CA1073263A - Apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure The disclosure relates to apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels carried on a web of supporting material. The apparatus includes a frame, a platen and a print head mounted for relative movement by the frame. The apparatus also includes a delaminator for delaminating printed labels from the supporting material web and an applicator for applying the printed labels. A toothed feed wheel is engageable with the web. Ratchet teeth are coupled to the feed wheel. A pawl is cooperable with a tooth of the ratchet teeth for driving the feed wheel. There is a mechanism for driving the print head relative to the platen and for thereafter operating the pawl to drive the feed wheel. There is a rolling-contact type one-way clutch coupled to the frame for mounting the feed wheel and for enabling the pawl to drive the feed wheel and advance the web and for preventing reverse rotation of the feed wheel to obviate loss of tension in the supporting material web after the web has been fed.

Description

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73;~63 . . ~ .
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: Bac~ground of the Invention , ~ : Field of the Invention : ~ This invention relates to the art o~ label printing and applying apparatus and composite label webs.
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vocket M-274-C-2 ~73'~63 Summary of the Invention This invention relates to apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitiv~ labels carried on a w~b of supporting ~naterial. The apparatus includes a frame, a platen and a print head mounted for relative movement by the frame.
The apparatus also includes a delaminator for delaminatiny printed labéls from the supporting material web and an applicator for applying the printed labels. A toothed feed wheel is en~ageable with the web. Ratchet teeth are coupled to the feed wheelO A pawl is cooperable with a tooth of the ratchet teeth for driving the feed wheelO ThPre is a mechanism for driving the print head relative to the platen and for thereafter operating the pawl to drive the feed wheel.
There is a xolling-contact type one-way clutch coupled to the frame for mounting the feed wheel and for enabling the pawl to drive the feed whsel and advance the web and for preventing reverse ro~ation of the feed wheel to obviate loss of tension in the supporting ma~erial,web after the web has been fed.
~here is preferably a support secured to the frame which has a circular cylindrical outer surface. The clutch is received about the support in cooperable relationship with the outer surfaceD The support is preferably tubular and a drive shaft -extends through the support and carries the pawl. The clutch is preferably press~fitted into the feed wheel.

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~C! 7326~

Brief Descri~tion of the Drawinqs . . . _ FIGURE 1 is an explodecl perspective view of one embodiment of label printing and applyin~ apparatus, together with a roll-type composi.te label we~ supply;
FIGURE 2 is a partly ~rok~n away top plan view of the composite label web;
FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1, FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along 'ine 4--4 o FIGURE 3 showing track structure ~or mounting a ~rint head of the apparatus;
FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational v~ew of a feed wheel for the apparatus;
FIGURE 5A is a view similar to FIGURE 5 but on a larger scale and showing a cured adherent coating;
FIGU~E ~ is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the feed wheel shown i~ FIGUR~ 5i FIGURE 7 is 2 fragmentary side elevational view of an alternative em~odiment of the apparatus;
FIGURE 8 is a~ exploded perspective view of another embodiment o label printing and applying apparatus together with an improved roll-type composite label web supply;
FIGURE 9 is a partly broken away top plan view o~
~hQ composite label web;
FIGUR~ 10 is a side elevational view of the apparatus with one handle section and a removable housing se~tio~ being removed for clari~y;
FIGU~ 11 is a ~ragme~tary elevational vlew ~ tha other sid~ of th~ apparatus shown in FIGU~E 10 ~4-.

~3'732~3 FIGUXE 12 is a view taken gen~:xally along line 12--12 of FI GURE 1 0;
FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary elevational view of another handle section, showing means for locking ~he eccentric support in position:
FIGURE: 14 i~ a fragmentary end elevational view of a manually operable actuator and on2 end portion of the eccentric support;
FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the other side of the actuator from that ~hown in FIGURE 14 and the other end portion of the support;
FIGURE 16 is a fragmen~ary elevational view of the one handle section;
FIGURE 17 is an exploded perspective view of a d~ive gear, a feed wheel, rolling-contact type one-way anti-backup clutch, a ratchet wheel selectively p~sitionable with respect to the feed wheel, a clamp, and a drive p~wl;
FIGVRE 18 is a partly assembled view of the components shown in FIGURE 17; .
FIGUR~ -19 is a fragmen~ary perspective view showing how the clutch is secured in the feed whe~l and d utched with an annular support;
FIGURE 20 is a view similar ~o view 19 bu~ ghowing ~he clutch unclutched a~ when the feed wheel ~ rotated i~ the d~rection of the arrow, ~ ~ .

, : FIGU]RE 21 is a fragmentary elevati~nal vi~w ~howing the side o the apparatus shown in FIGURE 11 with certain p~rts .: .
omitted for clarity~ tha operative compone~ts b~i~g shown in FIGURE 21 in a position which facilitates loading of the appara~us;

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~73~3 ~ IGUnE 22 i~ a view similar to FIGURE 21 with the operativc components being shown in a position caused by a first actuation of the actuator following loading;
FIGURE 23 is a view similar to FIGURES 21 and 22, showing many of the operative components thereoE, the brake mechanism being in its effective braking position caused by return of the print head;
FIGURE ~4 is a fra~mentary perspective exploded view of the locking mechanism for the removable housing section;
FIGURE 25 is a partly sectional view of tha locking mechanism in its assembled condition;
~ IGURE 26 is a fragmentary perspective exploded view of a resilient device and mounting structure therefor;
FIGURE 27 is a fragmentary perspective exploded ~iew showing a delaminator and a portion of the platen;
~ IGURE 28 i~ a sectional view showing in detail an ink roll of the inking mechanism;
FI~URE 29 is a sectional view taken along line 29--29 of FIGURE 28;
FIGURE 30 is a left end elevational view o~ the ink roll shown in FIGURE 23;
FIGURE 31 is a sectional view showing ~ragmentary portions of one housing section and the frame plat2 and th~
means for holding the same together;
~ IGURE 32 is a sectional view of the reel;
IGURE 33 is an elevational view showing a ~ragmentary portion of the apparatus to which a rewinder is conneoted;

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, ' ~73Z~3 FIGURE 34 is a side elevational view of an alternate form of rewinder;
FIGURE 35 is a sectional view taken along line 35--35 of FIGURE 34; and PIGURE 36 is an enlarged sectional fragmentary view of the feed wheel showing lands and intervening gaps.
Description of the Preferred_Embodi~en~s The embodimen,ts of FIGURES 1 and 3 through 6 and the embodiment of FIGURE 7 are adapted to utilize a composite label web 30 illustrated in detail in FIGURE 2. The composite web 30 of label material 31 is releasably adhered to and carried by supporting or backing material 32. The label ma~s~ial 31 is cut transversely by transverse cuts 33 extending all the way across the web 31 of label material o the slde ed~es 34 and 35 of the composite web 30. The cuts 33 known as "butt cutsn separate the web 31 o~ label material into a series of end-to-end labels 36. The u~derside of the web 31 of label material has a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive 37 which adheres strongly to the web 31 of label material. The web 32 of supporting material carri~s a thin film or coa~ing ~not shown) which allows the labels to be peeled from the web 3~ of æupporting material.

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-' ' ~ .' . . . ' '. '' .' ~ : . ' , . , 3'~3 Groups 38 of cut~ are provided at e~ually spaced-apart intervals along the length of the composite web 30.
Each gxoup 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 I-shaped configuratio~
comprised of cuts 39S, 40S and 41~S in the supporting mat~rial and aligned cuts 39L, 40L and 41L in the label material. The part of the web 32 between the one end of the cu~ 39S and the cut 40S provides a frangible portion 43S and the part of the web 32 between the other end of the cut 39S and the cut 41S
provides frangible portion 42S. In like manner, the part of the label material between the end of the cut 39L and the cuk 40L provides a frangible portion 43L and the part between the other end of the cut 39L and the cut 41L provides a frangible portion 42L.
With referenc~ to the embodlment of FIGUR~S 1 and 3 through 6, there is shown label printing and applying apparatus yenerally indicated at S0. The apparatus 50 has a ~rama generally indicated at Sl which is shown to include frame sections 52 and 54 to which a cover section 53 i5 removably connected. A subframe 55 in the form o a ~ingle, rigid, metal platc i5 suitably secured to the frame section S2 a~ for examplo ', ,' ~ .' '`

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~et M-274-C
3Z~3 by screws 56. The screws 56 pass through reapective holes 57 O
~n the subframe 55, and are threadably received in respective bos~es 58 in the frame section 52. The frame 51 has a handle generally indicated at 59 comprised in part of handle portion 60 of the frame section 52 and in part by the frame section 54.
The sections 53 and 54 ara connected tv the frame section 52 by snap-fit csnnections including generally snap fitted flexible resilient members 61 engageable in undercut recesses 62 in the housing section 52.
The subframe 55 mounts a print head generally ~ndicated at 63, a ~eed wheel 64, a ratchet wheel 65 (FIGURE 3) having teeth and being formed integrally with the feed wheel 64, a gcar or gear segment or gear section 66 formed integrally with a lever 67, an applica~or 68 in the form o a roll, a platen 69 and an integral guide 69', a delaminator 70 provided by an edge of the platen 69, rollers 71 and 72, a post or stud 73, a post or stud 74, a post or stud 75, and a stripper plate 76 a~d an integrally formed guide 77. The handl~ portion 68 and the frame section 54 mount a pivot 78 i~ respective bosse~ 7~ and 80. The pivot 78 pivotally mounts an actuator 81 shown to bQ in the form of a lever. When the user grips the handle 59, the actuator 81 can be engaged by the user's fingers, while the thumb passe~ ' -~round the frame section 54 ~assuming the user grip the handle 59 with the right hand~. The actuator 81 carries a gear or gQar segment 82 which meshes with the gear 66. A
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spring assembly 82', including a compres3ion spring 82~, bears against the handle pc~r~ion 60 and the ac~u~r 81 and urge~ the actuator 81 counterclockwise ~FIGURES l and 3). ~ccordingly, _9 . , - :., . . , . .: , . - .
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~73;~63 Docket M-2~4-C

