CA1094879A - Label printing and applying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Docket M-249-C-1-4-1 APPLICATOR FOR A LABELING MACHINE

Abstract of the Disclosure There is disclosed a label applying machine having an applicator. The applicator is comprised of a plurality of wheels. The wheels are mounted on a hub for independent rotational and independent yielding movements. In the disclosed embodiment, each wheel has a rim and a plurality of flexible resilient arms joined to the rim and in contact with the hub.

Description

7~
;ocket M-249-C

APPLICATOR FOR A LABELING MACHINE

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

2,259,358 Templeton 1941 2,375,064 Moore 1942 2,502,257 Hawkins et al 1950 2,516,487 Schlicksupp 1950 2,620,205 Vogt 1952 2,656,063 Kafka 1953

3,051,353 Krueger 1962 ~,265,553 Kind et al 1966 3,343,485 Loeffler 1967 3,440,123 Hamisch, Sr. 1969 3,501,365 Marshall 1970 3,551,251 Yo Sato 1970 3,611,929 Schrotz 1971 .

, - --1--Docket M-249-C-1-4-1 Summary of the Invention The invention relates to an applicator for a label applying machine. The applicator is comprised of a plurality of wheels. The wheels are mounted for independent rotational and independent yielding movements. This is especially useful when applying labels to merchandise having irregular surfaces.

Dccket M-249 ~rief Descriotion of the Drawin~s :
FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of label printing and.applying apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention;
S FIGURE 2 ls a partly broken away top plan view of a composite web useful in the label printing and applying apparatus of the in~ention;
FIGURE 3 is a sectional elevational ~iew of the apparatus shown in FIGU~E l;
FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken generally along line 4--4 of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--5 of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of one of the subframe sections of the apparatus;
FIGURE 8 is a top plan view taken along line 8--8 of FIGURE 7;
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 roll 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 of FIGUP~E 10;
FIGURE 12 is a sectional view ta};en senerally along line 12--12 of ~IGURE 3;

~ 4879 Docket M-249 FIGURE 13 is an e~plod d perspective vie~.~ of the inking mechanism;
FIGURE 14 is an enlarged sectional ~iew showing a fragmentary portion of the apparatus in solid lines, and in S particular showing a fragme~tary portion o. the print head and the inking mechanism in both solid and phantom line positions;
FIGURE 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15--15 of FIGURE 4 10FIGURE 16 is a developed view showing the arrangem2nt of the teeth of the detent mechanism FIGURE 17 is a sectional view taken along line 17--17 of ~IGURE 15;
FIGURE 18 is a sectiona1 veiw taken generally along li~e 18--18 of FIGURE lS;
FIGURE 19 ic a sectional view showing one of the three setS of snap-fit connPctions used to interconnect the frame and the subframe;
FIGURE 20 is an enlarged view of an applicator xoll shown mounted in the frame of the apparatus;
FIGURE 21 is a sectional view taken along line 21--21 of FIGURE 20;
FIGURE 22 is a sectional view taken along line 22--22 of FIGURE 21, but omitting the shaft and the frictional member;
25FIGURE ~3 is a partly sectional vie~ of the mountins shaft which forms part of the applicator roll;
FIGURE 24 is an e~ploded pers~ective view of the print head;

- Docket ~ 2~9 1 094879 FIGURE 25 is a sectional view of the print ~ead taken generally along line 25--25 of FIGURE 3;
FIG~RE ~6 is a sectional vie-~ silowing the selector in relationship to the associated driven wheels;
FIGURE 27 is an enlarged sectional viPw showing the manner in which detenting o~ the selec.or is effected, but showing the driven members as ~eing of different widths;
FIGURE 28 is a view similar to a fragmentary portion of FIGURE 26, but showing the manner in which det~nting can be effected directly an a wheel;
FIGURE 29 is an enlarged, partly sectional, ele~ational view showing an alternative arrangement for constructing the selector;
FIGURE 30 is a perspective view showing the driYing mem~er ~epicted in FIGU~E 29;
FIGURE 31 is a partiy e~ploded perspective vlew of a modified print head in accor~ance with the invention;
FIGURE 32 is an exploded perspective view of the selector in association with ~ype 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 sec~ional view taXen generally along line 34--34 of ~IGURE 33;
FIGURE 35 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of ~he label printing and applying apparatus;
FIGURE 36 is a partly broken away top plan view of a composite web useful in the apparatus;
FIGUR~ 37 is a sectional view taken along line 37--37 o~ FIGURE 36;

