CA1072814A - Hand-held labeler with a spring assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

Docket M-249-C-1-5 HAND-HELD LABELER WITH A SPRING ASSEMBLY

Abstract of the Disclosure There is disclosed a hand held label printing and applying machine for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels carried on a web of supporting material. The apparatus includes a housing having a handle and a first arcuate bearing surface, a delaminator, feeding means engageable with the web for drawing the web to effect delamination of labels by the delaminator, an applicator for applying the labels, means including an actuator disposed at the handle and movable away from and toward an initial position for operating feeding means, the actuator having a second arcuate bearing surface, and a spring assembly disposed in the housing and comprising a sleeve, a plunger movably received in the sleeve and spring means disposed within the sleeve and acting on the sleeve and on the plunger for exerting forces on both the handle and the actuator to effect return of the actuator to its initial position, and means for limiting the extent to which the sleeve and plunger can move apart to prevent their separation and release of the spring means during assembly or disassembly of the machine, the limiting means including a snap-lock connection.

Description

'7 Docket M-249-C-1-5 HAND-HELD LABEL_R WITH A SPRING ASSEMBLY

Backqround of the Invention Field of the Invention Thi~ invention relates to the art of pressure ~ensitive labels, me~hod and appara~us for making and using same, and label printing and applying machines.
Brief Description of the Prior ~rt Various V.S. patents are made of record:
Pat. No. . Patentee Issued 1,641,387 Reis 1927

2,259,358 Templeton ,-1941

3,375,064 Moore 1942 2,502,257 Hawkins et al 19S0 2,516,487 Schlick~upp 195 2,620,205 V~gt 1952 2,656,063 Xafka 1953 3,051,353 Xrueger 1362 3,2S5,553 Kind et al 1966 3,343,485 Loeffler 1967 3,440,123 Hamisch, Sr. 1969 3,50~-,365 ~arshall 1370 . 3,551,251 Yo Sato 1970 : 3,611,929 Schrot2 1971 ~ -~, .~ .

- -Docket M-249-C-1-5 Summary of the Invention The invention relates t~ a hand-held label printing and applying machine for printinq and applying pressure sensitive labels carried on a web of supporting ma~erial. The apparatus includes a housing having a handle and a first arcuate bearing surface, a delaminator, feeding means engagoable with the web for drawing the web to effect delamination of la~els by the delaminator, an applicator for applying the labels, means :~
including an actuator di~posed at the handle and mo~able away ~rom and toward an initial pos~tion for operat:ing foeding means, the actuator having a second arcuats bearing surface, and a spring assembly disposed in tho housing and comprising a sleeve, a plunge~ movably xeceived in the sleeve and spring means disposed within the sleeve and acting on the sleeve and on the plunger for exerting forces on both the handle and th~
ac~ator t~ ect r~urn of the actuator to its initial position, and msans for limiting the extent to whi~h the ~leeve and plunger can move apart to prev~nt their separation and rel~ase of the spring means durlng as~embly or disassembly of the machine, the lImiting mea~ including a ~nap-lock connection.

. . --~ocket M-249 -i~)'J~8~4 Brief Description of the Drawin~s .
~ FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of label printing and applying apparatus 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 o the invention; ~
FIGURE 3 is a sectional ele~ational view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE l;
FIGURE 4 is a sectional view t~ken generally along lin~ 4--4 of FIGUXE 3;
FIGURE 5 is a ~ectional 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 ele~ational view of one of the subframe s~ctions of the apparatus, FIGURE 8 is a top plan ~iew taken along line 8--8 of FIGURE 7;
~IGURE 9 is a side elevational view of the other sub~rame section;
FIGURE 10 is a top plan view showing the ~anner in which the label core for the ro~l of labels is held and the manner in which braking force is applied by the subfrxme sections;
~IGURE 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11 of FIGURE 10;
FIGURE 12 is a sectional view taken ~enerally along ~ :
line 12--12 o FIGURE 3;

Docket M-~49 ~7~8~

FIGU~E 13 is an exploded perspective view of the inking mechanism;
~ IGURE 14 is an enlarged sectional view showing a fragmentary portion of the apparatus in solid lines, and in particular showing a fragme~tary portion of the print head and the inking mechanism in both solid and phantom line posi~ions; . . ..-FIGURE 15 is a sectional view taken along line i5--15 of FIGURE 4;
10FIGURE 16 is a developed ~iew showing the arrangement o~ the teeth of the detent mechanism;
FIGURE 17 is a sectional view taken along line 17--17 of FIGURE 15;
.` FIGURE 18 is a sectional veiw taken generally along l~ne 18--18 of FIGURE is;
FIGURE 19 is a sectional view showing one of the three sets of snap-fit connections used to interconnect the frame and the subframe;
FIGURE 20 is an enlarged view of an applicator roll ~:.
shown mounted in the ~rame of the apparatus;
FIGURE 21 is a sectional view taken along line 21--21 of ~IGU~E 20;
FI~URE 22 is a sectional view taken along line 22--22 of FIGURE 21, but omitting the shaft and the ~rictional member;
25FIGURE 23 is a partly sectional view of the mounting shaft which ~orms part Qf the applicator roll;
FIGURE 24 is an exploded perspective ~iew o~ the print head;

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Do ~ et M-249 FIGURE 25 is a sectional view of the print head taken generally along line 25--25 o~ FIGU~E 3;
FIGURE 26 ~s a sectional view showing the selector in relationship to the associated driven wheels;
. FIGURE 27 is an enlar~ed sectional ~iew showing the manner in whic~ detenting of the selector is ef~ectea, 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 detenti~y can be effected directly on a wAeel;
FIGURE 29 is an enlarged, partly sectional, eleYational . ~iew showing an alternative arrangement ~or constructing the selector;
FIGURE 30 is a perspective view showing the driving member ~ picted in FIGURE 29;
FIGURE 31 is a partly exploded perspective view of a modif~ed print head in accordance with the invention;
FIGURE 32 is an exploded perspective view o~ the ~elector in association with type wheels and mo~nting 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 FIGU Æ 33; `
FIGURE 35 is an exploded perspective view of another embodLment of the label printing and applying ~pparatus;
FIGU~E 3~ is a partly broken away top plan view of a composite web useful in the apparatus;
~IGURE 37 is a sectional view taken along line 37--37 :
of FIGURE 36;

, ~ - . . .. .j . . ...... -- : . . - . ., . : : .

D~ et ~1-249 ~IGURE 38 is a sectional view taken along line 38--38 of FIGURE 36;
~ FIGURES 39.through 44 are diagrammatic views illustra-ting a method of loading the apparatus;
. FIGVRE 45 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing a fxagmentary portion of the actuating means including an OperatQr and a spring assemblyl with the opera~or being in its initial position;
FIGURE 46 is an elevational view,par~ly in section, show~ng the operator in its operated position;
~IGURE 47 is an enlarged sectional view of the spring assembly;
FIGURE 48 is an exploded perspectiYe view of the spring assembly;
~IGURE 49 is a sectional ~iew taken generally along line 49--~9 of FIGURE 457 FIGURE 50 is a fxagmentary eleva~ional view showing the operating components of the apparatus in their initial positions;
FIGU~E 51 is an enlarged fragm~ntary view showing a por~ion of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 50, and showing espacially the print head in its operating position with a brake in accordance with the invention;
FIGVRE 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 is a top plan view, partly in section, of a fxagmentar~ portion o the apparatus;

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~ 2 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--56 of FIGURE 55;
FIGURE 57 is an elevational view, partly in section, on a reduced scale from that of FIGURES 55 and 56, showin~
a spring for assisting the unwinding of a supply roll;
FIGURE 58 is a view similar to FIGURE 25, but illustra ting an impr~ved arrangement by which the human readable section ` ~ :
of the printing member is prevented from being moved to the pxinting zone;
FIGURE 59 is a top plan view of a sheet u~ed in makiny a platen;
FIGURE 60 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the lS sheet a~ter having been inversely ben~t tog~ther with a piece ` ~::
o~ moldable material, positioned in a press, FIGURE 61 is a top pl~n view of the completed platen; ~ ~ -~IGURE 62 is a perspecti~e view of the platen showing the c~mposite web by phantom lines;
20 ~ FIGURE 63 is a sectional ~iew taken along line 63--~3 o FIGURE 62; :
FIGURE 64 is a sectional view tak~n along line 6~--64 of ~IGURE 62, but showing additionally printing members in -: -printing cooperation with individual platen sections of the ~5 platen;

FIGURE 65 is a side elevational view of the apparatus;
FIGURE 66 is a fragmentary partly sectional view o~
the apparatus showing a housing secti.on in tha clo~ed position and showing the inking mechanism;

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Docket M-249 PIGURE 67 is an exploded perspecti~ ,view of an inkex , .
body and ink roller of the inking mechanism;
FIGURE 68 is a Yiew similar to FIGURE 66 ! but showing the housing-section in the open position;
FIGVRE 69 is a fragmentary ~iew showing the ink roller bearing on the print head and inking the printing members; and FIGURE 70 is a perspecti~Te exploded view of a slug used with the print head.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment .
Referring now to a label printing and applying apparatus generally indicated at 210 in the emhodiment of FIGU~ES 1 through 27, and initially to FIGURE 1, there i~; shown to be a housing or main frame generally indicated at 211. The housing or ~rame 211 is speci~ically shown to in ~de a pair of frame sections 212 and 213. Disposed within the housing Z!ll is a subframe generally indicated at 214 which comprises a paix of sub~rame sections 215 and 216. The ~rame 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 subfr~me 214. More specifically, the print head 219 lncludes a plurality o selectable settable printing members 220 in the form of endless printing bands mounted by a print head frame 211. Extending from the frame 221 are a ~air of ~langes 222 and 2~3. Gear sections or specifically racks 224 and 225 are pro~Jided at the ends o~ the respective flanges 222 and 223. Opposed tracks 226 and 227 are formed on the respective flanges 222 and 223 to receive straight ball bearings 228 and 229.
,~ .
The subrame sections 215 and 216 have respecti~e tracks 230 and -8- .