the actuator 81 and the gear 82 are initially in the position ~hown by solid lines in FIGURE 3, but upon operation are moved to the position indica~ed by phantom lines 81'. The feed wheel 64, the ratchet wheel 65, and the gear 66 are coaxially rnounted on the post 74. The gear 66 carries a pawl 83 which is coop-erable with the ratchet wheel 65. As the ac~uator 81 moves ~rom the solid line position to the phantom line po~i~ion in FIGURE 3, the gear 66 rotates cou~terclockwise until tha pawl 83 passes ov~r a tooth 84 of the ratchet wheel 65, a~d whe~ the actuator 81 is released the spring assembly 82~ dxive~ the gear 66 clockwise and causes the pawl 83 to driv~ the fasd wheel 64 clo~kwise. Clockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel 65 and hence the feed wh~el 64 i8 prevented by a flexible resilien~ pawl 84' which cooperates with the ratchet wheel 65.
The lever 67 lie3 in a plane which is of~set from the plane of the year 66. As best shown in FIGURE l, a lateral portion 85 integrally connects ~he gear 66 and the l~ver 67 The lateral portion 85 passe~ through an axcuate ~lot ~6 9 ln the subframe 55~ The lever 67 is connected to the print head ~3 by a pin-type connection generally indicated at 86~ :
The pin-type connection 86 is a pin-and-~lot connection and 1~ ~hown to comprise arl elongated ~lot 87 in the lever ~'1 and a pin 88 having a roller 89 received in the ~lot 870 A

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~ C~73~1~3 Docket M 274-C

washer 90 and a clip 91 hold the roller 89 on the pin 88.
The pin 88 i~ sPcured to the print head 63. As best shown in FIGURES 1 and 4, the print h~ad 63 i.s provided with a pair of elongated parallel ball tracks 92 and 93~ The subframe 55 moun~s a pair of ball tracks 94 and 95. Ball bearing strips 96 and 97 are rec~ived in respective ball tracks 92 ~nd 94, and 93 and 95 D The ball tracks 92 through 95 are considered to comprise tracK structure for mounting the print head 63 for reciprocating movement toward and away from the platen 69. The ball track 95 is mounted to move relative to the ball track 93. Compression springs 95' urge the ball track 95 toward the ball track 93 ~nd compen-sate for clearance between the ball tracks ~3 and 95.
The apparatus 50 provides what is known as a two-l~ne machine, having two lines Ll and L2 of selectively s~ttable printing bands 98 and 99. The bands 98 of line ~1 are sele~tively settable by manual operation of a knob 100 ~d the bands 99 of line L2~are selectively settable by m~nual operation of a knob 101~ The knobs 100 and 101 project through an opening 53' in thQ cover sectio~ 53.
~ die roll 64a, having a groove 64b through which .
~he teeth 64' of the feed wheel 64 can pass, i~ rotatably '-~ . .

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' ' ' . ' ' ' "' ' ~3Z~3 mounted on an arm 64c. The arm 64c i~ mounted on the post 73. Tha arm 64c has an integral lateral tab 64g which extends through a slot 64f in the sub~rame 55O A teni~ion spring ~d is connected to a post 64e secured to the subframe 55 and to the tab 64g. The spring 64d urges the die roll 64a against the ~eed wheel 64. When the feed wheel 64 rotates, the teeth 64' of the feed wheel 64 cooperate with,the die roll 64a to break the frangible portions 42S and 43S in the supporting material wPb 32, thus making feed holes in the supporting material web 32.
An inking mechanism 102 includes an arm 103 pivotally mountPd on a pivot 104 secured to the subframe 55. A retainer lOS keeps the arm 103 on the pivot 104~ The arm 103 carries a small diameter laterally extending pin 106 which mounts an ink roll 107. The pin 106 extends through an arcuate slo~ 108 in the subframe 55. A tension spring 109 acts at its one end on a lateral tab 110 carriad by the arm 103 and at its other end on a pin 111 secured to the print head 63. The loaations o~
the tab 110 and the pin,lll are selected so that there is substantially no extension or disten ion o~ the qpring 109 as the print head 63 moves during the printing stroke ~etween the solid line position and the phantom line ~p~inting) poi~ition shown by phantom lines 63'. Likewise o~ the return stxok~
there is no substantial extension or distention o~ the spring 109 as the print head 63 moves between these po~itlons. The .~ , '; . `

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' .' '. ' , . ' ~073;~63 location of the pivot 104 causes the ink roll 107 to be pushed from its solid line positiorl to the phantom line position indicated by phantom lines 107 ' during the printing stroke rom which the ink roll 107 i~ return~d to the solid line position during the return stroke of the print head 63. In addition, the force of the spring 109 causes the ball track 92 to be urged toward the ball track g4, therPby compensating for clearanceO
The composite label web in roll form can have a circular cylindrical core 112 composed o~ paperboard or oth~r suitable material. A hub 113 composed of plastic or other suitable materials has three flexible re~ilient sections 114 onto which the core can be snap-fitted and from which the core 112 o~ a spent roll can be readily removed~ The hub 113 is rotatably mounted on the post 75 and is retained by a clip 113' .
With referencP to FIGURES 5 and 6, the periphery o~
the feed wheel 64 is shown to have evenly spaced apart generally ~
V-shaped lateral grooves 115. These grooves 115 greatly reduc~ :
the area o~ contact that the supporting material web 32 makes with the feed wheel 64. This ~xeatly minimizes any tendency for gum which may be on the supporting material web 32 to be transferred to the feed wheel 64. Gum on the feed wheel 64 can cause problems in feeding the composite wçb 30. Lands 116 a~ the periphery of the feed wheel 64 are about one~ th a~
long as the pit~h distance d, and thus the grooves 115 reduce . :
the area of contact by eighty perce~t ove~ a feed wheel with a continuous, uninterrupted periph~ry. ~ -.
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~73Z~3 In loading the apparatus 50, the cover section 53 is unsnapped and removed, and the t:omposite label web supply roll is snapped onto the hub 113. The die roll 64a and its arm 64b are moved to the over-cente!r position, ~ith the actuator 81 moved partly toward the phantom line position (FIGURE 3)~ the free end of the composite web 30 is passed between a brake roll 117 and a plate 11~ secured to the subframe 55. The free end of the composite web 30 is passed under and partly around the roll 71, over the pla~en 69, around the delaminator 70, under the platen 69, under and partly around the roller 71, partly around the roller 72, over and partly around the feed wheel 64, over the stripper plate 76, and over the guide 77. Now the actuator 81 can be released, whereupon the brake roll 117 is contacted by the end of the print head 63, causing the brake roll 117 to press the web 30 against the plate 118 to prevent paying out of the web 30 during application of a label 36. The die roll 64a and its arm 64c can now be moved'to the position shown i~ FIGUR~ 3~ and ~he ~over section 53 can be snapped into place.
When it is desired to print a~d apply a label 36, the printing and feeding cycle is commenced when the actuator 81 is squeezed, and this causes the gear 82 to drive the gear .
66 and hence the lever 67. Pivoting of the lever 67 causes the print head 63 to be drivPn into printing cooperation with ~he platen 69 to print data on a label 36. ~hen the actuator 81 is released, the pawl 83 drives the ~eed wh~el 64 to feed the label 36 that was just printed into label applylng position relative ~o the applicator 68, in this posi~ion ~he trailing .

~ 73;~63 Docket M-274-C~l edge of the label 36 is still at~ered to the supporting material web 32. Also the next successive label 36 is properly positioned on the platen 69 for printing during the next printing cycle.
In the embodiment of FIGURE 7 the same reference characters are applied to functionally similar parts as those disclosed in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 3 through 6.
Referring to FIGURE 7, the actuator 81 carries a pivot 130.
A link 131 is pivotally connected to the pivot 130. A pivot 132 carried by the link 131 pivotally connects the link 131 and a lever 133. The lever 133 is pivotally mounted by the post 74. The lever 133 carries a pawl 134 which performs the same function as the pawl 83 (FIGURE 3). The pin-type connection 86 is provided by a pivot or pin 135 secured to the print head 63 which extends through a circular hole 136 in the lever 133. Instead of being provided with the track structure of the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 3 through 6, sub-frame 55 in the embodiment of FIGURE 7 has track structure provided by an elongated slot 137. The print head 63 carries a pin 138 which mounts a roller 139. The roller 139 is received in the slot 137. In that the pin 135 follows a slight arc as the lever 133 moves, the right end of the print head 63 also :
travels in a slight arc. The left end of the print head 63 has movement which is essentially reciprocating in that the roller 133 moves in a straight line. ~hen the print head 63 is in the printing position, the pivot 135 is in the position indicated by phantom lines 135' and in this position the print head 63 is perpendiGular to the platen 69. When the actuator 81 is released tht~ spring assembly 82' (FIGURE 1) causes the actuator 81 to pivot counterclockwise which drives the lever 133 clockwise to retuxn the print head 63 to the position shown in FIGURE 7, and at the same time the pawl 134 drives the feed . , ,. . . . . . . . . . . : - . . .. . . .