~ 94~379 et ~ 249 FIGURE 38 is a sectional view taken along line 38--38 of FIGURE 36;
FIGURES 39.through 44 are diagrammatic views illustra-ting a method of loading the apparaLus;
. FIGURE 45 is an ele~ational view, partly in section, showing a ~ragment~ry portion of the actuating means including an operator and 2 spring assembly, with the opera.or being in its initial position;
PIGURE 46 is an elevational view,partly in section, showing the operator in its operated position;
FIGURE 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 ~iew 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 Sl is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a portion of the apparatus shown in EIGURE 50, and showing especially the print head in its operating position with a brake in accordance with the invention;
FIGURE 52 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURF 51, but showing the print head out o~ the operative position with the brake;
FIGURE 53 is a sectional viet~ taken along line 53--53 o FIGURE 52;
PIGURE 54 is a top plan view, nartly in section, of a ragmentary portlon of the apparatus;

: -6-~ L~ ~7 9 Docket M-249 FIGURE 55 is a top plan view, oartly in section, of a fragmentary portion of a modified apparatus;
FIGURE 56 is a sectional view taken along line 56--;6 of FIGURE 55;
FIGURE 57 is an elevational 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 roll;
FIGURE 58 is a view similar to FIGURE 25, but illustra-ting an improved arrangement by which the human readable s2ction of the printing mem~er is prevented from being moved to the printing zone;
FIGURE 59 is a top plan view of a s~eet used in making a platen;
FIGURE 60 is a diagrammatic sectional vie~w o~ the shee~ 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 perspec~ive view of the platen showing the composite web by phantom lines;
20 ~ FIGURE 63 is a sectional view taken along line 63--63 of FI~URE 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;
FIGURE 65 i.s a side elevational view of the apparatus;
FIGURE 66 is a fragmentary partly s~ctional view of the apparatus showing a housing secti.on in the closed position and showing the inking mechanism;

