CA1077341A - Label printing and applying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

INKING SYSTEM FOR LABEL PRINTER

Abstract of the Disclosure The application discloses a labeling apparatus with a frame or housing, a removable print head mounted by the frame, an inking mechanism driven by the print head, a mechanism for driving the print head, the inking mechanism including a traveling ink roller having an ink-receptive roll and a bearing roll at each end of the rink-receptive roll, means for guiding the ink roller during its travel means removably mounting the ink roller to the frame and means for biasing the ink roller toward the print head with the print head having bearing surfaces on which the bearing rollers roll as the ink-receptive roll inks the print head.

Description

~'7'73~1 Docket M-249-C-l-l INKING SYSTEM FOR LABEL PRINTER

Back~round of the Invention Field of the Invention .
This invention relates to the art of pres~ure sensitive labels, method and apparatus for making and using same, and label printing and applying machines.
., ~
Brief Description of the Prior ~rt Various U.S. patents are made of record:
Pat. No. . Patentee . Issued 1,641,387 Reis 1927

2,259,358 Templeton ,-1941

3,3?5,064 Moore 1942 2,502,257 Hawkins et al 1950 2,516,487 Schlicksupp 1950 2,620,205 V~gt 1952 2,656,063 Rafka 1953 3,051,353 Xrueger 1962 3,265,553 Kind et al 196Ç
3,343,485 Loeffler 1967 3,440,123 ~amisch, Sr. 1969 3,501-,365 ~arshall 1970 3,551,251 Yo Sato 1970 3,611,929 Schro-tz 1971 ~ ~ .

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,, l~';t'~3~

Summary of 'che Inventlon This invention relates to appar~tus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels utilizing a supply roll comprising a composite web having pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material.
The apparatus comprises printing means for printing on successive labels, a delaminator for delaminating successive printed labels from the supporting material web, an applicator for applying successive printed labe:Ls, means engagea~le with the supporting material web downstream of the delaminator for feedlng the composite web to present partially delaminated labels to.the applicator, means for operating the printing means and the feeding means in sequence, and means effective upon completion of the sequence for applying braking force to the composite web upstream of the delaminator to prevent ~he web from advancing toward the delaminator during application to a printed label b~ the applicator, wherein tha means for applying braking force includes cooperable par~s controlled by the printing means for movement into and out of bra~;ing cooperation with the composite web, wherein one of the cooperable parts includes a rotatably mounted roll, the printing means including a print head for moving the roll into braking coaction with the composite web.
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f 1 Docket ~-249 Brief Description of the Drawings .
FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspeCti7Je view of label printing and applying apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention;
S FIGURE 2 is a partly broken away top plan ~iew of a composite web useful in the label printing and applying apparatus of the invention; ~
FIGURE 3 is a sectional elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE l;
FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken generally along line 4--4 of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIGURE 3;
FI~URE 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6~-6 of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of one of the -; sub~rame sections of the apparatus;
FIGURE 8 is a top plan view taken along line 8--8 . of FIGURE 7;
: 20- FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view of the other subframe section;
FIGURE 10 is a top plan view showing the manner in which the label core for the ro~l of labels is held and the manner in which braking force is applied by the subframe sections;
FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11--11 of FIGURE 10;
FIGURE 12 is a sectional ~iew taken generally along line 12--12 of FIGURE 3;

7 7~
Docket M-249 FIGURE 13 is an exploded perspective view of the inking mechanism;
FIGURE 1~ is an enlarged sectional view showing a fragmentary portion of the apparatus in solid lines, and in S particular showing a fragme~tary portion of the print head and the inking ~echanism in both solid and phantom line positions;
FIGU~E 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15--15 of FIGURE 4;
FIGURE 16 is a developed view showing the arrangement of the teeth of the detent mechanism;
FIGURE 17 is a sectional view taken along line 17 -17 of FIGURE 15;
. FIGURE 18 is a sectional veiw taken generaily along line 1~--18 of FIGURE 15;
FIGURE 19 is a sectional view showing one of the three setS of snap-fit connections used to interconnect the frame and the subframe;
FIGURE 20 is an enlarged view of an applicator roll shown mounted in the frame of the apparatus;
- FIGURE-21 is a sectional view taken along line 21--21 of FIGURE 20;
FIGURE 22 is a sectional view taken along line 22--22 of ~IGURE 21, but omitting the shaft and the frictional member;
FIGURE 23 is a partly sectional view of the mounting shaft which forms part of the applicator roll, FIGIJRE 24 is an exploded perspective view of the print head;

_~_ .--. ~ .

Do ~ et M-249 ~ ~ 7 ~ ~

FIGURE 25 is a sectional vlew of the print head taken generally along line 25--25 of FIGURF 3;
FIGURE 26 is a seotional view showing the selector in relationship to the associated driven wheels;
S FIGURE 27 is an enlarged sectional ~iew showing the manner in which detenting o~ the selector is efected, but showing the driven mem~ers as being of different widths;
FIGURE 28 is a view similar to a fragmentary portion of FIGURE 26, but showing the manner in which detenting can be effected directly on a wheel;
FIGURE ~9 is an enlarged, partly sectional, ele~ational . ~iew showing an alternative arrangement for constructing the selector;
FIGURE 30 is a perspective ~iew showing the driving member ~picted in FIGURE 29;
FIGURE 31 is a partly exploded perspective view of a modified print head in accordance with the invention;
FIGURE 32 is an exploded perspective view of the selector in association with type wheels and mounting structure for the type wheels:
FIGURE 33 is an end elevational view of the type wheels and the selector assembled in the mounting members;
FIGURE 34 is a sectional view taken generally along line 34--34 of FIGURE 33;
~5 FIGURE 35 is an exploded perspective ~iew of another embodiment of the label printing and applying apparatus;
FIGURE 36 is a partly broken away top plan ~iew o. a .composit web useful in the apparatus;
FIGURE 37 is a sectional view taken along line 37--37 of FIGURE 36;

~cet ~ 249 ~0 7 ~
FIGURE 38 is a sectional view taken along line 38--38 of ~IGU~E 36;
, FIGURES 39.through 44 are diagrammatic views illustra-ting a method of loading the appara~u~;
. FIGURE 45 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing a fragmentary portion of the actuating means including an operator and a spring assembly, with the opera'or beLng in its initial position;
: FIGURE 46 is an elevational view,partly in section, showing the ~perator in its operated position;
~IGURE 47 is an enlarged sectional view of the spring assembly;
FIGURE 48 is an exploded perspective view of the spring assembly;
FIGURE 49 is a sectional Yiew taken generally along line 49--49 of FIGURE 45;
FIGURE 50 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the operating components of the apparatus in their initial positions;
FIGURE 51 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a portion of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 50, and showing ~-especially the print head in its operating position with a brake in accordance wit~ the invention;
FIGURE 52 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 51, but showing the print head out of the operati~e position with the brake;
FIGURE 53 is a sectional view taken along line 53--53 of FIGURE 52;
PIGURE 54 is a top plan view, partly in section, of a fragmentary portion of the apparatus;

.,. ~, .

~77~4:~
Docket M-249 FIGURE 55 is a top plan ~iew, partly in section, of a fragmentary portion of a modified apparatus;
FIGURE 56 is a sectional view taken along line 56--56 of FIGURE 55; ~., : 5 FIGURE 57 is an ele~ational view, partly in section, on a reduced scale from that of FIGURES 55 and 56, showing a spring for assisting the unwinding of a supply xoll;
FIGURE 58 is a view similar to FI5URE 25, but illustra-ting an improved arrangement by which the human readable section of the printing member is prevented from being moved to the printing zone;
FIGURE S9 is a top plan view of a sheet used in making a platen;
FIGURE 60 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the lS sheet after having been inversely bent, together with a piece of moldable material, positioned in a press;
FIGURE 61 is a top plan view of the completed platen;
FIGURE 62 is a perspective view of the platen showing the composite web by phantom lines;
20 ~ ~IGURE 63 is a sectional view taken along line 63--63 of FIGURE 62;
FIGURE 64 is a sectional view taken along line 64--64 of FIGURE 62, but showing additionally printing members in printing cooperation with individual platen sections of the platen;
FTGURE 65 is a side elevational view of the apparatus;
FIGURE 66 is a fragmentary partly sectional view of the apparatus showing a housing secti.on in the closed position and showing the inking mechanism;

