CA1071465A - Resilient label applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

RESILIENT LABEL APPLICATOR

Abstract of the Disclosure There is disclosed a label applying machine with an applicator and a mechanism for advancing labels into label applying relationship with respect to the applicator, with the applicator including at least one wheel and an annular rim, structure for mounting the wheel and structure resiliently connecting the rim and the mounting structure to provide resilient yielding of the wheel while the applicator applies a wheel to merchandise. The application discloses a plurality of such wheels, with each wheel provided with an annular friction member received about the periphery of the rim and wherein the connecting structure includes a plurality of resilient arms integral with the rim.

Description

~7~
ocket M-2 4 9 -C-1-4 ,: ', RES ILIENT LABEL APPLICATO~
:, '. ~ Bac:kgrnund of the Invent on Field of . he Invention This irlvention relates to th~ art of pressure sensitive labels, method and apparatus for making and usir~g same, and ~, . .
label pxinting and applying machines.

Yaric)us U. S. patents are made of record: S
Pat. No. . Patentee . Issued 1,641,387 Reis 1927

2,259,358 Templeton ,-1941

3, 3~5, û64 ~oore 1942 2 0 502, 257 ~awkins et al 1950 2,516,487 Schlicksupp . 1950 2,620,205 Vogt 1952 2, 656, 063 Kafka 1953 3,051,353 ~rueger 1962 3,265,553 Kind et al 1966 3,343,485 hoeiEfler 1967 3,440,123 ~amisch, Sr. 1969 3,501-,365 Marshall 1970 3,551,251 Y-) Sato 197û
3, 611,g29 Schr~tz 1971 . ~ ',' 1 ,~ .
:, .

```~ .

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7~ ,S
Summary of the Invention This invention relates to appara~us for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels utilizing a supply roll comprising a composite ~Jeb having pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material.
The apparatus comprises printing means for printing on successive labels, a delaminator for delaminating successive printed labels from khe sul3porting material web, an applicato~
for applying successive printed labels, means engageable with the supporting material web downstream of the delaminator for feeding the composite web to present partially delaminated l~bels to.the applicator, means for operating the printing means and the feedin~ means in sequence, and means effective upon completion of the sequence for applying bra~ing orce to the composite w~b upstream of the delaminator to prevent the web from advancing toward the delaminator during application to a printed label k~ the applicator, wherein the means for applying braking force includes cooperable parts controlled by the printing means for movement into and out G~ bra}~ing cooperation with the composite web, wherein one of the cooperable parts includes a rotatahly mounted roll ~ the printing means including a print head for moving the roll into bxa~in~ coaction with the composite web.

~ ~ Docket M-249 .
~ Brief Description of the Drawings ~ , ,~ ; .
~i: FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of label ` printing and applying apparatus ~or carrying out the method of ; the invention FTGURE 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 eleYational 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 -5 of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of one of the subframe sections of ~he apparatus;
PIGURE 8 is a top plan view taken along line 8--8 of FIGURE 7, FIGURE 9 is a side eleva~ional view of the other subframe section;
FIGVRE 10 is a top plan view showing the manner in which the label core for the roll of labels is held and the manner in which braking force is applied by the subfr~me sections;
FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11--11 of FIGURE 10;
FIG~RE 12 is a sectional view taken genera~ly along line 1~-12 of PIGURE 3;

~ 71~5 ~. Docket M 249 ' ~ .
, ~ .
IGURE 13 is an exploded perspectiYe view o the inking mechanism; . .~:
,j , FXGURE 14 iS an enl arged sectional ~iew showing a ifragmentary portion of the apparatus in solid line9, and in `v, ........... . . .
S particular showing a fragmeptary portion of the print head and the inking mechanism in both solid and phantom line positions; . . ~-FIGURE 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15--15 of FIGURE 4;
10FIGURE 16 is a de~eloped ~iew showing the arrangement of the teeth of the detent mechanism;
FIGURE 17 is a sectional view taken along line 17 -17 of FIG~RE 15;
FIGURE 18 is a sectional veiw taken generally along 15line 18--18 of FIGURE 15;
FIGURE 19 is a sectional ~i.~w showing one of the three setS of snap-fit connections used to interconnect the frame and the subframe;
FIGU~E 20 is an enlarged view of an applicator roll shown mounted in the frame of the apparatus;
FIGURE 21 is a sectional view taken along line 21--21 of FIGURE 20;
FIGURE 22 is a sectional view taken along line 22 -22 of FIGURE 21, but omitting the shaft and the frictional member;
25FIGURE 23 is a partly sectional view of the mounting shaft which forms part of the applicator roll;
FIGURE 24 is an exploded perspective view of the print head;

.. . .

~ Docket M-249 .,~ .
FI~URE 25 is a secti~nal 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 enlar~ed sectional view showing the manner in which detenting o~ the selec'or is effected, but showing the dri~en members as being of different wid~hs;
- FIGURE ~8 is a vie~ similar to a fragmentary portion of FIGURE 26, but showing the manner in which detenting can be eLfected directly on a wheel;
FIGURE 29 is an enlarged, partly sectional, ele~ational . ~iew showing an alternative arrangement for constructing the selector;
. FIGURE 30 is a perspectiYe Yiew showing the driving -member ~epi~ted in FIGURE 29;
FIGURE 31 is a partly exploded perspective ~iew of a .
modified prin~ head in accordance with the invention;
FIGURE 3~ is an exploded perspective ~iew of 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 members;
FIGURE 34 is a sectional view taken generally along line 34- 34 of FIGURE 33; `
FIGURE 35 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the label printing and applying apparatus;
FIGURE 36 is a partly broken away top plan view of a composite web useful in the apparatus;
FIGURE 37 is a sectional view taken along line 37--37 of FIGURE 36;

. .
: . . . .

~ J~et M-249 ~7~4 ~,... .. .
FIGURE 38 is a sectional view taken along line 3B--38 o .IGURE 36;
FIGURES 39.through 44 ar2 diagrammatic Yiews illustra-ting a method o~ loading the apparatus;
. FIGURE 45 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing a fragmentary portion of the actuating means including an operator and a spring assembly, with the operator being in its initial position;
FI&VRE 46 is an elevational view,partly in section, -10 .show~ng the operator in its operated position;
FIGURE 47 is an enlarged sectional view of the spring assembly; ..
~IGURE 48 is an exploded perspective view of the spring assembly;
FIGURE 49 is a sectional view taken generally along line 49--49 of FIGURE 45;
FIGVRE 50 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the operating components of the apparatus in their initial positions;
FIGURE 51 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a poxtion of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 50, and showing especially the print head in its operating position with a brake in accordance with the invention;
FIGURE 52 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 51, but showing the print head out of the operative position with the brake;
FIGURE 53 is a sectional view taken along line 53--53 of FIGURE 52;
PIGURE 54 ls a top plan view, partly in section, of a fragmentary portion of the apparatus;

, ' ' " ' ' , ~.~79~5 . Docket M-249 FIGURE 55 is a top plan ~iew, partly in section, of a fragmentary portion of a modified apparatus;
~ FIGURE 56 is a sectional view taken along line 56--5 of FIGURE 55;
~IGURE 57 is an elevational view, partly in section, on a reduced scale from that o~ FIGURES 55 and ~6, showing a s~ring for assisting the unwinding of a supply roll;
FI~URE 58 is a view similar to FIGURE 25, but illustra-ting an improved arrangement by which the human readable section of the printing member is prevented from ~eing moved to the printing zone;
FIGURE 59 is a top plan view of a sheet used in making a platen;
FIGURE 60 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the sheet after having been inversely bent t together with a piece of moldable material, positioned in a press;
FIGURE 61 is a top plan view of the completed platen;
FIGURE 62 is a pexspective view of the plat~n showing the composite web by phantom lines;
20 ~ FIGURE 63 is a sectional view taXen along line 63--S3 of FIGURE 62;
~IGURE 64 is a sectional view taken along line 64--64 ; of FIGURE ~2, but showing additionally printing members in printing cooperation with individual platen sections of the platen;
FIGURE 65 is a side elevational view o~ the apparatus;
FIGURE 66 is a fragmentary partly sectional view of the apparatus showing a housing secti.on in the closed position ; and showing the inking mechanism;

7~ S
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Docket M-2~9 PIGURE 67 is an explode~ perspec ~ view of an inker 's, . . .
body a~d ink roller of the inking mechanism;
FIGU~E 68 is a ~iew similar to FIGURE 66, but showing the housing section in the open position;
FIGURE 69 i~ a fragmentary YieW s~owing the ink roller bearing on the pxint head and inking the printing members; and FIGURE 70 is a perspecti~e exploded view of a slug used with the print head.