~73;2t;3 wheel 6~ to advance the composite web 30 a distance equal to thc length of one lab~l 36. In the ~mbodiment of FIGUR~
7, th~ g~ar 82 has been eliminated from the actuator ~1.
The apparatus of the ~nbodiment of FIGURES 1 and 3 throu~h 6, and 7, is constructPd mainly of molded plastic material. The subframe 55 is preferably composed of steel. The actuator ~l, the gear 66 and lever 67, the ratchet and feed wlleels 65 and 64, a substantial poxtion of the print head 63, sections 52, 53 and 54, the hub 113, and tracks 94 and 95 are composed of a suitable molded plastic material. With reference to FIGURE 7, link 131 and lever 133 are also composed of plastic material.
In practica it has been found tha~, in ~ome instances, minor a~ounts of gummy pressure-sensitive adhesive remains on the supporting web 32 after the labels have been separated.
If this occurs, when the supporting web is contacted with the fsed wheel 64 transfer of this gummy substance to the feed wheel can be encounter~d, which during continued u~e of the apparatus, may interfere with effi~ient operation~
The feed wheel 64 has a web conta~in~ sur~ace 116 of bo~h disclosed embodiments of the invention treat~d ~ provi~e a coatin~ 116' having non~stick or reL ase properties su~icient to substantially retard or prevent transfer of gum or pre~ure~
sensitive adhesive, which may b~ present on the ~upporting web 32, to the feed wheelO Preferably the web con~ac~ing sur~aCe of tha feed wheal should readil~ release a pre~sure~sen6i~i~e ~a~e te.g~, 3M Transparent Tape 5910~ after the pressure-~en~itive ~ape has been applied to ~he fe~d wheel under 10 p.s.i, pressuX2 ~or

2-5 se~onds.

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Docket M--2 ~ 4--C 1~73~3 A particularly preferxed method of imparting enhanced release properties to the feed wheel, formed from a metal~ or an organic polymeric plast.ic rnaterial~ such as polyacetal resins, polycarbonate resin.~, phenylene oxides, nylons, acrylonitrile butadiene-styrene resins, unsaturated polyester molding re~in5 and tha like, is to apply to the supporting web contacting surfaces of the feed wheel an adherent continuous coating of a resinous coating composition having a lower surface Pnergy than the substrate polymeric material from which the wheel is formed. The presently preferred .coating compositions include tho~e based on a material 6uch a~
moisture cured, one component, all silicone resin~ theretofore utilized in the art for forming aircraft and maintenance protective finishes, and solvent based paper curable coating ~ompositions based on silicone polymers heratofore described in the art as useful in forming release paper for pressure-~nsitive adhesive composi~ions. 5ince the coating must have ~ufficient adhesion to the feed wheel so that it i~ not r~moved during use, it may be desirable to etch or otherw~ 5e slightly roughen the surface to be coated prior to applying and curing th~ co3ting.
Th~ preferred method i~ disti~gui~hablQ fr~m the m~thod in which the l3urface o the feed wheel which con~aGts ~he web has means providi~g material possessing r~lea~e propertla~
8uf f icient to retard the accumulation of gum by incorporating a lubricant in the feed wheel while the feed wheel i$ molded and it i~

~17-~Q73263 Docket M-274-C

al80 distinguishable from the method in which a liquid lubricant is applied to tha feed wheel for this purpose.
While these other methods are advantag~ous, the preferred mathod is more effective for longer peliods o~ timeO
- With reference to the embodiment of FIGURES 81and 10 through 36 t thexe is shown label pri.nting and applyin~
apparatus generally indicated at 150. The apparatu~ 150 has a frame generally indicated at 151 which is shown to comprise a frame or housing having housing sections 152; 153 and 154 ~nd a subframe comprising a single, rigid, metal frame plate 155, The hou~ing is essentially ~losed. Th~ frame 151 has a handle generally indicated at 159 comprised in part o a handle pQrtion 160 and in part of the frame section 15~. The housing ~ection 154 is s~cured to the housing section 152 b~ screws 161 received in respective threaded holes 162. The fram~
~ection 153 is positioned in front of a lip 163 of the section 154 and projections 164 on he ~ection 153 extend behind a wall 165. The section 153 is co~nected to the section 152 by ~nap fit connections including generally snap-shaped 1exible resilient members 166 engageable in respective undercu~ rece~ses 167 i~
the section 152. The section 153 is also provid~d with locating .
studs 168 received in re~pective recesses 169 o the se~t~o~ 152.
Th~ frame plate 155 mount~ a prin~ head 170, a feed wheel 171, a gear or gear e~ment 172, an applicator 173 ~hown ~o be in the form of a roll, a plate~ 174, a dela~inator 175, a mountin~ pin 176 and a plurality of rollers l77, m~unting po~ts 178, 179, 180 and 181, and a support 236~
The frame plate 155 i~ provided wlth two ~paced-apart precisely located rectangular holas 182 in which resp~ctiva square -lB- `

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~732~3 mating locating pins or studs 183 are received. The holes 18 ~xtend at right angles to each other and the two opposed side faces of each stud contacts the corresponding long sides of the respective rectangular hole 182. T:he pins 183 are cooperable with the respective holes 182 to locate the frame plate 155 previsely relative to the housing slection 152~ ~here are three identical hold-d~wn connections whi~h secure the frame plate 155 to the housing section 152, although only one is shown in detail in ~IGU~E 31. The frame plate 155 has three enlarged holes or cutouts 184. The housing section 152 has pins or studs 185 which extend through the cutouts 184. With reference to FIGURE
31~ a retainer in the form o a grip ring 186 grips a stud 185.
A compression spring 187 ~ec~ived about the stud 185 bears against the frame plate 155 and against the retainer 186. With age and continued use of he apparatus the stud 185 tçnds to elongate.
The spring 187 insures that the plate 155 will ~lways be held 801idly against the housing section 152. In ~hat the stud 185 is considerably smalle.r in diameter than the cutout 184, location o~ the frame plate 155 relative to the housing secti~n 152 remains to be accomplished by the pins 183 in respectivë reces~es 18~
The frame plate 155 has a palr oP elongated cutou~s , or open ended slots 188 and a pair of oppositely ~acing ~longate~
cutou~s or open ended slots 189. The slo~s 188 and 189 oommuni~
cate with larger respective cutout~ 190 and l91o Opposi~eiy~
acing ball ~racts 192 and 193 are rec2ived in EespeatlVe ~ . .
.
cutou~s 199 and l~lo The print head 170 cQmpris~S ~ p~lnt ! ~ -head frame 194 having a pair of oppositely ~a~lng ball ~ ~ -tractis 195 and 196. A ball bearing s~rip 1~7 i~ rec~ived ,.

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Docket ~ 274-C-2 ~73Z~3 in mating ball bearing tracks 192 and 195 and a ball bearing strip 198 is received in mating ball bearing tracks 193 and 196.
The ball tracks 192 and 193 are ~hown to be generally channel-shaped in con~truction. When the ball tracks 192 and 193 are in ~he position as shown in FIGURES 10 and 11, the ball track~
192 and 193 are received by the frame plate 155. Threaded fasteners 199 extend through the cutouts 188 and are threadably received in holes 199' in the ball track 192. Similarly, threaded fasteners 200 extend through cu~out~ la9 and are threadably received in holes 200' in the ball track 193. The print head 170 i5 capable of printing two line~ o~ data in that the print head 170 has t~o lines of printing band3 a~ ~hown in detail in ~IGURE 31 of above-mentioned patent ~pplication S.N.
312,454. It is important to printing quality that the print head 170 move ralatively to he platen 174 such that the characters on the printing band~ 201 contact the label 207 on the platen uniformly. If the print hsad 170 i8 improp~rly aligned with the platen 174, some of the selected characters will be printed and others will not be prin ed at all or will only be faintly printed. In that the cutouts 188 and 189 are larger than the diameters of ~astenexs 199 and 200 which extend therethrough, the ball tracks 192 and 193 can be precl~ely positioned during manufacture of th8 apparatu~ ~o that the print head 170 is preci~ely aligned wi~h the platen 174 and ~o that clearance between the ball txack~ and their re~pective ball bearing strip is held to a minl~um. Print h~d ~rame 19 and the ball track~ 195 and 196 which are mold~d int~grally therewith and the ball track~ 192 and 193 are 1(~732&;3 Docket M-274-C
a composed of plastics materialO The ba:Lls of the ball strips 197 and 198 are comprised of a hard material such as steel.
As shown diagrammatically in FIGURES 2:1 through 23 ~ the type characters or faces 202 extend parallel to the platen 174O
The print head 170 is caused to move in a straight line because all the ball tracks 192 through 195 are straight.
Consequently, for quality printing the prin~ head 170 should m~e perpendicularly with respect to the platen 174. There i~
thus provided means whereby the travel of the print head in~o printing cooperation with the labels of the composite ~teb can be adjusted during manufacture or even subsequent ther~to to insure preciss alignment of the print ~ead 170 with the platen 174, The apparatus 150 is shown to utilize a composit~ web 203. The composite web 203 of label material,204 i~ releasably adhered to ~upporting a backing material 205. The label material 204 is cut transversely by bar cuts or sli~s 206 extending all the way across the web 204 of label material, thereby ~eparati~g the label material 204 into a series of end~to-end labels 207~ :
The composite web 203 is wound onto a circular cylindrical core 208 composed of paperboard or other suitable materialO The ~ :
¢omposite web roll is mount~d on a reel ge~erally indi~ated at 209O The reel 209 is.comprised of a generally 1at di~C 210 having a central hole 211. Disc 210 has a plurali~y of e~ually :-opaced--pare pin~ 212 dispooed at equal distance~ ~rom the , ~732~3 ~entral hole 211. The disc 210, the hole 211 and the int~ral pins 212 are for~ed when the disc 210 is molded in an injec~io~
~oldin~ m~chine. The re 1 209 alsc) includes a hub generally i~dicated at 2130 The hub 213 has a centr~l tubular hub portion ~1~ joined to an end wall 215. The pins 212 are recei~ed in mating holes 212' in the end wall, thereby keying the disc 210 and the hub 213 for rotation together as a unit. Spaced out-wardly from the hub portion 214 and joined integrally to the end wall 215 are a plurality of flexible, re3ilient, cantilever mounted fingers 216. The finger~ 216 extend slightly outwardly and away from each o~her while the core 208 is disposed thereon.
The free ends of the finyers 216 have projection~ 217. Each of the projections 217 has a pair of sloping faces 218 and 219.
The face 218 facilitates loading of thQ label roll onto the hub 213, and the face 219 provides a ramp which prevents accidental shifting of the roll off from the hub 213, bu~ enables the spent core 208 to be readily removed by the user. When the supply roll is loaded onto the reel 209 and when the spent core 208 is removed, the fingers 216 deflect inwardly. The post or shaft 1~1 extends through the hole 211 in the disc 210 and ~hrough a bore 200 in the hub portion 214. A retainer 221 received by the marginal end of the shaft 181 prevents the reel 209 ~rom shi~ting off the post or ~haft 181 and prevents the hub 213 from separating from the disc 210 so that the pi~s 212 do not lose engagement with the holes 212'. ~he hub 213 i~
also injection molded. The disc 210 de~ines one ed~e o the .
food path so that the composite web 203 which `is paid out o~
the roll starts in precise alignment with the plate~ 174 and the ood whe~l 171.

