CA1073738A - 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 support carried by the frame for mounting a supply roll of labels, a platen and a cooperable print head mounted on the frame, the platen having an extension, a delaminator for delamination printed labels, a toothed feed wheel in contact with the web for drawing the web into printing position between the platen and the print head, a guide arrangement for guiding the web to a first zone between the print head and the platen, to the delaminator and to the feed wheel, a guiding and stripping arrangement for stripping the web from the feed wheel and for guiding the web through a second zone, first and second spaced-apart posts secured to the frame, the guide arrangement for the first zone including a first guide section connected to the first post and to the extension of the platen, and the guiding and stripping arrangment for the second zone including a separate second guide section connected to the first and second posts and a separate third guide section interlocked with second guide section and connected to first and second posts.

Description

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Background of the Invention Field of the Invention , . . .
This invention relates to the ar~ of label printing and applying apparatus and composite Label webs.

~ ' ' ' , , : , . .'. , , , ; . .~:, Docket ~1-274-C-5 ~Lo'~373~1 Summ~y of the Invention This in~ention according to one embodiment relates to apparatus for printing and applyiny pressure sensitive labels carried on a ~e~ of supporting material. The apparatus includes a frame, means carried by the frame for mounting a supply roll of labels, a platen and a cooperable print head mounted on the `-frame, the platen having an extension, a delaminator for delaminating printed labels from the web, an applicator for . : `
applying the printed labels, a toothed feed wheel in contact with the ~Jeb for drawing the web into printing position between ~: .
the platen and the print head, means~ for guiding the web to a first zone between the print head and the platen, to the delaminator and to the feed wheel, means for stripping the web from the feed wheel and for guiding the web through a second ~:
zone, first and second spaced-apart pos~s secured to the frame, the guiding means for the first zone including a first guide ~`
section connected to the first post and to the extension of the ~ :
platen, and the stripping and guiding means for the second zone .
including a separate second guide section connected to the first ~ `
and second posts and a separate third guide section interlocked ~ith second guide section and connected to first and second posts.

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' 1073'7~

Brief Description of the Drawin~s -- . .~._ FIGU~ 1 is an ~xploded perspective view of one embodiment of label printing and applying apparatus, together with a roll-type composite label web supply;
FIGURE 2 is a partly broken-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 line 4--4 of FIGURE 3 showing track s ructura for mounting a print head of the appara~us;
FIGURE 5 is an ~nlarged fragmentary elevatio~al ; ~ v~ew of a feed wheel for the apparatus;
FIGURE 5A is a view similar to ~IGURE 5 buk on a . larger scale and showing a cured adherent coating;.
, FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragme~ta~y top plan view : of the feed wheel shown in FIGURE 5;
FIGU~E 7 is a fragmentary ~ide ele~ational view of a~ alternative embodiment of the apparatu~
~ IGURE 8 is an exploded perspectiYe view Q~ another ~mbodiment of label printing and applying apparat~s together . ~ ; . .. ~ .
with an improved roll-type composite label web 8upply;
FIGURE 9 is a partly broken away top plan y~ew of ; ~he composite label web;
.
FIGUI~E 10 is a iside elevatios~al vi~ of ~;he apparatus . , . . ~ , ~
wlth one handle section and a removable h~u ing ~eQtio~ b~ing.
removed for clarity;
FIGURE 11 is a ~ragmentary el~va~lonal vlew o~ th~
other sid~ of the apparatus showm in FIGURE 10~ , ~. , , q . .

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~173~3~3 FIGURE 12 is a view taken generally along line 12--l 2 of FI GU~E 1 0;
FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary elevational view o another handle section, showing means for locking the eccentric support in position;
FIGURE 14 i~ a fragmentary end elevational view of a manually operable actuator and one end poxtion of the eccentric support;
~ IGURE 15 is a frag~entary elevational view showing the other side of the ac~uator from ~hat shown in FIGUR~ 14 and ~he other end portion of the ~upport;
FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary elevational view of the one handle section;
FIGURE 17 is an exploded perspective view of a drive gear, a feed wheel~ rolling-contact type one-way anti-backup clutch, a ratchet wheel selectively positionable with respect to the feed wheel, a clamp, and a drive pawl;
FIGURE 18 is a partly a~sembled view of th~ components shown in FIGURE 17;
FIGURE 19 is a fragmentary perspective vi~w showing how the clutch is secured in the feed wheel and clutched with an annular support;
FIGURE 20 is a view similar to view 19 but showing the clutch unclutched as when the feed wheel is rotated in the direction of ~he arrow;
FIGURE 21 i~ a fragmentary elevational view showing the side of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 11 with Gertain part~
omitted for clarity, the operativQ componenta heing shown in FIGURE 21 in a position which facilitate3 loading o~ the apparatus , ' .

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' ' ~ ' , ~1~)73~31~3 FIGURE 22 iS a view similar to FIGUR~ 21 with the opera~ components being shown in a position caused by a first actuation of the actuator following loading;
FlGunE 23 i~ a view similar to FIGURES 21 and 22~
showing many of the operative component~ thereo t ~he brake mechanism being in its effective braking position caused by return of the print head;
FIGURE 24 is a ~ragmentary pexspective ~xploded view of the locking mechanism for the removable housing section;
FIGURE 25 is a partly sectional vlew of the locking mechanism in i~s assembled condition;
FIGURE 26 is a fragmentary perspective exploded view of a resilient device and mounting structurQ therefor;
; FIGURE 27 is a ragmentary per~pec~ive exploded view showing a delaminator and a portion of the platen~
URE 28 is a seckional view showing in detail an . : ink roll of the inking mechanism;
FIGU~E 29 is a sectional view taken along lin~ 29--29 of FIGURE 28;
FIGURE 30 is a left end elevational ~iew o~ the in~
. , .
roll shown in FIGURE 28; ; :~
URE 31 is a sectional view showing ~r~mentary portions of one housing section and the frame plate and the means for holding the same together;
:FIGURE 32 is a sec~ional view 0~ the reel; :~
.
FIGURE 33 is an elevational view ~howi~g a fra~men~ary portion of the apparatus to which a rewinder i~c~Ln~ted~ :
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~1~73~3Y

FIGURE 34 is a side elevational view o~ an alternat~
form of rewinder;
FIGURE 35 ii~ a sectional view taken along line 35--35 of FIGURE 34; and ~ IGURE 36 is an enlarged sectional fragmentary view o~ the feed wheel showing lands and intervening gaps.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments The embodiments o~ PIGURES 1 and 3 through 6 and the embodiment of FIGURE 7 are adapted to utilize a composit~
label web 30 illustrated in detail in FIGURE 2. The composite web 30 of label material 31 i~i releasably adhered to and carried by suppoxting or backing material 32. The label material 3l is cut transversely by transverse cuts 33 ex~ending all the way across the web 31 of label material to the side edges 34 and 35 : ::
of the composite web 30. Th~ cuts 33 known a~ "bu~t cut~
separate the web 31 of 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 whi~h adheres ~:
~trongly to the web 31 of la~el matexial. The web 32~of supporting material carries a thin film or coati~g ~ot shown) ~hich allows the labels to be peeled ~rom the:web 32 ~ .
supporting material.
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~0~3'73~

Groups 38 of cut~ are provided at equally spaced-apart intervals alon~ the length of th~ composite web 30.
Each group 38 of cuts is shown to extend through the supporting material as well as through the label material, Each group of cuts is shown to be made in a generally I-shaped configuration comprised of cuts 39S, 40S and 4lS in the supporting material and aligned cuts 39L, 40L and 41L in the label material. The part of the web 32 between the one end o~ the cut 395 and the cut 40S provides a frangible portion 43S and ~he part of the web 32 between the other end of the cut 39S and the cut ~lS
provides frangible portion 42S. In like manner, the part of the label material between the end of the cut 39L and the cut 40L provides a frangible portion 43L and the part between the other end of the cut 39L and the cut 41~ provides a ~rangible portion 4 2L .
With reference to the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 3 through 6, there is shown label printing and applying apparatus generally indicated at 50. The apparatus 50 has a frame generally indicated at 51 which is shown to include frame sections 52 and 54 to which a cover section 53 is removably connected. A subframe 55 in the form of a single, riyid, me~l plate is suitably secured to the framo soction 52 as fF Fxa-ple ., . ~ .