Descrip_i_n of the Preferred Embodiment . Referring now to a label printing and applying apparatus genexally indicated at 210 in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 27, and initially to ~IGURE 1, there is shown to be a housing ox main frame generally indicated at 211. The housing or frame 211 is specifically shown to i ~ ude a pair of f~ame ~ections 21 and 213. Disposed within the housing 211 is a subframe generally indicated at 214 which comprises a pair of sub~rzme sections 215 and 216. The frame sections 212 and 213 mount a platen 217 which includes a peel edge 218. A print head generally indicated at 219 is mounted by the subframe 214. More specifically, the print head 219 includes a plurality of selectable settable printing members 220 in the form of endless printing bands mounted by a print head frame 211. Extending from the ~rame 221 are a Fair of flanges 222 and 223. Gear sections or speciEically racks 224 and 225 are pro~Jided at the ends o:E the respective flanges 222 and 223. Opposed ~racXs 226 and 227 are formed on the raspec~ive flanges 222 and 223 to receive straight ball bearings 228 and 2290 ..~, The sub~rame sections 215 and 216 have respective tracks 230 and ~i7~ 5 :`~,, Docket M-24g 231. The ball bearing 2~8 is rèceived in the track 226 o~ the flange 22~ and in the track 230, and the ball baaring 229 is ~eceived in the track 227 in the flange ~3 and in the track 231.
The ball bearings 228 and 229 ha~e respecti~e balls 228l and ~9' S rotatably held by respecti~e tangs or holders 228" and 2291'. In : this manner, the print head 219 is mounted for movement, particu-. larly reciprocating mo~ement, tow~rd and away from the platen 217.
The housing 211 has a handle generally indicated at 232 and particularly each housing or frame section 212 and 213 has a respective handle portion 233 and 234. An operator gen erally indicated at 235 is shown to comprise a pivotally operated le~er 236 pivotally mounted by a post 237 at the lower end of.
tne handle 232. The lever 236 is normally urged in a counter-clockwise direction (FIGURE 1) by a torsion spring 238 received about the post 237. The pi~otal movement of the le~er 236 is limited by an adjustable stop block 239 received by the handle .
232 between the handle portions 233 and 234. The upper end of the operating lever 235 carries a pair of spaced-apart gear ~ctions 240 and 2~1. The gear sections 240 and 241 are shown to be in the form of spur gear segments. Gear sections 240 and 241 axe in meshlng engagement with respective spur gears 2~2 and 243. The spur gears 242 and 243 are in meshing e~gagement with respective gear sections 224 and 225 carried by the print head 219~
A roll of pressure sensitive labels, in the form for example of the composite web 30 shown in ~IGURE 2, is mounted by its core 44 by the subframe 21~. As will be des-cribed in greater detail hereinafter, the composite web 30 i7~
ket M-249 ' is drawn off the roli into overlying relationshi~ with respact to the platen 217 and the supporting material 32 is engaged by a toothed driver 244. The gear 243 carries an integral pawl 245 cooperable with a ratchet wheel 246 which is coupled to the dri~er 244 by a detent mechanism generally indicated at 247. An input or drive member 248 of the detent mechanism 247 is sho~m in FIGURE l. The toothed driYer 244 has a plurality of e~ually spaced apart dri~e teeth 249 arranged about its outer periphery. The pawl 245 is integrally joined at but ~ne end to he gear 243. The pawl 245 is fle~ible and resilient and can ride on the ratchet wheel 246 and deflect into engagement with a tootn 265 of the ratchet wheel 246.
~ he housing or frame section 213 has an access opening 250~ A cover 251 is removably connected ko the frame section 213 at the access opening 250. The co~er 251 mounts an inking mechanism 252 cooperable with the printincJ members 220 of the print head 219. The housing sections 212 and 213 mount an applicator 253 disposed downstxeam of the peel edge 218.
; . Referring to FIGURE 2, there is shown composite web 30 of label material 31 releasably adhered to and carried by supporting or bac~ing material 3~. The label material 31 is cut trans~ersely by transverse cuts 33 extending all the way across the web 31 o label material to the side edges 34 and 35 of the composite web 30. The cuts 33 known as "butt cuts"
separate the web 31 of label material .into a series of end-to-end labels 36. The underside of the web 31 o label material has a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive 37 which adheres strongly to the web 31 of label material. The web 32 of supporking mater.ial carries a thin film or coating ~not shown) -l n~

7~L465 Docket M-249 which allows the labels to be peeled ~rom the web 32 of supporting material~
Groups 38 o~ cuts are provided at equally spaced-apart intervals along the length of the composite web 30. Each group 38 of cuts is shown to extend through the supporting material as well as through the label material. Each group of cuts is shown to be made in a generally I-shaped configuration comprised of cuts 39S, 40S and 41S in the supporting material and aligned cuts 39L, 40L and 41L in the.label material. The part of the web 32 between the one end of the cut 39S and the cut 40S pro-~ides a frangible portion 43S and the part of the web 32 be-tween the othex end of the cut 39S and the cut 41S provides frangible portion 42S. In like manner, the part of the label material between the end of the cut 39L and the cut 40L pro-~ides a frangible portion 43L and the part between tha other end ~ ; of the cut 39L and the cut 41L provides a frangible portion 42L.
t'; ` Referring to FIGURE 3, the interrelationship of the components of the apparatus 210 is shown in detail. The com-. ~ posite web 30 is paid ou of the roll and passes through a passage . ~ 20 proYided by subframe sections 215 and 216 and spe~ifically by groove 254 (~IGURE 9) in the subframe section 215 and a co-operating groove 255 (FIGURES 1, 3 and 7) in the subframe :i ~ sectio~ 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 ~dge 218 beneath the platen 217 and passes paxtly a~ound a roll 257, below the guide 258 and between the --11~
, ~7146~

Docke~ M-249 .

tQo~hed dri~er 244 and the mating~die wheel 259. As a tooth 249 moves into mating cooperation with the die wheel 259, the tooth 249 engages the supporting matexial 32 at the longitudinal cut 39S and effects rupturing or bursting of the frangible portions 42S and 43S, whereupon the tooth 249 which is in mating coopera-tion with the die wheel 259 (FIGURE 18) is considered to have formed a feed hole in the supporting material 242. It is pre-ferred that there be three teeth 249 in dri~ing engagement ~ith th~ supporting material 32 at all times. The subframe sections 215 and 216 ha~e re~pective aligned strippers 260 and 261 which facilitate disengagement of the teeth 249 with the supporting material 232 as the driver ~ tes~ Opposed guide grooves 262 and 263 fonmed in the sub~ ~ ei~ections 215 and 216 guide the supporting material 32 to an exit opening 264. Excess supporting material which dangles from the apparatus 210 can be readily torn off at the exit opening 264.
With reference to FIGURE 3, the print head 219 i~
shown by solid lines in the initial or home position and by phantom lines 219' in the prin~ing zone ln printing cooperation with the label 36 and the platen 217. The operator 235 îs shown by solid lines in its initial or home position and in phantom lines 235' in the fu~ly actuated position. In the fully actùated position, the print head 219 has been moved into printing co-. operation with the labels 3~ and the platen 217, and the operator 235 is in abutment with the stop block 239. In this position o~ the operator 235, the flexible resilient pawl 245 ~FIGURE 15), joined inte~rally at one end to the gear 243, has moved ~o the 7~4~5 Docket ~- 2 ~ ~

position shown by phantom lines 245' in driYing cooperation with a tooth 265 of the ratchet w~eel 246; When the user releases the operator 235, the spring 238 tFIGURE 3) returns the operator 235 against stop 239' to the solid line position shown in FIGURE ~ While the operator 235 is returning to the solid line position from the fully actuated position indicated ~y 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 (FI5URE5 3 and 43 rotate gears 242 Y ~ 15 and 243 clockwise (FIGURE 3) to return ~he 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 150 Thus,. the pawl 245, which is in engagement with 2 tooth 265, driYes the ratchet wheel 246 counterclockwise ~FIGUPE 15).
This counterclockwi~e rotation of the ratchet wheel 246 ~FIÇURE 15) causes the dri~er 244 ~o adva~ce the supporting material 32 to effect substantially complete delamination o~ a label at the pe~l edge 213. Counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel 246 con~inues ~mtil a pawl 266 (FIGURES l, 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 ~atchet wheel.
This pre~nts ~he web of supporting material 32 from being acci.dentally movecl in the return dixection.

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7~5 Docket M~249 As best shown in FIGURE.4, the dri~er 244 has an annular rim 267 joined to a hub 268 by a radial web 269i The hub 268 has a hub section 268' extending in one direction and another hub section 268" extending in the.opposite direction.
The hub section 268' texminates at a knob ~70, and the hub section 268" terminates at a knob 270'.. The gear 242 is rotatably journaled on and with r~spect to the hub section 268'.
The gear 292 has a hu~ or ~lange 271 which is rotatably journaled in opening 272 in the frame section 212. The hub section 268' extends through an enlarged opening 273 in the subframe section 215~ The hub section 268" pro~ides a stepped pair of bearin~
surfaces 274. The ratchet wheel 246 is formed integrally with the drive me~ber 248 of the detent mechanism 247. The ratchet wheel 246 and the dxive member 248 ha~e a hub 276 with a stepped bore 275 into which the hub section 268" extends. A
hub 276 rotatably receives and mounts the gear 243. The gear 243 has a hub 277 rotatably received in a bearing 278 fo~med integrally with the housing section 213. As seen in FIGURE 4, the geaxs 242 and 243 axe i~ driving engagement with respective .. 20 gear sections 224 and 225 carried by the print head 219; ~he relative position of the drive pawl 245 to the ratchet wheel 246 is also shown.