.

' ' ~ ' ' : .

~73~3 Docket M-274-C
n An actuator generally indicated at 222 is shown to ~aka the form o~ a pivotally operated lever mounted by suppor~
structure generally indicated at 222s including a pivot pin 22~ received in an eccentric 224 in th~ form of a ~leeve~ The a~::tuator 222 is urged in a counterclockwise dires:~ion tFIGURES
8 and 10) by a spring assembly 225. Briefly stated, ~he spring ~38embly 225 includes a compression spring 226.
The actuator 222 carri~s a gear or gear ~ec~iorl 227 having an opening 228 provided by a missing tooth,. ~he g~ar s~ction 227 is in meshing engagement with the gea~ ~e¢tion 229 of ~he gear 172. The gear section 229 has o~e lar~e tooth 230 which meshas with the teeth adjacent the spa~e 228, In ~hat the tooth 230 can only fit into the opening 228, the ~ctuator 222 can only be assembled in the proper ~elative position with respect ~o the gear 172~, Th~ gear 172 also ihas a gear section or æegment 231 in meshing engagement with th~
gear section or rack 232 formed integrally with th~ prin~ head frame 194,. The gear sectio~ 231 has an opesling 233 p~ovided by ~issing tooth and the gear æection 232 has one large tooth:
234 received in the opening 233 so that l~he print head 170 can only 3: e assembled in the proper relal~ive po~itio~a w-i t~ respec~
to the gear 172. Assumin~ the handle 159 ~ being~held ~n th~
u8er~s hand, the user's fingers can operate the aç~at~r 22~ ~o pivot the actuator 222 clockwis~ IGIlRES 8 aad lQ)~ in~t the ~orce of the spring 226 ln the spring device 22S9 th~re~y ' i ?~
.' 'i ~

.. . . .
1 'r ~ ~

~ ' , ~23~
~. ~ , .!

- ' , ' ' :, ~73Z63 causing the gear 172 t~ rotate cou~tercloclcwise to in turn drive the print head 170 into printing cooperation wifh a label 207 which is disposed in overlying relationship on the platen 174. Release of the actuator 222 enables the spring 226 to return the actuator 222, the gear 172~ ~nd the print head 170 as well as other component;s to be descri~ed below, to their initial positions. Sections 152 and 154 have stops 151'.
A drive shaft 235 is molded integrally with the gear 172. A support 236 in the form of a tube or tubular bearing is suitably secured in a hole 237' in the rame plate 155 as best shown in FIGURE 18. The feed wheel 171 has a plurality of pairs of transversely spaced-apart teeth 171' which engage the supporting material web 205, as is described belsw in greater detailO The teeth 171' are shown exaggeratedly in FIGURE 21 to be inclined in the forward direction so as to catch the feed edges in the web 205. The eed wheel 171 is shown to include a rim 238 to which the teeth 171' are integrally join~d.
The rim 238 is comprised of annular peripheral web engageable sections or baads 238' and an intervening space or gap provided by an annular section 238" having a reduced or le~ser diameter than the sections 238~. As shown in FIG~RE 36 J the sections 238' having lands 116a which are shown to comprise relatively sharp -~
ridges so as to provide essentially line contact between the web 205 and the lands 116a. Gaps in the form o~ ~ro~ves 115a between the lands 116a and the section 238" reduce th~ contact area to a very small percentaget less ~han flf~y percent and as illu$~rated . . .. .. ~
- , , - : - . . : ~ .
.. . . . . . . . . .

~73Z63 preferably less than ~en percent of the pexipheral area which would otherwise constitute the surface area of the feed wheel 171. some adhesive, gum or the li:ke that adheres to the f~ed wheel 171 will collect in ~he gaps 115a, but because of this, the extexnal diameter of the feed wheel 171 as defined by the lands 116a will not increase; such an increase in diame~r would be detrimental in that it would incxease the le~g hs of the web which the feed wheel 171 would feed upon each actuation of actuator 222. ~y way of example not limitation, the depth of th9 gaps 115a is about 0.025 inch and each section 238' has one hundred nineteen lands 116aO Although th~ lands 116a are characterized as bein~ sharp they do not cut into the web 2050 Feeding is brought about through engagement o~ the teeth 171' with the web. The feed wheel being comprised at leas$ at its periphery of plastics material (which inh~rently ha~ a low coefficient of friction)~ Additionally, the peripheral surface of the feed wheel 171 i~ preferably coated with either a liquid or a permanent coating of a material that tends to rekard the accumulation of adhesive~ gum or the like~ or to incorporate a suitable lubricant along with the plastics material fxom which the feed wheel 171 is molded. An annular wall 239 join8 the xim 238 and a hub portion 240. The hub portion 240 has a bore ~ortion 241 which merge~ into a larger bore portion 24~. Th~
bor~ portion 242 is provided with projections ~omprised of a great number of grooves and ridge~ or flutes 244 whi~h çxtend:
in the axial directio~. A rollin~ contact typ~ one-way clut~h 243 i5 received iII the bore portion 242. Th~ ini~ial in~ernal diam~tor of the bc~re portion 242 defined by th~ crests o~ ~he proj~c~ions, that is, rid~es 244 is les~ than ~h~ ou~ iameter of the clutch 243. The ' , , ~ . .

Docket M-274-C-2 1073263 clutch 243 is as embled into the feed wheel 171 by forcing the clutch 243 into the bore portion 242 and the ridges 244 yield slightly and frictionally hold the clutch 243 in the ps~ition shown in FIGURE 18. The clutch 243 ha~ a plurality of rollex~
245 which contact the outer circular cylindrical sur~ace 246 o~
the support 236. The one-way clutch 243 acts a~ a b~ar~ng and enable~ the feed wheel 171 to rotate clockwi~e a~ viewed in FIGURES 8 and 17 but prevents counterclockwise movement. By way of example not limitation, a specific embodlment o a clutch which i~ useful in the present invention i~ made by The Torrington Company, Torrington, Connecticut 0~6790 U~S.A~ and is de~cribsd in heir catalog RC-6) Copyright 1969, and is rQferred to a~ a roller clutch, catalog No. RC-081208.
A fragmentary portion of the clutch 243 ~ shown in FIGURES 19 and 20. In the po~ition shown in FIGVRE 19, the clu$ch 243 is preventing the feed whael 171 ~rom rotating counter-clockwise in that the roller~ 245 are in wedging cQnta~t with respective inclined surfac~s 247, whersa~ in FI~URE 20 th~
feed wheel 171 is shown to b rotating in the ~ir~tio~ o~ ~row A and the rDllers 245 are not binding betwaen th~ 3urfa~ 247 and the surface 246. The clutch 24~ is ~prin~ loaded i~ ~h~t: ~:
spring~ diagrammatically indicated at 2~8 ur~e thR r~ rs 245 continuou~ly against both the ~urfacQ 246 and 247 80 th~
any backlash of tbe d ~tch 243 i8 negligible: and i~ ~b- ~ .
stantially less than in the event a pawl.is usedO T~ d wheel ~71 also includes w~bs 249 whi~h ~in ~h@ ~ 23~
the wall 233, a~d ~he hub 240~ The lnner per~h~ry o~ ~he : , ' -26- ~ -.. . . . . .
- . .. .:
., .
- ~ .

~ ~t~3~3 rim 238 on one sid~ of the wall 239 has a plurality of groovPs 250 and ridges 251 in an annular arranger,lent, The grooves 250 and ridges 251 extend in the axial direction. A ratchet w~eel generally indicated at 252 has a plurality of ratchet teeth 253.
The teeth 253 are formed integrally with one side of a wall 254.
An annular wall or flange 255 shown to hava a plurality of egually spaced-~part openings 256 has a plurality of gxooves 257 ~nd ridg~s 258. The grooves 250 and ridges 251 and the grooves 257 and ridges 258 have the same pitch and are complementary with respect to each other. The ratchet wheel 252 al50 has an annular hub 259 wi~h an internal bore 260. The ~upport ~36 is adapted to extend into the bore 2~0 to a position in which the end of th~ hub 259 contacts one end of the clutch 243, In thi~ position, the ridges 258 and grooves 257 of.the ratchet wheel 252 are received respectively in the complementary respective grooves 250 and ridges 251 of the feed wheel 171.
By moving the ratchet wheel out of i'cs assembled po~ition to the position shown in FIGURE 18, the position of the ratchet wheel 252 relative to the feed wheel 171 can be selectively changed. Such a change will result in a chang~ of registrataon of the label 207 at the printing zone between the print head 170 and the platen 174 and in a change in position to wh~oh th~
web 205 and he leadi~g label 207 are advanced relative to the delamin~tor 175.