Docket M-24g ~31. The ball bearing 228 is recei~ed in the track 226 o~ the flange 22~ and in the track 2-30, and the ball bearing 229 is received in the track 227 in the flange 223 and in the track 231.
The ball bearings 228 and 229 ha~e respective balls 228' and 229' rotatably held by respective tangs or holders 228" and 229". In this manner, the print head 219 is mounted for movement, particu-larly 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 212 and 213 has a respective handle portion 233 and 234. An operator gen- i erally 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 l~ver 236 is normally l~rged in a counter-clockwise direction ~FIGURE 1) by a torsion spring ~38 received about the post 237~ The pivotal movement of the lever 236 is limited by an adjustable stop block 239 recai~ed by the handle .
232 bet~Jeen the handle portions 233 and 234. The upper end of the operating lever 235 carries a pair of spaced-apart gear sections 240 and 241. ~he gear sections 240 and 241 are shown 2~ to Le in the form o~ spur gear segmentsO 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 resp~ctive gear sections 224 and 225 carried by the print - head 219.
A roll of pressure sensit;ve labelsl in the fo~m -for example of the composite web 30 shown in ~IGURE 2, is mounted by its core 44 by the subframe 214. As will be des-cribed in gseater detail hereinafter, the composite web 30 .

. , - . : .
.. . .. ..

Docket M-249 is drawn off the roll into overlying relationship with respect to the platen 217 and the supporting material 3~ 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 driver 244 by a detent mechanism generally indicated at 247. An input or drive member 248 of the detent mechanism 247 i5 sho~m in FIGURE 1. The toothed driver 244 has a plurality of equally spaced apart drive teeth 249 arranged about its outer periphery. The pawl 245 is integrally joined at but one end to the gear 243. The pawl 245 is fle~ible and resilient and ~an ride on the ratchet wheel 246 and de~lect into engagement with a tooth 265.o~ the ratchet wheel 246.
The housing or frame section 213 has an access opening 250. A cover 251 is remo~ably connected to the frame ~ection 213 at the access openin~ 250. The cover 251 mounts an inking mechanism 252 cooperable with the printincJ memhers 220 of the print head 219. The housing sections 212 and 213 mount an applicator 253 disposed downst.ream o~ the peel edge 218.
Referring to FIGURE 2, there is shown composi~e web 30 of label material 31 releasably adhered to and carried by supporting or bac~ing material 32. The label material 31 is cut transversely by transverse cuts 33 extending all the way : across the web 31 o label material to the side edges 34 and 35 o~ the composite web 30. The cuts 33 known as "butt cuts"
separate the web 31 of label material into a series of end-to-~nd labels 36. The underside of the web 31 of label material has a coating o pressure sensitive adhesive 37 which adheres strongly to the weh 31 of label matarial. The web 32 of supportin~ material carries a thin film or coating (not shown~

:.. . . . - . -Dock~t M - 2 4 9 which allows th~ labels to be peeled from the we~ 32 of suppcrting material~
Groups 38 of cuts ar.e pxovided 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 o~ cuts is shown to be made in a generally l-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 th~ -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 other end of the cut 39S and the cut 41S provides rangible portion 42S. In like manner, the part o~ the label material between the end of the cut.39L and the cut 40L pro-15 vides a frangible portion 43L and the part between tha other end .:
of the cut 39L and the cut 41L provides a frangible portion 42~.
Referring to FIGURE 3, the interrelationsh~p of the components of the apparatus 210 is shown in detail. The com-posite web 30 is paid out of the roll and passes through a passag~
provided by ~ubframe sec~ions 215 and 216 and specifically by groove 254 [FIGURE 9) in the subframe section 215 and a co- -operating groove 255 (FIGURES 1, 3 and 7~ in the sub.frame section 216. From there the composite web 30 passes partly around a roll 256 and into overlying relationship with the platen 217. Delamination is effect~d at the peel edge 218 formed at the end of the platen 217. The supporting material 32 is drawn : around the peel edge 218 be~eath the platen 217 and passes : partly a~ound a roll 257, below the guide 258 and between the "' .'.
.

-- - ~ -.. . . .
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Z~
Docket M-249 toothed driver 244 and the mating~die wheel ~59. As a tooth 249 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 425 and 43S, whereupon the tooth 249 which is in mating coopera-tion with the die wheel 259 (FIGURE 18) is considered to have ormed a feed hole in the supporting material 242. It is pre-ferred that there be three'teeth 24q in driving engagement ~ith the supporting material 32 at all times. The subframe sections 215 and 216 have respective aligned strippers 2~0 and 261 which facilitate disengagemen~ of the teeth ~49 wi~h ,he supporting material 232 as the dri~er:'~244'~ ates. Opposed guide grooves 262 and 263 formed in ~he subfP~e~séctions 215 and 216 guide the supporting material 32 t~ an exit opening 264. Excess supporting matexiàl ~hich dangle~ from the apparatus 210 can be readily torn off at the exit opening 264.
With reference to FIGURE 3, the print head 219 is shown by solid lines in the initial or home position and by phantom lines 219' in the printing zone in printing cooperation with the label 36 and tha platen 217. ~he operator 235 is shown by solid lines in its initial or home position and in phantom lines 235' in the fully actuated position. In the fully actùated position, the print head,213 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 of ~he operator 235, the Clexibl~ resilient pa~l 245 (FIGURE 153, joined inte~rally at one end to the gear 243, has mo~ed to the ` -12-~J

'~ 7~ ,Li~ .
Docket ~

position shown by phantom lines 245' in driving cooperation with a tooth 265 of the ratchet wheel 246; When the user releases the operator 235, the spring 233 (FIGURE 3~ returns the operator 235 against stop 239' to the solid line position shown in FIGURE 3. While the operator 235 is returning to the solid line position from the fully actuated position indicated by phantom lines 23S', the gear sections 240 and 241 (FIGURES 3 and 4) rotate gea_s 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 lînes 245' to the position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 15. Thus, the pawl 245, which is in line position from the fully actuated position indicated by phantom lines 235', the gear sections 240 and 241 (FIGURES 3 and 4) rotate gears 242 and ~43 clockwise tFIGURE 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 ~rom the position shown by phantom lines 245' to the position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 15.
~hus, the pawl 245, which is in engagement with a tooth 265, dri~es the ratchet wheel 246 counterclockwise (FIGUPE 15).
~his counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel 246 (FIGURE 15) causes the driver 244 to adva~ce the supporting material 32 to ef~ect substantially complete delamination o~ a label at the peel edge 218~ Counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet ~heel 246 : ~5 continues ~ntil a pawl 266 ~FIGURES 1, 7 and 15~ in the form of - a ~lexible resilient appendage of the subframe section 216, mo~es into engagement with a tooth 265 of the ratchet wheel.
This prev~nts the web or supporting material 3, from bein~
accidentally moved in the.return direetion.
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''' ' ', , ' ' , - - - ~ - -~ -: , , , ~ '7'~
Docket M-249 As best shown in FIGURE 4, the driver 244 has an annular rim 267 joined to a hub 268 by a radial web 269. The hub 268 h~s a hub section 268' extending in one direction and another hub section 268" extending in the opposite direction.
The hub section 268' terminates at a knob 70, and the ~ub section 268" terminates at a knob 270' The ~ear 242 is rotatably journaled on and with resp~ct to the hub section 268'.
The gear 242 has a hu~ or flange 271 which is rotatab~y journaled in opening 272 in the frame section 212. The hub section ~68' extends through an enlarged opening 273 in the subframe section 215. The hub section 2~8" provides a stepped pair of bearins surfaces 274. The ra~che~ wheel 246 is ~ormed integrally with the drive member 248 of the detent mechanism 247. The ratchet wheel 246 and the drive member 248 have a hub 276 with a stepped bore 275 into which the hub section 26S" extends. A
hub 276 rotatably receives and mounts t:he gear 243. The gear 243 has a hub 277 rotatably received in a bearing 278 ~orme~
inte~rally with the housing section 213. As seen in FIGURE 4, the gears 242 and 243 are in dri~ing engagemen~ with respective gear sections 224 and 225 carried by the print head 219; the relative position of the drive pawl 245 to the ratchet wheel 246 is also shown.
With reference to FIGURE 15, the drive member 248 includes a plurality of spring fingers or detent pawls 278. The pawls 278 are of equal length, are flexible and resilient, and are continuously urged a~ainst teeth 279 formed on the inside of the annular rim 267. In the illustrated embodiment there are one hundred and seven~y-seven teeth 279 at egually spaced-apart intervals. There are twelve pawls 278 integrally connected '.