With reference to FIGURE 15, the drive me~ber 2~8 includes a plurality of-spring fingers or detent pawls 278. The pawls 278 are of equal length, are flexible and resilient, and ~re continuously urged against teeth 279 formed on the inside of the annular rim 267. In the illustrated embodiment the.re are one hundred and seventy-seven teeth 279 at equally spaced-apart intervals. There are twelve pawls 278 integrally connected , 1~ .;

` j : ~7~65 Docket M-249 to the hub ~76 at equally spaced-apart intervals. The teeth 279 compris2 respecti~a tooth faces 280 and a rece5s 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 lS) but can move in a non-driving direction (clock~rise in FIGURE 15) relative to ; the feed wheel 244 by manually operating the detent mechanism 247. Accordingly, every fifth pawl 278 is engaged with the face 280 of a tooth 279. The pawls 278 between every fifth set of pawls are out of engagement with their respective tooth faces - 280 by diffexent increments as best illustrated in FIGURE 16.
~ormally, the pawls 278 hold the ratchet wheal 246 and the feed - wheel or driver 244 in fixed relationship with respect to each other. With reference ~o FIGU~E 15, as the drive pawl 245 moves counterclock~7ise the ratchet wheel 246 is driven counter-clockwise and the three pawls 278 which are in driving eng~gement with their respective tooth faces 280 will drive khe feed wheel 244 counterclockwise. Accordingly, there is no relative rotation between the ratchet wheel 246 and the feed wheel 244. Should 2~ 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 ~counterclock-wise in FIGURE 1, clockwise in FIGUR~ 15~ relative to the ~eed wheel 244 so that the next three successive teeth move into enyagement with the next three respective tooth faces 280. For example, i it is considered that first, fifth and ninth pawls 278 wcre initially in enga~ement with respective teeth 279, ,, .

J

~ 6~7~465 Docket M-249 .

only a very slight rotation will cause second, sixth and tenth pawls to move into engagement with their respecti~e tooth faces 280, and so on. Although any desired number of pawls 278 and teeth 280 can be'vused, the illustrate~ embodiment proYides very minute adjustment of the feed wheel 244 relatiYe to the platen 217 and the peel edge 218 and the arrangement of teeth 280 and cooperating pawls 278 causes the entire input or drive member 248 to be centered within the annular rim 267.
WLth respe~t to the printing function, adjustment of the detent mechanism 247 changes the position relati~e to the printing zor.e between the print head 219 and the platen 217 to which a label 36 is advanced. With respect to the delaminating function, ; operation of the detent mechanism 247 also changes the position to which the label 36 is advanced. Accordingly, it is apparent that the detent mechanism 247 is useful both in establishing the position to which a label 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 label 36 is held in that position un~il it is ready to be applied to merchandise by the applicator 253.
As best shown in FIGURES 15, 17, and 18, the supporting material 32 is initially brought into engagement with the feed wheel 24~ as it passe~ around the die wheel 259. The die wheel 25 259 is comprised of an annular plastic roll Z81 journaled by subframe sections 215 and 216. The roll 281 has frictional members in the form of rubber O-rings 282 received at spaced-ap~rt locations about the periphery of the roll 281. The O-rings , .

:.. .

~ ~7~165 Docket M-249 straddle the tee~h 249 ana are.just spaced apart far enouyh to act as a die wheel'with mating te'e~h 249. As a tooth 249 begins to engage the web of supporting material 32 at the cut 3gS '(FIGVRE 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 o the feed wheel 244 a~ best shown in FIGURE 18~ This insures that'the tooth 249 properly bursts or orms a hole, facilitated by the group 38 of cuts, in the supporting material 32 a~d that the drive face of the tooth 249 is in driving engagement with the leading cut 41S. When the first tooth 249 registers with the group 38 of cuts in the supporting material 32 the composite web 30 is properly registered wi~h the printing zone and the delaminating , zone. Once such regi~tration is accom~lished as the result of the too~h 249 cooper~ti~g with the die roll 259, correct regis-tration continues.
The platen 217 and the peel edge 218 (~IGURES 1, 3 and 4) ale formed from an inversely-bent plate having a pair of side-by-side plate portions 283 and 284 joined by an inversely~
bent portion 285~ The inverse].y-bent portion 285 has'a sma~l '~:~'; .
. ., .~
radius and defines the peel edge 218. The plate ~ortions 283 and ~84 are co-extensive and are secured to each other by weldments 286. The plate which forms the platen 217 and the peel edge 218, received in recesses 286' in subframe sections 215 and 216, is preferably constructed of highly polished stainless steel.
The sides of the plate that forms the platen 217 and the peel ed~e 218 are recei~ed in opposed recesses 286' in the subframe sections 215 and 216. A lahel stopper is provided by a pair of aligned plates 218' formed inteyrally with the subframc sections' ...

~ ~17-Docket M-249 215 and 216. The plates 218' are disposed beneath but are.
spaced from the plate 217. 5hould a la~el 36 attempt ~o all onto the supporting material 32 after beiny 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 ~assing the peel edge 218.
With reference to FIGURE 3, the stop block 239 is.
. shown to be slidable on a stop sur~ace 287. The stop ~lock 239 has a threaded bore 288 which threadably rece_ves a~
adjusted screw 289. One half of the screw 289 is rotatabl~t received in a semi-circular groove 290 and one-half of the head 291 of the screw 289 is c~p~ive in a semi-circular recess 292 in the seat 293. The handle portion 233 of the frame section 2i2 pro~ides another stop urface (not shown) for the stop block 239 in alignment with the stop surface 287, another semi-circular groove (not shown) opposite the groove 290 for re-cei.~ing the other one-half of the screw 289, and another semi-circular recess (~ot shown) opposite the recess 292 for receiving ~0 the other one-half o~ the head 291. A hole 294, one-half of which is formed by each handle portion 233 and 234, enables entry of a ~ool ~not shown) by which the head 291 o the screw ~8g can be engaged to rotaie the screw 289. Rotation of the screw in one direction will cause the stop block 239 to move upwardly ~5 (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 positi.on of the stop block 239 will adjust the limi~ of th~ travel of the operator 235.

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- l ) ' `, .`-~, 1~71465 Docket M-249 .

With reference to FIGURE 13, the inking mechanism 252 is shown to comprise a one-piece inker body 295 having an s aligned pair of sockets 296 having converging openings 297.
~he sockets 296 e~tend for more than 180 so that the ink roll 298 can be snapped into the sockets 296. The inker body 295 has a pair of aligned projections 299 which are capable of being snapped into sockets 300 (FIGURE 1) in the cover 2Sl.
The sockets 300 are shaped like the sockets 296. The inker body 295 has an integ~ally formed lea spring or spring fin~er 301 which is shown in FIGURE 14 to be urged against the cover 251. The spring finger 301 normally urges the inking mechanlsm 252 into the solid line position shown in FIGURE 14. The ink roller 298 is shown in FIGURE 14 to be in the path of but slightly spaced from the pri~t head 219 because in that position the inker body 295 contacts the frame 221 of the print head 219. When the print head 219 is moved from the solid line position to the phantom line position, the ink roll 298 applies ink to the printing bands 220 and the entire inking mechanism 252 pivots ,- about projections 299 to the position shown in phantom lines.
When the print head 219 returns to the solid line position shown in FIGURE 14, the spring finger 301 returns the inking mechanism 252 to the solid line position.
With reference to FIGURE 13, the ink roller 298 is shown to comprise a pair of hub sections 302 and 303. The hub ~ 25 section 302 has an elongated projection 304 at one end and a s stub end 305 at its opposite end. The hub section 302 has an 'i annular flange 30~ between t~e stub end 305 and a reduced .. ;

, ~19-,, ': ' 7~465 Docket M-249 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 projec~ion 304 is adapted to be press-fitted. The projection 304 has straisht flutes which serve to lock the hub portions 302 and 303 to~ether. An ink-receptive tuhular porous roll 311, composed for ex~mple of rubber or the like, is 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 ~o FIGURES 7, 8 and 9, the su~frame .sections 215 and.216 are shown to have respective integral leaf springs 312 and 313. The lea springs 312 and 313 are provided with integral annular brake members 314 and 315 having respective annular brake surfaces 316 and 317. Brake members 314 and 315 are formed integrally with projections or hubs 318 and 319, surfaces 318l and 319' of which are received in ana mount label core 44. The brake surfaces 316 and 317 cooperate to exert braking forces on the label core 44. ~either the hubs 318 and 319 nor the brake members 314 and 315 contact the composite web 30 which is wound on the label core 44. In this manner, any g~n or adhesive that may exist at the marginal side edges o the composite web 30 ~lill not be transferred to the brake suxfaces 316 and 317. FIGURE 10 illustrates, in exaggerated form, by . phantom lines, the initial positions of the leaf springs 3].2 , ,, -20~

~ ,! , ~ 71465i ` ~
; Docket M-249 , , a~d 313, the brake memhers 314 and 315 and the hu~s 318 and 319. The initial canted position o~ the lea~ springs 313, the brake members 315 and ths hub 319 relative to the remainder of the sub~rame section 216 is also shown in FIGU~E 8. Insertion o~ the label core 44 onto the hubs 318 and 319 will cause the leaf springs 312 and 313 to flex outwardly and the brake sur-faces 316 and 317 wil ~ ert a predetermined braking orce on the ends of the core 44. The braking force applied to the core 44 will insur that there is tension in the web 32 of support-ing material from the label roll to the printing zone, to the peel edge 218, and to the toothed driver 2440 As the pawl 266 (FIGURE 15~ prevents the reverse rotation of the driver 244, it is seen that the apparatus 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 shell but the rear part proYides an access opening 211 ' through which a roll of labels can be inserted and a spent cor~ 44 can be remo~ed without even partial disassembly of the apparatus 210.