Bq9 Do~ke~ M-2~9 ~IGURE 67 is an e~ploded perspective view of an inker body and ink rcller of the inking me~hanism;
~IGURE 68 is a ~iew similar to FIGURE 66, but showing t~e housing section in the open positlon S FIGURE 69 is a fragmentar~ view showing the ink roller bearing on the print head and inking the printing members; and FIG'JRE 70 is a perspective exploded YieW of a slug usad with the print head.
Descri tion of the Praferred Embodiment P
Referring now to a label printing and applying apparatus generally indicated at 210 in the em~odiment of FIGU~ES 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 inc~ude a pair of f~ame sections 212 and 213. Disposed within the housing 211 is a subframe generally indicated at 214 which comprises a pair of subframe sertions 215 and 216. The frame sections 212 and 213 mo~t a platen 217 which includes a peel edge 218. A print head generally lndicated at 215 is mounted by the subframe 214. More specifically, the print head 219 includes a plurality of selectable settable printing members 220 in the o~m of endless printing bands mounted by a print head frame 211. ~xtending from the frame 221 are a Fair of flanges 222 and 223. Gear sections or specifically racks 224 and 225 are proJided 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.
The subframe sections 215 and 216 have respective tracl~s 230 and ~ Doc~et ~1-249 lOg4879 231. The ball bearing 228 is received in the trac~ 226 o~ the fla~ge 22~ an in the trac~ 230, and the ball bearing 229 is recei~ed in the trac~ 227 in the flange 223 and in the track 231.
The ball bearings 228 and 229 have respective balls 228' and 229' rotatably held b'l respective tangs or holders 228" and 229". In this manner, the print head 219 is mounted for movement, particu-l~rly 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 lO has a respective hzndle portion 233 and 234. An operator gen- -erally indicated at 235 is shown to comprise a pivotally operated le~er 2'6 pi~otally mounted by a post 237 at the lower end of t~e handle 232. The lever 236 is normally urged in a counter-clock~Jise di-ection (FIGURE 1) by a torsion spring 238 received about the post 237. The pivotal movement of the lever 236 is limited b~l an adjusta~le stop block 239 received by the handle 232 between the handle portions 233 and 234. The upper end of the operatlng le~er 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 segments. Gear sections 240 and 241 are in meshing engagement with respective spur gears 242 ~nd 243. The spur gears 242 and 243 are in meshing engagement with resp2ctive gear sections 224 and 225 carried b~ the print head 219.
A roll of pressure sensitive labels, in the form for exc~mple of the composite web 30 shown in FIGURE 2, is mounted ~y its core 44 by the subframe 214. As will be des-cribed in greater de.ail hereina~ter, the composite web 30 _g_ I:)ocket M 249 1094879 is drawn off the roll into overlying -elationshi}? wi~;h respect to the platen 217 and the supporting material 32 is ensaged by a toothed driver 244. The gear 2~3 carries an i~tegral pawl 245 cooperable with a ratchet wheel 246 which is coupled S to the driver 244 by a detent mechanism generally indicated at 247. An input or drive meII~ber 248 of ~he detent mechanism 247 is sho~m in FIGURE l. The toothed dri~rer 244 has a plurallty of e~ually spaced apart dri~re teeth 249 arranged about its outer periphery. The pawl 245 is i~tegrally joined at but one end 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 f ame section 213 has an access opening 250. A cover 251 is remo~ably connected to the frame section 213 at the access opening 250. The cover 251 mounts an inking mechanism 252 cooperable with the printincJ members 220 of the print head 21~. The housing sections 212 and 213 mount an applicator 253 disposed downstream of the peel edge 218.
Refsr~ing to FIGURE 2, there is sho~m composite web 20 30 of label material 31 releasably adhered to and carried by supporting or bac};ing material 32. The label material 31 is cut transversely by transverse cuts 33 e~tending all the way across the web 31 of label material to the side edges 34 and 35 of the composite web 3û. The cuts 33 known as "butt cuts"
25 separate the web 31 of label material into a series of end-to-end labels 36. The underside or the web 31 of label material has a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive 37 which adheres strongly to the we~ 31 of label material. The web 32 of supporting material carries a ~hin film or coating (not sllown) ~ 099L87~
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 inter~als along the length o the composite web 30. Each group 38 of cuts is shown to extend through the supporting material as well as through the label material. Each group of cuts is shown to be made in a generally I-shaped configuration comprised of cuts 39S, 40S and 41S in tha supporting material and aligned cuts 39L, 40L and 41L in the label m~terial. The part of the 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 the end of the cut 39L and the cut 4OL pro- -vides a frangible portion 43~ a~d the part betweer. the othe~ end o~ the cut 39L and the cut 41L provides a frangible portion 42L~
Refe~ring to FIGURE 3, the interrelationship of the components of the apparatus 210 is shcwn in detail. The com-posite we~ 30 is paid out o~ the roll ana~pasees through a passage provided by subframe sections 215 and 216 and specifically by groo~e 254 (FIGURE 9) in the subframe section 215 and a co-operating groove 255 (FIGUR~.S 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 217. Delamination i5 effected at the peel edge 218 formed at the end of the platen 217~ The supporting material 32 is drawn around the peel edge 218 beneath the pla~en 217 and passes partl~l ~round a roll 257, helow the guide 258 and between the ~9~879 ~ocket M-249 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 bursking of the frangible portions 42S and 43S, whereupon the tooth 249 which is in mating coope_a-tion with the die wheel 259 (FIGURE $8) is considered to have formed a f~ed hole in the supporting material 242. It is pre-ferred that there be three teeth 249 in driving engasement ~ith the supporting material 32 at all times. The subframe sections 215 and 216 ha~e respective aligned strippers 260 and 261 whlch ~acilitate disengagement of the teeth 249 with 'he supporting material 232 as the dri~er 244 ~o~ates. Opposed guide grooves 262 and 263 formed in the subframe sections 21S and 216 guide th~ supporting material 3Z to an e~it opening 264. Excess lS supportir.~ material ~hich dangle~ from the apparatus 210 can be readily torn off at the exit opening 264.
With reference to FIGURE 3, the print head 219 is shown by solid lines in the initial or home position and ~y phantom lines 219' in the printing zone ln printing cooperation 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 actùated position, the print head 219 has been moved into printing co-operation with the labels 36 and the platen 217, and the operator 235 is in abutment with the ~top block 239. In this position o~ the operator 235, the flexible resilient pa~.~l 24S (FIGURE 15), joined inte~raliy at one end to the gear 243, has moved to the Doc~et .~-~ 4 9 position shown by phantom lines 245' in dri~ing cooperation with a tooth 265 of the ratchet wheel 246; When the user _eleases the operator 235, the spring 238 (FIGURE ~ returns tne operator 235 against stop 239' to the solid line position shown in FIGU~E 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 ~41 (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 snown by solid lines 219', and to drive the pawl 245 from the position shown by phantom li~es 245' to the position shown in solid lines in FIGUR~ lS. Thus, the pawl ~45, which is in line position from the fully actuated position indicated by phantom line~ 2 5', the gear sections 240 and 241 (FIGURES 3 and 4) rotate gears 242 and 243 clockwise ~FIGURE 3) to return the print head 219 ~o the solid line position from the position shown by solid lines 219' and to dri~re the pawl 245 from the position shown by phantom lines 245' to the position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 150 Thus, the pawl 245, which is in engagement with a too~h 265, driyes the ratchet wheel 24~ countercloc~wise (FIGUPE 15).
This counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel 246 (FIGURE l;) causes the dri~er 24a to advance the supporting material 32 to effect substantially complete delamination o~ a label at the peel edge 218. Counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel 246 continues ~ntil a pawl 266 (FIGURES 1, 7 ~nd 15) in the form of a flexible resilient appendage of the subframe section 216, moves into engagement with a tooth 265 of the ratchet ~heel.
Thi~ pre~ents the we~ OI supporting material 3 from bein~
acci.dentally moved in the return direc.ion.