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Z~
Docket M-249 to the hub 276 at equally spaced-apart intervals. The testh 279 comprise respective tooth faces 280 and a recess between - adjacent tooth faces 280 in which ~he 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 move in a non-driving direction (clockwise in FIGURE 15) relative to the feed wheel 244 by manually operating the detent mechanism 247. Accordingly, every fifth pawl 278 is engaged with the face 280 of a tooth 279. The pawls 278 between every fifth set of pawls are out of engagement with their respective tooth faces 280 by diferent increments as best illustrated in FIGURE 16.
Normally, the pawls ~78 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 drlve pawl 245 moves counterclockwise the ratchet wheel 246 is driven counter~
clockwise and the three pawls 278 which are in driving engagement with their respective tooth faces 280 will drive the feed wheel 244 counterclockwise. Accordin~ly, there is no relative ro~ation 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 wbeel 244 upon actuation of the opexator 2~5, the user wil' 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 FIGURE 15~ relative to the ~eedwheel 244 so that the next three successive teeth move into engagement with the next three ~espective tooth faces 280. For example, if it is considered that first, fifth and ninth pawls 278 were initially in engagement with respective teeth 279, - ~ . . : . . . . .

Docket M-249 only a very slight rotation will ~ause second, sixth and tenth pawls to move into engagement with their respective tooth faces 280, and so on. Although any desired number of - ., pawls 278 and teeth 280 can be`used, the illustrated embodiment S pro~ides very minute adjustment of tha feed wheel 244 relati~e to ~he 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 ~o be centered within the annular rLm 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 which a label 36 is advanced. With respect to the delaminating function, operation of the detent mechanism 247 al50 changes the position to which the label 36 is advanced. Accordingly, it is apparent lS ~hat the detent mechanism 247 is useful, both in establishing the position to which a label is advanced relati~e to the printing zone and to the delaminating zone. It is important that just th~
correct amount of trailing marginal end edge of the label remain adhered to the peel edge so that the label 36 is held in that position until it is ready to be applied to merchandise by the applica~or 2530 As best shown in FIGURES 15, l~, a~d 18r the supporting material 32 is initially brouyht into engagement with the feed wheel 244 as it passes around the die wheel 259. The die wheel 259 is comprised of an annular plastic roll 281 journaled by ~ , subframe sections 215 and 216. Thè roll 281 has frictional members in the orm of rubber 0-rings 282 r~ceived at spaced-apart locations about the ~erîphery of the roll 281. The 0-rings ~ 8 Docket M-249 straddle the teeth 249 and are.just spaced apart far enough to act as a die wheel wlth matins teeth ~49. As a tooth ~249 begins to engage the web of supporting material 32 at the cut 39S (FIGURE 21, 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 o~ter surface of the feed wheel 244 as best shown in FIGURE 18~ This insures that the tooth 249 properly bursts or forms a hole, facilitated by the group 38 of cuts, in the supporting material 32 and that the drive lC 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 regi~tered wi~h the printing 20ne and the delaminating zone. Once such registrati~n is accom~lished as thQ result of the tooth 249 cooperating with the die roll 259, correct regis-tration continues.
The platen 217 and the peel edge 218 ~FIGURES 1, 3 and 4) are 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 inversely-bent portion 285 has a sma~
xadius and defines the peel edge 218. The plate portions 283 and 284 are co-extensi~e and are secured to ea~h othër by waldm~nts 286. The plate ~hich forms the platen 217 and the peel edge 218, received in recesses 286' in subframe sections 215 and 21~, is preferably constructed of highly polished stainless steel.
~he s;des 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 -17~

"-- L~'7Z81'~

Docket M-249 215 and 216. The plates Z18' are disposed beneath but are.
spaced from the plate 217~ Should a label 36 at~empt ~o fall onto the supporting material 32 ater 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 ~2 passes after ~assing 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 block 239 has a threaded bore 288 which threada~ly rece~-~es an adjusted screw 289. One half of the screw 289 is rotatabl~
received in a semi-circular groove 290 and one-half o~ the head 291 o~ the screw 289 is captiva in a semi-circular ~ecess 292 in the seat 293. The handle portion 233 of the ~rame section 212 pro~idQs ano~her 5~0p surface ~not shown) for the stop block 23g in alignment with the stop sur~ace 287, another semi-circular groove (not shown~ opposite the gxoove 290 for re-cei.ving the other one-half o~ the screw 289, and anothex semi-circular xecess (not shown~ opposite the recess 292 for receiving 20 the other one-half o the head 2gl. A hole 29~, one-half of which ~ .
is formed by each handle portion 233 and 234, enables entry of a ~ool ~not shown) by which the head 291 of the screw 289 càn be engaged to rotate the screw 289. Rotation of the screw in one direction will cause the stop block 239 to move upwardly ~5 ~IGURE 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 ad~ustment of the position of the stop block ~39 will ad~ust the limit of the travel of the operator 235.

. -7B-~ 2 Docket M-249 With reference to FIGURE 13, the inking mechanism 252 is shown to comprise a one-piece-inker body 295 having an aligned pair of soc~ets 296 having converging openings 297.
~he sockets 296 extend for more than ].80 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 (FIGVRE 1) in the cover 251.
The sockets 300 are shaped like the sockets 296. The inker body 295 has an integrally formed lea~ spring or spring finger -~
301 which is shown in FIGURE 14 to be urged against the cover 251. The spring ~inger 301 normally urges the inking mechanism 252 into the solid line position shown in FIGURE 14. The ink roller 29~ is shown in ~IGURE 14 to be in the path of but slightly spaced from the print head 219 because in that position the inker body 29$ 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 he~d 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 section 302 has an elongat~d projection 304 at one end and a stub end 305 at its opposite end. The hub section 302 has an annular ~lange 30G between t~e stub end 30S and a reduced .. . .

Docket M~249 lt)'7~81ii portion 307. The reduced portion 307 is dis~osed 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 flutes which serve to lock the hub portions 302 and 303 together. An ink-re~e~tive tubular porous roll 311, composed for example 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 o~ the roll 311 and prevent the roll 311 from shifting~
With reference to FIGURES 7v 8 and 9, the subfram~
~ections 215 and~216 are shown to have respective l~tegral leaf lS springs 312 and 313. The leaf springs 312 and 313 are provided with integral annular brake members 3L4 and 315 having respective annular brake surfaces 316 and 317. Brake members 314 and 315 are formed integrally with projections or hubs 318 and 319, surfaces 318' and 319' of which are received in and mount label core ~4. The brake surfaces 316 and 317 cooperate to exert braking forces on the label core 44. ~either the hubs 318 and i 319 nor the brak~ members 314 and 315 contact the composlte~web 30 which is wound on the label core 44. In this manner, any gum or adhesive that may exist at the marginal side edges o~ the ~5 composite web 30 will not be transferred to the brake surfaces 31~ and 317. ~IGURE 10 illustrates, in exaggerated form, by phantom lines r the initial positions of the leaf sprin~s 312 -20~
.
- . -. ~ . ~- ~ . . :

Docket M~249 and 313, the brake memb~rs 314 and 315 and the hu~s 318 and 319.i The initial canted position of the leaf springs 313, the brake members 315 and the hu~ 319 relative to the remainder of the su~frame section 216 is also shown in FIGURE 8. Insertion of the label core 44 onto the hu~s 318 and 319 will cause the leaf springs 312 and 313 to flex outwardly and the brak~ sur-faces 316 and 317 wil ~ ert a predetermined braking force on the ends of the core 44. The braking force applied to the core 44 will insure that there is tension in the web 32 of support-ing materîal from the label roll to the printing zone, to the peel edge 218, and to the toothed driver 244. As the pawl 266 tFIGURE 15~ prevent~ the reverse rotation of the driver 244, it is seen that the apparatus maintains a slight but desirable antount of tension on the web of supporting material 32 at all times.
The framè 211 comprises an essentially closed shell but the rear part provides an acces~ opening 211' ~hrough which ` a roll o~ labels can be inserted and a spent core 44 can be : removed without even partial disassembly of the apparatus 210 With reference to FIGURES 20 through 23, there is shown the applicator 253 mounted by the frame 211. The applica-tor 253 comprises a hub 320 shown to have our annular generally Y-shaped groo~es 321 in which respective wheels 322 are rotatably mounted. The hub 320 also has a pair of annular ~langes 3~3 - 25 disposed ~etween 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 ends 324, Undercuts 325 inboard of the stub ends 324 enable , Docket M-249 the hub to be retained in cooperating yieldable sockets-326 and 327 in frclme sections 212 and 213. The sockets 326 and 327 are comprised o~ a plurality of separate socket sections or flexible resilient fingers 32B and 329 to enable the stub ends 324 to be snapped into place. The sockets 326 and 327 and the cooperating stub ends 324 provide opposed snap-fit connec~ions.
The wheels 322 axe identical so o-nly one is described in detail. Each wheel 322 is comprised of an annular rim 330 having an annular groove 331 in its outer periphery. A rubber O-ring 332 is received in the groove 331. A plurality of e~ually spaced-apart arm~; 333 formed integrally with the rim 330 have generally ~-shaped bearing sections 334 received in the respective groove 321. ~he bearing sections 34 of the arms 33~ exert forces against the hub 320, but enable the wheel 322 to rotate relative to the hub 320 and enable the wheel 322 to yield as a label 36 is being applied to the merchcmdise.
As the rubber O-rings 332 have a high coefficient of friction, rotat;on of ~he wheels 322 during label application is facilitatad. 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 by the print head 219. As the label is pressed onto the merchandise, the arms 333 allow the wheels to yield. This yielding action is particularly useful when applying labels to merchandise having irregular surfaces in that the wheels 322 are mounted for both independent rotational and independent yielding movements with respect to -22~

. ~ .
- . .