With reference to FIGURES 20 through 23, there is shown the applicator 253 mounted by the frame 211. The applica-. tor 253 comprises a hub 320 shown to have four annular generally , ~-shaped groo~es 321 in which respective wheels 322 are rotatably ; mounted. The hub 320 also has a pair of annular flanges 323 s 25 disposed between the set of three wheels 322 and the remaining .~ wheel 322. The wheels 322 have greater diameters than the flanges 323. The ends of the hub 320 beyond the ~rooves 321 are stub encls 324, Undercuts 325 inboard of the stub ends 324 enable , ,, '.
. --21--, - .

7~
" , ~ ` Docket M 249 , the hub to be retained in cooperating yieldable sockets 326 and 327 in frc~me sections 212 and 213. The sockets 326 and 327 are comprised of a plurality of separate socket sections or flexible resilient ingers 328 and 329 to enable the stub ends 5 324 to be snapped into place. The sockets 326 and 327 and the cooperating stub ends 324 provide opposed snap-fit connections.
The wheels 322 are iden~ical so only one is described in dPtail. Each wheel 322 is compxised of an annular rim 330 having an ar.nular groo~e 331 in its outer periphery. A rubber 0-ring 332 is recei~ed in the groove 331. A plurality of equally spaced-apart arms 333 formed integrally with the rim 330 have generally ~-shaped bearing sections 334 received in the respective grooYe 321. The bearing sections 334 of the arms 333 exert forces against the hub 320, but enable the wheel 322 to rotate j 15 relati~e to the hub 320 and enable the wheel 322 to yield as a label 36 is being applied to the merchandise.
As the rubber 0-rings 332 have a high coefficient of xict;on, rotation of the wheels 322 during label application is facilitated. The spacing of the wheels 322 allows the applicator 2Q 253 to press the label 36 onto the merchandise without contacting the printing which was applied to the label~ 36 by the print head ~; 219. As the label is pressed onto ihe merchandise, the arms` 333 ~i allow the wheels to yield. This yielding action is particuIarly ;~ ` useful when applying labels to merchandise having irregular '< ~ 25 surfaGes in that the wheels 322 are mounted for both independent rotational and independent yielding ~o~ements with respect to ;Ss '' ' ;, ,~.

-22~
...

, '3L~;37~65 Docket M-249 . ~, each other. The flanges 323 prevent the adjacent wheels 322 from de~lecting more than a small amount away ~rom the per-pendicular with respect to the ~ub 320.
Referring to FIGURE 24, there is shown an exploded view of the print head 219. The print head rame 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 ~a~ a socket 339 for recei~ing a projection 340 of t~e other side plate 341. A post 342 is formed integrally with tha side plate 335 in axial alignment with a hole 343 in the side plate 341. A pair of posts 344 ~ormed integrally with the side plate 335 ha~e hooks 345 which engage shoulders 346 of the side . 15 plate 341. ~he side plate 3~1 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 348 and the side plate 335, .. the projection 340 is received in the socket 339, and when the :20 hooks 345 are in engagement with shoulders 346, then the frame . 221 is securely but releasably locked together.
~; The pxinting bands 220 are mounted in the frame 221 ,~ as best shown in FIGURE 25. The printing bands 220 are urged ;: .
against the ~upport or pressure member 337 and are detented because teeth 349 formed on the underside of each o~ the printing bands 220 are in engagement with notclles 350 formed on the side of the support 337. In this position, the projection 340 is shown r~ceived in the socket 339, the printing bands are i07~1L46S
Docket M-249 trained partially axound driven membe~s in the form of wheels 351, the printing ~ands 220 are under slîght tension, and the wheels are cradled in and rotatable on the mounting surfaces . .
338. ~he wheels 351 have notches 352 in which the teeth 349 S are received.
Each printing band 220 has a plurality of printing blocks 353. ~he different printing blocks 353 of each printing band 220 can print different data, as is conventional. The printing blocks 353 are contained in a printing section 354 of the printing band 220. The printing band 220 also contains a non-printing human readable section 355. The human readable section 355 contains human readable indicia. The user knows what data the pri~ting block 353 at the pressure member 337 will print by peering through a window 356.
; 15 It is often desirable to change the data which ~he . ' pri~t head 219 is to print~ This is generally accomplished by '.,: advanci~g'the printing band 220 to the printing position in which the selected data will be printed,on the label. A selector, generally indicated at 357, has a knob 358 and a shaft or ~5' 20 tubular portion 359,received by the post 342. The selector ,' ~ 357 is freely rotatable about the post 342 and is mova~le . axially so that its driving members or lugs 360 can be shifted into driving cooperation with any one o~ the driven members 351.
Each driven member 351 has a central hole 361 which is provided ,,. 25 with a plurality o~ notches 362 for receiving respective lugs 360.
Each driven member 351 is also chamfered at the central hole 361 :

'~ ) 7~4~i~
i Docket M-249 as best indicated at 363. In addition to the driving lugs 360, the selector 357 is shown to have a pair of opposed pawls or spring detent fingers 364, the ends of which engage -the recesses pro~ided by the chamfering 363. The detent fingers 364 serve S to hold the seiector 357 in the axial position to which it is manually shifted, but enable the selector 357 to be shifted to any desired position so that its driving members 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 mem~ers 351 can be rotated, one at a tLme, which resulis in the respective printing bands or bands 220 being selectively mo~ed to the selected position to print the selected data on the labels.
. ~he dxi~ing lugs 3Ç0 are spaced slightly from ~he e~ds . : 15 o the recesses or notches 362. Should the user attempt to turn ;
. the knob 358 so as to apply Pxcessive torque to the selector 357, ; the dxiving lugs 360 will deflect and move out of the set of notches 362 in which they are positioned in the driven member r 351 and will move into the next set of notches 362 in the same driven member 351. Accordingly, there will be relati~e 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 members ~ 351 and bands 220. Each of the spacers 365 has a pair of lugs 25 365l which engage around the ends 366 at the ends o the mounting surface 338~

~25-- / - - -~1~337~65 Docket M-249 The selector 357 is provided with an annular groove 367 adjacent the knob 358. An indicator, generally indicated at 368, has a split collar 363 with a projection 370 recei~ed in the groo~e 367. T~e indicator 368 has a rectangular section 371 which de~ines the window 356. The posts 344 ha~e tongues or guides 344' whi~h are in engagement in grooves 372 in the rectangular section 371. A pair of pointers 373 disposed on the inner surface of the rectangular section 371 are in align-ment with the lugs 360 on the selector 357. Accordingly, the pointer~ 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 r the selector ;.
357 can be shifted to a position in which the lugs 360 are in i dxi~ing engagement with the desired dri~en m~mber 351 to ad~ance r the associa~ed printing band 220 to the selected position.
As shown in FIGURE 24, the side plate 341 has a .~
projection or lug 374 by which the printing head 219 is guided by the frame sections 212 and 213 by respective guides 375 and 376 (see FIGURES 1, 3, 14).
The housing or frame sections 212 and 213 are connected by identical snap-it connections includiny generally snap-shaped , flexible resilient members 377 arranged along the periphery`of the housing section 212 and engaged in undercut recesses 378 in the housing section 213. One of these snap-fit connections is shown in detail in FIGURE 5.
The subfr~ne sect.ions 215 and 216 of the subfr~ne 214 are connected to each otller and ~he frame sections 212 and -2~~

Docket M-249 .
213 of the frame 211 are connected to the subfram~ 214 by means of three sets of identical snap fit connections gen~
erally indicated at 379, one of which is ~hown in detai~ in ~IGURE 19. With reference to FIGURE 19, the Xrame sections 212 S and 213 have respective sockets 380 and 381 comprised of a plurality .. ~f respecti~e flexible resilient fingers 382 a~d 383. The sub-frame section 215 has a projection 384 snap-fitted into the socket 3800 The projection 384 has a plurality of fl~xible resilient spring fingers 385. The subfr~me section 216 h2s a projection 386 comprised of a plurality of ~lexible resilient fingers 387 snap-fitted into the socket 381. The subframe section 215 has a projection 388 comprised o~ a plurality of 1exible resilient spring fingers 389 received in a socket 390. The socket 390 i5 comprised of flexible resilient spring fingers 391.