3~1 Docket M-249 EIGURE u/ is an e~plocled perspective view of an inker body and ink roller of the inking mechanism;
FIGURE 68 is a view similar to FIGVRE 66, but showing the housing section in the open position;
FIGURE 69 is a fragmentary view showing the ink roller bearing on the print head and inking the printing members; and ~TGI!~ 7Q is a pexspective explodad view of a slug used with the print head.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring now to a label printing and applying apparatus senerally indicated at 210 in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 27, and initially to FIGURE 1, there is shown to be a housing or main frame generally indicated at 211. The housing or frame 211 is specifically shown to include a pair of frame sections 212 and 213. Disposed within the housing 211 is a subframe generally .
in~icated at 214 which comprises a pair of subframe sections 215 and 216. The frame sections 212 and 213 mount a platen 217 which includes a peel edge 2180 A print head generally indicated at 219 :: :
is mounted by the subframe 214. More specifically, the print head 219 includes a plurality of selectable settable printing members 220 in the form of endless printing bands mounted by a print head frame 2110 Extending from the frame 221 are a pair of flanges 222 and 223. Gear sections or specifically racks 224 and 225 are pro~ided at the ends of the respective flanges 222 and 223. Opposed tracks 226 and 227 are formed on the respective flanges 222 and 223 to receive straight ball bearings 228 and 229.
~he subframe sections 215 and 216 have respective tracks 230 and 3~7'73~1 Doc~cet M-2 4 9 231. The ball bearing 228 is received in the track 226 o~ the flange 222 and in the track 230, and the ball be~ring 229 is -received in the track 227 in the ~lange 223 and in the track 231.
The ball bearings 228 and 229 have respecti~e balls 228' and 229' rotatably held by respective tangs or holders 228" ~nd 229". In ~his manner, the print head 219 is mounted for movement, particu-ly reciprocating movement, toward and away from the platen 217.
The housing 211 has a handle generally indicated at 232 and particularly each housing or frame section 212 and 213 has a respective handle portion 233 and 234. An operator gen-erally indicated at 235 is shown to comprise a pivotally operated lever 236 pi~otally mounted by a post 237 at the lower end of.
the handle 232. The lever 236 is normally urged in a counter-cloc~ise direction (FIGURE 1) by a torsion spring 238 received about the post 237. The pivotal movement of the lever 236 is limited by an adjustabla stop ~lock 239 received by the handle 232 between the handle portions 233 and 234. The upper end of the operating lever 235 carries a pair of spaced-apart gear sections 240 and 241. The gear sections 240 and 241 are shown to be in the form of spur gear segmants. Gear sections 240 and 241 are in meshing engagement with respective spur gears 242 and 243. The spur gears 242 and 243 are in meshing enyagement with respective gear sections 224 and 225 carried b~I the print . head 219.
A roll of pressure sensitive labels, in the fo~m for example of the composite web 30 shown in FIGURE 2, is -: mounted by its core 44 by the subframe 214. As will be des-criSed in greater detail hereinafter, tlle composite web 30 :

Docket M-249 is drawn off the roll into overlying relationshi~ with respect to the platen 217 and the supporting material 32 is engaged by a toothed driver 244. The gear 243 carries an integral pawl 245 cooperable with a ratchet wheel 246 which is coupled to the driver 244 by a detent mechanism generally indicated at 247. An input or drive member 248 of the detent mechanism 247 is sho~m in FIGURE 1. The toothed dri~er 244 has a plurality of equally spaced apart drive teeth 249 arranged about its outer periphery. The pawl 245 is integrally joined at but one end 10 to the gear 243. The pawl 245 is fle~ible and resilient and can ride on the ratchet wheel 246 and deflect into engagement with a tootn 265 of the ratchet wheel 246.
The housing or frame section 213 has an access opening 250. A cover 251 is remo~ably connected to the frame section 15 213 at the access opening 250. The cover 251 mounts an inking ; mechanism 257 cooperable with the printing memhers 220 of the ; print head 219. The housing sections 212 and 213 mount an applicator 253 disposed downstream of the peel edge 218.
Referring to FIGURE 2, there is shown composite web 30 of label material 31 releasably adhered to and carried by supporting or backing material 32. The label material 31 is cut trans~ersely by transverse cuts 33 extending all the way across the web 31 of label material to the side edges 34 and 35 of the composite web 30. The cuts 33 known as "butt cuts"
separate the web 31 o~ label material into a series of end-to-end labels 36. The underside of the web 31 of label material has a coating of pressure sensitive adhesiYe 37 which adheres strongly to the web 31 of label material. The web 32 of supporting material carries a thin film or coating (not shown) -ln-~ C~'77~
Docket M-249 which aLlows the labels to be peeled from the web 32 of supporting material.
Groups 38 of cuts are provided at equally spaced-apart intervals along the length of the composite web 30. Each group 38 of cuts is shown to extend through the supporting material as well as through the label materia]. Each group of cuts is shown to be made in a generally I-shaped configuration comprised of cuts 39S, 40S and 41S in the supporting material and aligned cuts 39L, 40L and 41L inlthe label material. The part of the 10 web 32 between the one end of the cut 39S and the cut 40S pro-vides a frangible portion 43S and the part of the web 32 be-tween the other end of the cut 39S and the cut 41S provides frangible portion 42S. In li~e manner, the part of the label material between ~he end of the cut 39L and the cut 40L pro-; 15 vides a frangible portion 43L and the part between the other end of the cut 39L and the cut 41L provides a frangible portion 42L.
Referring to FIGURE 3, the interrelationship of the components of the apparatus 210 is shown in detail. The com-posite web 30 is paid out of the roll and passes through a passage 20 provided by subframe sections 215 and 216 and specifically by groove 254 (FIGU~E 9) in the subframe section 215 and a co-operating groove 255 (FIGURES 1, 3 and 7) in the subframe section 216. From there the composite web 30 passes partly around a roll 256 and into overlying relationship with the platen 25 217. Delamination :is e~ected at the peel edge 218 formed at the ena of the platen 2:L7. The supporting material 32 is drawn around the peel edge 218 beneath the platen 217 and passes partly around a rol:L 257, below the guide 258 and between the Docket M-249 ~7734~

toothed driver 244 and the mating die wheel 259. As a tooth 249 moves into mating cooperation with the die wheel 259, the tooth 249 engages the supporting material 32 at the longitudinal cut 39S and effects rupturing or bursting of the frangible portions S 42S and 43S, whereupon the tooth 2~9 which is in mating coopera-tion with the die wheel 259 (FIGURE :L8) is considered to have formed a :.eed hole -'n th- ~u~ crting material 242. It is pre-ferred that there be ~hree teeth 249 in driving engagement with the supporting material 32 at all times~ The subframe sections 10 215 and 216 have respective aligned strippers 260 and 261 which facilitate disengagement of the teeth 249 with the supporting material 232 as the driver 244 rotates. Opposed guide grooves 262 and 263 formed in the subframe sections 215 and 216 guide the supporting material 32 to an exit opening 264. Excess supporting material which dangles from the apparatus 210 can be readily torn off at the exit opening 264.
With reference to FIGURE 3, the print head 219 is shown by solid lines in the initial or home position and by phantom lines 219' in the printing zone in printing cooperation 20 with the label 36 and the platen 217. The operator 235 is shown by solid lines in its initial or home position and in phantom lines 235' in the fully actuated position. In the fully actuated position, the print head 219 has been moved into printing co-operation with the labels 36 an~ the platen 217, and the operator 25 235 is in abutment with the stop block 239. In this position of the operator 235, the flexible resilient pawl 245 (FIGURE 15), joined integrally at one end to the gear 243, has moved to the .

.. . . . .. .

;; ' ' ' `' "
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Docket ~-244 1077341 position shown by phantom lines 245' in driving cooperation with a tooth 265 of the ratchet wheel 246; When the user releases the operator 235, the spring 238 tFIGURE 3~ returns the operator ~35 against stop 239' to the solid line position shown in FIGURE 3. While the operator 235 is returning to the solid line position from the fully actuated position indicated by phantom lines 235', the gear sections 240 and 241 (FIGURES 3 and 4) rotate gears 242 and 243 clockwise (FIGURE 3) to return the , print head 219 to the solid line position from the position shown by solid lines 219l, and to drive the pawl 245 from the position shown by phantom lines 245' to the position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 15. Thus, the pawl 245, which is in line pasition from the fully actuated position indicated by phantom lines 235', the gear sections 240 and 241 (FIGURES 3 and 4) rotate gears 242 and 243 clockwise (FIGURE 3~ to return the print head 219 to the solid line position from the position shown by solid lines 219' and to drive the pawl 245 from the position shown by phantom lines 245' to the position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 15.
Thus, the pawl 245, which is in engagement with a tooth 265, drives the ratchet wheel 246 counterclockwise (FIGUPE 15).
This counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel 24Ç (FIGURE 15) causes the driver 244 to advance the supporting material 32 ~o effect substantially complete delamination o~ a label at the peel edge 218. Counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel 246 continues until a pawl 266 (FIGURES 1, 7 and 15) in the form of a flexible resilient appendage of the subframe section 216, moves into engagement with a tooth 265 of the .ratchet wheel.
This prevents the web OI supporting material 3~ from being acci.dentally move~ in the~return direc~ion.

Docket M-249 :~L077;~4:1 As best shown in FIGURE 4, the driver 244 has an annular rim 267 joined to a hub 268 by a radial web 269. The hub 268 has a hub section 268' extencling in one direction and another hub section 268" extending in the opposite direction.
The hub section 268' terminates at a knob ~70, and the hub section 268" terminates at a knob 270'. The ~ear 242 is rotatably journaled on and with respect to the hub section 268'.
The gear 242 has a huE~ or flange 271 which is rotatably journaled in opening 272 in the frame section 212. The hub section 268' extends through an enlarged opening 273 in the subrame section ~15. The hub section 268" provides a stepped pair of bearins - surfaces 274. The ratchet wheel 246 is fonned integrally with the drive member 248 of the detent mechanism 247. The ratchet wheel 246 and the drive mem~er 248 have a hub 276 with a lS stepped bore 275 into which the hub section 268" extends. A
hub 27~ rotatably rec:eives and mounts the gear 2430 The gear 243 has a hub 277 rotatably received in a bearing 278 formed integrally with the housing section 213. As seen in FIGURE 4, ~he gears 242 and 243 are in driving engayement with respective gear sections 224 and 225 carried by the print head 219; the relative position of ~he drive pawl 245 to the ratchet wheel 246 ~` is also shown.
With reference to FIGURE 15, the drive member 248 includes a plurality of- spring fingers or detent pawls 278. The pawls 278 are of equal length, are flexible and resilient, and are continuously urged against teeth 279 forrned on the inside of tha annular rim 267. In the illustrated embodiment there are one hundred ancl seventy-seven teeth 279 at equally spaced-apart intervals. There are twelve pawls 278 integrally connected .