~ 281 Docket M-249 each other. The flanges 323 prevent the adjacent wheels 3~2 from deflecting more than a small amount away from the per-pendicular with respect to the hub 320.
Referring to FIGURE 24, there is shown an exploded S 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 platén or pressure member 337 and arcuate mounting surfaces 338. The mounting block 336 also has a socket 339 for recei~ing à projection 340 of the other side plate 341. A post 342 is formed integrally with the side plate 335 in axial alignment with a hole 343 in the side plate 341. A pair of posts 344 formed integrally with the side plate 335 have hooks 345 which engage shoulders 346 of the side plate 341. The 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 undexneath the projections 348, that is, between the projections 348 and the side plate 335, thè projection 340 is received in the socket 339, and when the 2Q hooks 345 are in engagement with shoulders 346, then the frame 221 i~ securely but releasably lockPd together.
The printing bands 220 are mounted in the frame 221 as best shown in FIG~RE 25. The printing bands 220 are urged against the support or pressure membex 337 and are detented because teeth 349 formed on the underside of ea~h of the printing bands 220 are in engagement with notches 350 formed OT2 the side o~ the suppoxt 337. In this position, the projection 340 is shown received in the socket 339, the printing bands are ,~ .

- :

~V'~ L

Docket M-299 trained partially around driven membe~s in the form of wheels 351, the printing ~ands 220 are under slight tension, and the wheels are cradled in and rotatable on ~he mounting surfaces 338. The wheels 351 have notches 352 in which the teeth 349 S are received.
Each printing band 220 has a plurality of printing blocks 353, The different printing blocks 353 of each printing band 220 can prinL 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 sebtion 355 contains human readable indicia, The user knows , what data the printing block 353 at ~le pxessure member 337 will print by peering through a wi~dow 356,.
It is oten desirable to chan~e the ~ata which .he print head 21~ is to print. This is generally accomplished by advancing 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 tubular portion 359 received by the post 342. The selector 357 is freely rotatable about the post 342 and is movable axially so that its driving members or lugs 360 can be shifted ~nto drivîng coopexation with any one of the driven members 351.
Each driven member 351 has a central hole 361 which is provided with a plurality of notches 362 ~or recei~ing respective luys 360.
Each ~riven member 351 is also chamfered at the central hole 361 ~, .

.
-24-- :

.~ . , .
, ' " '' ~ '" ' . ' . ' ' '' ' ' `. .. ~ ' -' ,,: ' ' .. - . . - . , ~7 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 pawis or spring detent fingers 364, the ends of which engage the recesses provided by the chamfering 363. The detent fingers 364 serve to hold the seiector i57 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 memhers 360 will be in dri~ing engagement with the selected dri~en member 351.
~Accordingly, ~y shifting the selector 357, any one or all of the driven members 351 can.be rotated, one at a time, uhich resulis .in the respective printing bands or bands 220 being selectively moved to the selected position to print the selected data on the labels.
The driving lugs 360 are spaced slightly from the ends of the recesses or notches 362. Shou:Ld the user attempt to turn the knob 3S8 so as ~o apply excessive toxque to the selector 357, the driving lugs 360 will deflect and move out of the set of notches 362 in which they are positioned in the driven member 351 and will move into the next set of notches 36.2 in the same driven member 351. Accordingly, there will be rela~ive ro~ation between the selector 357 and the driven member 351 in whi~h the lugs 360 are received. ~ :
There is a spacer 365 between each o~ the driven members ~ ~ 351 and bands 220. Each of the spacers 365 has a pair of lugs 365' which engage around the ends 366 at the ends of the mounting .
suxface 338~

. .

.

~ 8 Docket M-249 ~he selector 357 is provided with an annular groo~e 367 ad~acent the knob 358. ,~n ~ndicator, generally indicated a~
368, has a split collar 3~9 with a projection 370 recei~ed in the grooYe 367. T~e indicator 368 has a rectangular se~tion 371 which de~ines the window 356. The posts 344 have tongues or guides 344' which are in engagement in groo~es 372 in the rectangular section 371. A pair of pointers 373 disposed on the inner surface of the rectangular section 371 are in align-ment with the lugs 360 on the selector 357. Accordingly, the pointers 373 indicate the position of the lugs 360 so that if the selactor 357 is not in position to drive the desired driven member 351 and its associated printing band 220, the selector 357 can be shifted to a position in which the lugs 360 are in dri~ing engagement with the desired dri~en member 351 to ad~ance 15 the as~ociated printing ~and 220 to the selected position. .::
As shown in FIGURE 24, the side plate 341 has a pxojection or lug 374 by which the printing head 219 is guided by the fr~me sections 212 and 213 by respective guides 375 and `376 (see FIG~RES 1, 3, 14)~ . :
The housing or frame sections 212 and 213 are connected by identical snap-fit connections including generally snap-shaped flexlble resilient members 377 arranged along the periphery of the housing section 212 and engaged in undercut recesses 37~ in : the housing section 213. One of these snap-fit connections is shown in detail in FIGURE 5.
The subframe sections 215 and 216 of the subrame .
. 214 are connected to each othex and the ~rame sections 212 and , ' ' ., ",.-. .

.

' , , : ' : '., ' ' - ' :. ,. .. , :, , , . ::

~ U~28 Docket M-249 213 ~f the frame 211 are c~nnected to the subframe 214 by means of three sets of identical snap-fit connections gen-erally indicated at 379, one of which is shown in detail in ~IGURE 19. With reference to FIGURE 19, the frame sections 212 and 213 have respective sockets 380 and 381 comprised of a plurality of respective ~lexible resilient fingers 382 and 383. The sub-frame section 215 has a projection 384 snap-fitted into the socket 380. The projection 384 has a plurality of flexible resilient spring fingers 385. The su~frame section 21~ has a projection 386 comprised of a plurality of flexible resilient inyers 387 snap-~itted into the socket 381. The subframe section 215 has a projection 388 comprised o a plurality of flexible resilient spring fingers 389 received in a socket 390. The socket 390 is comprised of flexible resilient spxing fingers 391 A projection 392 formed integrally wit:h the frame section 212 extends through the socket 380, throuqh the projection 384, and to about the end of the prsjection 388 in the socket 390. The sprin~ fingers 383 of the socket 381 are made thinner and con-sequently more flexible than the spring ~ingers 383 of the socket 380. An attempt to open up the frame 211 by separating the fsame sections 212 and 213 will cause the frame section 213 to be sepaxated from the subframe section 216. The frame section 212 will remain connected to the subframe 214. As the frame section 213 is being separated ~rom the subframe 214, the projection 392 prevants the subframe sections 215 and 216 from separating ; because the spring fingexs 389 cannot deflect inwardly because o~ the interference provided by the proje.ction 392. Once the frame section 213 has been removed, the inside of the apparatus _'~7_ -~V'~'~81 Docket ~1-249 218 is exposed. It is apparent that accidental unsnapping of the subframe 214 or the ~rame section 212 from th~ subframe 214 is ob~iated by this construction. Furth~r disassem~ly can be accomplished ~y deliberately unsnapping the subframe 214 from the frame section 212. This is accomplished by moving the projection 384 out of the socket 380. Whe~ this has been accomplished, 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 FIG~RES 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 39~ at the end o~ the guide 262. The projections 393 recei~ed in the holes 394 assist in removably holding the subframe sections 215 and 216 together.
With reference to FIGURES l and 14 the cover 251 is shown to have an L-shaped flange 3~5 at one ~nd and a projection 396 at its other end. To attach the inking mechanism 252 to the apparatus, the projection 395 is pushed under a shoulder 397 of the fr~me section 213 and thereafter the cover 251 is snapped into position by càusing the projection 3a6 to snap under a lip 398 of the frama section 213. In this manner, the inking mechanism or inker 252 is removably mounted to the apparatus. To remove the in~ing mechanism, the user can engage his fingernail beneath an extension 399 of the co~er 251, thereby causing the projection 396 to snap around the lip 398.

' ,.

-2~-. . - . .- . : . . , . ~ , . . - . .

Docket M-249 ., With reference to FIGURE 6, the operator 235 is shown to pi~ot on the pin 237. It is preferred to pivot the operator 235 at the lower end of the handle 232 in that the user's strongest fingers, namely his index, middle and ring fingers engage the operator 235 at substantial distances from the pivot pin 237, while the userls xelatively weak little finger is close to the pivot pin:237. The ends o~ the pin 237 are undercut as indicated respectively at 403 and 404. The ends 401 and 402 are received in sockets 405 and 406 in respective frame sections 212 and 213. The sockets 405 and 406 are comprised of respective 1exible resilient fingers 407 and 408. The operator 235, as best shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, is shown to be generally U-shaped in section. Legs 409 and 410 axe shown to be rotatably received about the pin 237. The spiral or toxsion spring 238 is sho~n to be received on pin 237 between the legs 40~ and 410. I~
it is desired to xemove the frame 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 when the operator 235 is moved away from the ~rame section 212 can the end 401 move out of the socket 405 because o interf~rence caused by leg 409. This construction obviates accidental disconnection of the pin 237 fr~ the frame sections 212.
With re erence 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 o opposed pawls 364a, selectively controls the setting of a selected driven member or wheel 351a. The embodiment of FIGURE 28 differs .

- - . :: ~ . ................................... . .
. ~ . . .