: -13-

4~7~
Docket M-249 As best shown in FIGURE 4, the driver 244 has an annular rim 267 joined to a hub 268 by a radial web 269. The hub 268 h~s a hub section 268' extending in one direction and another hub section 268" extending in the opposite direction.
The hub section 268' terminates at a knob ~70, and the hub section 268" te~minates at a knob 270'. The gear 242 is rotatably journaled on and with respect to ~he hub section 268'.
The gear 242 has a hu~ or flange 271 which is rotatably journaled in opening 272 in the frame saction 212. The hub section 268' extends through an enlarged opening 273 in the subframe section 215. The hub section 268" provides a stepped p~ir of bearins surfaces 274. The ratchet wheel 246 is formed integrally with the drive member 248 o~ the detent mechanism 247. The ratchet wheel 246 and the drive mem~er ~48 ha~e a hu~ 276 with a stepped bore 27~ into which the hub section 268" extends. A
hub 276 rotatabl~ receives and mounts the gear 243. ~he 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 i~ driving enga~ement with respective g2ar sections 224 ana 225 carried by the print head 219; the relative position of the drive pawl 245 to the ratchet ~vheel ~46 is also shown.
With re~erence to FIGURE 15, the drive member 248 includes a plurality of spring ingers or detent p~wls 278. The pawls 278 are of eaual length, are flexible and resilient, and are continuously urged against teeth 279 formed on the inside of the annular rim 267. In the illustrated embodiment there are one hundred and sevent~seven teeth 279 at equally soaced-apart intervals. There arc twclve pawls 27~ integrally connec~ed 4~7~