~ 077~1 Docket M-249 to the hub 276 at equally spaced-apart intervals. The teeth 279 comprise respective tooth faces 280 and a recess between adjacent tooth faces 280 in which the end of a pawl 278 can be recei~ed. The pawls 278 drive the ~eed wheel 244 in a S driving direction ~counterclockwise in FIGURE 153 but can move in a non-driving direction (clockwise in FIGURE 15) relative to the feed wheel 244 by manually operating the detent mechanism 247. Accordingly, every f.ifth pawl 278 is engaged with the face 280 of a tooth 279. The pawls 278 between every fifth set of pawls are out of engagement with their respective tooth faces 280 by different increments as best illustrated in FIGURE 16.
Normally, the pawls 278 hold the ratchet wheel 246 and the feed wheel or driver 244 in fixed relationship with respect to each other. With reference ~o FIGURE 15, as the drive pawl 245 moves counterclockwise the ratchet wheel 246 is driven counter-clockwise and the three pawls 278 which are in driving engagement with their respective tooth faces 280 will drive the feed wheel 244 counterclockwise. Accordingly, there is no relative rotation bet~een the ratchet wheel 246 and the feed whael 244. Should it be desired to change the position to which the labels are advanced by the feed wheel 244 upon actuation of the operator 235, the user wil' grasp the knobs 270 and 270' and will rotate the knob 270'counterclockwise tFIGURE 1) relative to the knob 270.
This will cause the input member 248 to rotate ~counterclock-wise in FIGURE 1, clockwise in FIGURE 15) relative to the ~eedwheel 244 so that the next three successive teeth move into engagement with the next three respective tooth faces 280. For example, if it is considered that first, fifth and ninth paw~s - 278 were initially in enya~ement with respective teeth 27g, 1t~773~
Docket M-249 only a very slight rotation will cause second, sixth and tenth pawls to move into engagement with their respective tooth faces 280, and so on. Althou~h any desired number of pawls 2~8 and teeth 280 can be;used, the illustrated embodiment pro~ides very minute adjustment of the feed ~heel 244 relative to the platen 217 and the peel edge 218 and the arrangement of teeth 280 and cooperating pawls 278 causes the entire input or drive member 248 to be centered within the annular rim 267.
With respect to the printing function, adjus~ment o the detent mechanism 247 changes the position relative to the printing zor.e between the print head 219 and the p~aten 217 to which a label 36 is ad~anced~ With respect to the delaminating function, operation of the detent mechanism 247 also chanqes the position to which the label 36 is advanced. Accordingly, it is apparent that the detent mecha~ism 247 is useful both in establishing the pos~tion to which a label is advanced relative to the printing zone and to the delaminating zone. It is important that just the correct amount of trailing marginal end edge of the label remain adhered to the peel edge so that the lab~l 36 is held in that position until it is ready to be applied to merchandise by the applicator 253.
As be~t sho~n in FIGURES 15, 17, and 18, the supporting material 32 is initially brouyht into engagement with the feed wheel 244 as it passes around the die wheel 259. The die wheel 259 is comprised of an annular plastic roll 281 journaled by subframe sections 215 and 216. Thè roll 281 has frictional members in the form of rubber O-rings 282 received at spaced-apart locations about the periphery of tlle roll 281, The O-rings Docket M-249 1~ 77341 straddle the teeth 249 and are just spaced apart far enough to act as a die wheel'with matins te'eth 249. As a tooth 249 begins to engage the web of supporting material 32 at the cut 39S (FIGURE 2~, the die wheel 259 cooperates with the tooth 249 to hold the supporting material 32 on each side of the group'38 of cuts in intimate contact with the outer surface of the feed wheel 244 as best shown in FIGURE 18. This insures that the tooth 249 properlv bursts or forms a hole, facilitated by the group 38 of cuts, in the supporting material 32 and that the dri~e face of the tooth 249 is in driving engag~ment with the leading cut 41S. ~hen the first tooth 249 registers with the group 38 of cuts in the supporting material 3~ the composite web 30 is properly registered wi,h the printing zone and the delaminating zone. Once such registration is accom~lished as the result of the too~h 2~9 cooperating with the die roll 259, correct regis-tration continues.
The platen 217 and the peel edge 21~ (FIGU~ES 1, 3 and 4) are formed from an inversely-bent plate having a pair of side-by-side plate portions 283 and 284 joined by an in~ersely~
bent portion 285. The inversely-bent portion 285 has'a ~ma~
~r radius ~nd defines the peel edge 218. The plate portions Z83 and 284 are co-extensive and are secured to each othèr by weldments 286. The plate which forms the platen 217 and the peel edge 218, received in recesses 286' in su~frame sections 215 and 216, is preferably constructed of highly polished stainless steel.
The sides of the plate that forms the platen 217 and the peel edge 218 are received in opposed recesses 286' in the subframe sections 215 and 216. A label stopper is provided by a pair of aligned plates 218` formed integrally with the subframe sections' ' Docket M-249 ~7734~

215 and 216. The plates 218' are disposed beneath but are.
spaced from the plate 217. Should a la~el 36 attempt ~o fall onto the supporting material 32 after being delaminated at the peel edge 218, the labels 36 will be caught by the plates 218'.
This will prevent any label 36 from continuing along the path through which the supporting material 3.2 passes after passing the peel edge 218.
With reference to FIGURE 3, the stop block 239 is shown to be slidable on a stop surface 287. The stop block 239 has a threaded bore 288 which threadably xece_ves an adjusted screw 289. One half of the screw 289 is rotatabl~f received in a semi-circular groove 290 and one-half of the head 291 of the screw 289 is captive in a semi-circular recess 292 in the seat 293. The handle portion 233 o~ the frame section 212 ~5 provides another stop surface (not shown) for the stop block 239 in alignment with the stop surface 287, another semi-circul~r groove (not shown) opposite the groove 290 for re-ceiYing the other one-half of the screw 289, and anothex semi-circular recess (not shown) opposite the recess 292 for receiving the other one-half of the head 291. A hole 294~ one-half of which is formed by each handle portion 233 and 234, enables entry of a tool (not shown) by which the head 291 of the screw 289 càn be engaged to rotate the screw 289. Rotation of the screw in one direction will ~ause thP stop block 239 to move upwardly ~IGURE 3) and rotation of the screw 289 in the opposite direction will cause the stop block 23g to move downwardly IFIGURE 3), It is apparent that ad~ustment of the position of the stop block 23g will ad~ust the limit of the travel of the operator 235.

~(377.34~L
Docket M-249 With referance to FIGURE 13, the inking mechanism 252 is shown to comprise a one-piece inker body 295 having an aligned pair of sockets 296 having converging openings 297.
The sockets 296 extend for more than ]80 so that the ink roll 298 can be snapped into the sockets 296. The inker body 295 has a pair of aligned projections 299 which are capable of being snapped into sockets 300 ~FIGURE 1) in the cover 251.
The sockets 300 are shaped like the sockets 296~ The inker body 295 has an integrally formed leaf spring or spring finger 301 which is shown in FIGURE 14 to be urged against the cover 251. The spring finger 301 normally urges the inking mechanism 252 into the solid line position shown in FIGURE 14. The ink roller 298 is shown in FIGU~E 14 to be in the path of but slightly spaced ~rom the print head 219 because in that position the inker body 295 contacts the frame 221 of the print head 219. When the print head 21g is moved from the solid line position to the phantom line position, the ink roll 2g8 applies ink to the printing bands 220 and the entire inking mechanism 252 pivots about projections 299 to the position shown in phantom lines.
When the print head 219 returns to the solid line position shown in FIGURE 14, the sprins finger 301 returns the inking mechanism 252 to the solid line position.
With reference to FIGURE 13, the ink roller 298 is shown to comprise a pair of hub sections 302 and 303. The hub section 302 has an elongated projection 304 at one end and a stuh end 305 at its opposite end. The hub section 302 h~s an annular flange 30~ between the stub end 305 and a reduced . . ,., " .

Docket M-249 iO ~7341 portion 307. The reduced portion 307 is disposed between the flange 306 and the projection 304. The other hub portion 303 has an annular flange 308 disposed between a reduced portion 309 and a stub end 310. The reduc~d portion 309 has a bore 304' into which the projection 30~ is adapted to be press-fitted. The projection 304 has straisht flutes which serve to lock the hub portions 302 and 303 together. An ink-receptive tubular porous roll 311, composed for example of rubber or the like, is received on the reduced portions 307 and 309 of 10 respecti~e hub sections 302 and 303. The flanges 306 and 308 abut the ends of the roll 3il and prevent ~he roll 311 from shifting.
With reference to FIGURES 7, 8 and 9, the subfr~me .sections 215 and.216 are shown to have respectiYe integral leaf 15 springs 312 and 313. The leaf springs 312 and 313 are provided with integral annular brake members 314 and 315 having respective annular brake surfaces 316 and 317. Brake members 314 and 315 are formed integrally with projections or hubs 318 and 319, surfaces 318' and 319' of which are received in and mount la~el 20 core 44. The brake surfaces 316 and 317 cooperate to exert braking forces on the label core 44. ~either the hubs 318 and 319 nor the brake members 314 and 315 contact the composite~web 30 which is wound on the label core 44. In this manner, an~ gum or adhesi~e that may exist at the marginal side edges o the composite web 30 will not be transferred to the brake surfaces 316 and 317. ~IGURE 10 illustrates, in exaggerated form, by phantom lines, the initial positions o~ the leaf springs 3].2 .