A projection 392 formed integrally with the frame section 212 : extends through the socket 380, through the projection 3~4, and . ~ to about the end of the projection 388 in the socket 390. The spring fingers 383 of the socket 381 are made thinner and con-sequently more flexible than the spring fingers 383 o~ the socket ~; 20 330. ~n attempt to open up the frame 211 by separating the fr~me s~ctions 212 and 213 will cause the ~rame section 213 to be separated from the subframe section 216. The frame section 212 will remain connected to the subframe 214. As the fr~me section ; 213 is being separated from the subframe 214, the projection 392 prevents the subframe sections 215 and 216 from separating because the spring fingers 389 cannot deflect inwardly because of the interference provided by the projection 392. Once the frame section 213 has been removed, the inside of the apparatus , ~7~9~65 Docket M~249 218 is exposed. It is apparent that accidental unsnapping, o the subframe 214 or the frame section 212 ~rom th~ subfram,e 214 is obviated by this construction. Further disassem~ly can be accomplished by deliberately unsnapping the subframe 214 from the'frame section 212D This is accomplished by moving the projection 384 out'of the socket 380. When this has been accomplished, the projection 392 has moved out of the space b2tween the spring fin~ers 389 of the projection 388 and -consequently the subrame sections 215 and 216 can be separated. ~ ,~
lo With reference to FIGURES 7 through 9 for example, the subframe section 216 is'shown to have four proiections 393 r , which are adapted to ~e snugly recei~ed in recesses 394 at the , end of the guide 262. The projections 393 received in the hol~s .: . , ~, 394 a~sist in removably holding the subframe sections 215 and 216 together.
~ith reference to FIGURES 1 and 14 the cover 251 is shown to have an L-shaped flange 395 at one end and a projection 396 at its other end. To attach the inking mechanism 252 to the '~ apparatus, the projection 395 is pushed under a shoulder 397 of 20 the frame section 213 and thereafter the cover 251 is snapped into ; position by causing the projectlon 396 to snap under a lip 398 ; of the fram2 section 213. In this manner, the inking mecha~ism or inker 252 is removably mounted to the apparatus~ To remove the in~ing mechanism, the user can engage his fingernail beneath 25 an extension 399 of ~he cover 251, thereby causing the projection 396 to snap around the lip 3g8.

2~

~ocket M-249 ~071465 With reference to ~IGURE 6, the opexator 235 is shown to pivot on the pin 237. It is preferred to pivot the opera~or 235 at 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 ~he user's relatively weak littla finger is close to the pivot pin:237. 'rhe ends of the pin 237 are undercut as indicated respectively at 403 and 404. The ends 401 and ~02 are recei~ed in sockets 405 and 406 in respective frame sections 212 and 213. The sockets 405 and 406 are comprised of :~ xespective flexible resilient fingers 407 and 408. The operator 235, as best shown in FI~URES 3 and 4, i~ shown to be generally U-shaped in section. Legs 409 and 410 are shown to be rotatably ~'` received about the pin 237. The spixal or torsion spring 238 is , :
shown to be received on pin 237 between the legs 409 and 410. If .-:. it is desired to remove the frame section 213, the frame section : 213 is mo~ed relatively away from the frame section 212 causing the svcket 406 to move out of snap-fit engagement with the end 402. Only when the operator 235 is moved away from the frame section 212 can the end 401 move out of the socket 405 because of interference caused by leg 409n 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 36~ and also having a pai~.^ of opposed pawls 364a, selectively controls the se~ting of a selec~ed driven mem~er or wheel 351a. The embod.iment of FIGUR~ 28 differs - ~7~465 Docket M-249 from the e~bodiment of the print head 219 shown for example in ,, .
~IGURES 24 through 28 in that each of the driven mem~ers 351a is provided with an internal annular groove 411 and the chamfering 363 ~FIGURE 27) is omitted. Accordingly, instead .,: . , , o~ ~aving the pawl 364a engage between adjacent driven members 351 as s~own in FIGURES 26 and 27 fox example, the pawls 364a .-~
engage in ~he groo~e 411 of one of the dri~en members 351a, and as is preferred in the groove 411 of the same wheel with which ~; the lugs 360a are i.n driving engagement. By this construction, the driving function as well as the detenting func~ion are ~ accomplished by the selector 357a in cooperation with a single ;~ ~ driven member 351a.
~ IGURE 27 is actually an alternati~e embodLment w~ich shows the detentLng o one of the ~awl 364 in recesses or grooves provided by beveling or chamfering 363. FIGURE 27 shows one OI the wheels 351 as wider than the adjacent wheel 351 to show that the selector 357 in accordance with the invention can work equally well with wheels 351 of dif~erent sizes with-out affecting detentin~. With such a construction some of the printing bands 220 can be wider than others as is highly desirable in some applications.
With reference to FIGURES 29 and 30, there is shown another embodiment of a selector generally indicated at 357b.
The selector 357b is the same as the selector 357 in that it has four drive lu~s 360~, and a pair of opposed pawls 364b. The selector 357b di~fers from the selector 357 only in that the ; selector 357 is of one-piece construction and the selector 357b is of two-p~ece construction. The selector 357b comprises body -30~

Docket M-249 , sections 412 and 413 snap-fitted .to~ether. The body section ~12.has a non-circular hole,.and in particular a square hole 414, and the body section 413 has a corresponding square portion 415 received in thè hole 414. By this construction, the body sections.
412 and 413 are incapable of rotating relative to each other.
. . The body section 413 has four flexible resilient fingers 416 . terminating at projections 417 shown in FIGURE 29 to be received over a bead 418. In this position, an annular flange 419 is in . . abutment with a shoulder 420 on the body section 412. The ;~~10 selector 357~ 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 FIGURE 31, there is v shown a print head generally indicated at 219c having two : 15 spaced-apart sets of printing members 220c. The print head 219c :: has two sets of mounting blocks 366c, two sets of driven mem~ers ~ 351c and posts 344c, all ormed integrally with side plate 335c.
; ~ Flanges 222c and 223c and gear sectior.s 224c and 225c are spaced apart wider than the flanges 222 and 223 and gear sections 224 and 225. Accordingly, the pair of gears (not shown) which would mesh with gear sections 224c and 225c would have to be spaced apart by a greatex distance than the gears 2-42 and 243. It is also apparent that ball tracks (not shown) which would correspond to the ball tracks 230 and 231 would have to be spaced wi.der apart, as would be readily apparen~ to one skilled in the art.
Side plate 341c carries a guide member 374c. The side plate ~7~465 - :
Docket M-249 .
3~1c rotatably mounts a pair of selectors 357c for the~respective ;
set of dri~en members 351c. The posts 344c mount respective ; ~ rectangular sections 371c whic~ provide respective windows 356¢.
It is readily apparent that with slight modiications the print 5 head 219c can be operated by a mechanism the same in principle .
:~ and construction as the mechanism which operates the print head .` 219~ -.: Referring to the embodiment of ~IGU~ES 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 i~ shown to be formed ~: integrally with each side of the hub 422. The wheels 423 have generally ~nnulax outer surfaces 424 received in sockets 425 of adjacent mounting members 426. The sockets 425 comprise an annular portion 427 and a pair of flexible resilient arms 428 formed integrally therewith. Accordingly, the print wheels 220d can be inserted either axially into the sockets 425 or they can be inserted into or removed from the respective sockets 425 by spreading arms 428. Mounting members 426 are provided with recesses 429 in which offset integrally formed detent pawls or spring fingers 430 and 431 are disposed. The pawl 430 of one mounting member 426 is cooperable with notches 430' to effect detenting of an adjacent print wheel 220d on one side of the mounting member 426, and the other i5 cooperable with notches 431' to efect detenting of the adjacent print wheel 220d on the other side of the mounting member 226.

. . ,. : ..

~073~46S
Docket M-249 ~ 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 364d are receiYed in the chamfering between adjacent wheels 220d and drive~;lugs 360d are in driving en-gagement with the adjacent print wheel 220d. If desired, detenting can be effected in the manner illustrated in the embodiment of ~IGURE 28.
, Referring to FIGURES 35 through 5~ and 58 through 70, there is shown an alternati~e embodiment of the lahel print-ing and applying apparatus generally indicated at 210a. In this ~:~ embodiment, t~ose components ~hich are generally related to those ~, .
~; in ~he embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 34 are indicated by the ~,: same re~erence characters, with the addition of the letter "a".
~` Those components o~ the apparatus 210a which differ from or are in addition to components in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 34 are more speoifically indicated with reference characters ~karting with the number 500~
Referring initially to FIGURE 35, ~he apparatus 210a, which includes a housing 211a, has two-part frame sections gen-erally indicated at 212a and 213a. The frame 211a includes a handle 232a having handle portions 233a and 2~4a. The fr~me sections 212a and 213a have relatively movable frame parts ~00 and 501, and 502 and 503. The handle portion 232a is a part of ~he frame part 501, and the handle portion 234a is a part of the housing part 503. A subframe 214a includes subframe sections 215a and 216a. The subframe section 215a and the movable frame ~33-~ ~ /

Docket M-249 ~071465 ..;~

part 5~0 respectiYely have a socket 504 and a pivot pin 505 Similarily, the subframe section 216a and the movable frame ~ part 502 respectively have a socket 506 and a pivot pin 507.
,. Applicator 253a snaps into sockets 326a and 327a in respective frame parts 500 and 502. The frame parts 500 and 502 and the applicator 253a are pivotal about pivot.pins 505 and 506 as a unit.with respect to the respective frame parts 501 and 503O
T~e subfxame sections 215a and 216a receive and retain platen 217a which has a delaminator such as a peel edge or turning edge 218a. Print head 219a, having printing members 220a carried by its print head frame 221a, is movable relatively ., , toward and away from the platen 217aO The print head frame 221a ; has integrally formed racks 224a and 225a and respective tracks 226a and 227a. The subframe section 215a has a track 230a and the su~frame section 216a has an opposite track (~ot shown)for respective ball bearings 228a and 229a.
