad ::~
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 sectio~. Legs 409 and 410 are shown to be rotatably received about the pin 237. The spiral or torsion spring 23 is shown to be received on pin 237 between the legs ~09 and :`
410~ If it is desired to remove the ~Erame section 213, the -:
frame section 213 is moved relatively away from the frame section 212 causing the socket 406 to move out of snap-fit engagement with the end 402. Only whsn 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. :
With 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 pair of opposed pawls 364a, selectively controls the setting . .~.
o a selected driven member or wheel 351a. The embodiment of FIGURE 28 differs from the embodimenk of the print head 219 shown for e~ample in FIGURFS 24 through 28 in that each of the ',, ' ' .,', " . . . . ..
,',~,' ' '' ' ', . ' . ' '~ ~, . ' . .
~L~S89~
driven members 351a is provided with an internal annular groove 411 and the chamfering 363 (FIGURE 27~ is omitted.
Accordingly, instead of having the pawl 364a engage between adjacent driven members 351 as s~own in FIGUR~S 26 and 27 for example, the pawls 364a engage in the groove 411 of one of the driven members 351a, and as is preferred in the groove 411 of the same wheel with which the lugs 360a are in driving engagement. By this construction, the driving function as well a~ the detenting func~ion are accomplished by the selector 357a in cooperation with a single driven member 351a.
FIGURE 27 is actually an alternative embodiment ~
which shows the detenting of one of the pawls 364 in recesses ~ --or grooves provided by beveling or chamering 363. FIGUR~ 27 shows one of the wheels 351 as wider than the adjacent wheel 351 to show that the selectox 357 in accordance with the invention can work equally well with wheels 351 of different sizes without ~affecting detenting. With such a cons~ruction some of the printing bands 220 can be wider than oth2rs as is highly desirable in some applications.
With reference to FIGU~ES 29 and 30, there is shown another embodiment of a selector generally indicated at 357b.
The selector 357b is the same as the selector 357 in that it has four drive lugs 360b, and a pair of opposed pawls 364b. -The selectox 357b di~fers fxom 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 sections 412 and 413 snap-fitted together. The body section 412 has a non-circular hole, and in particular a square hole 414, , and the body section 413 has a corresponding square portion 415 ~-, ~.
~ ~8 ~, , ~ , , , : . :
~L~S8~66~ ~
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 selsctor 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 FIGURES 29 and 30.
Referring to the embodiment of FIGU~E 31, there is shown a print head generally indicated a 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 1anges 222 and 223 and gear sections 224 and 225. According:Ly, the pair of gears (not shown) which would mesh with gear sections 224c and 225c would have to be spaced apart by a greater distance than the ~ :
gears 242 and 243. It is also apparent that ball tracks ~not ~ ~:
shown) which would c~rrespond to the ball tracks 230 and 231 would have to be spaced wider apart, as would be readily apparant to one skilled in the art. Side plate 341c carries a guide - ^
member 374c. The side plate 341c rotatably mounts a pair of selectors 357c or the respective set of driven members 351c.
The posts 344c mount respective rectangular sections 371c which provide respective windows 356c. It i5 readily apparent that .: ~
~ with slight modification tne print head 219c can be operated ., .
., .
~ 5~396(~
by a mechanism the same in principle and construction as the mechanism which operates the print head 219.
Referring to the embodiment of FIGURES 32, 33 and 34, there is provided a selector 357d which is identical to the selector 357. Printing members take the form o~ 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 is shown to be formed integrally with each side of the hub 422. The wheels 423 have generally annular outer surfaces 424 received in sockets 425 of adjacent mounting members 426. The sockets ~25 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 respective soc~ets 425 by : .
spreading arms 428. Mounting members 426 are providad with recesses 429 in which offset integrally formed detent pawls or ~;
spring fingers 420 and 431 are disposed. The pawl 430 of one - , mounting member 426 is cooperable with no~ches 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 e~ect detenting of the adjacent print wheel 220d on the other side o~ the mounting member 226.
Each wheel 220d has a central hole 432, the ends of which are chamfered as indicated at 433. As best shown in FIGURE 34, pawls or detent elements 364d are received in the .. ~
chamfering between adjacent wheels 220d and drive elements or ~`
lugs 360d are in driving engagement with notches 362d in the adjacent print wheel 220d. Notches 352d and associated lugs ,.
,;"", .,, , , , . , :' - .' ' ~ , :~
.. . . .