~)7734~1L
Docket M-249 and 313, the brake members 314 and 315 and the hubs 318 and 319. The initial canted position of the leaf springs 313, the brake members 315 and the hub 319 relati~e to the remainder of the subframe sestion 216 is also shown in FIGURE 8. Insertion of the label core 44 onto the hubs 318 and 319 will cause the leaf springs 312 and 313 to flex outwardly and the brake sur-faces 316 and 317 will.~xert a predetermined braking force on the ends of the core 44. The braking force applied to the core 44 will insure that there is tension in the web 32 of support-ing material from the label roll to the printing zone, to the peel edge 218, and to the toothed driver 244. As the pawl 266 t~IGURE 15~ prevents the reverse rotation of the dri~er 244, it is seen that the apparatus maintains a slight but desirable amount of tension on the web o supporting material 32 at all times.
The frame 211 comprises an essentially closed shell but the rear part pro~ides an access opening 2il' through which a roll of labels can be insarted and a spent core 44 can be removed without even partial disassembly of the apparatus 210 With reference to FIGURES 20 through 23, there is shown the applicator 253 mounted by the frame 211. The applica tor 253 comprises a hub 320 shown to have four annular generally V-shaped grooves 321 in whi~h respective wheels 322 are rotatably mounted. The hub 320 also has a pair of annular flanges 323 disposed between the set of three wheels 322 and the remaining wheel 322. The wheels 322 have greater diameters than the flanges 323. The ends of the hub 320 beyond the ~rooves 321 are stub ends 324. Undercuts 325 inboard of the stub ends 324 enable . -21-5L~7'73~1 Docket M-249 the hub to be retained in cooperating yieldable sockets 326 and 327 in frame sections 212 and 213. The sockets 326 and 327 are comprised o a plurality of separ,ate socket sections or flexible resilient fingers 328 and 329 to enable the stub ends 324 to ~e snapped into place. T~e sockets 326 and 327 and the cooperating stub ends 324 provide opposed snap-fit connections.
The wheels 322 are identical so only one is described in detail. Each wheel 322 is comprised of an annular rim 330 having an annular groove 331 in its outer periphery. A rubber O-ring 332 is received in the groove 331. A plurality of equally spaced-apart arms 333 formed integrally with the rim 330 have generally Y-shaped bearing sections 334 received in the respective grooYe 321. The bearing sections 334 of the arms 333 exert forces against the hu~ 320, but enable the wheel 322 to rotate relative to the hub 320 and enable the wheel 322 to yield as a label 36 is being applied to the merchandise.
As the rubber O-rings 332 have a high coefficient of friction, rotation of the wheels 322 duxing label application is facilitatPd. The spacing of the wheels 322 allows the applicator 253 to press the label 36 onto the merchandise without contacting the printing which was applied to the la~els 36 by the print head 219. As the label is pressed onto ihe merchandise, the arms 333 allow the wheels to yield. This yielding action is particularly useful when applying labels to merchandise having irregular surfaces in that the wheels 322 are mounted for both independent rotational and independent yielding movements with respect to - ~ ~p:
-1~ 73 Docket M-249 each other. The flanges 323 prevent the adjacent wheels 322 from deflecting more than a small amount a~ray ~rom the per-pendicular with respect to the hub 320.
Referring to FIGURE 24, there is shown an exploded view of the print head 219. The prinl: head frame 221 is shown to comprise a side plate 335 to which the flan~es 222 and 223 are joined. A mounting block 336 is molded integrally with the side plate 335. The block 336 has a platen or pressure member 337 and arcuate mounting surfaces 338. The mounting block 336 also has a socket 339 for recei~ing a projection 340 of the other side plate 341. A post 342 is formed integrally with the side plate 335 in axial alignment with a hole 343 in the side plate 341. A pair of posts 344 formed integrally with the side plate 335 have hooks 345 which engage shoulders 346 of the side plate 341. The side plate 341 has projections 347 which are adapted to fit under projections 348 on the block 336. When the projections 347 are positioned underneath the projections 348, that is, between the projections 348 and the side plate 335, the projection 340 is received in the socket 339, and when the hooks 345 are in engagement with shoulders 346, then the frame 221 is securely but releasably locked together~
The printing bands 220 are mounted in the frame 221 as best shown in FIGURE 25. The printing bands 220 are urged against the support or pressure member 337 and are detented because teeth 349 formed on the underside of each of the printing bands 220 are in engagement with notches 350 formed on the side of the support 337. In this position, the projection 340 is shown receiYed in the socket 339, the printing bands are .

~ C)773~1 Docket M-249 trained partially around drivan members in the form of wheels 351, the printing ~ands 220 are under slight tension, and the wheels are cradled in and rotatable on the mounting surfaces 338. The ~heels 351 have notches 352 in which the teeth 349 are received.
Each printing band 220 has a plurality o printing blocks 353. The different printing blocks 353 of each printing band 220 can print dif~erent data, as is conventional. The printing blocks 353 are contained in a printing section 354 of the printing band 220. The printing band 220 also contains a non-printing human readable section 355. The human readable section 355 contains human readable indicia. The user knows what data the printing block 353 at the pressure member 337 will print by peering through a wi~dow 356.
It is often desirable to chan~e the data which ~he print head 219 is to print. This is generally accomplished by advancing the printing band 220 to the printing position in which the selected data will be printed.on the label. A selector, generally indicated at 357, has a knob 358 and a shaft or tubular portion 359,received by the post 342. The selector 357 is freely rotatable about the post 342 and is movable axially so that its drivin~ members or lugs 360 can be shifted into driving co~peration with any one of the driven members 351.
Each driven member 351 has a central hole 361 which is provided with a plurality of notches 362 for receiving respective lugs 360.
Each driven member 351 is also chamfered at the central hole 361 Docket M-249 107~341 as best indicated at 363. In addition to the driviny lugs 360, the selector 357 is shown to have a pair of opposed pawls or spring detent fingers 364, the ends of which engage the recesses provided by the chamfering 363. The detent fingers 364 serve to hold the selec~or 357 in the axial position to which it is manually shifted, but enable the selector 357 to be shifted to any desired position so that its driving members 360 will be in dri~ing engagement with the selected driven member 351.
Accordingly, by sh~fting the selector 357, any one or all of the driven members 351 can ~e rotated, one at a time, which resulis in the respective printing bands or bands 220 being selectively moved to the selected position to print the selected data on the labels~ -The dri~ing lugs 360 are spaced slightly from the ends of the recesses or notches 362. Should the user attempt to turnthe knob 358 so as to apply excessive torque to the selector 357, the driving lugs 3Ç0 will deflect and move out of the set of notches 362 in which they are positioned in the driven member 351 and will move into the next set of notches 36~ in the same dri~en member 351. Accordingly, there will be relative rotation between the selector 357 and the driven member 351 in which the lugs 3Ç0 are received.
There is a-spacer 365 between each of the driven members ~ 351 and bands 220. Each of the spacers 365 has a pair of lugs 25 365' which engage around the ends 36Ç at the ends of the mounting surface 338.

- . . .~ . .
.