~ z~
Docket M-249 from the e~bodLment of the p~int ~ead 219 shown for example in FIGURES 24 through 28 in that each of the driven mem~rs 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 shown in FIGURES 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 groo~e 411 of the same wheel with which the lugs 360a are ln driving engagement. 8y this construction, the driving function as well as the detenting function are accomplished by the selector 357a in cooperation with a single dri~en member 351a.
~ IGURE 27 is actually an alte~rnative embod.ument which shows the detenting of one of tha ~awls 364 in recessas or ~rooves provided by beveling or cham~ering 363. ~IGURE 27 ~how~ one or the wheels 351 as wider than the adjacent wheel 351 to show that the selector 357 in accordance with the in~ention can work equally well with wheels 351 of ~ifferent 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 applicatians.
With re~erence to FIGURES 2~ and 3~, there is shown another embodiment of a selector generally indicated at 357b.
Tha selector 357b is the same as the selector 357 in that it has four dri~e lugs 360~, and a pair of opposed pawls 364b~ The selector 357b di~ers from the selector 357 only in that the selector 357 is of one-piece construction and the selector 357b is of two-piece construction. The selector 357b comprises body ; " ' .

-30- , ... : . , ' ''': ' . '. . '. - ' ~7 .
Docket M-249 sections 412 and 413 snap-~itted ~o~ether. The body section 412 has a non-circular hole, and in par.icular a square hole 414, and the body section 413 has a corresponding square portion 415 received in the hole 414. By ~his 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 posîtion, an annular flange 419 is in abutment with a shoulder 420 on the body section 412. The ~10 selector 357b is used in the same manner as the selector 357.
If desired, the selector 357a (FIGURE 28) can be made in two parts as illustrated in FlGURES 29 and 30.
Referring to the embodiment of FIGURE 31, there is shown a print head generally indicatecl at 219c having two spaced-apart sets of printing members 220c. The print head 219c has two sets of mounting blocks 3~6c, two sets o~ driven members ; ~51c and posts 344c, all formed integrally with side plate 335c.
Flanges 222c and 223c and gear sections 224c and 225c are spaced apart wider than the flanges ~2 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 ha~e to be spaced ; apart by a greater distance than the gears 2-~ 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 wider apart, as would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.
Side plate 341c carries a guide member 374c. T~e side plate ~-. .
- , . . . - . .
" :' '. '-` '. ' ' . , . ~ ' ~
. .: , . ~ . . .

~ 81 Docket M-249 341c rotatably mounts a pair of selectors 357c for the respecti~e set of driven members 351. The posts 344c mount respecti~e rectangular sections 371c which provide respective windows 356c.
It is readily apparent that with slight modifications the print 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 FIGURES 32, 33 and.
34, there is provided a selector 357d which is identical to the selector 357. Printing members take the form of print wheels 220d. Each print wheel 220d i~; shown to be identical : and comprises printing elements 421 calrried 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 whee~s 423 have generally ~nnular outer sur~aces 424 received in sockets 425 of adjacent mounting members 426. The sockets 425 compri~e an annular portion 427 and a pair of flexible resilient arms 428 formed integrally therewith. Accordingly, the print wheels 2~0d can be inserted either axially into the sockets 425 or they can be inserted into or removed from ~he respective sockets 425 by spreading arms 428. Mounting members 426 are provided with ` xecessas 4~9 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 4~6, and the other is cooperable with notches 431' . .
to ef~ect detenting o~ the adjacent print wheel 220d on the other side of th~ mounting member 226.

, . :

-32~

~ 81 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 received in the chamfering between adjacent wheels 220d and dri~.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 FIGURE 28.
Referring to FIGURES 35 through 54 and 58 through 70, there is shown an alternati~e embodLment of the label print-ing and applyi:ng apparatus generally indicated at 210a. In this~nbodiment, those components wh~ch are generally related to thosa in the embodLment of FIGURES 1 through 34 are indicated by the same reference characters, with the addition of the letter "a".
Those components of the apparatus 210a which differ from or are in addition to components in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 thxough 34 are more specifically indicated w:ith reference characters starting with the number 500.
Referring initially to ~IGURE 35, the apparatus 210a, which includes a housing 211a, has two-part frame sec~ions gen-: 20 erally indicated at 212a and 213a. The frame 211a includes a handle 232a haYing handle portions 233a and 234a. The frame . sections 212a and 213a have relatively mo~able frame parts 500 and 501, and 502 and 503. The handle portîon 232a is a part of the rame part 501, and the handle portion 234a is a part of the housing part 503. A sub~rame 214a includes subframe sections 215a and 216a~ The subframe section 215a and the movable frame -33- .

.

~ -~0~7Z8 Docket M-249 part 500 respectiYely have a socket 504 and a pivot pin 505.
Similaril~, the subframe section 216a and t~e movable ~rame part 502 respectively have a socket 506 and a pi~o~ pir 507.
Applicator 253a snaps into sockets 326a and 327a in respecti~e 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 ~ith respect to the respective frame parts 501 and 503.
The subframe sections 215a and 216a receive and retain platen 217a which has a delaminator such as a peel edge or turning edge 218a. Print head 219a, having printing members 220a carried by its print head frame 221a, is movable relati~ely toward and away from the platen 217a. The print head frame 221a has integrally formed racks 224a and 225a and respective tracks 226a and 227a. ~he subframe section 215a has a trac~ 230a and the su~frame section 216a has an opposite track (not shown~for respective ba~l bearings 228a and 229a.
Frame parts 500 and 502 ha~e respective sockets 510 and 511 in which respective pivot pins 512 and 513 of inker bod~ 514 of an inking mechanism 252a are received. As the print head 219a moves toward and away from the platen 217a, the inking mechanism 252a oscillates first in one direction and thereafter in the opposite direction about its pi~ot pins 512 and 513 to ef~ect 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~-:' . .
.... ; , , .. ~ :

l~Z81.~

, Docket M-249 is ad~ustable by means of a screw 289a receiYed in a threaded bore 288a. The operator 235a is urged away from the stop block 239a by means of a spring assembly 515 wh~ch bears at one end against a socket 516 formed partly ~y handle portion 233a and partly by handle portion 234a and at its other end against a socket 517 (FIGURE 471 integral with the operator 235a. Gear sections 240a and 241a carried ~y the le~er 236a are in meshing engagement with respective compound gears 242a and 243a. Specifi-cally, the gear sections 240a and 241a mesh with respective sections 518 and 519, and sections 520 and 521 mesh with respective racks 224a and 225a o~ the print head ~19a. Toothed driver 244a is dri~en by a pawl 245a which cooperates with a ratchet wheel 246a. Detent mechanism 247a is coupledl to the toothed driver 244a~ Teeth 249a of the d~iver 244a engage the supporting material of the composite web in the malnner shown and described in the em~odiment of FIGU~ES 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 dri~er 244a. The composite web 30~ is in the form of a roll -20 carried on a core 44a which can be inserted lnto the housing through an opening 211a'. The core 44a is mounted by hubs 318a and 31ga carried by respective leaf springs 312a and 313a. Annular brake membexs 314a and 315a exert slight braking forces against only the core 44a.
2S With reference to ~IGURES 36, 37 and 38, the composite web 30a ~as label material 31a releasably adhered to and carxied by supporting or backing material 32a. Label material 31a is ~35-7Z81~ -Docket M-~49 cut transversely at longitudinally spaced-apart intervals by transverse cuts 33a. The composîte web 30a i~ like the composite web 30 except that there is an additional group of cuts 38b between groups o~ cuts 38a~ The s~apes of the groups S of cuts 3~a and 38b are identical to each other and to the shape of the cuts of groups 38.
With reference to FIGURES 39 through 44, there is illustrated a method by which either the apparatus 210 or the apparatus 210a can be loaded. In loading the apparatus~ for example the apparatus 210a, the composite we~ 30a in roll form is inserted into the frame 211a înto po~ition on the hubs 318a and 319a. While the user holds the labeler 210a in his one hand by means of the handle 233a and depresses the lever 236a slightly to release bra]ce 522, the marginal end portion 30' of the web is inserted through brake 522 into a passageway formed partly by the groove 254a ~ URE 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 gu.ide 523 and the applicator 253a. The usex then grasps the marginal end portion 30' between the thumb and index fingers of his other hand, and while holding the apparatus 210a in an attitude that will prevent the delaminated labels 36a fxom 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 ; 2~ a direction away from the applicator 253a such that the supporting material 3~a is caused to undergo a shar~ change of direction as it passes around peel edge 218a at the terminal end of the ~' , .
.

.
= 36-~7~14 Docket M-249 platen 217a. In that the marginal end portion 30' is pulled in afdirection substantially parallel to the plater. and the supporting material undergoes ~ sharp bend of about 180, in so doing, the supporting material 32a is torn as indicate~
at 32t as it is forced past the guide 523 and against the under-side of the platen 217a and is pulled to the position shown in FIGURE 40, The marginal end portion 30' is pulled to a predetermined point 232' at the front tip of the handle 232a so that just the right number of labels 36a are delaminated.
The xesult is t~at an end section 30" of the supporting material 32a is co~.pletely stripped of a plurality (such as about;seven) labels 36a. The labels on the end section 30'1 are readily removed without h~ving to manually remove them one-hy-one from the supporting material 32a. If desired, the marginal end portion 30' can be severed ~rom the end section 30" at the tear 32t pre~erably through one group of cuts 38a in the supporting materiaL
web 38a so that the end section which is devoid of labels 36a can be passed between the toothed member 244a and the cooperating die xoll 259a, as best shown in FIGURE 42. In the position shown in ~IGURE 42, slackness exists in the end section 30". By manually operating the operator 235a, the end section 30" can be advanced through the apparatus until all the slackness has been removed as best shown in FIGURE 43. The apparatus 210a is now re~dy for use. In this position, each manual operation of the operator 235a will cause a label 36a to be printed and thereafter dlspensed to the position shown in F~GURES 43 and 44 in which the trailing edge o~ the label 36a is still adhered to the supporting material 32a.