~rame parts 500 and 502 have respective sockets 510 and 511 in which respecti~e pivot pins 512 and 513 of inker bod~ 514 of an inki~g mechanism 252a are recei~ed. As the print head 219a moves toward and away from the platen 217a, the inking mechanism 252a oscillates first in one direction and thereafter in the opposite dîrection about its pivot pins 512 and 513 to effect- inking of the print head 219a.
The apparatus 210a has an operator 235a in the form of a lever 236a pivotally mounted by a post 237a. Stop block 239a 3~-`'~ 7~46~3i ., .
::: Docket M-249 ~ ' is ad~ustable by means of a screw~289a r~ceiYed in a threaded ~; bore'288a~ The opera~or 235a is urged away from the stop block ~';'!` 239a by means of a.spring assem~ly 515 wh~ch ~ears at one end against a socket 516 formed partly by handle portion 233a and partly by handle portion 234a and at its other end agai~st a ~, , .
socket 517 ~FIGURE 47~ integral with the operator 235a. Gear sections 240a and 241a carried by the le~er 236a are in meshing engagement wi~h respective compound gears 242a and 243a. Specifi ~: cally, the gear sections 240a and 241a mesh with respective ~ 10 sections 518 and 519, and sections 520 and 521 mesh with respective i xacks 224a and 225a o~ the print head 219a. Toothed driver 244a ~ is driven by a pawl 245a which cooperates with a ratchet wheel ~ -; 246a. Detent mechanism 247a is coupled to the toothed driver 244~ Teeth 249a of the d~iYer 244a engage the supporting material of the composite web in the manner shown and described in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 34 and 45. Rolls 256a and 257a guide the composite web 30a and the supporting material web 32a, respectively, and roll 259a cooperates with the toothed driver 244a. The composite web 30~ is in the form of a roll carried on a core 44a which can be inserted .into the housing through an opening 211a'. The core 44a is mounted by hubs 318a and 319a carried by respective leaf springs 312a and 313a. Annular brake members 314a and 315a exert slight braking forces against only the core 44a.

~ith re~erence to FIGURES 36, 37 and 38, the composite web 30a has label material 31a releasably adhered to and carried by supporting or backing material 32a. Label material 31a is -35~

Docket M-249 cut txansversely at longitudinally spaced-apart inter~als by transverse ~uts 33a. The composite web 30a is like the composite web 30 except th~t there îs an additional group of cuts 38b between groups of cuts 38a. The shapes of the groups ~ 5 of cuts 38a and 38b are identical to each other and to the shape s of the cuts of groups 38.
~ With reference to FIGURES 39 through 44, there is i illustrated a method by which either the apparatus 210 or the apparatus 210a can be loaded. In loading the apparatus, for example the apparatus 210a, the composite web 30a in roll form is inserted in~o the frame 211a into position on the hubs 318a ~nd 319a. While the user holds the labeler 210a in his one hand ~y means of the handle 233a and depresses the le~er 236a slightly to release brake 522, the marginal end portion 30' of the web is inserted through brake 522 into a passageway formed partly by the groove 254a ~IGURE 35) and the groove 255a. He now passes the marginal end portion 30' of the composite web 30a partly around the roll 256a and over platen 217a and then between a guide 523 and the applicator 253a. The user then grasps ~he marginal end portion 30' between the thumb and index fingers of his other hand, and while holding the apparatus 210a in an attitude that will preven~ the delaminated labels 36a from coming into contact with and adhering either to the apparatus 210a or to the supporting material web 32a, the composite web 30a is pulled in a direction away from the applicator 253a such that the supporting material 32a is caused to undergo a sharp change of direction as it passes around peel edge 218a at the terminal end of the . . .

~: \
~ 71465 ;~ Doc~et M-249 r ~, .
1, .... . .
platen 217aO In that the marginal end portion 30l is pulled in afdirection substantially parallel to the plater and the supporting material undergoes a s~arp bend of a~out 180~, . in so doing, the supporking material 32a is torn as indicate2 5 at 32t as it is forced past the guide 523 and against the under~
side af the plaken 217a and is pulled to the position shown in FIGURE 40, The marg~nal end portion 30' is pulle~ to a predetermined point 232' at the front tip of the handle 232a so t~.at just the right numher of labels 36a are delaminated.
The result is that an end section 30" of the supporting material 32a is completely stripped of a plurality (such as about seven) labels 36a. The labels on the end section 30" are readily removed without having to manually remove them.one-by-one from the supporting materia? 32a. If desired, the marginal end portion 30' can be severed from the end section 30" at the tear 32t preferably through one group of cuts 38a in the supporting material web-38a so that the end section which is devoid of labels 36a can be passed between the toothed member 244a and the cooperating die xoll 259a, as best shown in FIGURE 42. In the position shown in :~
.20 PIGURE 42, slackness exists in the end section 30". B~ manually operating ths operator 235a, the end section 30" can be advanced through the apparatus until all the slackness has been removed as best shown in FIGU~E 43. The apparatus 210a is now ready for use. In this position, each manual operation of the operator 235a will cause a label 36a to be printed and thereafter d~.spensed to the position shown in FIGURES 43 and 44 in which the trailing edge o~ the label 36a is still adhered to the sup~orting matexial 32a.

:. "~ , "

~ J ?

,' .. . . -:; Docket M-249 :~

Refexring to FXGURES 45 through 48, the relationship o~ the spring assemhly 515 to the handle 232a and to the operator 235a is shown in greater detail than in FIGU~E 35. The spring assembly 515 is shown to have a tubular body or sleeve 524 having a circular cylindrical internal wall 525. One end of the tubular body 524 is open as indicated at 526 and its other end is closed : . off by an end wall 527. A connector 528 ha~ing a circular ~ylindrical outer surface 529 substankially greater than 180 in e~tent is formed integrally with the end wall 527. The connector 528 is received by the socket 516 which has a circular cylindrical inner surface 5161 slightly greatex than 180 in e~tent. The surface 529 extends transversely with respect to the tubular body 524 and more specifically the axis o~ thR surface 529 extends perpendicularly and through ~he axis of the tubular section 524. A tubular plunger 530 having a circular cylindrical outer surface 531 is shown ~o be received in slidable contact with the wall 525 of the body 524. The plunger 530 is open at one end as indicated at 532 and is closed off at its other end by an end wall 533. A connector 534 ha~ing a circulax cylindrical outer surface 535 substantially greater than 180 in extent is formed in~egrally with the end wall 533. The surface 535 extends trans~ersely with respect to the plunger 530 and more specifically the axis of the outer surface 535 extends perpendicularly to and through the axis of the plunger 530. The connector 534 is received by the socket 517 which has a circular cylindxical inner surface 517~ slightly greater than 180 in extent~ A compression spring 536 is received in a bore 537 of the ~lunger 530 and abuts at one end against the end wall 533. The other end of the sprins 536 ., ' ' .

-3~

/ ~:

Docket M-249 -abuts against the end wall 527 of the body 5?4. A keeper 538 formed integrally with the end ~all 527 extends coaxially within the inside wall 5250 The body 5Z4 has a pair of opposed . longitudinally extending slots 539 and 540. The plunger 53 has a pair o~ opposed resilient spring fingers 541 and 542 havinq respective abutment surfaces 543 and 544~ The ends of the slots 539 and 540 constitute stops 545 and 546. In the position shown in FIGURE 47, the abutment surfaces 543 and 544 are in abutment with respective stops 545 and 546. In that the plunger 530 is ~onstructed of resilient plastic material, the ~inqers 541 and 542 can resiliently yield while the spring assemhly 515 is ~eing assembled, specifically as the end 532 of ~he plunger 530 is inserted into the open end 526 of the tubular boay 524. As the abutment surfaces 543 and 544 clear lS t~a stops 545 and 546 while the plullger 541 is being pushed into the tubular body 524, the spring fingers 541 and 542 first deflect and then spring outwardly to the position shown in FIGURE 47. Assembly of the spring assemhly 515 is now complete and the tubular body 524 and the plunger 530 can now undergo limited relati~e movement with respect to each other. The spring assembly 515 is easy to assemble in manufacturing and is ea~y to install in the apparatus 210a as a modular spring assembly or unit. In that the sockets 516 and 517 are resilient they can expand rPsilientl~ to receive respective connectors 528 and 534.
During use the spring assembly 515 normallv urges the operator 235a to its initial position as shown in FIGURE 45. When the operator 235a is operated by the usex, the plunger 530 telescopes into the tu~ular body 524 as best shown in FIGURE 46. Upon su~-se~uent release of the operator 235a, the spxin~ assembly 515 returns the operator 235a to its initial positi.on.

~ Docket M-249 ~ ,:

With re~erence to FIGURES 35, 45 and 49, there is shown .
a lubricant applicator generally indicated at 547. The purpose of the applicator 547 is to apply a lubricant to t~e peripheral ., .
surface of the toothed driver 244a to retard the accumulation of yum ~adhesi~e, paper dust, and the like) on ~he toothed ~river 244a. The applicator 547 is shown to be comprised of a Gurved strip of porous flexible resilient material, for e~ample, felt~ The applicator 547 is generally hat-shaped in transverse ~ection7 The applicator 547 is disposed between the outer surface 10 of the tooth~d driver 244a and flanges 548 and 549~of respective subframe sections 215a and 21~a. The flanges 548 and 549 support the applicator 547u A portion 550 of the applicator is disposed between the ends of the flanges 548 and 549 so it is apparent that the su~rame sections 215a and 216a and their respective 15 flanges 548 and 549 amply support and retain the applicator 547. The applicator 547 has a surface 551 which is in light csntact with the periphexal surface of the toothed dxiver 242a.