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373~3 ~o~,~et M-274-C

hy screws 56. The screws 56 pass through respective holes 57 in the subframe 55, and are threadably received in respective bo~se~ 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 ection 54.
The ~ections 53 and 54 are connec~ed to the frame section 52 by ~nap-fit connections including generally snap-fitted flexiblQ
resilient members 61 engageable in undercut reces~e3 62 in the hou~ing section 52.
The subframe 55 mounts a print head genexally indicated at 63, a feed wheel 64, a ratchet wheel 65 (FIGURE 3 formed integrally with the feed wheel 64, a gear or gear segment -- . -- --66 formed lntegrally wlth a lever 67, an applicator 68 in the form of 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 ~tud 75, and a stripper plate 76 and an integrally formed guide 77. The handle portion 60 and the frame section 54 mount a pivot 78 in respéctive bosses 79 a~d 89. The p~vok 78 pivotally mounts an actuator 81 shown to be in the form of a lever. When the user grips the handle 59, the ac~uatox 81 can be engaged by the user's fingers, while the thumb passes around the frame section 54 (assuming the user grip~ the handle 59 with the riqht hand) . The actuatox 81 carries a gear ~r gea~
segment 82 which meshes with the gear 66. A

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spring assembly 82', including a compres~ion spring 82", bears against the handle portion 60 and the actuator ~l and urges the actuator 81 counterclockwise (YIGURES l and 3). Accordingly, _ g .. .
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~ 3738 ~

Docket M-274-C

~ho actuator 81 and the gear 82 are initially in the position ~hown by solid lines in FIGURE 3, but upon opera~ion are moved t~ the position indicated by phantom lines 81'. The ~eed wheel 64, the ratchet wheel 65, and the gear 66 axe coaxially mounted on the post 74. The gear 66 carries a pawl 83 which is coop--erable with the ratchet wheel 65. As the actuator 81 moves from the solid line position to the phantom line po~ition in FIGURE 3, the gear 66 rotates counterclockwise unt~l the pawl 83 passes over a tooth 84 of the ratchet wheel 65, and when the actuator 81 ls released the spring assembly 82~ drive~ the gaax 66 clockwise and causes the pawl 83 to drive the feed wheel 64 clockwise. Clockwise rotation of the ratchet whe~l 65 and hen~Q
the feed wheel 64 i8 prevented by a flexible resilien~ pawl 84' which cooperates with the ratchet wheel 65.
The lever 67 lies in a plane which i8 of~et ~o~
the plane of the gear 66. As best shown in FIGURE 1, a latexal portion 85 integrally connects the gear 66 and the l~er 67.
The lateral portion 85 passes through an arcuate ~lot 86~
~n the ~ubframe 55. The lever 67 is connected to ~he print :.
head 63 by a pin-type connection general7y indica~ed at 86.
~he pin-type connection R6 is a pin~and-slot-connection ~nd ~
i~ shown to comprise an elon~ated slot 87 in th~ ~lever 6;7 ..
and a pin 88 having a roller 89 received in thq ~1Q~ 87~- A ~ ;

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~)7~

Docket M-274-C

wa3her 90 and a clip 91 hold the roller 89 on the pin B8.
The pin 88 i~ sec~red to th~ print head 63. A~ best shown in FIGURES 1 and 4 t the print head 63 i3 provided with a pair of elongated parallel ball tracks 92 and 93. ~he subframe 55 mounts a pair of ball track~ 94 and 95~ ~all beaxing ~trips 96 and 97 are received in respective ball tracks 92 and 94, and 93 and 95. The ball tracks 92 throu~h 95 are considered to comprise track structure for mounting the pr~nt head 63 for reciprocating movement toward and away :~
from the platen 69. The ball ~rack 95 is mounted to move r~lative to the ball track 93. Compression springs 95' urga the ball track 95 toward the ball track 93 and compen-sate for clearance between the ball traGk~ 93 a~d 95.
The apparatu~ 50 provides what is known as a t~
line machine, having two lines Ll and ~2 of selectively settable printing bands 98 and 99. The bands 98 o~ line Ll are selectively settable by manual operation of a ~nob 100 ~d the bands 99 of line L2 are selectively settable by manual operation of a knob 101. The knobs 100 an~ 101 project thxough an opening 53' in the cover section 53.
A die roll 64a, having a groove 64b through which the teeth 64' of the feed wheel 64 can pass, i~ rotatably . ", , : , .

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oll~
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mounted o~ an arm 64c. The anm 64c is mounted on the post 73. The arm 64c has an integral lateral tab 64g which extends through a slot 64f in the subframe 55. A tension spring 64d is connected to a post 64e secured to the subfram~ 55 and to the tab 64g. The spring 64d urges the die roll 64a against the feed 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 web 32, thus making feed holes in the supporti~g material web ~2.
An inking mechanism 102 includes an ~rm 103 pivotally mounted on a pivot 104 secured to the subframe S5. A retainer 105 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~ 103 in the subframe 55. A tension spring 109 acts at its one end on a lat~ral tab 110 carried by the arm 103 and at its other end on a pin 111 secured to the print head 630 Th~ locations of the tab 110 and the p~n 111 are selected so that there is substantially no extension or distenti~n of the spri~g 109 as the print head 63 moves during the printing stroke betwe~n the solid line posi~ion and the Phantom line (printing) position shown by phantom lines 63'o Likewise on the return stroke there is no substantial extension or distention of the ~pring 109 as the print head 63 moves between these positions. The ~7373~3 :

location of the pivot 104 causes the ink roll 107 to be pushed from its solid line position to the phantom line position indicated by phantom linas 107' during the printing stroke from which the ink roll 10? is returned to the solid line position during the return stxoke of the print head 63. In addition, ~he force o~ the spring 109 causes the ball track 92 to be urged toward the ball track 94, thereby compensating for clearance.
Tha composite label web in roll form can have a circular cylindrical core 112 composed o paperboard or other suitable material. A hub 113 composed of plastic or other suitable materials has three flexible resilient sections 114 onto which the core can be snap-fitted and ~rom which the core 112 of a spent roll can be readily removed. The hub 113 ~s rotatably ~ounted on the post 75 and is reta1ned by a cli~
113~.
With reference ko FIGURES 5 and 6, the periphery of the feed wheel 64 is shown to have avenly spaced apa~t generally V-shaped lateral grooves 115. These groove~ 115 greatly reduce the area of contact that the ~upporting material web 32 makes with the ~eed wheel 64. This greatly mlnimizes any ~endency for gum which may be on the supporting materi~l web 32 to be transferred to the feed wheel 64. Gum on tha feed wheel 6 can cause problems in feeding the composite web 30. Lands ll~
at tha periphery of the feed wheel 64 are`abou~ ona fl~t long as the pitch distance d, and thus the groove~ ll5 reduce the area of c~ntact by eighty pcrcent over a f~ed wheel with a continuous, uninterrupted periphery.

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' 1(~73'i'3~

In loading the apparatus 50, the cover section 53 is unsnapped and removed, and the composite label web supply roll is snapped onto the hub 113. The die roll 64a and its arm 64b are moved ~o the over-center position. t~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 ~o the subframe 55. The free end of the composite web 30 i5 passed under and partly around the roll 71, over ~he platen 69, around ~he delaminator 70, under the platen 69, under and partly around the roller 71, partly around the roller 72, over and part1y around the feed wheel 54, 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 o~ thç
print head 63, causing the brake roll 117 to press the web 30 against the plate 118 to prevent paying out o~ 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 in FIGUR~ 3, and ~he cover section 53 can be snapped into place. .
When it is desired to print and apply a label 36, the printing and feeding cycle is commenced when thR a¢tùator 81 is squeezed, and this causes the gear 32 to drive the gear 66 and hence the lever 67. Pivoting of the lever 67 cause~
the print head 63 to be driven into printing coopexativn wlth the platen 69 to print data on a label 36. When the ~ctu~tor 81 i.~ released, the pawl 83 drives the feed ~h~el 6~ to feed th~ label 3~ that was just printed into labeL applyin~ posi~io~
relative to thé applicator 68, ~n this positio~ ~he trail~ng ~14-.

Docket M-274-C~ 73~3~

edge of the label 36 .is still adhered 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.
Reerring to FIGURE 7, the actuator 31 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 139 moves in a straight line. When 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 perpendicular to the platen 69. When the actuator 81 is released the spring assembly 82' (FIGURE 1) causes the ..
actuator 81 to pivot counterclockwise which drives the lever 133 ~-clockwise to return the print head 63 to the position shown in FIGURE 7, and at the same time the pawl 134 drives the feed --15-- .
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1~'73'~3~3 whe~l 64 to advance the composi~e web 30 a diqtance equal to tha length of one lab~l 36. In the embodiment of FIGUR~
7, the gear 82 has been eliminated from the actua~or ~1.
The apparatus of the ernbodiment of FIGUR~S 1 and 3 through 6, and 7, is constructe~ mainly of molded plastic material. The subframe 55 i8 preferably composed o~
steel. The actuator ~1, the gear 66 and lever 67, the ratchet and feed wheels 65 and 64, a substantial portion of ~he 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 plastia material.
In practice it has been found that, in some instances, minor amounts 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 ontacted with the feed wheel 64 transfer o~ this gummy substance to the feed wheel can be encountered, which during con~inued use of the apparatus, may interfere with efficient operation.
The feed wheel 64 has a web contacting ~urface 116 of ~oth disclosed embodiments of the inventio~ trsated to provide a coatin~ 116' having non-stick or release propertles sufficient ; to substantially retard or prevent tra~sfer ~ gum o~ pressure-sensitive adhesive, which may be present on the ~upporting web 32, to the feed wheel. Preferably the web contactipg sur~aoe o~ the fe¢d wheel should readily release a pressure-sen~itiV~ tape (a~gO0 3M Transparent Tape 5910~ after the pressure-sensltive tapa h~s been applied to the feed wheel under 10 p.s.i. p~5SUrQ ~or

2~5 seconds.