~L~77~1 Docket M-249 The selector 357 is provided with an annular groove 367 ad~acent the knob 358. An indicator, generally indicated at 368, has a split collar 369 with a projection 370 received in the groove 367~ The indicator 368 has a rectangular section 371 which defines the window 356. The posts 344 ha~e tongues or guides 344' which are in engagement in grooves 372 in the rectangular section 371. A pair of pointers 373 disposed on the inner surface of the rectangular section 371 are in align-ment with the lugs 360 on the selector 357. Accordingly, the pointers 373 indicate the position of the lugs 360 so ~hat if the selector 357 is not in position to drive the desired driven member 351 and its associated printing band 220, the selector 357 can be shifted to a position in which the lugs 360 are in driving engagement with the desired driven m~mber 351 to advance the associated printing ~and 220 to the selected position.
As shown in FIGURE 24, the side plate 341 has a projection or lug 374 by which the printing head 219 is guided ~y the frame sections 212 and 213 by respective guides 375 and 376 (see FIGURES 1, 3, 14).
The housing or frame sections 212 and 213 are connected by identical snap-fit connections includiny generally snap-shaped flexible resilient members 377 arranged along the periphery`of the housing section 212 and engaged in undercut recesses 378 in the housing section 213. One of these snap-fit connections is shown in detail in FIGURE 5.
The subfr~me sections 215 and 216 of the subframe 214 are connected to each other and the frame sections 212 and ~ 773~
Docket M-249 213 of the frame 21i are connected to the subframe 214 by means of three sets of identical snap-fit connections gen-erally indicated at 379, one o~ whic.h is shown in detail in FIGURE 19~ With reference to FIGURE 19, the frame sections 212 and 213 have respective sockets 380 and 381 comprised of a plurality of respective flexible resilient fingers 382 and 383. The sub-frame section 215 has a projection 384 snap-fitted into the socket 380. The projection 384 has a plurality of fl~xible resilient spring fingers 385. The subframe section 216 has a projection 386 comprised of a plurality of flexible resilient fingers 387 snap-fitted into the socket 381. The subframe section 215 has a projection 388 comprised of a plurality of flexible resilient qpring fingers 389 received in a socket 390. The socket 390 is comprised of flexible resilient spring fingers 391.
A projection 392 formed integrally with the frame section 212 extends through the socket 380, through the projection 384, and to about the end of the projection 388 in the socket 390. The spring fingers 383 of ~he socket 381 are made thinner and con-sequently more flexible than the spring fingers 383 of the socket 380. An attempt to open up the frame 211 by separating the frame sections 212 and 213 will cause the frame section 213 to be separated from the subframe section 216. The frame section 212 will remain connected to the subframe 214. As the frame section ~:
213 is being separated from the subframe 214, the projection 39~ prevents the subframe sections 215 and 216 from separating because the spring fingers 389 cannot deflect inwardly because o~ the interference provided by the projection 392. Once the frame section 213 has been removed, the inside of the apparatus ~7734~L
Docket ~S-249 218 is exposed. It is apparent that a~cidental unsnapplng of the subframe 21~ or the frame section 212 ~rom the subfr2me 214 is obviated by this construction. Further disassembly can be accomplished by deliberately unsnapping the subframe 214 S from the frame section 212. This is accomplished by moving the projection 384 out of the socket 380. Whe~ this has been accomplished, the projection 392 has moved out of the space between the spring fingers 389 of the projection 38B and consequently the subframe sections 215 and 216 can be separated.
With reference to FIGURES 7 through 9 for example, ~ the subframe section 216 is shown to have four projections 393 which are adapted to be snugly recei~ed in recesses 394 at the end of the guide 262. The projections 393 received in the hol~s 394 a~sist in removably holding the subfr~me sections 215 and 216 to~ether.
With reference to FIGURES 1 and 14 the cover 251 is shown to have an L-shaped flange 395 at one end and a projection 396 at its other end. To attach the inking mechanism 252 to the apparatus, the projection 395 is pushed under a shoulder 397 of 20 the frame section 213 and thereafter the cover 251 is snapped into position by causing the projection 396 to snap under a lip 398 of the frame section 213. In this manner, the inking mechanism or inker 252 is removably mounted to the apparatus. To remove the inking mechanism, the user can engage his fingernail beneath 25 an extension 399 of the cover 251, thereby causing the projection 396 to snap around the lip 398.

-2~-., .

Docket M-249 ~L077343L

With reference to FIGURE 6, the operator 235 is shown to pivot on the pin 237. It is preferred to pivot the operator 235 at the lower end of the handle 232 in that the user's strongest fingers, namely his, index, middle and ring fingers engage the operator 235 ~.t substantial distances from the pivot pin 237, while the user's relatively weak little finger is close to the pivot pin: 237. The ends of the pin 237 are undercut as indicated respectively at 403 and 404. The ends 401 and 402 are received in sockets 405 and 406 in respective frame sections 212 and 213. The sockets 405 and 406 are comprised of respective flexible resilient fingers 407 and 408. The operator 235, as best shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, is shown to be generally U-shaped in section. Legs 409 and 410 are shown to be rotatably received about the pin 237. The spixal or torsion spring 238 is shown to be received on pin 237 between the legs 409 and 410. If it is desired to remove the frame section 213, the frame section 213 is moved relatiYely away from the frame section 212 causing the sc~cket 406 to move out of snap-fit engagement with the end 402. Only when the operator 235 is moved away from the frame section 212 can the end 401 move out of the socket 405 because of interference caused by leg 409. This construction obviates accidental disconnection of the pin 237 from the fxame sections 212.
With reference to FIGURE 28, there is shown an alternative .
construction by which a selector 35~a having a plurallty of driving lugs 360a like the lugs 360 and also having a pair of opposed pawls 364a, selectively controls the setting of a selected driven mem~er or wheel 351a. The embodiment of FIGURE 28 diff~rs ~C~7~34~
Docket M-249 from the e~bodiment of the print head ~19 shown for example in FIGURES 24 through 28 in that each bf the driven members 351a is provided with an internal annular groove 411 and the chamfering 363 (FI~VRE ~7~ is omittecl. Accordingly, instead of having the pawl 364a engage between adjacent driven members 351 as shown in ~IGURES 26 and 27 for example, the pawls 364a engage in ~he groo~e 411 of one of the driven members 351a, and as is preferred in the groove 411 of the same wheel with which the lugs 360a are i.n driving engagement. By this construction~
the driving function as well as the detenting ~unction are -accomplished by the selector 3S7a in cooperation with a sin~le driven member 351a.
~ IGURE 27 i~ actually an alternative embodiment which shows tAe detenting of one of the pawls 364 in recesses or grooves provided by be~eling or chamfering 363. FI&URE ~7 shows one ol the wheels 351 as wider than the adjacent wheel 351 to show that the selector 357 in accordance with the invention can work equally well with wheels 351 of different sizes with-out affec~in~ detentin~. With such a construction some of the printing bands 220 can be wider than others as is highly desirable in some applications.
With reference to FIGURES 29 and 30, there is shown another embodiment of a selector generally indicated at 357b.
The selector 357b is the same as the selector 357 in that it has four d~i~e luss 360b, and a pair of opposed pawls 364b. The selector 357b diffexs from the selector 357 only in that the selector 357 is of one-piece construction and the selector 357b is of two-piece construction. The selector 357b comprises body ~L~773~
Docket M-249 sections 412 and 413 snap-fitted to~ether. The body section 412 has a non-circular hole, and in particular a square hole 414, and the body section 413 has a corresponding square portion 415 received in the hole 414. By this construction, the body sections 412 and 413 are incapable of rotatin~ relative to each other.
The body section 413 has four flexible resilient fingers 416 terminating at projections 417 shown in FIGURE 29 to be received over a bead 418. In this position, an annular ~lange 419 is in abutment with a shoulder 420 on the body section 412. The ~10 selector 357b is used in the same manner as the selector 357.
If desired, the selector 357a (FIGURE 28) can be made in two parts as illustrated in FIGVRES 29 and 30.
Referring to the embodiment of FIGURE 31, there is shown a print head generally indicated at 219c having two spaced-apart sets of printing members 220c. The print head 219c has two sets of mounting blocks 366c, two sets of driven members 351c and posts 344c, all formed integrally with side plate 335c~
Flanges 222c and 223c and gear sections 224c and 225c are spaced apart wider than ~he flanges 222 and 223 and gear sections 224 and 225. Accordingly, the pair of gears (not shown) which would mesh with gear sections 224c and 225c would have to be spaced apart by a greater distance than the gears 2-42 and 243 It is also apparent that ball tracks (not shown) which would coxrespond to the ball tracks 230 and 231 would have to be spaced wider apart, as would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art~
Side plate 341c carries a guide member 374c. The side plate ~077341 Docket ~l 249 341c rotatably mounts a pair of selectors 357c for the xespective set of driven members 351c. The post;s 344c mount respective rectangular sections 371c which provide respective windows 356c.
It is readily apparent that with slight modifications the print head 219c can be operated by a mechanism the same in principle and construction as the mechanism which operates the print head 219, Referring to the embodiment of FIGURES 32, 33 and 34, there is provided a selector 357d which is identical to the selector 357. Printing members take the ~orm of print wheels 220d. Each print wheel 220d is shown to be identical and comprises printing elements 421 carried by an annular hub 422. A mounting and detenting wheel 423 is shown to be formed integrally with each side of the hub 422. The wheels 423 have generally ànnular outer surfaces 424 received in sockets 425 of adjacent mounting members 426. The sockets 425 comprise an annular portion 427 and a pair of flexible resilient arms ~28 formed integrally therewith. Accordingly, the print wheels 220d can be inserted either axially into the sockets 425 or they can be inserted into or removed from the respective sockets 425 by spreading arms 428. Mounting members 426 are provided with recesses 429 in which offset integrally formed detent pawls or spring fingers 430 and 431 are disposed. The pawl 430 of one mounting member 426 :is cooperable with notches 430' to effect detenting of an adjacent print wheel 220d on one side of the mounting member 426, and the other is cooperable with notches 431' to ef~ect detenting of the adjacent print wheel 220d on the other side of the mounting member 226.