This light contact assures that lubricant contained in the appli~
cator 547 is transferred to the peripheral surface of the driver 20 244a, but that the fxictional drag on the driver 242a is negligible. The surface 551 of the applicator 547 corresponds generally to the contour of the peripheral surfac~ of the ~river 244a. Transverse slits or slots 547' in the applicator 547 facilitate bending of the strip to the shape of the periphery 25 of the driver 244a. As best shown in FIGURE 35, the applicator 547 has a groove 552 in which the teeth 249a of the driver 244a travel.

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f 7~ ;5 ~ Docket M-249 ,~, . . . . .

With reference to FIGU~E 45, it is noted that the : applicator 547 is positioned in contact with that portion of the driver 244a which is out of the path of the supporting material web 32a. This obviatas any wicking or bleeding o 5. lubricant from the applicator 547 to the supporting material 32a.
This is especially beneficial during such time as the apparatus 210a is not in use. Although the applicator 547 could be in the form of a roll, it is pre~erred to use an applicator in the form :~
of a strip whic~ is easy ~o manufacture and assemble. The applica-tor 247 can contain any suitable lu~rican~ which can-retard he tra~sfer of gum from the supporting material 32a onto the driver 244a. By way of example, not limitation, the absorbent applicator 547 can contain the following suitable lubricant: Dow Corning 1107 fluid, a liquid silicone, described in 15 B~lleti~ oO5~169 da~ed February, 1967, of the Chemical Products Div~sion, Dow Corning Corporation, Midland, Michigan 48640.
Referring to FIGURES 50 through 54, the brake 522 is shown to include a roll 553. The roll 553 has a pair of spaced apart O-rings 554 and 555 comprised of resilient material 20 such as rubber. The roll 553 has stub ends 556 and 557 received in respective tracks 558 and 559 in respective subframe sections 215a and ~16a. I~ is apparent ~hat the roll 553 is rotatable and also movable relatively toward and away from surfaces 560 and 561 of respective subframe sections 215a and 216a. As shown 25 in FIGURES 50 and 51, end portion 562 of print head frame 221a is in engagement with the O-rings 554 and 555 of roll 553, and : the composite web 30a is clamped between the roll 553 and the ~ ~7~6~i Docket M-249 .

surfaces 560 and 561. Accordingly, in this position of the brak~ 522, because of the frict~on exerted ~etween the roll 553 and end portion S62 of the print head 219a, rotation of the roll 553 is prevented. Consequen~ly, the compcsite web S 30a which is in frictional engagement with t~e roll 553 and is clamped between the roll 553 and surfaces 560 and 561 is pre~
vented xom being ad~anced toward the delaminator 218a~ Xn this positlon of the prînt head 219a (in which the operator 235a is in its initial position~, a printed label 36a is in applying position relative to applicator 253a ready to be applied to an article. 3nce the label 36a has been applied, the user can again operate the operator 235a which causes the print head 219a to move toward the platen 217a. As the print head 219a moves toward the platen 217a, the portion 562 of the frame 221a of the print head 219a moves out of contact with the roll 553. At tha printing position of the print head 219a, the portion 562 of the frame 221a is in the position shown in FIGURE 52. When the user releases the operator 235a, the spring assembly 515 causes the toothed drivex 244a to advance the com-posite web 30a and to-effect return of tha print head 219a to the position shown in FIGURE 51. During return of the print head 219a from the position sho~m in FIGURE 52 to the position shown in FIGURE 51, the roll 553 permits the composite web 30~ to advance as it rolls on the advancing web 30a. However 9 upon the substan-tial completion of travel of the print head 219a, the portion 552 again operates the brake 552 to effect clamping of the composite k " ' . ' Docket M-249 ~ 4 web 30a between the roll 553 and surfaces 560 and 561. The brake 522 is simple in construction and automatic in its operation and yet it serves the purpose of preventing any paying out of the composite web 30a from the roll durîng applica-tion of the label 36a. Such paying out of the web 30a can resultin the event that the cuts 33a through the label material 31a are not complete so that the traiiing edgè of on~ label 3Ça remains connected to the leading edge of the next subsequent label 36a~ As is evident in t~is embodiment of the in~ention the brake 522 exerts a substantial braking force on the web 30a, while brake surfaces 318a and 319a exert only a slight braking force on the core 44a~
With xeference to FIGURES 55 through 57, there is shown a modification for the embodiment of ~IGURES 1 through 34 and for the embodiment of FIGURES 35 through 54 and 58 through 70. Components which are generally related to those of either the embodiments of FIGURES 1 through 34 ox 35 through 54 and 58 through 70 are indicated by the same reference characters, with the addition of the letter "b"- Label printing and applying apparatus 210b,includes subframe 21~b having subframe sections 215b and 216b. The apparatus 210b differs from apparatus 210a only in the respect that leaf springs 312a and 313a rotatably mount core 44b of composite web 306. More specifically, axially aligned, one-piece, rolls 570 and 571 are rotatably mounted by arms or leaf springs 312a and 313aO The rolls 570 and 571 are identical in construction~ The rolls 570 and 571 have frustro-conical surfaces 572 and 573 which serve ~o automatically center Docket M-249 the core 44b with respect to ~he center line CL of the sub fram~ 214}). The rolls 570 and 571 have respective hubs 574 and 575 hauing respecti~e bearing shoulders 576 and 577. The bearing shoulders 576 and 577 bear against the arms 312b and 313b.
As the rolls ~70 and 571 rotate the shoulders 576 and 577 prevent other purtions of the respective rolls 570 and 571 from rubbing on the arms 312b and 313b. The arms 312b and 313b ; are flexible and resilient enough to enable the core 44b to.be inserted on rolls 570 and 571 and yet rigid enough to enable the core 44~ to b~ mounted as illustrated in ~IGURES 55 and 57.
The arms 312b and 313b are sufficiently yieldable to accommodate for manufacturing ~ariations in the length of core 44bo The hubs 574 and 575 are rotatably received in holes 578 and 579 in arms 312b and 313b. Spr.ing clips 580 and 581 preven the hubs 574 ~nd 575 from shifting off the arms 312b and 313b but - permit the rolls 570 and 571 to rotate. Rolls 570 and 571 have respective circular cylindrical purtions 582 and 583 which prevent the core 44b from slipping off when the composite web 30b is advanced. With reference to FIGURE 57, a resilient de~ice ; 20 584, illustrated as being a curved leaf spring, serves to facilitate ; the gradual paying out of the composite web 30~. In that the apparatus 210b causes the composite web 30b to be pulled on~e for each actuation and return cycle o the oper~tor ~235 or 235a), and in that the apparatus is capable of printing and applying multiple labels (36, 36a or 36b~ in succession per second, the de~ice 584 is conducive to the gradual unwinding o the composite web roll. ~en the composite web 30b is ad~anced,

-4~-Dockct M-249-C~ 7~4~5 the resilient device 584 will mo~e from the position shown by phantom lines to the position shown by solid lines in ~IGURE 57. ~s the roll unwinds gradually, the device 584 mo~es to the position shown by~.phantom lines in FIGURE 57.
One.end 585 of ~he device 584 is retained in ~ixed position relative to a subîr~me 214b by f itting into a retaining pocket 586 foxmed partly in the subframe section 215b and partly by the subfram~ sec~ion 216b.
With reference to ~IGURE 58, there is shown diagrammatically the structure ~hich ;s already shown in greater detail in FIGURES 24, 25 and 26, for ~x~mple. Specifica~ly, printing band 220a has a pri~ting section 354a and a non-printing '~
.. ..
.~uman readable section 355a. The printing _ _ . . .. .. .
section 354a has printing blocks 353a and the ~on-prin4ing section cont2ins human readable indicia ~FIGURE 25) representa-tive of the data which the printing blocks 353a are capable sf printing. The printing section 354a is thicker than the non-~rinting section 355a as best seen in FIGURE 58. The pointers 373 ~FIGURE 24) are modified to the extent that they are extended as shown at 373a in FIGURE 58. The pointers 373a are molded inte~rally with the frame 37~a which can be shifted in a dixection parallel to the axis of the driven members 351a (only one o~ which is shown in FIGURE 58)~ It is appaxent that the pointers 373a include stop faces 587 and tilat the printing bloc~s 353a adjacent th~ nor.~printing section 355a have abutment faces 588. Thus, tlle non-printin~

~5 ... . _ _ . _ . _ . . __ _ . . _ .. . . , . .. ~ . .
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7~65 Docket M-249 section 355a is incapable of being moved to the printing position .
at which it would be inked ~ the ink roller. Inadvertent movement of the non-pxintin~ section to the printi~g and inking zone would result in inking of ~e human readable indicia wh~ch would make S them dificult to read; but t~is problem is obviated by the present in~ention, The invention can be applied as well to type wheels of the type illustrated in FIGURES 32 through 34 which can ha~e a prin~ing section and an adjacent non-printing human readable section, With reference to FIGURES 59 through 64, there is illustrated a method by ~-hic~ the platen 217a is made~ Referring initially to FIGURE 59, there is provided a flat sheet composed of bendable subs~antially rigid material. Although any suitable sheet material can be employed, it is preferred to use steel haYing a smooth surface, for example, polished stainless steel.