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~t'373~
Dso~et M-274-C

A particularly preferred method of imparting Qnhanced xelease properties to the feed wheel, formed from ~ metal, or an organic polymeric plastic material, ~uch a~
polyacetal resins, polycarbonate resins, phenylene oxide~ 7 nylons, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins, un aturated polyester molding resins and the like, i~ to apply to the ~upporting web contacting surfaces of the feed wheel an adherent continuous coa~ing of a resinous coating composition having a lower surface e~ergy than the sub~trate polymeric material from which the wheel i5 formed~ The presently preferred .~oating compo~itions include those based on a material such as moisture cured, one component, all ilicone resin~ thereto~ore utilized in the art for orming aircraft and maintena~ce protective finish~s, and solvent based paper curable coating co~position~ based on silicone polymers heretofore described in the art as useful in forming release paper for pressure-se~sitive adhesive compositions. Since the coating mu~t have '~
sufficient adhesion to the feed wheel 50 that it i8 not remQved during use, it may be desirablQ to etch or otherwise ~ligh~ly roughen the sur~ace to be csated prior to applying and curing the coatingO
Th~ preferred method i~ distingui~habl~ fra~ th~method in which the surfac~ of the feed wh~el which conta~ts the web has means providing material possessing rele~se pr~pe~t~.es ~uf~icient to retaxd the accumulation o~ gum b~ incorpo~at$ng a lubr~cant in the feed wheel while tha ~ed whe31 i8 molded and it i~

', ' .. ''. ~ ', Docket M-274 C 1 0~37 ~ ~
a al~o di~tinguishable from the method in which a liquid lubricant is applied to the faed wheel for thi~ purpose.
While these other methods are ad~antageous, the preferred method is more effective for longer period~ of time.
With reference to the embodimant of FIGURES 8 and 10 through 36, there i5 shown label printing and applying apparatus generally indicated at 150. The apparatu6 150 has a frame generally indicated at 151 which is ~hown to compri~e a frame or housing having housing sections 152, 153 and 154 and a subframe comprising a single, rigid, m~tal frame pla~e 155. The housing is essentially closed~ The fram~ }51 has ~ handle generally indicated at 159 comprised in part of a handle portion 160 and in part of the frame section 154O The housing ~ection 154 i5 secured to the housing section 152 by screws 161 received in respective thxeaded holes 162. The frame ~ection 153 i~ positioned in front of a lip 163 of th~ section 154 and projections 164 on the ~ection 153 extend behind a wall 165. The section 153 is connected to the section 152 by snap~
fit connections including generally snap-~haped flexible re~ilient member~ 166 engageable in respective undercut recesse~ 167 in the sectio~ 152. The ~ection 153 is also provided with locating .
studs 168 r~ceived in respective rece6se~ 169 of ~he qection 15Z.
Th~ frame plate 155 mounts a pri~t head 170,,la feed whe~l 171, a gear or geax segment 172, an applica~or 173 ~h~wn ~o be in the form of a roll, a platen 174, a ~elam~n~tor 175~ ;
~ mountin~ pin 176 and a plural~ty of rollers l77~ m~n~n~ ; ;
po~t8 178, 179, 180 and 181, and a 8upport 236. ~ .
The frame plate 155 i~ provided with two spaced-apa~t:
prec~sely located r~ctangular hole~ 182 in which ~e~p~ctive squ~re " ~
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.~ . , 1~3~3~

mating locating pins or studs 183 are received. The holes 182 extend at ri~ht angles to each other and the two opposed side faces of each stud contacts the corresponding long sides of the respective rectangular hole 182. The pins 183 are cooperable with the respective holes 182 to locata the frame plate 155 pxevisely relative ~o the housin~ section 152. There ~re three ~dentical hold-down connections whi~h secure the frame plate 155 to the housing~section 152, although only one is shown in detail in FIGURE 31. The frame plate 155 has three enlarged holes or :.
cutouts 184. The housing section 152 has pins or s~uds 185 which extend through the cutouts 184. With reference to FIGURE
31, a retainer in the form of a grip ring 186 grips a stud 185.
A compxession spring 187 received about the stud 185 bears against the frame plate 155 and against the retainer 186. With age and continued use of the apparatus the stud 185 tends to elongate O
The spring 187 insures that the plate 155 will always be held ~olidly against the housing section 152. In that the stud 185 is considerably smaller in diameter than the cUtout 184, location of the frame plate 155 relative to the housing section 152 remains :~
to be accomplished by the pins 183 in respective recesses 182.
The frame plate 155 has a palr o~ elong~ted cutouts or open ended slots 188 and a pair of eppositely facing elongated cutou s or open ended slots 189~ The slots 188 and 189 communi . ~
cate with larger resp~ctive cutouts 190 and 191. Oppositely '!
~acing ball tracts 192 a~d 193 are r~ceived in re~p~ctive cutouts 190 and 191. The print head 170 compriqe~ a print head frame 19~ having a pair of oppc~sitely ~aaing ball trac~s 195 and 196. A ball bearing strip 197 i9 received , .-~-, . - , , - .

- ' -Docket ~-274-~-2 1073~38 in mating ball bearing track~ 192 and 195 and a ball bearing ~trip 198 is receiv~d in matin~ ball bearing track~ 193 and 196.
The ball tracks 192 and 193 are shown to be generally channel~
shaped in construction. ~hen the ball track8 1~2 and lg3 are in the po~ition a~ shown in FIGURES 10 and 11, the ball track~
192 and 193 are received by the fr~me plate 155. Threaded fa~teners 199 exten~ through the cutouts 188 and ar~ ~hraadably received in holes 199' in the ball track 192. Similarly, threaded fasteners 200 extend through cutout~ 189 and are threadably received in holes 200' in the ball track 193O The print head 170 i~ capable of printing two line~ of data ln that the print head 170 has two lines of printing band~

, .. ., . _ . _ . _ _ .....
It is important to printlng quallty that the print head 170 move relatively to the platen 174 3uch that the characters on the printing bands 201 contact the label 207 on the platen uniformly. If the print head 170 ~ 8 ~mproperly aligned wlth the platen 174, some of the s~lected charactRr~ will be pr~nt~d and others will not be printed at all or will only be faintly printsd. In tha~ the ¢u~outs 188 and 189 ar~ larger than the diameters of fasteners 199 ~nd 200 which extend therethrough, the ball track~ 192 and 193 can b~ preci~ely positioned during manufacture of the apparatu~ 80 that th~
print head 170 i~ preci~ely align~d with tha platen 1?4 and 80 that clearance between the ball trac~s and thelr re~pect~ve ball bearing strip i9 held to a minimum. Print head ~rame 194 and the ball track~ 195 and 196 wh~ch are molded int~grally therewith and the ball tracks 192 and 193 are ,~

~1:)73'73~3 Docket M-274-C
., compos~d of plastlcs material. The balls of the ball strips 197 and 198 are comprised of a hard material such as steelO
A8 ahown diagramrnatically in FIGURES 21 through 2~, the type characters or faces 202 extend parallel to the pla~en 174.
The p~int head 170 is caused to move in a straight line b~cause all the ball ~racks 192 through 195 are straight.
C:onsequently, for quality printing the print head 170 ~hould move perpendicularly with respect to the platen 174~ There is thus provided mean~ whereby the travel of ~he print head into printing cooperation with the labels of the composite web can ~e adjusted during manufacture or even subsequent ~hereto to insure precise aligrlment of the print head 17 û with th~ platen 174.
The apparatus 150 i5 shown to utilize a compo ite web :
203~ The composite web 203 of label material 204 i~ rel~asably adhercd to ~upporting a backin~ material 205. The lab~:l mate~ial 204 is cut transversely by bar cuts or slits 206 extending all the wa~ across the web 204 of label material, thereby separating .
the label material 204 into a series of end-to end labels 207 ~he compc)site web 203 is wound onto a circular cyli~pdrical cQre `
.
208 composed of paperboard or other ~uitable material. ~The .
composite web roll is mounted on a reel gen~rall~ ~Dd~cated a~
209. ~he reel 209 is.comprised of a generally ~la~ d~c 210 hav~ng a central hole 211. Disc 210 has a plur~ity of equally -~~paced~apar~ pins 212 disposed at equal di~tan~e8~xom ~h~
s , ".,~, ~ ' '. , . :
. .
~,, "; ~1,.'' 1, , ,, . s , ~21~

3~73~3 ae~tral hole 211, Thq disc 210, th~ hole 211 and ~h~ inte~ral p~ 12 aro formed when the disc 210 is molded in an lnjection ~ldin~ machine. The reel 209 also includes a hub gen rally ~dicated at 213. The hub 213 has a central tubular hub portion ~1~ joined to an end wall 215. The pins 212 are received in m~ting holes 212' in the end wall, thereby k~ying the disc 210 ~nd 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 ~lexi~le, resilient, cantil~vsr ~ounted fingers 216. The fingers 216 extend slightly outwardly and away from each other while the core 208 is disposed thereon.
The freP ends of the fingers 216 have pro~ections 217. Each of the projections 217 has a pair of sloping face~ 218 and 219.
The facQ 218 facilitates loading of th~ label roll onto the hub 213, and the face 219 provides a ramp which prevent8 accidental shifting of the roll off from the hub 213, but 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. Th~ post o~
shaft 1~1 extenas through the hol~ 211 $n the di~c 210 and through a bore 200 in the hub portion 214. A retaineX Z21 rQoeived by the marginal end o~ the shafk 181 preve~t~ ~he ~eel 209 from shif~ing off the post or shaft 181 and p~ev0nts the hub 213 from s~parating ~rom the dlsc 210 ~a that t~ pi~s ?12 do not lose engagement with the holes 212'. The hu~ 213 i~
~180 injection molded. The di~c 210 defines ons edg~ ~ th~
~ed path so that the composite web 203 which i~ paid ~ut o~
tha roll starts irl precise alignmeJlt with the plat~ 17~ and th~ foo~ whe~l 171.