Docket M-249 ~ 7734~

Each wheel 220d has a central hole 432, th~ ends of which are ehamfered as indicated at 433. As ~est shown in FIGURE 34, pawls 364d are recei~ed in the chamfering between adjacent wheels 220d and driv~ lugs 360d are in driving en-gagement with the adjacent print wheel 220d. If desired,detenting can be effected in the manner illustrated in the embodiment of ~IGURE 28.
Referring to FIGURES 35 through 54 and 58 through 70, thexe is shown an alternative embodiment of the label print-ing and applying apparatus generally indicated at 210a. In this embodiment, those components which are generally related to those in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 34 are indicated by the same reference characters, with the addition of the letter "a'l~
Those components of the apparatus 210a which differ from or are in addition to components in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 34 æe more specifically indicated with reference characters starting with the number 500.
Referring initially to FIGURE 35, the apparatus 210a, ~hich includes a housing 211a, has two-part frame sections gen-erally indicated at 212a and 213a. The frame 211a includes a handle 232a having handle portions 233a and 234a. The frame sections 212a and 213a have relatively movable fra~e parts 500 and 501, and 502 and 503. The handle portion 232a is a part of the frame part 501, and the handle portion 234a is a part of the housing part 503. A subframe 214a includes subframe sections 215a and 216a. The subframe section 215a and the movable frame -33~

-' 107734~L
Docket M-249 part 500 respectively have a socket 504 and a pivot pin 505.
Similarily, the subframe section 216a and the movable frame part 502 respectively have a socket 506 and a pivot pir. 507.
Applicator 253a snaps into sockets 326a and 327a in respective frame parts 500 and 502. The frame parts 500 and 502 and the applicator 253a are pivotal about pivot pins 505 and 506 as a unit with respect to the respective frame parts 501 and 503.
The subframe sections 215a and 216a receive and retain platen 217a which has a delaminator such as a peel edge or turning edge 218a. Print head 219a, having printing members 220a carried by its print head frame 221a, is movable relatively toward and away from t~e platen 21Ja. The print head frame 221a has integrally formed racks 224a a~d 225a and respective tracks 226a and 227a. The subrame section 215a has a track 230a and the su~frame section 216a has an opposite track tnot shown)for respective ball bearings 228a and 229a.
Frame parts 500 and 502 have respective sockets 510 and 511 i~ which respective pivot pins 512 and 513 of inker body 514 , of an inking mechanism 252a,are received. As the print head 219a moves toward and away from the platen 217a, the inking mechanism 252a oscillates first in one direction and thereafter in the opposite direction about its pivot pins 512 and 513 to effect inking of the print head 219a.
The apparatus 210a has an operator 235a in the form of a lever 236a pivotally mounted by a post 237a. Stop block 239a -3~- , Docket M-249 is ad~ustable ~y means o~ a screw 289a received in a threaded bore 288a~ The operator 235a is urged a~ay from the stop block 239a by means of a spring assembly 515 which ~ears a~ one end agains~ a socket 516 formed partly by handle portion 233a and partly by handle portion 234a and at its o~her end against a socket 517 (FIGURE 47~ integral with the operator 235a. Gear sec~ions 240a and 241a carried by the le~er 236a are in meshing engagement wi~h respective compound gears 242a and 243a. Specifi-cally, the gear sections 240a and 241a mesh with respective sections 518 and 519, and sections 520 and 521 mesh with respective racks 224a and 225a of the print head 219a. Toothed driver 244a is dri~en by a pawl 245a which cooperates with a ratchet wheel 246a. Detent mechanism 247a is coupled to the toothed driver 244a. Teeth 249a of the dxi~er 244a engage the suppo~ting material of the composite web in the manner shown and described in the emhodiment of FIGURES 1 through 34 and 45. Rolls 256a and 257a guide the composite web 30a and the supporting material web 32a, respecti~ely, and roll 259a cooperates with t~e toothed driver 244a. The composite web 30a is in the form of a roll -20 carried on a core 44a which can be inserted into the housing through an opening 211a'. The core 44a is mounted by ~ubs 318a and 319a carried by respective leaf springs 312a and 313a. Annular brake members 314a and 315a exert slight braking forces against only the core 44a.
With reference to FIGURES 36, 37 and 38, the composite web 30a has label material 31a releasably adhered to and carried by supporting or backing material 32al Label material 31a is ~ ot~ 734 Docket M-249 cut transversely at longitudinally spaced-apart intervals by transverse cuts 33a. The composite web 30a is like the composite web 30 except that there is an additional group of cuts 38b be~ween groups of cuts 38a. The shapes of the groups of cuts 38a and 38b are identical to each other and to the shape of the cuts of groups 38.
With reference to FIGURES 39 through 44, there is illustrated a method by which either the apparatus 210 or the apparatus 210a can be loaded. In loading the apparatus~ for example the apparatus 210a, the composite web 30a in xoll form is inserted into the frame 211a into position on the hubs 318a and 319a. While the usex holds the labeler 210a in his one hand by means of the handle 233a and depresses the lever ~36a slightly to release brake 522, the marginal end portion 30' of the we~ is inserted through brake 522 into a passageway formed partly by the groove 254a ~FIGURE 35) and the groove 255a. He now passes the marginal end portion 30' of the composite web 30a partly around the roll 256a and over platen 217a and then between a guide 523 and the applicator 253a. The user then grasps the marginal end portion 30' between the thumb and index fingers of his other hand, and while holding the apparatus 210a in an attitude that will prevent the delaminated labels 36a from coming into contact with and adhering either to the apparatus 210a or to the supporting material web 32a, the composite web 30a is pulled in a direction away from the applicator 253a such that the supporting material 32a is caused to undergo a sharp change of direction as it passes around peel edge 218a at the terminal end of the .

10~773~
Docket M-249 platen 217a. In that the marginal end portion 301 is pulled in a direction substantially parallel to the plater and the supporting material undergoes a sharp bend of about 180, in so doing, the supporting material 32a is torn as indicated at 32t as it is forced past the guide 523 and against the under-sida of the platen 217a and is pulled to the position shown in FIGURE 40, The marginal end portion 30' is pulled to a predetermined point 232' at the front tip of the handle 232a so that just the right number of labels 36a are delaminated.
Th~ result is that an end section 30" of the supporting material 32a is completely stripped of a plurality tsuch as about seven) label~ 36a. The labels on the end section 30" are readily removed without ha~ing to manually remove them one-by-one from the supporting material 32a. If desired, the marginal end portion 30' can be severed ~ro~ the end section 30" at the tear 32t preferably through one group of cuts 38a in the supporting material web 38a so that the end section which is devoid of labels 36a can t be passed between the toothed member 244a and the cooperating die xoll 259a, as best shown in FIGURE 42. In the position shown in ~IGURE 42, slackness exists in the end section 30". By manually operating the operator 235a, the end section 30" can be advanced through the apparatus until all the slac~ness has been removed as best shown in FIGURE 43O The apparatus 210a is now ready or use. In this position, each manual operation o~ th~ operator 235a will cause a label 36a to be printed and therea~ter d~spensed to the position shown in FIGURES 43 and 44 in which the trailing edge o~ the label 36a is still adhered to the supporting material 32a.

Doc~et M-249 Referring to ~IGURES 4,5 through 48, the relationship . ~' of the spring assembly 515 to the handle 232a and to the operator 235a is shown in greater detail than in FIGURE 35. The spring assembly 515 is shown to have a tubular body or sleeve 524 having a circular cylindrical internal wall 525. One end of the tubular body 524 is open as indicated at 526 and its other end is closedr off by an end wall 5270 A connector 528 having a circular cylindrical outer surface 529 substantially greater than 180 in extent is formed integrally with the end wall 527. The connector 528 is received by the socket 516 which has a circular cylindrical inner surface 516' slightly greater than 180 in extent. The surface 529 extends transversely with respect to the tubular body 524 and more specifically the axis of the surface 529 extends perpendicularly and through the axis of the tubular lS section 524. A tubular plunger 530 having a circular cylindrical outer surface 531 is shown to be received in slidable contact with the wall 525 of the body 524. The plunger 530 is open at one end as indicated at 532 and is closed off at its other end by an end wall 533. A connector 534 having a circular cylindrical outer surface 535 substan~ially greater than 180 in extent is formed integrally with the end wall 533. The surface 535 extends transversely with respect to the plunger 530 and more specifically the axis of the outer surface 535 extends perpendicularly to and through the axis of the plunger 530. Tlle connector 534 is received by the socket 517 which has a circular cylindrical inner surface 517' slightly greater than 180 in extent. A compression spring 536 is received in a bore 537 of the plunger 530 and abuts at one end against the end wall 533. The other end of the spring 536 :

~17734~
Docket M-249 abuts against the end wall 527 of the body 524. A keeper 538 formed integrally with the end wall 527 extends coaxially within the inside wall 525. The body 524 has a pair of opposed longitudinally extending slots 539 and 540. The plunger 530 has a pair of opposed resilient spring fingers 541 and 542 having respective abutment surfaces 543 and 544. The ends of the slots 539 and 540 constitute stops 545 and 546. In the - position shown in FIGURE 47, the abutment surfaces 543 and 544 are in abutment with respective stops 545 and 546. In that the plunger 530 is constructed of resilient plastic material, the fingers 541 and 542 can resiliently yield while the spring assembly 515 is being assembled, specifically as the end 532 of the plunger 530 is inserted into the open end 526 of the tubular body 524. As the abutment surfaces 543 and 544 clear the stops 545 and 546 while the plunger 541 is being pushed into the tubular body 524, the spring fingers 541 and 542 first deflect and then spring outwardly to the position shown in FIGURE 47. Assembly o~ the spring assembly 515 is now complete and the tubular body 524 and the plunger 530 can now undergo limited relative movement with respect to each other. The spring assembly 515 is easy to assem~le in manufacturing and is easy to install in the apparatus 210a as a modular spring as~embly or unit. In that the sockets 516 and 517 are resilient they can expand resilientl~ to receive respective connectors 528 and 534.
During use the spring assembly 515 normallv urges the operator 235a to its initial position as shown in FIGURE 45. When the operator 235a is operated by the user, the plunger 530 telescopes into the tubular body 524 as best shown in FIG~RE 46. Upon sub-sequent release of the operator 235a, the sprin~ assembly 515 returns the operator 235a to its initial position.