Docket ~-249 to the hub 276 at equally spaced-apart intervals. The teeth 279 compris~ respective tooth faces 280 and a recess between adjacent tooth faces 280 in which the end of a pawl ~78 can be recei~ed. The pawls 278 drive the feed wheel 2~ in a S driving direction (counterclockwise in FIGURE lS) but can move i~ a non-driving direction (clock~7ise in FIGURE 15) relative to the feed wheel 244 by manually operating the detent mechanism 247. Accordingly, every fifth pawl 278 is engaged with the ace 280 OI a tooth Z79. The pawls 278 bet~Jeen e~ery fifth set of pawls are out o~ engagement with their respective tooth faces 280 by different increments as best illustrated in ~IGURE 16.
Normally, the pa~ls 278 hold the ratchet wheel 246 and the feed wheel or driver 244 in fixed relationship with respect to each other. With reference ~o FIGUR~ 15, as the drive pawl 245 lS moves counterclocXwise the ratchet wheel 246 is driven counter-clockwise and the three pawls 278 ~hich are in driving engagement with their respective tooth faces 280 will drive the feed wheel 244 counterclock~se. Accordingly, there is no relative rotation between the ratchet wheel Z46 and the feed wheel 244. Should it be desired to change the position to whlch 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 (FIGURE 1) relative to the knob 270.
This will ~ause the input member 248 to rotate (counterclock-wise in FTGURE 1, clockwise in ~IGURE 15) relative to the feedwheel 244 s~ that the next three successive teeth move into en~agement with ~he next three respective tooth faces 280. For example, if it is considered that first, fifth and ninth pawls 278 wcre initially in enga~ement with respective teeth 279, Docket M-249 only a very slight rotation will cause second, sixth and tenth pawls to move into engagement with their respective tocth faces 280, and so on. Although any desired number of ~awls 278 and teeth 280 can be-used, the illustrated embodiment pro~ides very minute adjustment o the feed wheel 244 relative to the platen 217 and the peel edge 218 and the arrang~ment of teeth 2a~ and cooperating pawls 278 causes the entire input or drive mem~er 248 to be centered within the annular rLm 267.
With respect to the printing function, zdjustment of the detent mechanism 247 changes the position relative to the printing zore between the print head 219 and the platen 217 to which a label 36 is advanced. With respect to the del~minating function, operation of the detent mechanism 247 also changes the position to which the label 36 is advanced. Accordingly, it is apparent that the detent mechan~sm 247 ls useful both in establishing the position to which a label is advanced relative to the prlntinq zo~e and to the delaminating zone. It is important that just the corxect amount of trailing marginal er.d edge of the label remain dhered to the peel edge so that the label 36 is held in that position until it is ready to be applied to merchandise by the applicator 253.
As best shown in FIGURES 15, 17, and 18, the supporting material 32 is initially brouyht into engagement with the eed 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. The roll 281 has frictional members in the form of rub~er O-rings 282 received at spaced-apart locations about the periphery of the roll 281. The O-rings ~(~94~3~9 Docket ~-249 straddle the teeth ~49 and are.just spaced apart far enough to act as a die wheel ~ith matinS teeth 249. As a tooth ~49 begins to engage the weh 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 i~timate con~act with the outer surface of the feed wheel 244 as best shown in FIGURE 18. This insures that the tooth 249 prope_lv bursts or ~orms a hole, facilitated by the group 38 of cuts, in the supportiny material 32 and that ~he drive face of the tooth 249 is in dri~ing engagement with the leading cut 41S. When the first tooth 249 registers with the group 38 of cuts in the sup~orting material 32 the composite web 30 is properly registered with the printing zone and the delaminatins - . zon~. Once such registrztion is accom~lished as the result of the too~h 2~9 ccoperati~g w~th the die roll 259, correct regis-tration continues.
The platen 217 and the peel edge 218 (~I5U~ES 1, 3 and 4) are foxmed from an inversely-bent plate having a pair o~ side-by-side plate portions 283 and 284 joined by an inversely-bent portion 285. The inversely-bent portion 285 has a small radius and defines the peel edge 218. The plate portiors 283 and 284 are co-extens~ve and are sec~red to each other by weldments 286. The plate which forms the platen 217 ~nd the peel edge 218, received in recesses 286' in subrame 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 tne s~bframe sections ~15 ar.d 216. A label stopper is provided ~y ~ pair o~