~2- :

~L~173'73~3 Docket M-274-C

; An actuator generally indicated at 222 is shown to take the form of a pivo~ally operated lever mounted by support 8tructure generally indicated at 222s including a pivot pin 223 received in an eccentric 224 in the form of a ~leeve~ The actuator 222 is urged in a counterclockwise direction (~IGURES
8 and 10) by a spring assembly 225. Briefly sta~edl the spring a~sembly 225 includes a comprQssion spri~g 226.
The actuator 222 carries a gear or gear section 227 having an opening 228 provided by a missing tooth~ ~he gear ~ection 227 is in meshing engagement with the gear ~ection 229 Of the gear 172. The gear sec~ion 229 has o~e large tooth 230 which meshes with the teeth adjacent the spaca 22~. In that the tooth 230 can only fit into the opening 228~ the actuator 222 can only be assembled in ~h~ proper relatiYe :`
po3ition with respect to the gear 172. The gear 172 also ha~
a gear section or segment 231 in meshing en~agament with the gear section or raak 232 formed integrally with the print head frame 194. The gear section 231 has an opening 233 provided by a mi~sing tooth and the gear section 232 ha3 on~ large tooth 234 received i~ the opening 233 so that ~he print head 170 can only be assembled in the proper relative position with respect ~' to the gear 172. Assuming the handle 159 i~ being held in th~
user'3 hand, the usPr's fingers can operate the actuator 222 to pivo~ the actuator 222 clockwise (FIGUR~S 8 and 103 aga~nst the orce of the spring 226 in the spring d~vice 2Z5~ thereby .
' '` ' ' ' ' ' ~3 ... . .

107373E~

causing the gear 172 to rotate counterclockwise to in turn drive the print head 170 into printing cooperation with 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 actuatox 222, the gear 172, and the print head 170 as well as other components to be described below, to their initial positions. Section~ 152 and 154 have stops 151~ .
A drive sha~t 235 is molded integrally with the gear 172. A support 236 in the form o a tube or tubular bearing i5 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 o~ transversely spaced-apart teeth 171' which engage the supporting material web 205, as is described bel ow in greater detail. The teeth 171 ' are shown exaggeratedly in FIGURE 21 ~o be inclined in the ~orward direction so as to catçh the ~eed edges in the web 205. The feed wheel 171 is shown to include a rim 238 to which the teeth 171 l are in~e~rally joined,.
The rim 238 is comprised of annular peripheral web enqageable sections or beads 238' and an intervening ~paCe or gap provided by an annular section 238" having a reduced or les~er diam~ter than the sections 238~. As shown in FIGURE 36~ the secti~ns 23~ a havin~ lands 116a which are shown to comp~ xelatively shar~
ridge~ so as to provide e~sentially line co~tact bet~een ,the web 205 and the lands 116a. Gap~ in thQ form of groove8 lL5a between the lands 116a and the section 238" reduce th~ cont~ct ~rea to a very small percentaga, less than ~i~ty percent and a~ illustrated , . . .

~4-. . ~ ..
, .: :, .

~07373f~

pref~rably less than ~e,n percent o~ the periphexal area which would otherwis~ conSti~u~e tha Sur~aca area of ~he feed wh~el 171. Some adhesive, gum or the like that adheres ~o the feed wheel 171 will collect in the gaps 115a, but because of thiso the ~xternal diameter of the feed wheel 171 as defined by the lands ll~a will not increase; such an increas~ in diameter would be detrimental in ~ha~ it would increase the lengths of the web which the feed wheel 171 would feed upon each actuation of actuator 222, By way of example no~ lLmitation, the depth of th9 gaps llSa is about 0.025 inch and each section 238~ has one hundred nineteen lands 116a. Although the lands 1}6a are characterized as being sharp they do not cut into the web 205 .
F8edins~ is brought about throucJ~h e,ngagement of the ~ee~h 171l :
with the web. The eed wheel being comprised at least at its periphery of plastics material (which inherently ha~ a low coefficient of friction). Additio,nally, the p~riph2ral surface of the feed wheel 171 iq preferably coated with either a liquid or a permanent coating of a material that tends to retard the accumulation o~ adhesive, gum or the like, ox to incorpoxate a suitable lubricant along with the pla~tic~ material from which the feed wheel 171 is molded. An annular wall 239 joins thQ rim 238 and a hub portion 240. The hub portion 240 has a bore portion 241 which merges into a larger bore portion 242. The bor~ portion 242 is provided with projections comprisad o~ a great number of grooves and ridges or flutes 244 which exténd ln thQ axial dircction. A rolling-contact type on~-waY clutoh 243 is xoceivcd in the bore portion 24~. The.initial ink~xnal diameter o~ the bore portion 242 defined by the crestæ of the projectionæ, that is, ridges 244 is lesæ than the outer diameter o~ the ... ,. ,.. ,. .. _ . ~
, .. .
-~5_ . s Docket M-27~-C-2 ~7373~

clutch 243. Th~ clutch is assembled into ~he feed wheel 171 by forcing the , . . . . . ................ . _ . .
clutch 243 into the bore portion 242 and the riages 244 yield ~slightly and frictionally hold the clutch 243 in the position shown in FIGUR~ 18. The clUtch 243 ha~ a plurali~y of rollex8 245 Which contact the outer circular cylindrical surPace 246 of the support 236. The one-way clutch 243 act3 as a bearing and enabl8s the feed wheel 171 to rotate clockwi~e a~ viewsd in FIGU~ES 8 and 17 but prevent~ counterclockwi~e movement. By way of example not limitation, a ~pecific embodlment of a clut~h which is useful in the present invention is made by The Torring~on Company, Torrington, Connecticut 06790 U.S.A. and i~
described in their catalog RC-6, Copyright 1969, and i8 r~ferred to as a roller clutch, catalog No. RC~081208. . ,~
A fragmentary portion of the clutch 243 is shown in FIGURES 19 and 20. In the po~ition show~ in FIGURE 19, khe clutch 243 is preventing the feed wheel 171 from rotating counter-cloc~wise in that the roller~ 245 are in wedging con~act with respective inclined surfaces 247, wherea~ in FIGU~E 20 the feed wheel 171 is shown to be rotating in the dlr~ctlon of arxow ~.
A and the rollers 245 are not binding between the 3urfac~ 247 and the surface 246. Th~ clutch 243 is ~pring load~d in that springs diagrammatically indicated at 248 urge the roll~rs 245 continuously against both the ~urfaces 246 ar~ 247 ~o ~;ha,t any backlash of the clutch 243 is neglig~ble and 1~ 8ub-stantially less than in the event a pawl i~ used. The ~eed wheel 171 also includes webs 249 which ~oin the rim 238 7 the wall 239, and the hub 240 . The inner periph~xy of th~

, .

.

73'738 rim 238 on one side of the wall 239 has a plurality of groov,~s 250 and ridges 251 in an annular arrangement. The grooves 250 ~nd ridges 251 extend in the axial direction. A r~tchet wheel generally indicated at ZS2 ha~ a plurality of ratchet teeth 2~3.
ThQ teeth 253 are formed integrally with on,e side Of a wall 254 An, annular wall or flange 255 shown to have a plurality of equally spaced-apart openings 256 has a plurality of qrooves 257 ~nd ridges 258. The grooves 250 and ridge~ 251 and the grooves 257 and rid~es 258 have ~he same pitch and are complementary with respect to each other. The ratchet wheel 252 also has an annular hub 259 with an internal bore 260. The ~,upport 236 -~:
is adapted to extend into ~he bore 260 to a po~itlon in which the end of l:he hub 259 contacts one end of the clutch 2~3. In thi8 position, the ridses 258 and qrooves 257 of the ratchet wheel 252 are received respectively ~n the complementary r2spective gro~ves 250 and ridges 251 of thi~ eed wheeL 171.
By moving the ratchet wheel out of its assi~mbled pos,itio~ to the position shown in FIGURE 18, the positi,Dn o~ tha ratchet wheel 252 relative to the feed wheel 171 can be ~el~actively changed. Such a change will result in a change of ~e~istration of the label 207 at the printing zo~e be~ween the print head 170 and the platen 174 and in a change in position to which the web 205 and the leading label 207 are advanced relative ~o the delaminator 1i5.
.. . . . . . . . , . _ . . . .. .. . . ..

.. ~ .. ,, .. , . ., ., . , , . _ .
... . . .. . ;
The grooves 250 and ridg~s 251 cooperable with' respective ridges, 258 and groove8 257 key th,e feed wh2el 171 ~,nd the ratchet whesl 252 together agains~ rçlativ~ rotatlon.
Also the feed wheel 171 and the ratchet wheel 252 Can ~otate only in one direction due to the action of th~ clutch 243~

2 7-- . ~ r ~; . . r .... .
. ~ , ' '. .