--The grooves 250 a~d ridges 251 cooperable with respective ridge~ 25~ and grooves 257 key the feed wheel 171 ~nd th~ ratchet wheel 252 together against.relative rotationO
Also the feed wheel 171 and the ra~che~ wh~el 252 ca~ ~o~ate only in one direction due to the action of the clut~h 243.

.

~L~73Z63 Drive shaft 235 is rotatably mounted in a circular cylindrical bore 261 in the support 236. The drive shaft 235 receives a split yieldable hub 263 of pawl structure generally indicated at 264. The pawl structure 264 includes a pawl 265 which is cooperable with the teeth 253 one-at a~time as seen for example, in FIGURE 10. Like the gear 172, the feed wheel 171 and the ratchet wheel 252, the pawl structure 264 is composed of molded plastics material. The split hub 263 has an internal bore 266 with a flat 267 which is received against a flat 262 on the shaft 235. A clamp 268 is received about ~he. hub 263.
Tha clamp 268 places the split hub 263 under hoop compression so that the pawl structure 264 is securely and reliably but removably mounted on the shaft 235. Because of the cooperable flats 262 and 267 and because the drive sha~t 235 is formed integrally with the gear 172~ the pawl structure 2S4 and the ~ear 172 rotate as a unit. When the operator 222 is pivoted clock-wise, as viewed in FI~URES 8 and 10, the gear 172, as previously described, rotates counterclockwise. Counterclockwise r~tation of the gear 172 causes the pawl structure ~64 to also rotate counterclockwis~, thereby bringing the pawl 265 into driving relationship with the next successive tooth 253. Upon ralease o~ the act~ator 222, the return spring 226 cause~ the gear 172 and the pawl struc~ure 264 to rotate clockwi$~. A¢cordingly, the drive end 269 of ~he pawl 265 drives the ~atoh~t wheel 252 and the feed wheel 171 in a clockwise direction, the~eby causing advance of the composite web 203.

.

. :' , .' :" . ' . , ~,...... . . . . .

:1~7~Z~;~

With reference to FIGURES 21 through 23 there i~
shot~ a brake mechanism generally indicated at 270. The brake mechanism 270 includes a brake member 271 and an arm 272 integrally joined by a hub 273. ThP hub 273 is pivotally mounted on a stud 273' secured to the frame plate 155. The brake member 271 includes a flexible resilient brake shoe 274 for applying a braking force against the composite web 203.
tension spring 275 (FIGURES 8 and 11) is connected ~t one end to a turned-up tab 276 of the ~rame plate 155 and at its other end to a post 277 formed integrally with the brake member 271.
The post 277 extends through an arcuate 510t 278 in the frame plate 155 and the spring 275 connects the tab 276 and the post 277 on the front side of the frame plate 155 as viewed in FIGURE
11. The tab 276 and the post 277 are so situated relative to ~he axis of the stud 273' that the spring 275 normally urges the brake mem~er 271 and the arm 272 into one of two overcenter positions. In FIGURE 23, the spring 27S is exerting a spring force along centerline 279.
The print hea'd 170 is showm to he provided with a pair of spaced-apart abutments 280 and 281~ In the ~e~racted position of the print head 170 shown in FIGURE 237 the ~rm 272 is again t the abu~ment 280 and the brake shoe 274 i~ in ~ontaat with the composite web 203 upstream of the platen 174~ Up~n opera on o the actua or 222, the print head 170 i5 driven ~rom the retracted position shown in FIGURE 23 to the extended po81tion shown in ~IGURE 22, causing abutment 281 to contact and ~ivot the arm 272 . -29-., ~L~73;2~i3 and to consequently pivot the brake member 271 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 22, and thu~; moving the brake shee 274 out of braking cooperation with the composite web 203. In ~he position as shown in FIGURE 22, the spring 275 exerts a force along centerline 282 which is now on the oth~r side of the axis of the stud 273'. The arm 272 and the brake member 271 remain in the positio~ shown in FIGURE 22 until such time as the print head moves ar enough away ~rom the platen 174 toward i~s retracted position to enable the abutment 280 to contact the arm 272. When the abutment ~80 contacts the arm 272, the arm 272 and the brake membQr 271 are pivoted ~o that the spring force is again exerted along centerline 279, ~hereby causing the arm 272 and the brake member 271 ts remain in the position shown in FIGURE 23, until the next cycle, whe~ the prin~ head 170 again moves toward the pla~en 174 and the arm 272 is contacted by the abutment 281.
Due to the overcenter arrangement, the a~m 272 and the brake member 271 remain in the position ~hown in FIGU~E 22 until almost the very ~nd of the moveme~t of ~he print head 170 to it~ retracted po~ition (FIGURE 23)~ During the retracted moveme~t of the print head 170, th~ pawl~65 ~r~v~
the ratchet wheel 252 and the feed wheel 171 t~advancè the ~ .
compositc web 203. The brake 270 ls afEective~ub~t~ptially simultaneously with the completion of fe~ding:`o~ ~he we~, 203.
, ' .,~ . " ,~

. ; , , ~ . , -30~ c~
.

.
~, , ' , ' . . ~ , ' 1073;~63 With reference to FIGU~E 22 initially, the brake mechanism 270 is also shown to include a brake member 283 which has a brake shoe 284 composed of ,a flexible resilient material.
During use of the apparatus, the !brake member 283 is stationary in the position shown in FIGURE 22. However, during loading of the composit~ web 203, the brake member 283 ca~ be moved manually to itS ineffective position sho~m in FIGURE 21. The brake member 283 is integrally joined by a hub 285 to a slotted arm 286. The hub 285 is pivotally mounted on the post 178. The arm 2~6 has an elongated slot 287. A slide 288 ha~ an elongated 810t 289 which receives the post 178 and a pin 290 secured to the arm to provide a pin-and-slot connection. The slide 2~8 has a finger-engageable projection 288' by which the slide 28~ can be moved between the position shown in FIGURE 22 and the position shown in FIGURE 21. As the slide 288 moves ~rom the position shown in FIGURE 22 to the position sho~n in FIGURE 21, the pin 290 cooperat~s with the slot 237 to pivot the arm 286 and the brake member 283 counterclockwise so that the brake me~ber 283 is in its inPffective position shown in FIGURE 21, ~ shaft 291 extends ~hrough a bore 292 in the slide 288. Becaus~ of the position of the axis of the shaft 291 as vi~wed in FIGVRE 21, ln which the arm 286 i5 counterclockwise o~ the positaon shown in ~IGURE 22~ the brake member 283 is in ~ts inef~ective posi~ion.
When ~he shaft 291 has moved ~o the positlon shown in FIGURES
22 and 23, the arm 286 has moved clockwise and henc~ ~he brake member 2~3 is in its effective po~ition~ With ra~eX~nc~ ~o FIGURE 23, due ~o the inclination of ~he brake ~mbe~ 271 a~d the location of the brake shoe 274 relativ~ tQ the ~rak~ ~ho~

-31~
. ~ , .,. ~ ' ~ . ,, ,: ~ . -.
- . .. . ....

:~373Z~i3 284 the brake 270 is self-enargizing. Thus, whe~ a label 207 is bein~ applied, the tug that the label exerts on the ~ab 203 upstream of ~he delar,linator 175 causes tha brake 270 to exert an even greater braking force on the web 203~
The shaft 291 mounts a roll generally indicated at 293 comprised of a roll member 294 on one side of the slid~ 288 and a roll member 295 on the other side of the slide 288. The shaft 291 also passes through an elongated arcuate slot 296 of an arm 297 which is pivotally connected to a pin 29~ (FIGURES
8, 17 and 21) of the gear 172. ~ washer 299 ~FIGUR~ 8) i~
disposed on the shaft 291 between the roll member 29~ and the arm 2~7 and a retractable guide 300 is disposed on the sha~t 291 between the roll member 295 and a retainer 301 secured to the marginal end of the shaft 291. Guide ssction 312 has an integral pin 300~ received in an elongated slot 300" in the guide 300. In the position shown in FIGURE lO in which the guide 300 is shown in its retracted solid line po~ition7 the guide 300 is out of guiding relationship with respect to the . .
~ide edge o~ the compos,ite web 2030 In the position shown in phantom lines 300PL in FIGURE lO, the guide 300 is in its effective guiding position.
The shaft 291 is secured to an arm 302 ~FXGURES 21 through 23) pivotally mounted on a stud 303 carried by the frame plate 155. A tension spring 304 i~ c~n~ected at its one end to a tab 305 formed integrally wi~h ~he a~m 3~2 and a~ i~s other end to a p.in 306 ~ecured to the frame plate 1550 I~
the position sho~wn in FIGURE 22, the roll 293 is ~n ~ooperatiQn .

' -32 .

~, . , ~3~3 with the feed wheel 171 and the arm 302 is in it3 most clock-wise position. In this position of the arm 302, the spring 304 exerts a force along centerline 307 on one side of axi 308 of the stud 303 tending to ~Irge the arm 302 and the roll 293 which it carries into their most clockwise positions best shown in FIGURE 22. In FIGURE 21, the arm 302 and the roll 293 are in heir most counterclockwise positions and the ~pring 304 exerts a force along centerline 305 on the other side of the axis 308 to hold the arm 302 and the roll 293 in the position sho~n.
With reference to FIGURE 10, it i5 appaxent that the ussr can shift the slide 288 into the position shown by exerting a force to the left on the projection 288', Not only are the roll 293~ the guide 300, the arm 302 which it carries, the associated arm 286, and the brake member 283 moved to the position shown in FIGURE 10 and hence the roll 293, the guide 300, and th~ brake 270 are deactivated~ but the spri~g 304 (FIGURE 21) holds these components in that position ~or ~asy loading of the apparatu$ 150. It is noted in FIGU~E 10, that the shaft 291 is at sne end of the slot 296 i~ the ~rm 297.
Assuming the apparatus has been threaded with the label supply, upon the first actuation of ~he actuator 222, the arm 297 ac ing on the shaft 291 will cause the arm 302 to be pivoted countex-clockwise ~FI~URE 10~ so that the roll 293 i~ retur~ad t~
cooperation with the supporting material web 203-and ~he f~ed wheel 171, so that the ~uide 300 is moved into ~uldin~
cooperation with the side edge of the web 203, and ~o that th~
~rake member 283 is moved to its effectiYe po~ition as ~bown in .