. . . . . ................ . .
~. ' , ' ~ ' . ~,,.

.
~oc~et M-249 Referring to FIGURES 45 through 48, the relationship of the spring assembly 515 to the handle 232a and to the operator 235a is shown in greater detail than in FIGUR8 35. The spring a~sembly 515 is shown to have a tu~ular 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 having a circular cylindrical outer surface 529 substanti.ally greater than 180 .:
in extent is formed integrally with the end wall 527. The connector 528 is received by the socket 516 which has a circular cylindrical inner surface 516' slightly greater than 180 in extent. The surface 529 extends transvexsely with respect to the tubular body 524 and more specifically the axis of the surface 529 extends perpendicularly and through the axis of the tubular section 524. ~ tubular plunger 530 having a circular cylindrical outer surface 531 is shown to be recei.ved 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 ~y an end wall 533. A connector 534 ha~ing a circular cylindrical outer surface 535 subs~an~ially greater than 180 in extent is formed integrally with the end wall 533. The surface 535 extends transversely with respect to the plunger 530 and more specifically the axis of the outer surface 535 extends perpend~cularly to and through the axis of the plunger 530. The connector 534 is received by the socket 517 wh~ch has a oircular cylindrical inner surface 517' slightly greater than 1~0 in extentO A compression spring 536 is received in a bore 537 of the plunger 530 and abuts at one end against the end wall 533. The other end of the spring 536 ~38-'. :

Docket M-249 abuts against the end wall 527 of the body 524. A keeper 538 formed integrally with th~ end wall 527 extends coaxially within the inside wall 525. The body 524 has a pair of opposed longitudinally extending slots 539 and 540. The plunger 530 has a pair of opposed resilient spring fingers 541 and 542 having 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 S3~ is constructed of resilient plastic material, the fingers 541 and 5~2 can resiliently yield while the spring assembly 515 is being assembled, specifically as the end 532 of the plunger 530 is inserted into the open end 526 of the tubular body 524. As the abutment sur.faces 543 and 544 clear t~e stops 545 and 546 while the plunger 541 is b~ing pushed into th~ ~ubular body 524, the spring finge~rs 541 and 542 ~irst deflect and then spring outwardly to t;he position shown in FIGURE 47. Assembly of ~he spring assembly 515 is now complete and the tubular body 524 and the plunger 530 can now undergo lLmited relati~e moYement with respect to each other. The spring assembly 515 is easy to assemble in manufacturing and is easy to install in the apparatus 210a as a ~odular spring assembly or unit. In that the sockets 516 and 517 are resilient they can axpa~d resiliently to recei~e respecti~e connectors 528 and 534 During use the spring assembly 515 normallv urges the opèrator 235a to its initial position as shown in FIGURE 45. When the operator 235a is operated by the user, the plunger 530 telescopes ; into the tubular body 524 as best shown in FIGURE 46. Upon sub sequent release of the operator ~35a, tlle spring assembly 515 returns the operator 235a to its initial position.

. ..... ~ - :
.

'~07 Docket M-249 ~ ith reference to FIGU~S 35, 45 and 49, there is shown .
a lubricant applicator generally indicated at 547. The purpose-of the applicator 547 is to apply a lu~r~cant to the peripheral surface of the toothed driver 244a to retard the accumulation of gum ~adhesive, paper dust, and the like~ on the toothed d'river 244a. The applicator 547 is shown to be comprised of a curved strip of porous flexi~le resilient material, ~or example, felt. Th'e applicator 547 is generally hat-shaped in transverse section. The applicator 547 is disposed between the outer surface ~ ;
of the toothed driver 244a and flanges 548 and 549 of respective subrame sections 215a and 216a. The flan~es 548 and 549 support the applicator 547. ~ portion 550 of the applicator is disposed between the ends of the flanges 548 and 549 so it is apparenL
tha~ the subframe sections 215a and 216a and their respective ~`
flanges 548 and 549 amply support and retain the applicator 547. The applicator 547 has a surface 551 which is in light contact with the peripheral surface of the toothed driver 242a.
This light contact assures that lubricant contained in the appli-cator 547 is transferred to the peripheral surface of the driver 244a, but ~hat the frictional drag on the driver 242a is negligible. ~he surface 551 of the applicator 547 corresponds generally to'the contour of the peripheral surface of the ~river 244a. Transverse slits or slots 547' in the applicator 547 ~acilitate bending of the strip to the shape of the periphery ; 25 o the driver 244aa As be~t shown in FIGURE 35, the applicator 547 has a groo~e 552 in which the teeth 249a of the driver 244a travel.

w~O--.

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~'7~8 Docket M-249 With reference to FIGURE 45, it ~s 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 obviatës any wicking or bleeding of S 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 foxm of a roll, it is preferred to use an applicator in the form of a strip whic~ i5 easy to manufacture and assemble. The applica-tor 247 can contain any suitable lubricant which can retard the transfer of gum from the supporting material 32a onto the driver 244a. By way of example, not limitation, the absoxbent applicator 547 can contain l:he following suitable lubricant: Dow Corning 1107 fluid, a liquid silicone, described in Bulletin :05-169 dated February, 1967" of the Chemical Products Dîvision, Dow Corning Corporation, Midland, Michigan 48640.
Re~erring 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 such as rubber. ~he roll 553 has stub ends 556 and 557 receivea in respecti~e tracks 558 and 559 in respective subframe sections 215a and 216a. It is apparent that the roll 553 is rotatable and -~
also movable relatively toward and away from surfaces 560 and ; 561 of respecti~e sub~rame sections 215a and 216a. As shown in FIG~RES 50 and 51, end portion 562 of print head ~rame 221a is in engagem~nt with the O-rings 554 and 555 of roll 553, and the composite web 30a is clamped between the roll 553 and the -4~-- . - . , : -: : : :

. , ~ .

~ 28 Docket M-249 sur~aces 560 and 561. Accordingly, in this position of the brak~ 522, because of the friction exerted between the roll - 553 and end portion 562 of the print head 219a, rotation of the roll 553 is prevented. Consequently, the compcsite web 30a which is in frictional engagement with the roll 553 and is clamped between the roll 553 and surfaces 560 and 551 is pre-vented from being advanced toward the delaminator 218a. In this position of the print head 219a (in which the operator 235a is in its initial positionl, a printed label 36a is in applying position relative to applicator 253a ready to be applied to an article. Once 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 to~ard the platen 217a, the portion 562 of the rame 221a of the print head 219a moves out o~ contact wi-th the roll 553. At the printing position o~ the print head 219a, the portion 562 of the frame 221a is in the position shown in FIGURE 52. When the user releases the operator 235a, the spring assembly 515 causes the toothed driver 244a to advance the com-posite web 30a and to effect return of the print head 219a to the position shown in FIGURE 51. During return of the print head 219a from the position shown in FIGURE 52 to ~he position shown in FIGURE Sl, the roll 553 permits the composite web 30a to advance as it rolls on the advancing web 30a. However, upon the substan-tial completion of travel of the print head 219a, the portion 562 again operates the brake 552 to effect clamping of the composite .

Docket M-249 web 30a between the roll 553 and surfaces 560 and 561. The brake 522 is sImple in construction and automatic in its operation and yet it serves the purpose of preventing any paying out of the composite web 30a from the roll during applica~
tion of the label 36a. Such paying out of the web 30a can result in the event that the cuts 33a through the label material 31a are not complete so that the trailing edge of one label 36a remains connected to the leading edge of the next subsequent label 36a. As is evident in this embodiment of the invention the brake 522 exerts a substantial braking force on the web 30a, while brake surfaces 318a and 319a exert only a slight braking force on the core 44a.
With reference to FIGURES 55 through 57, there is shown a modiication for the embodiment: of FIGURES 1 through 34 and o~ the embodiment of FIGURES 35 through 54 and 58 through 70. Components which are generally related to those of either the embodiments of FIGURES 1 through 34 or 35 through 54 and 58 through 70 are indicated by the same reference characters, wi~h ; the addition of the letter "b". Label printing and applying apparatus 210b~includes subframe 214b having subframe sections 215b and 216b. The apparatus 210b differs from apparatus 210a only in the respect that leaf springs 312a and 313a rotatably - mount core 44b of composite web 306. More specifically, axially aligned, one-piece, rolls 570 and 571 are rotatably mounted by arms or leaf springs 312a and 313a. The rolls 570 and 571 are identical in construction. The xolls 570 and 571 have frustro-conica] surfaces 572 and 573 wllich serve to automatically center Docket M-249 ~ 81~

the core 44b with respect to the center line CL of the sub-. -fr~m~ 214b. The rolls 570 and 571 have respective hubs 574 and ~75 ha~ing respecti~e ~earing shoulders 576 and 577. The bearing shoulders 576 an~ 577 ~ear against the arms 312b and 313b.
S As the rolls ~70 and 571 rotate the shouiders 576 and 577 prevent other portions of the respective rolls 570 and 571 from rubbing on the arms 312b and 313b. The arms 312b and 313b 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 44b to he mounted as illustrated in ~IGURES 55 and 57.
The arms 312b ancl 313b are sufficiently yieldable to accommodate for manufacturin~ variations in the length of core 44b. The hubs 574 and 575 are rotatably received in holes 578 and 57g in a~ms 312b and 313b. Spring clip5 580 and 581 prevent ~he 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 respectiYe circular cylindrical portions 582 and 583 which pr~vent the core 44b from slipping off when the composite web .;
30b is advanced. With reference to FIGURE 57, a resilient device 584, illustrated as ~eing a curved leaf spring, serves to facilitate *he gradual paying out of the composite web 30b. In that the apparatus 210b causes the composlte web 30b to be pulled once for each actuation and return cycle of the operator (235 or 235a), and in that the apparatus is capable of printing and ~pplying multiple labels ~36, 36a or 36b~ in succession per second, the d~vice 584 i5 conduci~e to the gradual unwinding of the composite web roll. When the composite ~7eb 30b is ad~anced, .