~73~3~3 Drive shaft 235 i~ rotatably mounted in a circular cylindrical bore 261 in the support 236. The drive ~haft 235 receives a split yieldable hub 263 o~ 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 ~een for example, in FIGURE lO. Like the gear 172, the feed wheel 171 and the ratchet wheel 252, the pawl structure 264 $s composed of molded plastics material. The split hub 263 has an in~ernal bore 266 with a flat 267 which is received against a ~lat 262 on the shaft 235. A clamp 268 is received about the hub 2~3.
The clamp 268 places the split hub 263 under hoop compre~sion 80 that the pawl s~ructur~ 264 is securely a~d reliably but removably mounted on the shaft 235. Becau~e of the cooperable flats 262 and 267 and because the drive shaft 235 is formed integrally with the gear 172, the pawl structura ~6~ and the gear 172 rotate as a unit. When the operator 222 1~ pivoted clock-w~se~ as viewed in FI~URES ~Q and lO~ the gear 172, as previously described, rotates counterclockwise. Counterc1Ockwise rotation o~ the gear 172 causes the pawl structure 204 to al~o~rotate counterclockwise, thereby bringing the pawl 26$ into driving relationship with the next successive tooth 253. Upo~ release of the actuator 222, the return spring 226 cau~e~ th~ ~ear ~72 and the pawl structure 264 to rotate d ockwise. A~c~rd ~ gly, the drive end 269 of the pawl 265 drive~ the ratch~t ~he~l ~5 and the feed wheel 171 in a clockwise direc~ion~ the~y~cau~ln~
advance of the composite web ~03.
.
, ' : -28-, . . . :

:; :
.
With reference to FIGURES 21 through 23 there is sho~ a brake n~echanism generally indicated at 270. The brake mechanism 270 includes a brake member 271 and an arm ~ :
272 integrally joined by a hub 273. The hub 273 i~ pivotally mounted on a stud 273' secured to the ~rame plate 155 0 The brake member 271 includes a flexible resilient brake shoe 274 for applying a braking force against the composite web 203.
tension spring 27 5 (FIGURES 8 and 11 ) is connected at one end to a turned-up tab 276 o~ the frame plate 155 and at its other end to a post 277 ~ormed integrally with the brake mamber 271.
~he post 277 extends through an arcuate slot 278 in the ~ram~
plate 155 and the spring 275 connecti the tab 276 a~d th~ post 27~ on the fron~ side o~ the ~rame pla~e 155 as viewed in FIGURE ;~
11. The tab 276 and the post 277 are so situa~ed relative to the axis of the stud 273' that the spring 275 normally urges the brake member 271 and the arm 272 into one of two ovexcenter positions. In FIGU~E 23, the spring 275 is exerting a spring force along centerline 279.
The print head 170 is shown to be provided with-a pa~r of spaced-apart abutments 280 and 281. In the retracted position ~:
of the pxin~ head 170 shown ln FIGURE 23, the` a~m 272 iB againSt the abutment 280 and the brake shoe 274 is in contact;with the composite web 203 upstream of tha platen 174.. Vpon op~iation ~
the actuator 222, the print head 170 i~ drive~ om the re~xac~ed .. . . . . .
` position shown in ~I~URE 23 to ~he extended p~ on ~wn ia~ ~
FIGURE 22, causing abutment 2B1 to con~ot aald p;5~4~ t~ arm: 2~2 ~:
., ,,, ., , ~.. .

.

: ' ~, , ' ' , -~L073~738 and to consequently pivot the brake member 271 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 2~, and thus moving the brake shoe 274 out of braking cooperation with the composite web 203. In the position as shown in FIGURE 22, ~he spring 275 exerts a force along centerline 282 which is now on the other side of the axis of the stud 273'0 The arm 272 and the brake member 271 remain in the posi~ion shown in FIGUR~ 22 until such time as the print head moves ar enough away ~rom the platen 174 toward its retracted position to enable the abutment 280 to -.
contact the arm 272. When the abutmen~ 280 contacts the arm 272, the arm 272 and the brake member 271 are pivoted S4 that the spring force is again exerted along centexline 279, thereby :~
~ausing the arm 272 and the brake member 271 to remain in the position shown in FIGU~E 23, until the next cycle, when the print head 170 again moves toward the platen 174 and th~ arm 272 is contacted by the abutment 281.
Due to the overcenter arrangement, the arm 272 and the brake member 271 remain in the position shown in FIGURE 22 until almost the very end of the movement of ~he print head 170 to its retracted position (FIGURE 23). During th~
retracted moveme~t of the prin~ head 170, the pawl 265 driYes ~ -the ratchet wheel 252 and the feed wheel 171 ta advancé the composite web 203. The brake 270 is effective substantially simultaneously with the completion of feeding o~ the we~ 203 .

; :

1~)73'73~

With reference to FIGUR~ 22 initially, the brake mechanism 270 is also shown to include a brake member 283 which has a bxake shoe 284 composed of a fl~xible resilient materialO
During use o~ the apparatus, the brake member 283 i~ stationary in the position shown in FIGuRE 22. However~ during loading of the composite web 2030 the brake member 283 can be mnved manually to its ineffective position sho~m in FIGU~E 21. The brake member 283 is integrally joined by a hu~ 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 has an elongated 810t 2as which receives the pos~ 178 and a pin 290 s~cured to the arm to provide a pin-and-slot connec~ion~ The slide 288 has a f~nger-engageable projection 288' by which the slide 28~ can ba moved between the position shown in FIGUR~ 22 and the position shown in FIGURE 21. As the slide 288 moves from the position shown in FIGURE 22 to the position ~hown in FIGURE 21, the pin 290 cooperates with the slot 287 to pivot tbe a~m 286 and the brake member 283 counterclockwi~q o that th~ b~ake member 283 is in i~s ineffective position sho~n in FIGURE 21.:~ A shaft 291 extends through a bore 292 i~ the slide 288. Beaause o~ the , po~ition of the axis of the shaft 291 as viawed in FIGURE~
in whi~h the arm 286 is counterclockwise o~ the position shown in FIGU~E 22, the brake member 283 is in it~ i~e~ec~iv~ position.
When the shaft 291 has moved to the pos~tion ~oW~ ~n F~IGUR~$ `
~2 and 23t the arm 2a6 has moved clockwi~e and henc~ ~h~ ~rake memb~r 2~3 is in it~ e~f~ctive po~itio~. Wl~h re~r~nce:~o FIGURE 239 due to the inclination of ~he brake mombRr 271 and ,-~he location of th~ brake shoe 274 r81ative ~o the ~rake ~hoe -31- ~ :
, Y' . . : , .
.

~37313 284 tha brake 270 is self-energizing. Thust when a label -207 is bein~ applied, the tug that the label exerts on the web 203 upstream of the delarlinator 175 causes the brake 270 to ex~rt an even greater braking force on the web 203.
The shaf~ 291 moun~s a roll generally indicated at 293 comprised of a roll memb~r 294 on one side of the ~lide 288 and a roll member 295 on the o~her ~ide of the sliae 288~ The shat 291 also pas~es through an elongated arcua~e ~lo~ 296 of an arm 297 which is pivotally connected to a pin 29~ ~FIGU~ES
8, 17 and 21) of the gear 172. A washer 299 (FIGU~E 8) is d~sposed on the shaft 291 between the roll mem~er 294 and the arm 297 and a retractable guide 300 i5 disposed on the shaft 291 batween the roll member 295 and a retainer 301 secured to the marginal and of tha shaft 291. Guide 3ection 312 has an integral pin 300' received in an elongated slot 3~0" in the guide 300. In ~he position shown in FIGURE 10 in which the guide 300 is shown in its retracted solid line position, the guide 300 is out of guiding relationship with respect to the side ~dge of the composite web 203. In the positio~ ~how~ in phan~om lines 300PL i~ FIGURE 10, ths guid~ 3~0 is i~ it8 effective guiding position.
The shaft 291 is secured to an arm 302 ~PIG~RE5 21 through 23) pivotally mounted on a stud 303 ~ar~le~ by khe frame plate 155. A tension spring 304 i8 connect~d ~t it~ one end to a tab 305 formed integrally with the arm 30~ ~nd at its other end to a pin 306 secured to the frame plate 15S. I~
the position shown in FIGURE 22, the xoll 29~ :is 1~ cooperation '' ~,; . ' ' : ' . . .; , .