aligncd ?lates 218' formed integrally with the subfr~mc sections - ~09~879 Docket M-249 215 and 216. The plates 218' are disposed beneath but are.
spaced from the plate 217. Should a la~el 36 attempt ~o ~all onto the supporting material 32 after being delaminated at the peel edge 218, the labels 36 will ~e 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 ~assing the peel edge 21 a .
With reference to FIGURE 3, the stop block 239 is.
shown to be slidable on a stop sur~ace 287. The stop block 239 has a threaded bore 288 which threadably race_ves an adjusted screw 289. One half of the screw 289 is rotatabl~
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 pro~idPs another stop surface (not shown) for the stoo block 239 in alignment wi,h the stop surface 287, another semi-circular groove ~not shown~ opposite the groove 290 for re-cei.ving the other one-half of the screw 289, and another semi- -circular recess (not shown) opposite the recess 292 for receiving the other one-hal of the he~ad 291. A hole 294, one-half of which is formed by each nandle portion 233 an 234, enRbles 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 cause the 5top block 239 to move upwardly 2S (~IGUR~ 3) and rotation of the screw 289 in the opposite direction will cause the stop block 239 to move downwardly ~FIGURE 3). It is apparent that ad~ustment o~ the position of the stop block 239 will adjust the limit of the travel of the operator 235.