_4~_ .

.:

Dockct M-249-C-1 1072814 the resili~nt device 584 will moye from the po~ition shown by phantom lines ~o the position shown by solid lines in ~IGURE 57. ~s the roll unwinds yradually t the device 584 moves to t~e position shown by phantom lines-in FIGURE 57.
One end 585 of ~.he device 584 is retained in fixed position relative to a subIxame 214b by fitting into a retaining pocket 586 formed partly in the su~frame section 215b and partly by the subframe section ~16b.
Wi~h reference to FIGURE 58, there is shown diagrammatically the structure ~hich is already shown in greater detail in FIGURES 24, 25 and 26, for ~xample. Speci~ically, pxinting band 220a has a printing section 354a and a non-printing human readable section 355a. The printlng section 354a has printing blocks 35'3a and the non-prin~ing sec~ion contains human readable indicia tFIGURE 25~ representa-tive of the data which the printing blocks 353a are capable of printing. The printing section :354a is thicker than the non-printing section 355a as best seen in FIGURE 58. The pointers ; . .... .
37 (FIGURE 24) are moaified to the extent that they are extended as shown at 373a in FIGuRE 58. The poin~ers 373a are molded ~nte~rally with the frame 371a which can be shifted in a direction parallel to the axis of the driven members 351a (only one o~ which is shown in FIGURE 58). It îs appaxent ~hat the pointers 373a include stop faces 587 and that the -~
i printillg bloc~s 353a adjacent the nor.-printing sect.ion 355a have abutment aces 588~ Thus, the non-printin~

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~ 2 Docket M-249 section 35Sa is incapa~le of being mo~ed to the printing position at which it would b~ inked by the ink roller. Inad~ertent movement of the non-printing section to the pr;nting and inking zone would result in inking of the human readable indicia which would make them di~ficult to read; but this problem is obviated by the present invention. The in~ention can be applied as well to typ~ wheels of the type illustrated in FIGURES 32 through 34 which can have a printing section and an adjacent non-printing - human reada~le sectîon.
Wit~ xeference to FIGURES 59 through 64, there is illustrated a method by ~-hich the platen 217a is made. Referring initially to FIGURE 59, there is provided a flat sheet composed of bendable substantially ri~id material. Although any suitable sheet material can be employed, it is preferred to use steel ha~ing a smooth surface, for e~ample, 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 generall~ rectangular in shape. The holes 601 and 602 are symme~rical about a center line 604 e~tending through the centers of holes 603, with the holes 601 and 602 being in alignment with each other and with ~he holes 603. If desired the center line 604 of the inverse bend need not pass through the centers of the holes 603. The sheet 600 i9 inversely bent about ~ e line 604 to provide a pair of plates or plate portion~ 605 and 606 joined by a bight poxt~on ~07. With a sheet of flexible, resilient moldable material 608 disposed between the plates 605 and 606 there is ~6-' ~ 8i~

Docket M-2~9 provided a sand~ich arrangement ~hich i5 placed between press members 609 and 610 of a press to efect extrusion of the moldable material into the space within the holes 601 and 602. This extrusion can ~e ac~omplished by applying pressure using the press members 609 and 610 accompanied by suitable heating means ~not shown~ for heating the moldable material 608. For this purpose, the platen members 609 and 610 can be heated. As shown in FIGURES 63 and 64 the sets o~ holes 601 and 602 are in alignment with each other. The platen 217a thus has ~l~x~ble resilient platen sections 611, 612 and 613 which can yield independently of each other during printing as illustrated~in FIGURE 64. The composite web 30a is omitted from between printing members 220a and 220al and the platen 217a in FIGURE 64 or the sake o~ clarity. This means that each line of printing characters can produce quality printing irrespective of minor manufacturing variations 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 20 peripheral edges, and more specifically they support the ~-sections 611, 612 and 613 alon~ the entirety of their respective p~ripheral edges but the platen sections 611, 612, and S13 are otherwise unsuppor~ed so that they can yield even ~eyond the surface of the underside of the platen 217a. The resultant platen 217a has a relatively sharp delaminator or peel edge 217a and t.he holes 603 pro~ide generally semi-circular no~ches 614 at the peel edge 217a. Each notch 614 constitutes .

)72819L
Docket M-249 an interruption in the edge which reduces the area of contact with the web o~ supportins material 32a thereby reducing friction therebetween as the web 32a is drawn in ~he direction of arr~w 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 operative inking position between the print head 219a and the platen 217a. The inking mec~anism 252a includes the inker body 514 and an ink roller 620 carried ~y the inXer body 514. The inking mechanism 252a also includes a pair of tracks 621 and 622 which guide the ink roller 620 as the print head 219a i9 driven toward and away from the platen 217a; Wi.t~ reference to FIGURE 67, the one-piece inker body 514, which is composed of a flexible resilient material, has a pair of slotted arms 623 and 624 having respective elongated aligne~ slots 625 and 626.
The ink roller 620 includes an ink receptive, tubular, p~rous 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 i~ adapted to be press-fit ed. The ink roll 627, composed for ~xample of rubber or the like, is received by the hub portLons 629 and 630) as best shown in FIGURE 69. The hub portions 629 and 630 ha~e respecti~e integral flanges or bearing rolls 633 and 634, which are adapted to ride on bearing surfaces 635 and 636 of the print head 219a. Stub ends 637 and 638 mount respective rollers 639 and 640, and 641 and 642. The rollers L~J7Z814 _ .
Docket M-249 640 and 641 are received in the elongated slots 625 and 626. of slotted portions 623 and 624, the rollers 639 and 642 . are received in respecti~e tracks 621 and 622.
The inker ~ody 514 also has ~ntegrally formed arms S or lea~ springs.643 and 644 which carry the integxally formed pivot pins 512 and 513 received in t~e.respective sockets 510 and 511.
As the print head 219a moves toward the platen 217a (PIGURE 66~, the constant slope of the tracks 621 and 622 causes the ink roller 620 to tra~el across the ink ana the printing me~bers 220a at the constant rate. When ~he print head 217a is in printing cooperation with t~e.label 36a at the printing zone, the ink roller 620 has moved to the position shown by phantom lines (FIGU~E 66~. When the print head 219a moves away from the platen 217a, a spring fin~er or lea~ spring 645, formed integrally with the inker body 514, causes the bearing rolls 633 and 634 .to roll along bearing surfaces 635 and ~36. During all this travel of the inker body 514 and th~ ink roller 620 which i~
carries, the slotted portions 523 and 524 serve to mount the ink xoller 620 and tracks 621 and 622 define the path of travel of the ink roller 620~ Installation o the inker body 514 and its ink roller 620 is accomplished by flexing together the ieaf springs 643 and 644 so that the respective pivot pins 512 and 513 can be inserted into the respective sockets 510 and 511. The inker body 514 can be removed by flexing together leaf springs 6~3 and 644. The ink roller 620 can be installed or removed from the inker body by fiexing apart ths slotted arms 623 and 624~ ~lGV~E 68 shows the inker body 5].4 and its ink roller 620 bein~ removed from the apparatus, while housing part 502 and the ~0 corresponding housing paxt 502 ~FIGUR~ 65) are in an open position relati~e to the respecti~e housing parts 501 and 503.

Docket M-249-C-1 lU'~Z814 The print head 219a has two rows of printing bands as is shown in somewhat greater detail in FIGURE 31. In order to print a third line of data between the two line~ of printing members 22a, a slug 646 (FIGURES 66, 69 and 70) is inserted into the print head frame 221a. As best shown in FIGVRE 70, the slug 646 comprises a base 647 having a dovetail portion 648~ a printing member 220a' and has a mating portion 648' received by the dovetail 648. The base 647 has a projection 650 receivable in a recess 651 in the print head frame 221a. The base 647 has an elo~gated extension 652 having a projection 653 which is received in a recess 654 in l:he print head frame 221a. In this manner, the slug 646 can be inserted into a slot 655 in the print head rame 221a and resiliently snapped into place by means o~ thQ projection 656 which can be used to facilitate i.nsertion or r~moval of the slug 646.
It is preerred to mold the~ driver or feed wheel 244.
of a material which incorporates a lu~ricant to dimini~h the amount of gum or adhesive that is transferred to the feed wheel 244 during use to prevent Lmproper feeding. By incorporatiny the l~rica~t in the feed wheel 244 the ~urface of the feed wheel 244 has a low coefficie~t of friction. However, the teeth 249 are adequate to grip and drive the web 32. One specific material to be used to mold the feed wheel is an acetal resin combined with polytetra~luoroethylene lubricants. One such material is sold commercially under Number KL-4030 by Liquid Nitrogen Proces~ing Corpora~ion, Malv~rn, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

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~ ~ `) ;
Docket M-249 ~ Z8~4 The remainder of the apparatus in FIGURES 1 through 70, except for the platens 217 and 217a, O-rings 282 and 332, th~
b~ll bearings 228, 228a, 229 and 229a, the spring 238, the washers 365, rubber printing members 220, 22a and 220a, portion