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

~L~7373~ :

with the feed wheel 171 and the arm 302 is in it~ most clock-wise position. In this position o~ the arm 302, the spring 304 ex~rts a force along centerline 307 on one sida of axis 308 of the stud 303 tending to urge the arm 302 and th~ roll 293 which it carries into their most clockwi~e positions best shown in FIGURE 22. In FIGURE 21~ the arm 302 and ~he roll 293 ~re in their most cou~terclockwise po~itions and the ~pring 30 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 is apparent that the user can shift the slide 288 into the position shown by exer~ing a force to the left on the projectiQn 282'. Not only are the roll 293~ the guide 300, ~he arm 302 which it carries~
the associated arm 286, and the brake member 283 moved ~o t~le position ~hown in FIGURE 10 and h~nce the roll 293, the guide 300, ~nd th~ brake 270 are deactivated, but the spring 304 (FIGURE 21) holds these components in th~t posltion for easy loading of the apparatus 150. It is noted in FIGURE 10( that ~he shaft 291 is at one end of the slot 296 in the arm 297.
Assuming the apparatus ha~ been threaded with he labal supply, upon the first actua~ion of the actuator 222~ ~he a~ 2~7 acting on th~ shaft 291 will cause the anm 302 to be PiVot~d cQunter~
clockwise (FIGURE 10~ so that the roll 293 lS retu~ed to cooperation with the supporting materlal web ~0~ and ~h~ feed wheel 171, so ~hat ~he guide 300 i5 moved int~ guidin~
cooperation with the side edge of t~e ~b 203~ and ~o ~hat ~
brake member 283 i~ moved to it~ e~ac~ive po8ition:. a~ ~own in -33- ~ , . ~,9 ~., I, j,., ~173~38 FIGURE 23, Subsequent operAtion of the actuator ~22 wlll cause the arm 297 to move relative to the shaft 291 but because of the slot 296 the arm 297 will have no effect on the shaft 291.
Optionally, the slide 288 and the operatively associated aomponents can be re~urned from the position shown in FIGUX~S
10 and 21 to tha position shown in FIGURE 23 by pushing the projection 288' to the right as viewed in FIGURE 10.
~ rom the place where the composite web 203 is paid out of the roll, it passes over and in contact with a resilient device 310 in the form of a curved leaf spring. The resilient device 310 deflects when the feed wheel 171 is advancing the composite web 203 and after the brake ~70 is appli~d the device 310 gradually returns as addltional web 203 is caused to be paid out of the supply roll. Track structure generally indicated at 311 includes guide track sections 312, 313 and 314. The track section 31~ has a forked end 315 which i8 received by ~:
marginal end 316 of an extension 318 of the platen 174. The track section 312 has a short tubular portion 319 which i~
received by the post 179. ~ccordingly~ the ~rack ~ection 312 is securely held in position relative to the rame pla~e 155 b~
the mar~inal end 316 and by the post 1790 A~ter passing în contact with the xesilient device 310, the composite w2b 203 enters a first zone ~1 above the track structure 312 and below the print head 170. The print head 170 carries a roll 32 comprised of a plurality of for example, three roller~ 321 rotatably moun~ed on a sha~t 322 mounted on the prink head 170.
The rollers 321 deflect the composite web 203 into contact with the track sèction 312 a~ ~he print head 170 mo~e~ b~tween ~34- ! "

1~7373~1 its retracted position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 10 and the printing position shown in phantom lines in FIGURE 10.
The roll 320 reduces to a minimum the frictional force which would otherwise exis$ if the composite web 203 would be rubb~d by the print head 170. In that there are a plurality o rollers 321 there is no tendency to bind on the shaft 322 as if only one long roll (not sho~) were provided. From the zone æl the composite web 203 passes partly around a roll generally indicated at 323 which is comprised of a plurality! or example three, rollers 177. The rollers 177 can rotate fresly on the post 176. In that a plurality of rollers 177 are p~ovided, there is no tendency of these rollers 177 to bind on ~he post 176 a~ if only one long roll (not shown) were providedO After the composite web 203 passes around the roll 323, a label 207 o~ the composite web 203 i~ disposed between th~ platen 17~ and the print head 170. FIGU~E 10 shows one o~ the labels 207 as being almost entirely delaminated from the supporting material web 205 and ready to be applied by applicatox 173. The app}icator 173 is ~hown to comprise a roll rotatably mounted on a post 325 secured to the frame plate 155, although other typeg of applica tors can be used instead if desired. A removable retainer 326 maintains the applicator 173 on the post 325. In the loading position ~hown in FIGURE 10, the compo~ite web 203 passes partly around an end of the slide 288 and par ly aroun~ the ~oll 2~3 and from there partly around the feed wheel 171. ~he sh~ft 17B carries a xoller 327 ~FIGU~E 8) betw~en thë ~ub 2~5 and the fxame plate 155 and a roller 328 di~posed betw~en the slide 288 and a retainer 329. When the ~lid~ 2~8 i~ 1n.the --35 . .

:~0 73'73~

position shown in FIGUR~ 22, for example, the web 205 i~ in sliding contact with the end of the slide 288 and in rolling contact with the rollers 327 and 328~
The track section 313 cooperates with the track section 314 to provide a discharge chute at a zone Z2 through which the supporting material web 205 exits. The track section 313 has a pair of spaced-apart tubular portions 330 and 331 received respec~ively by posts 179 and 180. The track section 313 has an inte~rally formed curved retaining bracke~ 332 which passes partly around a flan~e 333 of a post 334. Thus, the trac~ section 313 is secured to the frame plate 155 and to the housing section 152. The track section 313 lncludes a channel~s~laped portion 335 to which the connector 332 is joinedO
The track section 314 has an offset flange 336 whiGh fits in~o the channel-shaped portion 33S to interlock the track secti~n 314 with the track section 313, The track ~ection 314 also has a curved retaining brackèt 337 which extend~ partly around ~he ~.:
flange 333 and has a pair of spaced-apart offset flanges 338 and 339 which fit against the outside of the channel shaped portion 335. A ~ubular portion 330' secures one end of ~he ~rack section 314 to the frameplate and the flanges 336, 338 and 339 :~
interloc~ the track sections 313 and 314. The tubular portion 319 is received by the post 179 betwPen the tubular portion 330 and 330'. The track structure 311 al80 include~ a stripper 340 which engage~ the smooth annular outer surface 171a of th~ feed wheel 171. The strlpper 340 is provided with a pa~r o~ o~f5et flanges 341 and 342 which ~it re pectively into groove8 343 and 344 in the trac~ section 313. Tha post 179 i~ longer than the com-bined lengths o~ tho tubular portions 319, 330 and 330' and .
.
-36- ~

1(:1'~3~3~3 thus a projection 345 ~ormed i~tegrally with the stripper 340 can fit snugly into the end of the tubular portion 331.
As best shown in FIGURE 26, the re~ilient dev~ce 310 has a marginal end 346 having a pair o~ holes 347.
connector 348 includes a plate s~ction 349, a pair of ups~anding aligned members 350 which lie in one plane~ and a member 351 which lies in a plane parallel to the plane of members 350.
~ach mamber 350 include~ a tapered stud 352. The de~ice 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 maxginal end 346 ~lexes slightly to allow thi~ to happen. The member 351 retains the spring device 310 in the assembled~pa6ition relative to the connector. The connector 348 i received in an undercut recess 3;3 in the track section 312 as shown in FIGUR~ 10. ThQ
housi~g is shown to have an opening 354 ~FIGURB 10) havi~g .~;
xelatively sharp external sdges 355 and 356 ~hich can serve as cutting edges for removing ~he excess web 205. The kpife 355 can cut the web 205 by drawing the w~b 205~upwardly a~d the knif2 356 can cut the web by pulling the web dow~ ardly.
The housing section ~53 mounts a lo.ak ~enerally ~ ;
indicated at 357 best shown in FIGUR~S 24 a~d 2S. ~e~lo~k 357 includes a slide member 358 received in ~n elo~t~pock~t 35~:.
in the housing section 153. The ~lide 358 i~clu~a ~an~ally engageable projection 360 for movin~ the~slide 357 ag~h~
foxce of a compression spring 361. The 8p~in~ 36.~:b~r~
against a ~lange 362 and the end of ~he ~ot`~fi3 :r ;
'; ~ , .
-37~ o~
~i"~ ,"~

.
.

~0'73738 358 includes a pair of spac~d apart generally parallel flexible resilient arm,s 36~ ha~ing respective projections 365 and ~apered faces 366. In a~sembling the slide 358 onto the ~ousing section 153, the slide is manually pressed into the slot 363; this causes the arms 364 to yiel~ resiliently and to retuxn once their projections 365 are against the inside of the housi~g section 153 as shown in FIGUnE 25. A block 367 disposed between and spaced from the arms 364 has a blind hole 368 fox receiving the other end portion of the spring 361. In its asse~bled condition, the spring 361 urgas on tha block 367 ~-oward end 369 of the slo~ 363. When the housing section 153 is in the position to be locked, a curved tip or retaining edga 370 of the block 367 is received in an annular recess 371 in the pQSt 179, thereby locking the s~ction 153 in place. To u~lock.
the lock 357 and remove the housing section 153/ the p~ojection 360 is pushed generally ~o the left as viewed in FIGURE 24, . : :
thereby moving the tip 370 out of the recess 371 and com~ressing the spring 361, and thereupon the ~ection 153 can be un~napped ~rom the remainder of the housing. ~hen it i~ desired to replac~
the housing section 153, the housing section 153 is positio~ed so that the flanges 164 (FIGURE 8) are behiDd th~ ~la~ge 165 and ~hen the housing section 153 is ~lmply ~napped into its final l~cked position. In so doing, the member~ 16~ ~nap i~tQ rece~es 167 and the lock 357 lock automatically9 Tbis aUt~matic locking of the lock 357 is feasible because of the cam fac~ 37~ on the block 367 which cooperates wlth a cham~exQd or ~m ~w ~ 3-73 ,; ' ' ~
'.
.
-~38-.