-18- .~

~9487~
Doc~et M-249 With reference to FIGUR~ 13, the inking mechanism 252 is shown to comprise a one-piece in~er body 29; ha~lng an aligned pair of sbckets 296 having converging openings 297.
The sockets 296 ~xtend for more than 180~ so that the ink roll 298 can be snapped into the sockets 296. The inker body 295 has a pair of aligned projections 299 which are capable of being snapped into sockets 300 tFIGURE 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 3al 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 FIGU~E 14. The ink roller 298 is shown in FIGURE 14 to be in the path of but slightly spaced ~xom the p-int head 219 because in that position the inkçr body 2~5 contacts the frame 221 of the print head 219. When the print head 219 is moved from the solid line position to ~he phantom line position, the ink roIl 298 applies ink to the printing bands 220 and the entire inking mechanism 252 pivots about projections 299 to the position shown in phantom lines.
When the print head 219 returns to the soli~ line position shown in PIGURE 14, the spring finger 301 returns the lnking mechanism 252 to the solid line position.
With reference to FIGURE 1~, the ink roller 298 is shown to comprise a pair of hub sections 302 and 303. The hub section 302 has an elongated projec~ion 30~ at one end and a stuh end 305 at its opposite end. The hub section 302 h~s an annular ,lange 306 between the stub end 305 and a reduced ~ ~09~7~
Docke~ M-249 portion 307. The reduced portion 307 is dis~osed between the flange 306 and the projection 304. The other hub portion 303 has an annular flange 308 disposed between a reduced portion 309 and a stub end 310. The reduced pcrtion 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-reeeptive tu~ular porous roll 311, composed for e~a~ple of rubber or the like, is received on the reduced portions 307 and 309 OI
respective hub sections 302 and 303. The flanges 306 and 308 abut the ends of the roll 3il and prevent the roll 311 from shifting.
With reference to FIGURES 7, 8 and 9, the subframe sections 215 and 216 are shown to have respective integral leaf lS springs 312 and 313. The lea springs 312 and 313 are provided with inte~ral znnular 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 label core 44. ~he brake surfaces 316 and 317 cooperate to exert braking forces on the label core 44. ~either the hubs 318 and 319 nor the brak~ members 314 and 315 contact the composite web 30 which is wound on the label core 44. In this ma~ner, any gum or adhesi~e that may exist at the marginal side edges of the composite web 30 ~lill not be transferred to the brake surEaces 316 and 317. FIGURE lO illustrates, in exaggerated form, by phantom lines, the initial positions o~ the leaf springs 312 ~4~37~
Doc~et M-249 and 313, t~e brake members 314 and 315 and the hubs 318 and 31g. The initial canted position of the leaf springs 313, the brake mem~ers 31S and the hu~ 319 relati~e to the remainder of the subframe section 216 is also show~ in FIGURE 8. Insertion S 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`exert a predetermined braking orce 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 (FIG~RE 15) prevents the re~erse rotation of the driver 2~4, it is seen that the apparatus maintains a slight but desirable amount of tension on the web of supporting material 32 at all times.
~ he frame 211 comprises an essentiallv closed shell but the rear part provid~s an access opening 21I' through which a roll of labels can be inserted and a spent core 44 can be removed without even partial disassembly of the ap~aratus 210.
. With reference to FIGURES 20 through 23, there is shown the applicator 253 mounted by the frame 211. The applica-tor 253 comprises a hub 320 shown to have four annular generally ~-shaped groo~es 321 in which respective wheals 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 whe~l 322. The wheels 322 have greater diameters than the flanges 323. The ends of the hub 320 beyond the ~roovcs 321 are stub ends 324. Undercuts 325 inboard of the stu~ ends 324 enable ~9~79 Docket M~249 the hub to be retained in coaperating yieldable sockets 326 and 327 in frame sections 212 and 213. The sockets 326 and 327 are comprised of a plurality of separate socket sections or flexible resilient ~ingers 328 and 329 to enable the stub ends 324 to ~e snapped into place. The soc~ets 326 and 327 and the cooperating stub ends 324 provide opposed snap-fi. connections.
The wheels 322 are ide~tical so only one is described in detail~ Each wheel 322 is comprîsed of an annular rim 330 having an annular groove 331 in its outer periphery. A rubber 0 0-ring 332 is recei~ed in the groove 331. A plurality of equally spaced-apart a~ms 333 formed integrally with the rim 330 have generally V-shaped bearing sections 334 received in the respective groove 321. The bearing sections 334 of the arms 333 exert forces aga-nst the hub 320, but enable the wheel 322 to rotate relative to the hub 320 znd enable the wheel 322 to yield as a la~el 36 is being applied to the merchandise.
As the r~bber Q-rings 332 have a high coefficient of friction, rotation of the wheels 322 during label application is facilitated. The spacing of the wheels 322 allows the applicator 253 to press the label 36 onto the merchandise wi~hout contacting the printing which was applied to the labels 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 applyins labels to merchandise having irregular surfaces in that the wheels 322 are mounted for both independent rotational and independent yielding mo~cments with respect to 48~g .