-39~

~7~34~L
Docket M-249 With reference to FIGURES 35, 45 and 49, there is shown a lubricant applicator generally indicated at 547. The purpose of the applicator 547 is to apply a lu~ricant to the peripheral surface of the toothed driver 244a to retard the accumulation of gum ~adhesive, paper dust, and the like) on the toothed driver 244a. The applicator 547 is shown to be comprised of a curved strip of porous ~lexi~le resilient material, for example, felt. The applicator 547 is generally hat-shaped in transverse section. The applicator 547 is disposed between the outer surface 10 of the tooth~d driver 244a and flanges 548 and 549 of respective subframe sections 215a and 216a. The flanges 548 and 549 support the applicator 547. A portion 550 of the applicator is disposed between the ends of the flanges 548 and 549 so it is apparent that the subframe sections 215a and 216a and their respective 15 flanges 548 and 549 amply support and retain the applicator 547. The applicator 547 has a surface 551 which is in light contact with the-peripheral surface of the toothed driver 242a.
This light contact assures that lubricant contained in the appli-cator 547 is transferred to the peripheral surface of the driver 20 244a, but that the frictional drag on the driver 242a is negligible. The surface 551 of the applicator 547 corresponds generally to the contour of the peripheral surface of the ~river 244a. Transverse slits or slots 547' in the applicator 547 facilitate ~ending of the strip to the shape of the periphery 25 of the driver 244a. As best shown in FIGURE 35, the applicator 547 has a groove 552 in which the teeth 249a of the driver 244a travel.

--gO--~7~734~
Docket M-249 With reference to FIGURE 45, it is noted that the applicator 547 is positioned in contact with that portion of ~he driver 244a which is out of the path of the supporting ... .
material ~eb 32a. This obviates any wicking or bleeding of lubricant from the applicator 547 to the supporting material 32a~
This is especially beneficial during such time as the apparatus 210a is not in use. Although the applicator 547 could be in the form of a roll, it is preferred to use an applicator in the form of a strip whic~ is easy to manufacture and assemble. The applica-tor 247 can contain any suitable lubricant which canretard the transfer of gum from the supporting material 32a onto the driver 244a. By way of example, not limitation, the absorbent applicator 547 can contain the following suit~ble - lubricant: Dow Corning 1107 fluid, a liquid silicone, described in Bulletin :05-169 dated ~ebruary, 1967, of the Chemical Products Division, Dow Corning Corpoxation, Midland, Michigan 48640.
Referring to FIGURES 50 through 54, the brake 522 is shown to include a roll 553. The roll 553 has a pair of spaced apart O-rings 554 and 555 compris2d of resilient material such as rubber. The roll 553 has stub ends 556 and 5S7 received in respective tracks 558 and 559 in respective subframe sections 215a and 216a. It is apparent that the roll 553 is rotatable and also movable relatively toward and away from surfaces 560 and 561 of respective subframe sections 215a and 216a. As shown in FIGURES 50 and 51, end portion 562 of print head frame 221a is in engagement with the O-rings 554 and S55 of roll 553, and the composite web 30a is clamped between the roll 553 and the .

-4~-~ 7734~l Docket M-2~9 surfaces 560 and 561. Accordingly, in this position of the brak~ 522, because of the friction exerted between the roll 553 and end portion 562 of the print head 219a, rotation of the roll 553 is prevented. Consequently, the composite web 30a which is in frictional engagement with the roll 553 and is clamped between the roll 553 and surfaces 560 and 561 is pre-~ented from being advanced toward the delaminator 218a. In this position of the print head 219a (in which the operator 235a is in its initial positionl, a printed label 36a is in applying position relative to applicator 253a ready to be applied to an article. Once the label 36a has been applied, the user can again operate the operator 235a which causes the print head 219a to move toward the platen 217a. As the print head 219a mo~es toward the platen 217a, the portion 562 of the frame 221a of the print head 219a moves out o~ contact with the roll 553. At the printing position of the print head 219a, the portion 562 of the frame 221a is in the position shown in FIGURE 52. When the user releases the operator 235a, the spring assembly 515 causes the toothed driver 244a to advance the com-posite web 30a and to effect return of the print head 219a to the position shown in FIGURE 51. During return of the print head 219a from the position sho~n in FIGURE 52 to the position shown in FIGURE 51, the roll 553 permits the composite web 30a to advance as it rolls on the advancing web 30a. However, upon the substan-tial completion of tra~el of the print head 219a, the portion S62 again operates the brake 552 to effect clamping of the composite .

~C~77~4~L
Docket M-249 - -web 30a between the roll 553 and surfaces 560 and 561. The brake 522 is simple in construction and automatic in its operation and yet it serves the purpoC;e of preventing any paying out o~ the composite web 30a from the roll during applica-~ tion of the label 36a. Such paying out of the web 30a can resultin the event that the cuts 33a through the label material 31a are not complete so that the trailing edge o one label 36a remains connected to the leading edge of the next subsequent label 36a. As is evident in t~is embodiment of the invention the brake 522 exerts a substantial braking force on the web 30a, while brake surfaces 318a and 319a exert only a slight braking force on the core 44a.
With reference to FIGURES 55 through 57, there is shown a modification for the embod~ment of ~IGURES 1 through 34 and for the embodiment of ~IGU~ES 35 through 54 and 58 through 70. Components whîch are generally related to those of either the embodiments of FIGURES 1 through 34 or 35 through 54 and 58 through 70 are indicated by the same reference characters, with the addition of the letter "b". Label printing and applying apparatus 210b includes subframe 214b having subframe sections 215b and 216b. The apparatus 210b differs from apparatus ZlOa only in the respect that leaf springs 312a and 313a rotatably mount core 44b of composite web 306. More specifically, axially aligned, one-piece, rolls 570 and 571 are rotatably mounted by arms or leaf springs 312a and 313a. The rolls 570 and 571 are identical in construction. The rolls 570 and 571 ha~e frustro-conica] surfaces 572 and 573 wl~ich serve to automatically center 10~73~.
~ocket M-249 the core 44b with ~espect to the center line CL of the sub-fram~ 214b. The rolls 570 and 571 have respective hubs 574 and 575 ha~ing respective ~earing shoulders 576 and 577. The bearing shoulders 576 and 577 bear against the arms 312b and 313b.
As the rolls 570 and 571 rota~e the shouiders 576 and 577 prevent other portions of the respective rolls 570 and 571 from rubbing on the arms 312b and 313b. Th~ arms 312b and 313b are flexible and resilient enough to enable the core 44b to be inserted on rolls 570 and 571 and yet rigid enough to enable the core 44b to be mounted as illustrated in ~IGURES 55 and 57.
~he arms 312b and 313b are sufficiently yieldable to accommodate for manufacturing variations in the length of core 44b. The hubs 574 and 575 are rotatably received in holes 578 and 579 in arms 312b and 313b. Spring clips 580 and 581 preven. the hu~s 574 and 575 fro~ shifting off the arms 312b and 313b but - permit the rolls 570 and 571 to rotate. Rolls 570 and 571 have respective circular cylindrical portions 582 and 583 which prevent the core 44b from slipping off when the composite web 30b is advanced. With reference to FIGU~E 57, a resilient device 584, illustrated as being a curved leaf spring, serves to facilitate the gradual paying out of the composite web 30b. In that ~he apparatus 210b causes the composite web 30b to be pulled oncè
for eàch actuation and return cycle of the operator (235 or 235a), and in that the apparatus is capable of printing and applying multiple labels ~36, 36a or 36b~ in succession per second, the device 584 is conducive to the gradual unwinding of the composite web roll. ~hen the composite web 30b is advanced, -4~-Dockct M-249-C-1 107734~

the resilient d~vice 584 will moVe from the position shown by phantom lines to the position shown by solid lines in ~IGURE 57. As the roll unwinds yraduall~, the device 584 moves to the position shown by~ phantom lines in FIGURE 57.
One end 585 of the device 584 is retained in fixed position relative to a subîrame 214b by fitt.ing into a retaining pocket 586 formed partly in the subframe section 215b and par~ly by the subfram~ section ~16b.
~ ith reference to FIGURE 58, there is shown diagrammatically the structure which is already shown in greater detail in FIGURES 24, 25 and 26, for ~xample. Specifically, printing band 220a has a printing section 354a and a non-printing human readable section 355a. The printing section 354a has printing blocks 353a and ~he non-prin~ing section contains human readable indicia tFIGURE 25) representa-ti~e of the data which the printing blocks 353a are capable of printing. The printing section 354a is thicker than the non~prin~ing section 355a as best seen in FIGURE 58. The pointers 373 (FIGURE 24) are modified to the extent that they are extended as sho~n at 373a in FIGURE 58. The pointers 373a are molded inte~rally with the frame 371a which can be shifted in a direction parallel to the axis of the driven members 351a (only one of which is shown in ~IGURE 58~. It is apparent that the pointers 373a include stop ~aces 587 and that the pxin~ y bloc~s 353a adjacent the nor-printing sec~.ion 355a have abutment faces 588~ Thus, ~he non-printin~