5 648', spring 536, applicator 552, O-rings 554 and 555, clips 581 and 582, and the resilient device 584, are composed of suitable lightweight moldable plastic materials, for example, acetal, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, or the like, but the ink rolls 311 and 627 are preferably constructed of porous ~inyl. Accord- ;
ingly, the apparatus is very light in weight, and easy and con-venient to use with a minimum of fatigue.
Other embodLments and modifications of this invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and all such of these as come within the spirit of this in~ention are includ~d ~ithin its scope as best defi.ned by the app~nded claims.
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Claims (15)

Docket M-249-C-1-5 The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A hand-held label printing and applying machine for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels carried on a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle and a first arcuate bearing surface, a delaminator, feeding means engageable with the web for drawing the web to effect delamination of labels by the delaminator, an applicator for applying the labels, means including an actuator disposed at the handle and movable away from and toward an initial position for operating the feeding means, the actuator having a second arcuate bearing surface, and a spring assembly disposed in the housing and comprising a sleeve, a plunger movably received in the sleeve and spring means disposed within the sleeve and acting on the sleeve and on the plunger for exerting forces on both the handle and the actuator to effect return of the actuator to its initial position, and means for limiting the extent to which the sleeve and plunger can move apart to prevent their separation and release of the spring means during assembly or disassembly of the machine, the limiting means including a snap-lock connection.

2. A hand-held label printing and applying machine for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels carried on a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle and a first arcuate bearing surface, a delaminator, feeding means engageable with the web for drawing the web Docket M-249-C-1-5 to effect delamination of labels by the delaminator, an applicator for applying the labels, means including an actuator disposed at the handle and movable away from and toward an initial position for operating the feeding means, the actuator having a second arcuate bearing surface, and a spring assembly disposed in the housing and comprising a sleeve, a plunger movably received in the sleeve and spring means disposed within the sleeve and acting on the sleeve and on the plunger for exerting forces on both the handle and the actuator to effect return of the actuator to its initial position, and means for limiting the extent to which the sleeve and plunger can move apart to prevent their separation and release of the spring means during assembly or disassembly of the machine, the limiting means including a snap-lock connection between the plunger and the sleeve having a resilient member, wherein one of the sleeve and the plunger has an integrally formed bearing surface cooperable with the first bearing surface and the other of the sleeve and the plunger has an integrally formed bearing surface cooperable with the second bearing surface.

3. A hand-held label printing and applying machine for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels carried on a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle and a first arcuate bearing surface, printing means, a delaminator, feeding means engageable with the web for drawing the web to effect delamination of labels by the delaminator, an applicator for applying the labels, means including an actuator disposed at the handle and movable Docket M-249-C-1-5 away from and toward an initial position for operating the printing means and the feeding means in sequence, the actuator having a second arcuate bearing surface, and a spring assembly disposed in the housing and comprising a sleeve, a plunger slidably received in the sleeve and spring means disposed within the sleeve and acting on the sleeve and on the plunger for exerting forces on both the handle and the actuator to effect return of the actuator to its initial position, and means for limiting the extent to which the sleeve and plunger can move apart to prevent their separation and release of the spring means during assembly or disassembly of the machine, the limiting means including a snap-lock connection between the plunger and the sleeve.

4. A hand-held label printing and applying machine for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels carried on a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle and a first arcuate bearing surface, printing means, a delaminator, feeding means engageable with the web downstream of the delaminator for drawing the web to effect delamination of labels by the delaminator, an applicator for applying the labels, means including an actuator disposed at the handle and movable away from and toward an initial position for operating the printing means and the feeding means in sequence, the actuator having a second arcuate bearing surface, and a spring assembly disposed in the housing and comprising a sleeve, a plunger movably received in the sleeve and spring means disposed within the sleeve and acting on the sleeve and on the plunger for exerting forces on both the handle and the actuator to Docket M-249-C-1-5 effect return of the actuator to its initial position, and means for limiting the extent to which the sleeve and plunger can move apart to prevent their separation and release of the spring means during assembly or disassembly of the machine, the limiting means including a snap-lock connection between the plunger and the sleeve having a resilient member, wherein one of the sleeve and the plunger has an integrally formed bearing surface cooperable with the first bearing surface and the other of the sleeve and the plunger has an integrally formed bearing surface cooperable with second bearing surface.

5. A hand-held label printing and applying machine for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels carried on a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle and a first arcuate bearing surface, printing means, a rack coupled to the printing means, a delaminator, feeding means including a feed wheel engageable with the web downstream of the delaminator for drawing the web to effect delamination of labels by the delaminator, an applicator for applying the labels, means including an actuator disposed at the handle and movable away from and toward an initial position for operating the printing means and the feeding means in sequence, a gear section engaged with the rack, the actuator being coupled to the gear section, the actuator having a second arcuate bearing surface, and a spring assembly disposed in the housing and comprising a sleeve, a plunger movably received in the sleeve and spring means disposed within the sleeve and acting on the sleeve and on the plunger for exerting forces on both the handle and the actuator to effect return of the actuator to its initial position, and means for limiting the extent to which the sleeve and plunger can move apart to prevent Docket M-249-C-1-5 their separation and release the spring means during assembly or disassembly of the machine, the limiting means including a snap-lock connection between the plunger and the sleeve.

6. A hand-held label printing and applying machine for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels carried on a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle and a first arcuate bearing surface, printing means, a rack coupled to the printing means, a delaminator, feeding means including a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web to effect delamination of labels by the delaminator, an applicator for applying the labels, means including an actuator disposed at the handle and movable away from and toward an initial position for operating the printing means and the feeding means in sequence, a gear section engaged with the rack, an actuator being coupled to the gear section, the actuator having a second arcuate bearing surface, and a spring assembly disposed in the housing and comprising a sleeve, a plunger movably received in the sleeve and spring means disposed within the sleeve and acting on the sleeve and on the plunger for exerting forces on both the handle and the actuator to effect return of the actuator to its initial position, and means for limiting the extent to which the sleeve and plunger can move apart to prevent their separation and release of the spring means during assembly or disassembly of the machine, the limiting means including a snap-lock connection between the plunger and the sleeve having a resilient member, wherein one of the sleeve and the plunger has an integrally formed bearing surface cooperable with the first bearing surface and the other of the sleeve and Docket M-249-C-1-5 the plunger has an integrally formed bearing surface cooperable with second bearing surface.

7. A hand-held label printing and applying machine for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels carried on a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle and a first arcuate bearing surface, printing means, a rack coupled to the printing means, a delaminator, feeding means including a feed wheel engageable with the web downstream of the delaminator for drawing the web to effect delamination of labels by the delaminator, an applicator for applying the labels, means including an actuator disposed at the handle and movable away from and toward an initial position for operating the printing means and the feeding means in sequence, a gear section engaged with the rack, the actuator being coupled to the gear section, and means including a pawl and ratchet mechanism coupling the gear section and the feed wheel, the actuator having a second arcuate bearing surface, and a spring assembly disposed in the housing and comprising a sleeve, a plunger movably received in the sleeve and a spring disposed within the sleeve and acting on the sleeve and on the plunger for exerting forces on both the handle and the actuator to effect return of the actuator to its initial position, and means for limiting the extant to which the sleeve and plunger can move apart to prevent their separation and release of the spring means during assembly or disassembly of the machine, the limiting means including a snap-lock connection between the plunger and the sleeve having printing means.

Docket M-249-C-1-5

8. A hand-held label printing and applying machine for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels carried on a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle and a first arcuate bearing surface, printing means, a rack coupled to the printing means, a delaminator, feeding means including a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web to effect delamination of labels by the delaminator, an applicator for applying the labels, means including an actuator disposed at the handle and movable away from and toward an initial position for operating the printing means and the feeding means in sequence, a gear section engaged with the rack, the actuator being coupled to the gear section, and a pawl and ratchet mechanism coupling the gear section and the feed wheel, the actuator having a second arcuate bearing surface, and a spring assembly disposed in the housing and comprising a sleeve, a plunger movably received in the sleeve and spring means disposed within the sleeve and acting on the sleeve and on the plunger for exerting forces on both the handle and the actuator to effect return of the actuator to its initial position, and means for limiting the extent to which the sleeve and plunger can move apart to prevent their separation and release of the spring means during assembly or disassembly of the machine, the limiting means including a snap-lock connection between the plunger and the sleeve having a resilient member, wherein one of the sleeve and the plunger has an integrally formed bearing surface cooperable with the first bearing surface and the other of the sleeve and the plunger has an integrally formed bearing surface cooperable with second bearing surface printing means.

Docket M-249-C-1-5

9. A hand-held machine as defined in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the spring assembly comprises only the plunger, the sleeve and the spring means.

10. A hand-held apparatus as defined in any one of claims 4, 5 or 6, wherein the spring assembly comprises only the plunger, the sleeve and the spring means.

11. A hand-held apparatus as defined in either of claims 7 or 8, wherein the spring assembly comprises only the plunger, the sleeve and the spring means.

12. A hand held apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the plunger and the sleeve are constructed of molded plastics material.

13. A hand-held apparatus as defined in any one of claims 4, 5 or 6, wherein the plunger and the sleeve are constructed of molded plastics material.

14. A hand-held apparatus as defined in either of claims 7 or 8, wherein the plunger and the sleeve are constructed of molded plastics material.

15. A hand-held apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first and second arcuate bearing surfaces are concave.