'''' ` ' ' ' 'fi','` ~

-1~'73738 on the post 179. As the housing section 153 is pushed into place the cam face 372 cooperates with the cam ~ace 373 to cause the slide 358 to be moved generally to ~he lef~ (FIeUR~
24) away from end 369 of the slot 363. When the housing section 153 is snapped into place, the tip 370 moves into alignment with the recess 371, and this allows the entire slide 358 to move generally to the right (FIGURE 24 ) ~o 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 gear section 227 and the gear section 229 o~ the gear 172 to have preeise meshing engagement in spite of manufacturing variations.
This is especially true in that the gear 172 is mounted by a support 236 secured to the frame plate 155 and the actuator 222 is mounted in the handle 159 of the hou8ing at a consi~erable distance ~rom the axis of the support 236. The eccsntric 224 has an outer circular cylindxical surface and an eccentric internal bore 3760 The pin 223 i5 received in the bore 376. The housing section 154 has a boss 37~. A hole generally indicated at 380 extends through the hou8ing section 154 and its boss 379. The hole i~ s~epped so as to provide a shoulder 381. A self-tapping screw 382 passes through the hole 380 and is threadably received in an elonga~ed hole 223' ~n the pin 223~ As the screw 382 is tightened, the end o the pin 223 is drawn against the should~r 381 by the h~ad o~ the ~c~ew 382. The housing section 160 has a boss 383 with a g~e~t .

-39- :

:
: ` :

3~38 number of ridges 3~4 and grooves 385 as best shown in FIGUR~
1~. The eccentric 224 has external ridges 386 anfl gxoove~ 3B7 arranged concen~rically with respec~ to the eccentric hole ~23~.
A hole generally indica~ed at 388 extcnds thro-lgh the housing ~ection 160 and it~ bo~s 383. The hole 388 i6 of reduced di~mete;

at a shoulder 3890 A self-tapping screw 390 bears against the shoulder 389 and is threaded into the hole 223' in the sleeve 223. It is appar~nt that by loosening the screw 382 and removing thQ housing section 154 and by shifting the eccentric 224 on the sleeve 223 so that the ridges 386 and groove~ 387 lose contact with the respective gxooves 385 and ridge~ 384~ the eccentric 224 can be manually rotated relative to the housing gec~ion 160 on the sleeve 223 until the ecc~ntric 224 is at the ~elected position and then the eccentric 224 can be shifted back into the holes 388 so that its ridges 386 and grooves 387 are aqain in locking engagement with respective grooves 385 and xidges 384. In this manner the meshing engagement Qf the gear sections 227 and 229 can be initially pr8cisely adjuoted and maintained in adjustment during use. As an aid to rota ing tha eccentric 224 while making the adjustment~ ~h~ eccentxic 224 is provided wlth a knurled section 391 whi~h aan be easily gripped by the assembler's fingers. :
With reference to FIGURE 27 therc ~s ~hown th~
delaminator l~S. The delaminator compris~ ~ injection mol~ed one-piece support 392 having a pair of ~xked en~ ~ectio~s 393t :
a plate-like retain~r portion 39~, and a channel-~hap~d end por~ion 395~ The forked portion~ 393 are r~ei~ed i~.re~pective ~utouts 396 of the platen 174 and khe ~han~el-ahaped~portion 395 i '~. ;.

-40- :, ~ , .

'' ' ' "" '' ' .
- ~:; ~ , ~.~'73~

rec~ived under a marginal end 397 of the platen 174. The portion 394 is flexible and resilient so as to enable a projection 398 to snap into a hole 398' in the platen 174 as shown in FIGURE 27O The hole 398' is disposed so that between the places where the printing bands 201 contact the platen 174 so that the hole 398' will not interfere with the printing function. A plurality of small diameter rollers 400, for example, seven in number, are rotatably mounted on a rod 3993 It is preferred that the diameter of the rollers 400 be as small as `
possible so tha~ the supporting material web 205 is caused to undexgo a very sha~p change in direction. By way of ex~mple t not limitation, the outer diameter of the xoll~rs 400 i5 about 0.08 inch, the inside diameter is about 0O05 inch, and the length i5 about 0.150 inchO The outside diameter o~ the shaft 399 is about 0.04 inchO There are a plurality 9f r~latively small rollers 400 in that the rollers 400 rotate considerably more freely than would a roll having a combined length o~ all the rollers 400.
With reference to FIGURE 11~ ink roll 401 ? S shown to be rotatably mounted on a post 401' secured to an arm 402.
The arm 402 is pivotally mounted on a post 403 secured to the frame plate 155. A tension spring 404 is c~nne~ted at one end to an upstanding tab 405 on the arm 402 and it9 other end ~o a post 406 mounted on the frame plate 155. Th~ arm 402 and ~he ink roll 401 are shown in one extreme po~ition by sol~d lines in which the print head i~ in its x~trac~ed p~ition and by .

~ 7373~3 ^
phanto~ lines in which the print head 170 is in its e~ended or printing position. The shaft 401' extends through an arcuate sl~t 407 in the frame plate 155. With reference to FIGUR~ 28, the ink roll 401 is shown to compri3e a hub generally indicated at 408. The hub 408 is shown to include a paix of hub portions 409 and 410 having respective bores 411 :~
and 412 aligned with respect to each other. The shaft ~01' is shown ~o be received in the bores 411 and 412D The hub portion 409 has a reduced-diamet~r, continuous, annular projection 413 received in a continuous annular socket 414. 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 resilient material of which the hub portions 409 and 410 is composed yiald~. It is a feature of the invention that the head 416 in the socket 414 provides an ink-tight seal so that ink contained in a porous roll 417 received about the hub 408 cannot seep into the bores 411 and 412 to cake or gum up which would in~er~ere with the free rotation of the ink roll 401 on the 5haft 401'. ?
The hub portions 409 and 410 have respective annular outwardly extending flanges 418, The fla~ges 418 bear agains~ bearing surfaces 419 at each side of the print head 170. Th~ groove 415 and the mating bead 416 obviate the need ~or a aepar~t~
seal member (not shown). A washer 420 is receiYed b~ th~ sha~
~01' between the hub section 410 and the ~rame plat~ 15$~ ~Iub secti~ n 409 has an in~egrally formed flexible resilie~ ~inge~
or pr~ojec~ion 421 shown ~o be received in a continuou~ an~ular groovc 422 near the free end of the shat 401lo ~ ~he ink roll 173 is inserted onto the shaPt 401', the Ping~r 421 yi~ld~
.

,, - .;

~ 3'7~3 and then i3 received ir~ the groove 422 to removably hold the roll 401 on the shaft 401'. The hub portion 409 al~o has an exterl~ion 423 and an obstruction 424 ln khe ~o~m of ~ ldge wh~ch exter~ds into alignment with the boxe~ 411 and 412. The obstruction 424 prevent~ the ink roll 401 from b~ing in~erted onto the ~haft 401' in the wro~g direction in whlch event ~he re~ilien~ finger 421 would not b~ able to cooperat~ wi~h the groove 422 and the ink roll 401 might shift of f the shaft 4019.
P~eferring to FIGU~E 9 there i8 shown the composite web 203 which cons~itute~ an improvement over U.S. paterlt No. 3,783~083. Groups 425 of bar cut~ or ~lits are provided at longitudinally ~paced-apart intervals along khe length of the composite web 203. Although there are ~hown to be t~o spaced-part groups 425 of cu~s disposed between the butt-cuts 206 whlch define the end edge~ of each lab~l 207; one o~ mor0 than two group~ 425 call be provided in each label 207~ and althou~h the groups 425 are shown to be generally centrally located between khe end edges of the re~pss:tive la}:els 207, the group 425 can be a~ other iocation~. Ea~h group 425 o~ cuts i~ shown to be in a generally T-shaped configuration and tc~ ~ompr~e a transversely aligned pair of bar cut~ or sli~s 426I~ in and praferably ~hrough the label material 2~4 and.a tran~rer~ely alignad pair of bar cuts or ~lit~ 426S i~a ~he supporting mater~al 205. The resp~ctive pair~ of cuts 426L and ~265~ ar~ ~aparated by respectiYe lands 427L and 427S. I.ol~gitud~nal~,y extending ~ar cuts or 81it8 428L and 428S are shown t~ extand i~ and pxe~erably ,.,: .: , -; ~
, ~ 5 --43-- ~

?
' ' ;, , .
.

~'73~738 through the label material 204 and through supporting material 205 respectively to the respective lands 427~ and 427S. There are also two longitudinally extending bar cuts or slits 429 which extend in and preferably through the label material 204 across each of the butt-cuts 206 into the marginal ends of the labels 207. The cuts 429 howPver extend only through the label material 204. The two cuts 426S and ~he cut 428S of a group are aligned with xespective two cuts 426L and the cut 428L
of the group. When the teeth 171' of the f~ed wheel 171 engage the supporting material 205 at the cuts 428S, the poxtion of the web between the adjacen~ 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 almo~t as wide as the combined length of adjacent cuts 426S and khe intervening land 427S so that a substantial portion of the length of each cut 426S provides a drive faceO
In order to load the apparatus 150, the housing section 153 is first removed by moving the projection 360 generally to the right (FIGURE 8). ~ext the projection 288 t iS moved generally to the left as viewed in FIGVRE lO to cause brake member 283, roll 293 and guide 300 to move to ~heir ineff~ctive positions. If there is a spent core 20~ on the reel 209, then the core 208 is removed manually and a new ~upply roll i~ pushed onto the hub 213. ~he leading end of the composite web 203 is passed over the resilient device 310 and pushed into the zone a3 best shown in FIGURE lO. From there the ~eb 203 i9 p~ssed around roll 323 and around the delaminator 175~ a~d fr~m th~re the web 203 is passed around the end o~ the ~lide 2~3.and under ~he roll 293. From there the web 203 i~ pafi~d p~r~ly around , -~4- j .