5_ 107734~
Docket ~-249 section 355a is incapable of being moved to the printing position at which it would be inked by the ink roller. Inadvertent movement of t~e non-printing section to the pxinting and inking zone would result in inking of the human readable indicia wh~h would make them difficult to read; but this pro~lem is ob~iated by the present invention. The invention can be applied as well to type wheels of the type illustrated in FIGURES 32 through 34 which can have a prin~ing section and an adjacent non-printing - human readable section.
With reference to FIGURES 59 through 64, there is illustrated a method by ~-hich the platen 217a is made. Referring initially to FIGURE 59, there is provided a flat sheet composed of bendable substantially rigid material. Although any suitable sheet materiai can be employed, it is ?referred to use steel haYing a smooth surface, for example, polished stainless steel.
Elongated sets of holes 601 and 602 and round holes 603 are shown to be cut through the sheet 600. The holes 601 and 602 are elongated in the same direction and are generally rectangular in shape. The holes 601 and 602 are symmetrical about a center line 604 extending through the centers of holes 603, with the holes 601 and 602 being in alignment with each other and with the holes 603. If desired the center line 604 of the inve~se bend need not pass through the'centers of the holes 603. The sheet 600 is inversely bent about ~ e`'line 604 to pro~ide a ~i. :
pair of plates or plate portion~ 605 "and 606 joined by a bight portion 607. With a sheet of flexible, resilient moldable material 608 disposed between the plates 605 and 606 there is -~6-~773~L
Docket M-249 provided a sand~ich arrangement ~hich is placed between press members 609 and 610 of a press to effect extrusion of the moldable material into the space within the holes 601 and 602. This extrusion can ~e accomplished ~y applying pressure using the press members 609 and 610 aLccompanied by suitable heating means tnot shown~ for heating the moldable material 608. ~or thîs purpose, the platen mem~ers 609 and 610 can be heated. As shown in FIGURES 63 and 64 the sets of holes 601 and 602 are in alignment with each other. The platen 217a thus has ~lexible resilient platen sections 611, 612 and 613 which can yiPld independently of each other during printing as illustrated in FIGURE 64. The composite web 30a is omitted from between printing members 220a and 220a' and the platen 217a in FIGURE 54 for the sake of clarity. This means that each lir.e of printing characters can produce quality printing irrespective of minor manufacturing ~ariations in the print heaa or the platen which might otherwise cause poor printing quality. The plates or plate portions 605 and 606 cooperate to support the platen sections 611, 612 and 613 only at their peripheral edges, and more specifically they support the sections 611, 612 and 613 along the entirety of their respective peripheral edges but the platen sections 611, 61`2, and 613 are otherwise unsupported so that they can yield even beyond the surface of the underside of the platen 217a. The resultant platen 217a has a relatively sharp delaminator or peel edge 217a and the holes 603 pro~ide generally semi-circular notches 614 at the peel edge 217a. Each notch 614 constitutes -~7-, Docket M-249 ~7734~

an interruption in the edge wh~ch reduces the area of contact with the web of supporting material 32a thereby reducing riction therebet~een as the web 32a is drawn in the direction of arrow 615. With reference to FIGURES 61 and 62, the moldable material 608 which would otherwise exist in the notches 614 is preferably trimmed away.
Referring to ~IGURE 66, the inking mechanism 252a is shown in its operative inking position between the print head 219a and the platen 217a. The inking mechanism 252a includes the inker body 514 and an ink roller 620 carried by the inker body 514~ The inking mechanism 252a also includes a pair of tracks 621 and 622 which guide the ink roller 620 as the print head 219a i~ driven toward and away from the platen 217a. With reference to ~IGURE 67, the one-piece inker body 514, which is composed of a flexible resilient material, has a pair of slotted arms 623 and 624 having respective elongated aligned slots 625 and ~26.
The ink roLler 620 includes an ink recepti~e, tubular, porous ink roll 627 recei~ed by a hub 628 having hub portions 629 and 630. The hub portion 630 has a fluted projection 361 and the hub portion 629 has a bore 632 into which the projection 631 is adapted to be press-fitted. The ink roll 627, composed for example of rubber or the like, is recei~ed by the hub portions 629 and 630, as best shown in FIGURE 69. The hub portions 629 and 630 ha~e respective integral flanges or bearing rolls 633 and 634, which ar~ adapted to ride on bearing surfaces 635 and ~36 of the print head 219a. Stuh ends 637 and 638 mount respective rollers 639 and 640, and 641 and 642. The rollers .

Docket M-249 ~ ~ 7734~

640 and 641 are received in the elongated slots 625 and 626. of slotted portions 623 and 624, the rollers 639 and 642 . axe received in respecti~e tracks 621 and 622.
The inker body S14 also has integrally formed arms or leaf springs.643 and 644 which carry the integrally formed pi~ot pins 512 and 513 recei~ed in t~e.respective sockets 510 and 511.
As the print head 219a moves toward the platen Z17a (FIGURE 66~, the constant slope of the tracks 621 and 622 causes the ink roller 620 to tra~el across the ink and the printing me~bers 220a at the constant rate. When the print head 217a is in printing cooperation with the label 36a at the printing zone, the ink roller 620 has moved to the position shown by phantom lines ~FIGU~E 66). When the print head 219a moYes away rrom the platen 217a, a spring finger or leaf spring 645, formed integrally with the inker body 514, causes the bearing rolls 633 and 634 .to roll along bearing surfaces 635 and 636. During all this traYel o~ the inker body 514 and the ink roller 620 which it carries, the slotted portions 523 and 524 serve to mount the ink roller 620 and tracks 621 and 622 define the path of travel of the ink roller 620. Installation of the inker body 514 and its ink roller 620 is accomplished by flexing together the leaf springs 643 and 644 so that the respective pivot pins 512 and 513 can be inserted into the respective`sockets S10 and 511. The inker body 514 can be removed by flexing to~ether leaf springs 6~3 and 644. The ink roller 620 can be installed or re~.oved from the inker body by fiexing apart th2 slotted arms 623 and 624. FIGURE 68 shows the inker body 51~ and its ink roller 620 being removed from the apparatus, while housing part 502 and the corresponding housing part 502 (FIGUR~ 65) are in an open position relativ~ to the respective housing parts 501 and 503.
q~ .

Docket M-249-C-1 1077341 The print head 219a has two rows of printing ba~ds as is shown in somewhat greater detail in FIGURE 31. In order to print a third line of data between the ~wo lines of printing members 22a, a slug 646 (FIGURES 6~, 69 and 70) is inserted into the print head frame 221a. A~ best shown in FIGURE 70, the slug 646 comprises a base 647 having a dovetail portion 648, a printing member 220a' and has a mating portion 648' received by the dovetail 648. The base 647 has a projection 650 receivable in a recess 651 in the print head frame 221a. The base 647 has an elongated extension 652 having a projection 653 which is received in a recess 654 in the print head frame 221a. In this manner, the slug 646 can be inserted into a slo~ 655 in the print head frame 221a and resiliently snapped into place by means of the projection 656 which can be used to facilitate insertion or removal of the slug 646.
It is preferred to mold the driver or feed wheel 244 of a material which incorporatas a lubricant to dLminish the amount of gum or adhesive that is transferred to the feed wheel 244 during use to prevent impropPr feeding. By incorporating the lubricant in the feed wheel 244 the surface of the feed wheel 244 has a low coefficient of friction. However, the teeth 249 are adequate to grip and drive the web 32. One specific material to be used to mold the feed wheel is an acetal resin combined with polytetrafluoroethylene lubricants. One such material is sold commercially under Number KL-4030 by Liquid Nitrogen Processing Corporat:ion, Malvern, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

-50~

~ . 1~7~341 Docket M-249 The remainder of the apparatus in FIGURES 1 through 70, except for the platens ~17 and 217a, O~rings 282 and 332, the bal~ bearings 228, 228a, 229 a~d 229a, the spring 238, the washers 365, rubber printing members 220, 22a and 220a, portion

5 648', sprin~ 536 , applicator 55~ , O-rings 554 and 555 , clips 581 and 582, and the resilient device 584, are composed of suitable lightweight moldable plastic materials, for example, acetal, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, or the like, but the ink rolls 311 and 627 are preferably constructed of porous vinyl. Accord-ingly, the apparatus is very light in weight, and easy and con-~enient to use with a minimum of fatigue.
Other embodiments and modifications of this invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and all such of these as come within the spirit of this invention are includea ~ithin its scope as best defined by the app~nded claims.

. -51-

Claims (5)

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

1. Printing apparatus, comprising: a frame, a movable print head mounted by the frame, an inking mechanism driven by the print head, means for driving the print head, the inking mechanism including a traveling ink roller having an ink-receptive roll and a bearing roll at each end of the ink-receptive roll, means carried by the frame for guiding the ink roller during its travel relative to the print head, means movably mounting the ink roller to the frame, and means for biasing the ink roller toward the print head, the print head having bearing surfaces on which the bearing rolls roll as the ink-receptive roll inks the print head.

2. Printing apparatus as defined in claim 1, a mounting roll and a guide roll disposed at each end of the ink roller, the mounting rolls being carried by the mounting means and the guide rolls being in rolling cooperation with the guiding means.

3. Printing apparatus as defined in claim 1, the frame including a housing, the housing having relatively movable sections, one section of the housing carrying the inking mechanism, the guiding means and the mounting means so that the inking mechanism can be removed when the housing sections are moved apart.

4. A hand-held label printing and applying machine for printing on labels carried on a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, a print head mounted by the housing, means for driving the print head into printing cooperation with a label, and an ink roller driven by the print head and including an ink-receptive roll and a bearing roll outboard each end of the ink-receptive roll, the bearing rolls being capable of bearing on the print head as the ink-receptive roll inks the print head, the ink roller having roll means outboard each bearing roll by which the ink roller can be mounted and guided relative to the print head.

5. Printing apparatus as defined in claim 4, the ink roller having a pair of stub ends, each roll means including a mounting roll and a guide roll rotatably mounted by the respective stub end.