,~ ?

.
.

~73Z~3 FIGURE 23. Subsequent operation of the actuator 222 will cause ~he arm ~97 to move relative to the shaft 291 but becau~e of the slot 296 the arm 297 will have no effect Oll the shaft 291.
Oætionally, the slide 288 and the operatively associated components can be returned from the position shown in FIGUR~S
10 and 21 to the position shown in FIGURE 23 by pushing the projection 288' to the right as viewed in FIGURE 10.
From the place where the compo~iite web 203 is paid out of the roll, it passes over and in contact with a r~silient device 310 in the form of a curved leaf spring. Th~ resilient device 310 deflects when the feed whe~l 171 i~ advancing ~he composite web 203 and after the brake 270 is applied the device 310 gradually returns as additional web ~03 is caused to be pa~d out of the supply roll. Track structure generally indicated at 311 includes guide track sections 312, 313 and 314. The track section 312 has a forked end 315 which is received by marginal end 316 of an extension 318 of the platen 174~ The track section 312 has a short tubular portion 319 which isi received by the post 179. Accordingly, the ~rack ~ction 312 i8 securely held in position relative to the frame plat~ 155 by :~.
the mair~inal end 316 and by the post 179. Af~er passing i~
~ontact with the resilient device 310, the composit~ web 203 enters a first zone Zl above the ~rack structu~e 312 an~ bel;Q~
the print head 170~ The pxint head 170 carri~ xoll 320 . :-~omprised of a plu:rality of for example, thre~ Folle~ 321 rotatably mounted on a sha~t 322 mounted on the pr~n~ead 170.
Th~ roll~rs 321 de:Elect the comp~sit~ web 20~ ~ o co~a~t , .
with thie track section 312 as the print h~d 17~ ~ov~ tw~

-34~

~ h : ' , , , ' ' ' , , , :,. ' . , ' . , . , ~ :
.. . . . . . .

10~3263 its retracted position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 10 and the printing position shown in phantom lines in FIGVRE 10.
The roll 320 reduces to a minimum l:he frictional force which would otherwise exist if the composite web 203 would be rubbed by the print head 170. In that there are a plurality of rollers 321 there is no tendency to bind on the shaft 322 as if only one long roll (not shown) were provided, From the ~one Zl the co~posite web 203 passes partly around a rolL yenerally indicated at 323 which is comprised of a plurality, for exa~ple three, rollers 177. The rollers 177 can rotate freely on the post 1760 In that a plurality of rollers 177 are provided, there is no tendency of these rollexs 177 to bind on the post 176 as if only one long roll (not sho~m) were provid~d. After the composite web 203 passes around the roll 323, a label 207 of the composite web 203 is disposed between the platen 174 and the print head 170. FIGURE 10 shows one of the lab~ls 207 as being almost entirely delaminated from the supporting ma~erial web 205 and ready to be applied by applicator 173. The applicator 173 is shown to comprise a roll rotatably mounted o~ a post 325 secured to the frame plate 155, although other types of applica-tors can be used ins~ead if desired. A removable retainer 326 maintains the applicator 173 on the post 325. In th~ loadi~g position shown in FIGURE 10, the co~posite web 203 passes partly around an end of the slide 288 and partly around the roll 293 and from there partly around the feed wheel 171~ The shaft 178 carries a rol:Ler 327 (FIGURE 8) between th~ hu~ 285 and the frame plate 155 and a roller 328 disposed between the ~`lide 288 and a retainer 3~3. When the slide 288 is in the '' : ' ' ~ '. ' ' ~

i~l73~3 position shown in FIGUR~ 22, for example, th~ web 205 i~ in sliding contact with the end of th~ slide 288 and in rolling contact with th~ rollers 327 and 328.
The track section 313 cooperates with the track section 314 to provide a discharge chute at a æone Z2 through whi~h the supporting material web 205 exits. The track section 313 has a pair of spaced-apart tubular por~ions 330 and 331 rec~ived respectively by posts 179 and 1800 The track section 313 has an integrally form~d ¢urved retaining bracket 33~
which passes partly around a flan~e 333 of a po~t 334. Thus, the track section 313 is secured to ~he fram~ plate 155 and to th~ housing section 152. The track section 313 includes a channel-s~laped portion 335 to which the connector 332 i~ joined.
The track section 314 has an offset flange 336 which fits into ~he channel-shaped portion 335 to interlock the track section 314 wi~h the track section 313~ The track section 314 also has a curved re~aining bracket 337 which extends partly aro~md the flange 333 and has a pair of spaced-apart offset fl~nges 338 and 339 which fit against the out ide of the channel shaped portion 335. A tubular portion 330' secures ~ne end o~ the track section 314 to the frameplate and the flange~ 3360 ~3B and 339 interlock the track sections 313 and 314. The tubular po~tion 319 i3 rec~ived by the post 179 betwee~ the tubula~;~portion~330 and 330', The track structure 311 also includes ~l~t~ipper 340 which engages t~e smooth annular outer surface 17~a ~ ~be f~ed wheel 171. The stripper 340 is provided with a;pai~ Qf~etl~la~g~s 341 and 342 which ~it respectively in ~ g~oov~;34~ 44 i~ -the ~rack section 313. ~he post 17~ is l~nger ~han-th~ ~om-bined lengths of th~ tubular portions 319~ 3~0 an~ 330l ~nd ' ' ' . '., ' ' ' ' . .

36~

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

10t73Z63 thus a projection 345 form~d integrally with the stripper 340 can fit snugly into the end o the tubular portion 331.
As best shown in FIGURE 26, the resilient device 310 has a marginal end 346 having a pair o~ holes 347. A
connector 348 includes a plate section 349~ a pair of upstanding aligned members 350 which lie in one plane, and a member 351 which lies in a plane parallel to the plane of members 350.
Each member 350 includes a tapered stud 352. The device 310 can be assembled onto the connector 348 by pa~sing the marginal portion 346 between the members 350 and 351 until the studs 352 are received in the holes 347; the marginal end 346 fl~xes slightly to allow this to happen~ The member 351 retains the spring device 310 in the assembled position relative to the connector. The connector 348 is receiYed in an undercut recess 353 in the track section 312 as ~hown in FIGURE 10. The housing is shown to have an opening 354 (FIGURE 10) having relatively sharp external edges 355 and 356 which can serve as cutting edges for removing the ~xcess web 205~ The knlfe 355 can cut the wéb 205 by drawing the web 20S upwardly and the l;nife 356 can cut the web by pulling the web downwardly.
The housing section 153 mounts a lock generally indicated at 357 best shown in FIGURES 24 and 25. The lock 357 includes a slid~ membex 358 received in a~ elongated poake~ 359 in the housing ;ec~ion 153~ The slide 358 include~ a manually engageable proje!ction 360 for moving the slide 35~ again~t the ~orce of a compxession spring 3610 The ~p~in~ 36~be~r3 against a flange! 362 and the end o~ the 81~t 363,~ The ~l~de .

-, : , ;

~732~3 358 includes a pair of spaced apar generally parallel flexible resili~nt arms 364 ha~ing respective projections 365 and tapered faces 366. In assembling the slide 358 onto the housing section 153, the slide is manually pressed into the slot 363; this causes the arms 364 to yiel~ resiliently and to return once their projections 365 are against the inside of the housing section 153 as shown in FIGU~E 25. A block 367 disposed between and spaced from the arms 364 has a blind hole 368 for receiving the other end portion of the spring 361. In its assembled condition, the spring 361 urges on the block 367 toward end 369 of the slot 363. When the housing section 153 is in the position to be locked, a curved tip or retaining edge 370 of the block 367 is received in an annular recess 371 in ~he post 179, thereby locking the section 153 i~ place. To unlock the lock 357 and remove the housing section 153 t the projecti~n 360 is pushed gsnerally to ~he left as viewed in ~IGURE 24, thereby moving tha tip 370 out of the recess 371 and compressiny the spring 361, and thereupon the section 153 can be unsnapped from the remainder of the housing. ~en it i~ desired to replac~ -the housing section 153, the housing section 153 is po~ition~d so that the flanges 164 (FIGURE 8) are behind the ~la~ge 165 and i then the housing section 153 is simply ~napped int~ its final locked position. In so doing, the members 166 snap into recesses 167 and the lock 357 lock automatically. This aut~màtic locking of the lock 357 is feasibl~ becau'se of the cam ace 372 on the : block 367 which cooperates with a aham~xed Qr cam ~a~e 373 '

3~-. . ,, . . . . . -: . , . ~ : . .