Elongated sets of holes 601 and 602 and round holes 603 are shown to be cut through the sheet 600. The holes 601 and 602 are ~ elongated in the same direction and are generally rectangular in '' shape. The holes 601 and 602 are symmetrical about a center line 604 extending through the centers o~ holes 603, with the holes 601 and 602 being in alignment with each othex and with the holes 603. If desired the center line 604 of the inve~se bend need not pass through the centers of the holes 603. The sheet 600 is in~ersely bent about-the line 604 to provide a - 25 pair of plates or plate portion~ 605 and 606 joined by a bight portion ~07. With a sheet of flexible, resilient moldable material 608 disposed between the pla~es 605 and 606 there is ' -~6-\ - ~
~7~9L6~ -Docket M~249 -pro~ided a sandwich arrangement ~hich is placed between pre~s members 609 and 610 of a press to effect extrusion of the moldable material into the space within the holes 601 and .~. . .
602. This extr~sion can ~e ac~omplished by applying pressure using t~e press members 609 and 610 accompanied by suitable heating means tnot shown) for heating ~he moldable material 608. For this purpose, the platen members 609 and 610 can be heated. As shown in FIGURES 63 and 64 the sets of holes 601 and 602 are in alignment with each other. The platen 217a thus has ~l~x~ble resilient platen sec~ions 611, 612 and 613 which can yield independently of each other during printing as illustrated~in FIGURE 64r The co~posite we~ 30a is omitted from between printing members 220a and 220a' and the platen 217a in FIGURE 64 for the sake of clarity. This means that each line of printing characters can produce quality printing irrespective of minor manufacturing varia~ions in the print head or the platen which might otherwise cause poor printing quality. The plates or plate portions 605 and 606 cooperate to support the platen sections 611, 612 and 613 only at their peripheral edges, and more specifically they support the sections 611, 612 and-613 along the entirety of their respective p~ripheral edses but the platen sections 611, 612, and 613 are otherwise unsupported so that they can yield even beyond the surface of the underside of the platen 217a. The resultant platen 217a has a relati~ely sharp delaminator or peel edge 217a and the holes 603 provide general]y semi~circular notches 614 at the peel edge 217a. Each notch 614 constitutes -~7-7~4~
Docket M-249 . .

an interruption in the edge which reduc~s the area of contact with the web of suppoxtîng materiaL 32a thereby reducing ~riction therebetween as the web 32a is dxawn in the direction o~ arrow 615~ With reference to FIGURES 61 and 62, the moldable material 608 which would otherwise exist in the notches 614 is preferably trimmed away.
Referring to FIGURE 66, the inkin~ mechanism 252a is shown in its operati~e inking position between the print head 219a and the platen ~17aq The inking mec~anism 252a includes the inker body 514 and an ink roller 620 carried by the inker body 514. The inking mechanism 252a also includes a pair of tracks 621 and 622 whlch guide the ink roller 620 as the print head 219a . ~ is driven toward and away from t~e platen 217a; ~ith reference .. ~ to FIGURE 67, the one-piece inker body 514, which is composed ;~ 15 of a flexible resilient material, has a pair of slotted arms 623 and 624 having respective elongated aligned slots 625 and 626.
The ink roller 620 includes an ink receptive, tubular, porous ink roll 627 received by a hub 628 having hub portions 629 and 630. The hub portion 630 has a fluted projection 361 and the hub portion 629 has a bore 632 into which the projection 631 is adapted to be press-fitted. The ink roll 627, composed for example of rubbex or the like, is recei~ed by the hub portions 629 and 630l as best shown in FIGURE 69. The hub portions 629 and 630 have respective in~egral flanges or bearing rolls 633 2~ and 634, which are adapted to ride on bearing surfaces 635 and 636 of the print head 219aq Stub ends 637 and 638 mount respective rollers 639 and 640, and 641 and 642. The rollers ~ - ~ \

~J ~L~7146~
Docket M-249 640 and 641 are received in the elongated slots 625 and 62~.of slotted port~ons 623 and 624, the rollers 639 and 642 are received in respective tra~ks 621 and 6220 The inker body 514 also has ~ntegrally formed arms S or leaf springs.643 and 644 which carry the integrally formed pivot pins 512 and 513 received i~ t~e.respective sockets 510 and 511.
~s the print head 219a moves toward the platen 217a ~-(~IGU~E 66~, the constant slope of the tracks 621 and 622 causes the ink roller 620 to travel acxoss the ink and the printing me~hers 220a at the constant rate. When the print head 217a is in printing cooperation with the-label 36a at the printing ~one, the ink roller 620 has moved to the position shown by phantom lines ~IGURE 66)~ ~hen the print head 219a moves away from the platen 217al a spring ~inger or leaf spring 645, formed integrally with the inker body 514, causes the bearing rolls 633 and 634 ~to roll along bearing surfaces 635 and 636. During all this tra~el o~ the inker body 514 and the ink roller 620 which it carries, the slotted portions 523 and 524 serve to mount the ink roller 620 and tracks 621 and 622 define the path of travel of the ink roller 620. Installation of the inker body 514 and its ink roller 620 is accomplished by flexing together the leaf springs 643 and 644 so that the respective pivot pins 512 and 513 can be inserted into the respective sockets 510 and 511. The inker body 514 can be removed by flexing together leaf springs 6~3 and 644. The ink rollex 620 can be installed or re~.oved from the inker body by f;exing apart ths slotted arms 623 and 624~ FIGVRE 68 shows the inker body 5].4 and its ink roller 620 bein~ removed from the apparatus, while housing part 502 and the ?~ corresponding housing part 502 ~FIGURE 65) are in an o~en pos.ition relative to the respective housing parts 501 and 503.
l~9 f . ...

, . ~ ,.

Docket M-249-C-l The print head 219a has two rows of pri~ting bands as is shown in somewhat greater detail in FIGUR~ 31. In order to print a third line of data between the two lines of printing members 22a, a slug 646 (FIG~RES 66, 69 and 70) is inserted into the print head frame 221a. As best shown in FIGURE 70 f the slug 646 comprises a basQ 647 having a dovetail portion 648, a printing member 220a' and ha~ a mating portion 648~ received by the dovetail 648. The base 647 has a projection 650 receivable in a recess 651 in the print head frame 221a. The base ~47 has an elongated extension 652 having a projection 653 which is received in a recess ~54 i~ the print head frame 221a. In this manner, the slug 646 can be inserted into a slot 655 in the print head frame 221a and resiliently snapped into place by means of the projectio~
656 which can be used to facilitate insertion or removal of the slug 646.
It is preferred to mold the driver or feed wheel 244.
of a material whi~h incorporates a lubricant to dimi~ish the amount of gum or adhesive that is transferred to the feed wheel 244 during use to prevent improper feeding. By inco~porating the lubricant i~ the feed whe~l 244 the surface of the feed wheel 244 has a low coefficient of friction. However, ~he tee-th 249 are adequate to grip and driv~ the web 32. One specific material to be used to mold the feed wheel is an acetal resin combined with polytetrafluoroethylene lubrica~ts. One such material is sold commercially under Number XL-4030 by Liquid Nitrogen Proces~ing Corporation, Malvern~ Pennsylvania, U.S.A, ;- 107~465 Docket M-249 The remainder of the apparatus in FIGURES 1 through 70, except for the platens 217 and 217a, O-rings 282 and 332, the ball beaxings 228, 228a, 229 a~d 229a, the spring 238, the washers 365, rubber printing members 220, 22a and 220a, portion 648', spring 536, applicator S52, O-rings 554 and 555, clips 581 and 582, and the resilient device 584, are composed of suitable lightweight moldable plastic materials, for example, a~etal~
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, or the like, but the ink rolls : 311 and 627 are preferably constructed of porous ~inyl. Accord-ingly, the apparatus is very light in weight, and easy and con-Yenient to use with a min~mum of fatigue.
Qther embodiments and modifications of this invention will suggest themsel~es to those skilled in the art, and all such of these as come within the spirit of this in~ention are ~5 included within its scope as best defined by the appended olaims.

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Claims (6)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. For a label applying machine: an applicator, means for advancing labels into applying relationship with respect to the applicator, the applicator including at least one wheel having an annular rim, means for mounting the wheel, and means resiliently connecting the rim and the mounting means to provide resilient yielding of the wheel while the applicator applies a label to merchandise.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of the wheels mounted by the mounting means for independent yielding movement with respect to each other.

3. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the applicator includes a plurality of the wheels, and an annular friction member received about the periphery of each rim of each wheel.

4. The combination as defined in claim 3, wherein the resilient connecting means includes a plurality of resilient arms integral with the rim.

5. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the mounting means comprises a shaft having an annular groove, resilient mounting means comprising a plurality of resilient arms integral with the rim and engaged in the groove in the shaft.

6. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the applicator includes a plurality of the wheels, an annular friction member received about the periphery of the rim of each wheel, and means enabling the independent rotation of each wheel.