, ~0589~
3G2d' of each wheel 220d constitute a dxiven element which can be driven by the drive elements 360d~ I desired, detenting can be effected in the manner illustrated in the embodir,lent of FIGU~E 28. ;~
It is preferred to mold the driver or feed wheel ~;
24~ 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. Ho~7ever, ~he 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 polytetrafluoroeth~lene lubricants. One '~ Such material is sold commercially under the ~rademark ~hermocomp, ~;~
i ~ Numbex KL-4030 by Liquid Nitrogen Processing Corporation, Ualvern, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. The remaindex of the apparatus I in FIGURES~I through 34 except for the platen 217, O-rings 282 `~
1 and 332, the ball bearings ~28 and 229, the spring 23~, the !`
washers 365~ and rubber printing ban~s 220, are composed of suitabl~ lightweight r.loldable plastic materials, for example, - -; a~etal, acrylonitrile-~utadiene-styrene, or the like, but the in~roll 311 is preferably constructed of porous vinyl. -~
,,: , 1', , .
ccordingly, the apparatus is very ligh~ in weigh~, and easy and convenient to use with a minimum of fatigue.
O~her embodiments and modifications of this invention ~;
will suggest themselves to those s~illed in the art, and all ;~
~uch o these as come within the spirit of this invention are included within its scope as best deined by the appended claims.
. . .
r-p ,~, ,~, : .
., . - . . - . . .. . .
,, :... , . , . , .. :
, . ~, , , :
, ,: , . " . . ..... . ... ..
.
, . .. .. .
Claims (7)
1. Printing apparatus, comprising: a housing having a handle, an actuator disposed at the handle, a print head disposed in the housing and movable in response to move-ment of the actuator, an inker for inking the print head comprising an ink roller, a movably mounted one-piece molded plastics inker body for rotatably mounting the ink roller, and a spring molded integrally with the inker body for urging the ink roller into inking cooperation with the print head.
2. Printing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the inker body has snap-sockets for replaceably and rotatably mounting the ink roller.
3. Printing apparatus as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the housing has an opening, a cover for the opening, means for removably mounting the cover to the housing, the inker body being movably mounted to the cover so that the cover, the inker body and the ink roller can be removed as a unit from the housing to facilitate convenient replacement of the ink roller.
4. Printing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the inner body includes a pair of spaced arms.
5. Printing apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein each arm has an integrally formed and outwardly extending projection, and means connected to the housing and having a pair of apertures for receiving the projections to pivotally mount the inker body.
6. Printing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the ink roller includes a first hub section and a second hub section disposed in opposing relation and each formed of molded plastics material, the first and second hub sections being connected to each other, each hub section including a flange and an integral stub end projecting outwardly from the corresponding flange.
7. Printing apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the inker body has snap-fitted sockets for replaceably and rotatably receiving the stub ends.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA292,565A CA1058960A (en) | 1971-12-08 | 1977-12-07 | Label printer with inker body having integrally molded spring |
| CA323,735A CA1102620A (en) | 1971-12-08 | 1979-03-19 | Label printing and applying apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US20803571A | 1971-12-08 | 1971-12-08 | |
| CA245,504A CA1033615A (en) | 1971-12-08 | 1976-02-11 | Label printing and applying apparatus |
| CA292,565A CA1058960A (en) | 1971-12-08 | 1977-12-07 | Label printer with inker body having integrally molded spring |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1058960A true CA1058960A (en) | 1979-07-24 |
Family
ID=27164327
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA292,565A Expired CA1058960A (en) | 1971-12-08 | 1977-12-07 | Label printer with inker body having integrally molded spring |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1058960A (en) |
-
1977
- 1977-12-07 CA CA292,565A patent/CA1058960A/en not_active Expired
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US3798106A (en) | Label printing and applying apparatus | |
| US3968745A (en) | Label printing and applying apparatus | |
| CA1042715A (en) | Adjustable label advance mechanism for a hand held printer | |
| US4081309A (en) | Method of making a composite label web | |
| US4142932A (en) | Hand-held labeler | |
| US4102731A (en) | Label applying apparatus | |
| US4100852A (en) | Label printing apparatus | |
| US4274661A (en) | Composite web of pressure sensitive labels | |
| US3948172A (en) | Label printing apparatus | |
| CA1038821A (en) | Apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels | |
| CA1058960A (en) | Label printer with inker body having integrally molded spring | |
| US4199392A (en) | Hand-held labeler | |
| US4233896A (en) | Label printing and applying apparatus | |
| US3952652A (en) | Label printing and applying apparatus | |
| US3941289A (en) | Label printing and applying apparatus | |
| US4498389A (en) | Labeler with inking mechanism | |
| US3878783A (en) | Label printing and applying apparatus | |
| US4059476A (en) | Label printing and applying apparatus | |
| CA1110912A (en) | Label printing and applying apparatus | |
| US4249973A (en) | Label printing and applying apparatus | |
| US4274902A (en) | Method of dispensing labels | |
| US4785735A (en) | Label printing and applying apparatus | |
| CA1086561A (en) | Printing element setting mechanism | |
| USRE32490E (en) | Method of making a composite label web | |
| US4166757A (en) | Hand-held labeler |