~i73Z~3 on the post 179. As the hou~ing section 153 i5 pushed into plac~ the cam face 372 cooperates with the cam face 373 to cause ~he slide 358 to be moved generally to the le~t (FIGURE
24) away from end 369 of the slot 363. When the housing section 153 is snapped into placev the tip 370 moves into alignment with the r~cess 371, ancl this allows the entire slide 358 to move generally to the righ ~IGURE 24) to cause the tip 370 to be received in the recess 371, thereby locking the housing section 153 in place.
It is conducive to smooth operation o~ the ~ear fiection 227 and the gear section 229 of the gear 172 to have precise meshing engagement in spite of manufaaturing variations.
This is especially true in that the gear 172 is mounted by a support 236 secured to the frame plate 155 and the ~ctuator 222 is mounted in the handle 159 of the housing at a consi~erable distance rom the axis of the suppor~ 236. ,Tha eccentric 224 has an outer circular cylindrical ~ur~ace and an eccentric internal bore 376c The pin 223 i~ received in the bore 376. The housing section 154 has a boss ~790 ~ hole generally indicated at 380 extends through ths housing section 154 and its boss 3790 The hole is steppe~ 8~ p$ to pxQ~vide a shoulder 3810 A ~el~-tapping screw 382 pa~ses th~ou~h ~he hole 380 and is threadably received in an elQn~at~ h~lç ~23 the pin 2230 As the screw 382 i~ tightened~ th~ ~nd of th~ pin :~
223 is dxawn against the ~houlder 381 ~y ~h~ he~d o~ tb$ acrè~ , ~
382. Tha housing section 160 has a ~O.~S 3~3 vi~h~;a g~a~

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3;Z63 nun~er of ridges 3~4 and grooves 385 a~ best ~hown in FIGURE
13. The eccentric ~24 has external ridges 386 and grooves 387 arranged concentrically with respect to the eccentric hole 223'.
A hole generally indicated at 388 extends through the housing ~ection 160 and its boss 383. The hole 388 is of reduced diamete at a shouldex 389. A self-tappirlg screw 390 bears against the shoulder 389 and is threaded into the hole 2231 in the 31eeve 223. It is apparent that by looc;ening the screw 382 and removing the housing section 154 and by shifting the eccentric 224 on the sleeve 223 so that the ridges 386 land grooves 387 lose contact with the respective grooves 385 and ridges 3~4, the eccentric 224 can be manually rotated relative to the housing section 160 on the ~leeve 223 until the eccentric 224 is at the select~d position and then the eccentric 224 can b~ shi~ted back into the holes 388 so that its ridges 3~6 and grooves 387 are again in locking engagement with respective grooves 385 and ridges 384. In this manner the meshing engagement of the ~ar ~ections 227 and 229 can ~e initially precisely adjusted and maint~inQd in adjustment during use. As an aid to rota~ing the sccentric 224 while ma'king the adjustment, the eccentric 224 ~s provided with a knurled section 391 which can be ~a~ily gripped by the assembler 9 S fingers.
With reference to FIGURE 27 there is ~hown tha delaminator 175. The delaminator comprises an injeotion molded one-piece support 392 having a pair o forked end sections 393, a plate-like retain~r portion 394, and a c~annel-~haped end portion 395. The forked portions 393 are r~ceived in resp~ct~ve cutouts 396 of the plat~n 174 and the channel~shaped portion 395 is , 1~73~3 received under a marginal end 397 of the pla~en 174. The portion 394 is flexibl~ and resil:ient so as to enable a projection 398 to snap into a hol~ 398' in tha platen 174 as shown in FIGURE 27. The hole 398 ' is disposed æo hat between the places where the printing bands 201 contact the plat~n 174 so that the hole 398' will not interfere with the printing function. A plurality of small diameter r~lers 400, for example, seven in number, are rotatably mounted on a rod 399O It is preferred that the diameter of the xollers 400 be as small as possible so that the supporting ma~erial web 205 is caused to undergo a very sharp change in direction. By way of example, not limitation, the outer diameter of the rollers 400 i9 about 0.08 inch, the inside diameter is about 0.05 inch, and tha length i5 about 0.150 inch~ The outside diameter of the shaft 399 is a~out 0.04 inch. There are a plurality of relatively small rollers 400 in that the xollers 400 rotate con~i~erably more freely than would a roll having a com~ined length of all the rollers 400.
With reference to FIGU~E 11, ink roll 40~ is shown to be rotatably mounted on a post 401' secured to an axm 402.
Tha arm 402 is pivotally mounted on a po~t 4Q3 secared ~o th~
fram~ plate 155. A tension spring 404 i~ connect~d ~ ~na end to an upstanding tab 405 on the arm 402 and iks ~ther e~d to a post 406 mounted on the ~rame pl~te 1S5D The ~ 402 a~d the ink roll 401 are shown in one extreme position by solld lines in which the print head is in its ~e~xaoted po~i~ion and ~y .. . ... - . . .

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, ~ ' , ' ' ' ' ', " ', ' ' ' ~L0732~3 phanto~ lines in which the print head 170 is in its e~tended or printing position. The shaft 401' extends through an arcuate slot 407 in the frame plate 155. With rPference to FIGURE 28, the ink roll 401 is shown to comprise a hub generally indicated at 408. The hub 408 is shown to includa a pair of hub portions 409 and 410 having respective bores 411 and 412 aligned with respec to each other, Tha shaft 401' is sho~n to be r~ceived in the bores 411 and 412. The hub portion 409 has a reduced-diameter, continuous, annular projection 413 received in a continuous annular socke ~14. The projection 413 has a continuous annular external groove 415 and the hub portion 410 has a continuous annular internal bead or projection 416. The groove 415 is shallow and the mating bead 416 is relatively small so that the projection 413 can be snap-fitted into the socket 414 as the flexible resilien~ material of which the hub portions 409 and 410 is composed yields~ It is a feature of the invention that the head 416 ~n the socket 414 provides an ink-tight seal so that ink contained in a porous roll 417 received about the hub 408 ca~not seep into the bores 411 and 412 to cake or gum up which would interfere with the free rotation of the ink roll 401 o~ the shaft 401'.
The hub portions 409 and 410 have respective annular outwardly extendin~ flanges 418~ The flan~es 418 bear against ~earing surfaces 419 at each side of the print head 170. The groove 415 and the mating bead 416 obviate the need ~or a ~eparate seal member ~not shown). A washer ~20 i~ received by the shaf~
401' ~etween the hub section 410 and the frame pla~e 155~ Hub sectio~ 409 has an inte~rally ~ormed flexible r~ilien~ finger or projection 421. shown to be received ln a co~tinuou~ annular groovc 422 near the free end o~ the shaft 401'. ~s the ink roll 173 is inserted onto the shaft 401', the ~inger 421 yields ' ' ,' ~ .
, ~ L073ZG3 and then i9 rec~ived in the ~roove 422 to removably hold the xoll 401 on the shaft 401'. ~he hub portion 409 al~o has an exten~ion 423 and an obstruction 424 in the form of a ridge which extends into alignment with the bores 411 and 412. The obstruction 424 prevent~ the ink roll 401 f~om being inserted onto the shaft 4Ql' in the wrong dlrection in which event the resilie~t finger 421 would not be able to cooperate with the groove 422 and the in~ roll 401 might ~hift off the shaft 401'.
Referring to FIGURE 9 there is shown the composite web 203 which constitutes an improvement over Canadian patent No. 994,292. Groups 425 of bar cut~ or i31$t~ are provided at lonyitudinally ~paced-apart intervali~ along the length of the composite we~ 203. ~lthough there are shown tQ be two spaced-part group~ 425 of cuts disposed be~wee~ the butt-cut~ 206 wh~ch define the end edges of each label 207, one or more than two groups 425 can be provided in each label ~07, and ~lthou~h the groups 425 are ishown o be generally centrally located between the ~nd edges of the respective label~ 207, the group ~25 can be at other iocations. Each group 42S of cuts i~ shown to be in a generally T-shaped configuratio~ and to comprise a transversely aligned pair of bar cut~ or ~lits 426L in and preferably through the label material 204 and a transver~ely ~ligned pair of bar cu~i~ or sliti~ 42SS in the supporting mat~rial 2050 Th~ respective pairs of CU~3 426L and 426S a~ ~eparated by respective landi~ 427L and 427S. Longitudin~lly exte~ding bar CUtB or slits 428L and 428S are show~ to exSend i~ and pref~ra~ly ~-43-`
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: ' - . . : ' ~ 73263 through the label material 204 and ~hrough suppsrting material 205 respectively to the respective lands ~127L and 427S. There are also two longitudinally extending bax cuts or slits 429 which extend in and preferably through the label material 204 aoross each of the butt-cuts 2 06 into the marginal ends of the labels 207. The cuts 429 however extend only through the label material 204. The two cuts 426S and the cut 428S of a group are aligned with respective two cuts 426L and the cut 428L
of the group. When the teeth 171' of the feed wheel 171 engage the supporting material 205 at the cuts 428S, the portion of the web between the adjacent ends of both cuts 426S and the cut 428S tears or ruptures to form a hole in the supporting material web 205. A tooth 171' is preferably almost as wide as tha combined length of adjacent cuts 426S and the intervening land 427S so that a substantial portion of the length of each cut 426S provides a drive face.
In order to load the apparatus 150, the housing section 153 is first removed by movinq the projection 360 generally to the right (FIGURE 8). ~ext the projection 288' is moved generally to the left as viewed in FIGURE 10 to causa brake memb~r 283, roll 293 and guide 300 to move to their ineffective positions. I~ there is ~ spent core 208 on the reel 209, then the core 208 is removed manually and a new supply roll is pushed onto the hub 2130 The leading end of the composite web Z03 is passed over the resilient device 310 and pushed into the zone Zl a~ best shown in FIGURE 10. From there the ~e~ 203 is passed around roll 323 and axound the delamina~or 175t and ~rom there the web 203 is passed around the end of the slide 28~ and under the roll 293. From there the web 203 i8 pas~ed partly around -44- .