,........ ~. . . , '': ,' , ,.-1~73'7~

the feed wheel 171 and. through the zone Z2. The entire threading of the composite web 203 just described can be accomplished without removin~ any of the labels 207 from the supporting material web 205. Now khe print head 170 can be set to print the selected indicia on the :Label 207 which i8 registered with the plat~n 174. Upon ~he first actuation of the actuator 222, the gear 172 causes the arm 297 to pull slide 288 to the ~ight as viewed in FIGURE 10, thereby causing the roll 293 ~o move into cooperation with the web 203 and the ~eed wheel 171, to cause the brake member 283 to move i~to its effective position as shown in FIGURE 23, and to cause the guide 300 to move to its effective position shown by phantom lines 30~PLo In that the ixst actuation of the actuator 222 from it~ initial position drives the gear 172 to in turn drive the print head 170 into printing cooperation with the platen 174, the label 207 at the p~inting position or zone will be printed7 When the print head 170 is in printing cooperation wit~ the platen 174, th~ drive end 269 of the pawl 265 has moved into po~ition adjacent the next successive tooth 253 of the ratchet wheel 2520 Upon release o~ the a~tuator 222, the ~pring 226 of the assembly 225 will cause the actuator 222 to pivot countercloc~wise ~FIGURE 10) thereby cau~ing the gear 172 and the pawl 265 to move clockwise. This movement of the pawl 265 cau~es ~he feed wheel 171 to rotate clockwise. In tha~ the feed wheel 171 and th~ roll 293 are in cooperation the t~eth 1~1~ will br~ak through the portion of the supporting material 205 be~we~n the end~ of the bar-cut 428S and the adjacent ends o~ the ~ar-~u~s 4~6S.
The teeth 171' engage the drive faces ~ormed by th~ b~r~cuts 426S to advance the web 203 when the ~eed wh~el 171 1~ ro~tated.

-4 5 .:

",., - , . ~ . . . .
, - , . ' '' 10~373~

~he cycle operation is complete when the actuator 222 has raturn~d to it~ initial position. During continued operation of the apparatus 150, label~ 207 are succes6ively delaminated from the supporting material web 205. It lS apparent that upon each actuation and release of the acttlator 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 almost 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 rawinder 440 is shown to include a unitary body 441 having a generally annulàx portion 442 defining a compartment 443. The body 441 has an inlet por~ion or inlet 4~4 with an inlet slit or narrow ~lot 445.
~he annular portion 442 is open at its one side ~ shown and has a side wall 446 closing of~ i~s other side. The inle~ 444 has a connector 447 including a pair of notches 448 and 449 ~:
adjacent flanges 450 and 451. The rewinder 440 ~s removably connected to the apparatus 150 by sliding the connector 447 through the open end of the opening 354~ As the ~uppo~ing material web 205 passes through xone Z2 it enter~ t~e lnlet slot ;' 445 and winds into a roll as shown in FIGURE 33. T~ ~n~ide of the annular portion 442 is provided with a s~al~oped configura-tion defin~d by ridges 335 and intervening ~rooves 336~ As the web 205 contacts only th~ ridges 335 the~e 1~ ve~y~ tle ~A ' ~, ' ;.
,~

: . :

.. ' . ; ~ ! ' '~',' ' '. ' :
~`'~,`,';',','~
' '' ' ~ ' . " ' ' ~ " ' ' ' ' ' , .' ' . ' ' . ~ ' ~' ' ~7373~

friction between th~ portion of the web 205 and the ridges 335. In addition, the inside of the compartment 443 can ~e coated with a suitable lub.~icant such as silicone. Viewing both FIGURES 10 and 33~ it is noted that tha web 205 i~ wound up in the rewinder 440 i.n the same direction of curl of the web 205 caused by the web 205 being wound on the roll R. This facilitates rewinding. The end of the inlet slot 445 terminates at a cuttin~ edge or knife 457 by which the portion of ~he web 205 in the compartment 443 can be severed ~rom the remainder of the web 205 simply by reaching into the open side of the compartment 443 and pulling the web 205 against tha knife 457 In ~he embodiment of FIGURES 34 and 35, a rewinder 460 is shown to include a unitary body 461 having a generally annular portion 462 deining a compartment 463. The body 461 has an inlet portion or inlat 464 with an inlet slit or narrow ~lot 445. The annular portion 462 has a side wall 466 closing off one side. The inlet 464 has a c~nnector 467 ide~tical to the connector 447. The inside of the annular portion 462 is provided with a scalloped configuration like that o the rewinder embodiment of FIGU~ 8 and 33. The inlet 464 terminates at a cutting edge or knife 477. A shaft ~78 i8 foxmed integrally with the wall 466 and rotatably mounts a spool or reel 479. The reel 479 includes a hub 480 integrally joined to a disc 481. A compression spring 482 received about the shaf~
478 bears against the side wall 466 and a shoulder 483 in~ide the hub 480. A shaft 484~ snap-fitted into spac~d-apax~ holders 485, is joined to an annular portion 486. The annular p~rtion 486 seats a fl~xible resilient O-ring or other ~uitable ,;
~47-~73738 frictional drive member 487. The drive member 487 is in ~ictional contact with the di~c 481 and the disc 210. The d~ive member 487 contacts a radiused annular portion 488 of the disc 4~1 and the surface of disc 210~ The holder~
485 have respective annular portions 489 which extend throu3h 81ightly more than 130 so that the shaft 484 can be snapped into the annular portions ~89 or removed therefrom i~ desired.
A compression spring 490 received about the sha~t 484 ex~rts a force on one of the holders 485 and th~ annular portion 486.
The ~orce exerted by the spring 490 is greater than the force exerted by the spring ~82 so the drive member 487 i~ always urged into contact with the disc 210 and the drive member 487 is always urged into con~act with the disc 481.
A finger 491 is formed integrally with the disc 481 ~ and extends generally parallel to the hub 480. Marginal end i 205' of ~he supporting material web 205 is received between the hub 480 and the finger 491. The annular portion 486 and the drive member 487 constitutes an idler or idler wheel generally . ;~
lndicated at 492. It is apparent that the reel ~0~ i~ drivingly coupled to the reel 479. A~ the apparatus 150 is opera~ed the disc 210 turns, thereby driving the idler wheel 492 which in turn drives the reel 479~ The purpose of the idlex wheel 492 ls to cause the reel 479 to rotate in the directisn of the natur~l curl of the web 205 on the roll R. In the illustrated embodiment the reel ~79 turn~ in the same direction as the rcel 209.

~' , .
.

~; - , ~ : '. :
.`' . ' .' . ' ' : ' 3~
Docket M~274-C-l By way o~ ex~mple, not limitation, the apparatus of the disclosed embodiments is constructed mainly o~ molded plastics material. In the embodiment of FIGURES 8 and 10 through 36, all the components are composed of molded plastics material, ~xcept the ~rame plate 155 and the platen 174 which are praferably composed of a rigid metal such as steel, the metal posts 325, 176, 178, 179, 180, 181, 291, 273 and 401, the metal 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, the 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 sui~able, 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 440 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 bulky or stationary apparatus which are not practical to be hand held and operated. It is, however, readily apparent that many of the features of the invention can also be used in stationary type apparatus. Moreover, it is apparent that certain of the features of the invention are also .~9_ ' . ~.

Docket M-274-C~ ,7373~

applicable to apparatus that imprints 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 s~illed in the art, and all such of these as come within the spirit of this invention are included within its scope as best defined by the appended claims.

,' '~ ~ ,, -50~
- ' ' , ~ "

Claims (5)

Docket M-274-C-5 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, means carried by the frame for mounting a supply roll of labels, a platen and a cooperable print head mounted on the frame, a delaminator for delaminating printed labels from the web, an applicator for applying the printed labels, a toothed feed wheel in contact with the web for drawing the web into printing position between the platen and the print head, means for guiding the web to a first zone between the print head and the platen, to the delaminator and to the feed wheel, means for stripping the web from the feed wheel and for guiding the web through a second zone, the guiding means for the first zone including a first guide section, means for connecting the first guide section to the platen, and the stripping and guiding means for the second zone including separate second and third guide sections, means for connecting the first, second and third guide sections to the frame, and means for interlocking the second and third guide sections to each other.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the means connecting the first, second and third guide sections to the frame includes a common post.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the stripping and guiding means includes a stripper connected to one of the sections for stripping the supporting material web from the toothed feed wheel.

Docket M-274-C 5

4. Apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the platen has an extension to which the first guide section is connected.

5. Apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, including a resilient device connected to one of the sections and contacting the label web downstream of the place the web is paid out of the supply roll and upstream of the delaminator for assisting the paying out of the web gradually from the supply roll.