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~L0732G3 the feed wheel 171 and through the zone Z2. The entire threading of the composite web 203 just described can be accomplished without removing any of the labels 207 from the supporting material web 205. Now the print head 170 can be set to print the selected indicia on the label 207 which is registered with the platen 174. Upon the first actuation o~ the actuatox 222, the gear 172 causes the a.rm 297 to pull slide 288 to the right as viewed in FIGURE 10, thereby causing the roll 293 to move into cooperation with the web 203 and the feed wheél 171, to cause the brake member 283 to mové into its ef~ective position as shown in FIGU~E 23, and to cause the guide 300 to move to its effective position shown by phantom lines 300PL. I~ that thP
first actuation of the aetuator 222 from it~ i~itial position drives the gear 172 to in turn drive the print head 170 into printing cooperation with the platen 174, th~ label 207 at the Printing position or zone will be printed. When the print head 170 is in printing cooperation with the platen 1740 the drive end 269 of the pawl 265 has moved into position adjacent the next ~uccessive tooth 253 of the ratchet wheel 252. Upon release of the actuator 222, the sprin~ 226 of the asse~bly 225 will cause tha actuator 222 to pivot ~unterclockwi~e (FIGU~E 10) thereby cau~ing the gear 172 and tha pawl 265 to move clockwise. Thi~ movement of the pawl 265 causes the feed wheel 17~ to rotate clockwise.` In that the fe~d whe~l 171 and the roll 293 are in cooperation the teeth 1~1' will break through the portion of the supporting mat~rial 205 between the ~nds of the bar-cut 428S and the adjacent ends of the ~ar-cuts 426S.
Th teeth 171' ~ngage the driYe faces formed ~y ~he bar cuts 426S to ad~ance the web 203 when the feed wh~el 171 .i~ rotated.

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~ (~73'~63 The cycle op~ration is complete when the actuator 222 has return~d to its initial position. During continued operation of the apparatus 150, labels 207 are succe~sively delaminated from the supporting material web 2050 It i apparent that upon each actuation and release of the act~ator 222, the print head 170 is first moved into printing cooperation with a label 207 and thereafter that label is advanced to a position shown in FIGURE 10 in which the leading label 207 is shown almos~ entirely delaminated from the supporting material web 205. The leading label 207 is thus lightly adhered to the web 205 at its trailing end until it is applied to an article.
Referring to FIGURES 8 and 33, a rewinder 440 is sho~
to include a unitary body 441 having a generally annular portion 44~ defining a compartment 443. The body 441 has an inlet portion or inlet 444 with an inlet slit or narxow slot 445.
The annular portion 442 is open at its one side as shown and has a side wall 446 closing of~ its other sideO The inlet 444 has a connector 447 including a pair of notches 448 and 449 adjacent flanges 450 a~d 451. The rewinder 440 is remvvably connected to the apparatus 150 by sliding the connector ~47 ~hrough the open end of the opening 354. As the supporting material web 205 passes through ~one Z2 it ~nters ~he inlet slot 445 and winds into a roll as shown in FIGURE 33~ The insi~e of the annular portion 442 is provided with a ~calloped configura-tion defined by ridges 335 and interveni~g groove~ 336. ~s the wab 205 contacts only the rid~es 33$ there is very llt~le -46- ..

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73Z~3 friction between the portion of the web 205 and the ridges 335a In addition, the inside of the compartment 443 can ~e coated with a suitable lubricant such as silicone. Viewing hoth FIGURES 10 and 33, it is not:ed that the web 205 is wound up in the rewinder 440 in the same direc~ion of curl of the web 205 caused by the web 205 being wound on the roll R~ This facilitates rewinding. The end of tha inlet slot 445 terminates at a cuttin~ edge or knife 457 by which the portion of the web 205 in the compartment 443 can be severed from the remainder of the web ~05 simply by reaching into the open side of the compartm~nt 443 and pulling tha web 2U5 against the knife 457.
In the embodi~ent of FIGURES 34 and 35, a rewinder 460 is shown to include a unitary body 461 having a generally annular portion 462 definin~ a compartmenk 463. The body 461 has an inlet portion or inlat 464 with an inlet slit or narrow slot 445. The annular portion 462 has a side wall 466 closing off one sidQ. The inlet 464 has à connector 467 identical to the connector 447. The inside of the annular portion q62 is provided with a scalloped configuration like that of the rewinder embodiment of FIGU~ES 8 and 33. The inlet 464 terminates at a cutting edge or knife 477. A sha~t 478 i~ formed integrally ~ith the wall 466 and rotatably mo~nts a spool or reel 479. The reel 479 includes a hub 480 întegrally joined to a disc 481. A compression spring 482 received about $he sha~t 478 bears against the side wall 466 and a shoulder 483 inside the hub 480. A shaft 484, sna~-fitted into spaced-apart holders 485, is joined to an annular portion 486l The annular portion 486 seats a flexible resilient O-ring or other suitable ~37 : . : . '' , ':~'.. ' ~ : ' ': : ' ~1373~3 frictional drive member 487. The drive member 487 is in f~ictional c~ntact with the disc 4Bl and the disc 210. The drive member 487 contacts a radiused annular portion 4~8 of the disc 4~1 and the 5urface of disc 210. The holders ~85 have res~ective annular port:ions 489 which extend throu~h slightly more than 130 so that the shaft 484 can be snapp~d into the annular portions 489 or removed therefrom i~ desired.
A compression sprin~ 490 received about the shaft 484 exarts a force on one of the holders 485 and the annular portion 4%6.
The force exerted by the spring 490 is greater than the force exerted by the sprin~ ~82 so the drive member 487 is always urged into contact with th~ disc 210 and the drive me ~ er 487 is always urged into contact with the disc 481.
A finger 491 is formed integrally with the disc 481 and extends gensrally parallel to the hub 480. Marginal end 205' of the supporting material web 205 is received betw~en the hub 480 and the finger 491. The annular portion 486 and the drive member 487 constitutes an idler or idler wheel generall~
indicated at 4920 It is apparent that the reel 209 is drivingly coupled to the reel 479. As the apparatus 150 is operated the disc 210 turns, thereby driving the idler wheel 492 which in ~urn drives the reel 479. The purpose of the idler wheel 492 is to cause the reel 479 to rotate in the direction of the natural curl of th~ web 205 on the roll Rr In the illustrated embodiment tha re~l 47g turns i~ the same direction as the roel 209.

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Docket M-274 C~ 73263 By way of example, not limitation, the apparatus of the disclosed embodiments is constructed mainly of molded plastics material. In the embodiment of FIGURES 8 and 10 through 36, all the components are composed of molded plastics material, except the frame plate 155 and the platen 174 which are preferably composed of a rigid metal such as steel, the metal posts 325, 176, 178, 179, 180, 181, 291, 273 and 401, the matal support 236, the steel rod or shaft 399, the steel springs 187, 304, 361, 404, 226, 482 and 496, the spring steel resilient device 310, thé steel arms 297 and 402, the spring steel clamp 268, the spring steel retainers 301, 326, 329, the flexible resilient applicator 173 and the frictional member 487 composed of rubber, the ball bearing strips 197 and 198, the porous ink roll 417 composed of a suitable, porous, rubber, vinyl or rubber-modified plastics material, and fasteners 199, 200, 161, 382 and 390. A small number of components of the print head 174 are also constructed of metal.
The hand-held apparatus 150 of the embodiment of FIGURE 8 and 10 through 36 is rugged in construction but is also light weight so that it can be used for extended periods of time, namely the apparatus weighs about 1.6 pounds without a label supply roll and without the rewinder 440 or 460. The rewinder a40 weighs about 0.08 pounds. In any event the apparatus of the various embodiments of the invention is of the type that weighs less than about three pounds and this dis-tinguishes it from bulXy or stationary apparatus which are not practical to be hand held and operated. It is, however, readily apparent that many of the ~eatures of the invention can also be used in stationary type apparatus~ Moreover, it is apparent that certain of the features of the invention are al50 '.

Docket M-274-C-l ~73Z63 applicable to apparatus that lmprints and dispenses labels, tags or the like but that does not apply them and that other features of the invention are also applicable to apparatus that applies labels but which does not print them.
Other embodiments and modifications o~ this invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and all such of these as come within the spirit of this invention axe included within its scope as best defined by the appended claims.

Claims (9)

Docket M-274-C-2 The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels carried on a web of supporting material, comprising: a frame, a platen and a print head mounted for relative movement by the frame, a delaminator for delaminating printed labels from the supporting material web, an applicator for applying the printed labels, a toothed feed wheel engageable with the web, ratchet teeth coupled to the feed wheel, a pawl cooperable with a tooth of the ratchet teeth for driving the feed wheel, means for driving the print head relative to the platen and for thereafter operating the pawl to drive the feed wheel, and.
a rolling-contact type one-way clutch coupled to the frame for mounting the feed wheel and for enabling the pawl to drive the feed wheel and advance the web and for preventing reverse rotation of the feed wheel to obviate loss of tension in the supporting material web after the web has been fed.

2. Apparatus as defined in d aim 1, wherein the feed wheel includes a central hole having projections, at least the projections being comprised of a plastics material, the clutch having an outside diameter at the projections greater than the inside diameter of the feed wheel, the clutch being press fitted into the hole and the projections being yieldable to securely hold the feed wheel and the clutch in assembled relationship.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, including a tube mounted by the frame, the driving means including a drive shaft extending through the tube, the pawl being non-rotatably secured to the drive shaft, and the driving means including means for driving the drive shaft in one direction and thereafter in the opposite direction.

Docket M-274-C-2

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, including a support secured to the frame and having a circular cylindrical outer surface, the clutch being received about the support in cooperable relationship with the outer surface of the support.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, a ratchet wheel including the ratchet teeth, wherein the feed wheel and the ratchet wheel are separable for adjustment relative to each other, the feed wheel including a generally annular portion having a plurality of grooves and ridges, the ratchet wheel having a generally annular portion having a plurality of grooves and ridges cooperable with the feed wheel ridges and grooves respectively to enable the ratchet wheel to be positioned in a selected rotational position relative to the feed wheel.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the clutch comprises a plurality of rollers.

7. Apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the driving means includes meshing gears, the pawl being driven by one of the gears.

8. Apparatus as defined in any one of claims 4, 5 or 6, wherein the driving means includes meshing gears, the pawl being driven by one of the gears.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the driving means includes meshing gears, and the shaft is driven by one of the gears.