Docket M-249 each other. The flanges 323 pre~ent the adjacent wheels 322 from deflecting more than a small amount away from the per- -pendicular with respect to the hub 320.
Referring to FIGURE 24, there is shown an exploded ~iew of the print head 219. The print head frame 221 is shown to comprise a side plate 335 to which the flanges 222 and 223 are ~oined. 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 mounti~g block 336 also has a socket 339 for receiving a projection 340 of t~e other side plate 341. A post 342 is formed lntegrally with the side plate 335 in axial alignment with a hole 343 in the side plate 341. A pair of posts 344 ormed integrall~ with the side plate 335 have hooks 345 which engage shoulders 346 of the side lS 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 ~ositioned underneath the projections 3~8, that is, between the projections 348 and the side plate 335, the projection 340 is received in the soc~et 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 recei~ed in the socket 339, the printing bands are Docket M-249 trained partially around driven members in the form of wheels 351, the printing bands 220 are under slight tension, and the wheels are cradled in and rotatable on the mounting surfaces 338. The wheels 351 have notc~es 352 in which the teeth 349 are received.
Each printing band 220 has a plurality of printing blocks 353. The different printing bloc~s 353 of each printing band 220 can print dif~erent data, as is conventional. The printing blocks 353 axe contained in a printing section 354 of the printing band 220. ~he 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 3S3 at the pressure memDer 337 will print by peering through a window 356.
l~ is often desirable to change the data which ~he print head 219 is to pxint. This is generally accomplished by advancing the printing band 220 to the prin1-ing positlon in which the selected data will be printed pn the label. A selector, generally indicated at 357, has a knob 358 and a shaft or tubular portion 3S9 received by the pos~ 342. The selector 357 is freely rotatable about the post 342 and is mova~le axially so that its driving members or lugs 360 can be shifted into driving cooperation with any one of the driven members 351.
Eaçh 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 -~4~3~9 Docket M-249 as best indicated at 363. In addition to the driving luss 3~0, the selector 357 is shown to have a pair of opposed ~awls or spring detent fingers 364, the ends of which engage the recesses provided ~y the chamfering 363. The detent fingers 364 serve to hold the selector 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 membe-s 360 will be in driving engagement with the selected dri~en member 351. -Accordingly, by shifting the selector 357, any one or all or the lQ driven mem~ers 351 can ~e rotated, one at a time, whLch results -^
in the respective printing bands or bands 220 being selectively mo~ed to the selected position to print the selected data on the la~els.
The driving lugs 360 are spaced slightly from the ends ~f the recesses or notches 362~ Should the user attempt to turn the knob 358 so as to apply excessi~e torque to the selector 357, the driving lugs 360 wilL deflect and move out of the set of notches 362 in which they are positioned in the driven member 351 and will mo~e into the next set of~notches 362 in th~ same driven member 351. Accordlngly, there will be relative ro~ation ~etween the selector 357 and the d~iven member 351 in which the lugs 360 are received.
There is a spacer 365 between each of the driven members 351 and bands 220. Each of the spacers 365 has a pair of lugs 365' ~Jhich engage around the ends 366 at the ends of the mounting surface 338.

~C3948~79 Doc~et ~1-249 The selector 357 is pro~ided with an annular groove 367 adjacent the ~nob 358. An indicator, senerally indicated at 368, has a split collar 369 with a projection 370 recei~ed in the groove 367. The indicator 368 has a rectangular section 371 which defines th~ 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 p~inters 373 disposed on the inner surface of the rectangular section 37I are in align-ment with the lugs 360 on the selector 357. Accordingly, the pointers 373 indicate th~ position of the lugs 360 so that if the selector 357 is not in position to drive the desired driven member 351 and its associated ~rinting band 220, the selector 357 can be shifted to .a position in which the lugs 360 are in dri~ing engagement with the desired driven mem~er 351 to advance the associated printing band 220 to the selected position.
As shown in FIGURE 24, the side plate 341 has a projection or lug 374 by which the printing head 219 is guided by the fr2me 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 conne~tions including generally snap-shaped ~lexible resilient mem~ers 377 arranged alons 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 suhframe sections 215 and 216 of the subframe 214 are connected to each otll2r and the frame sections 212 and . -26-4~
Docket ~l-249 213 of the frame 211 are connected to the subframe 214 by means of three sets of identical snap-fit connections gen-erally indicated at 379, one of which is shown in detail in ~IGURE 1~. With reference to FIGURE 19, the frame sections 212 S and 213 have respective sockets 380 and 381 comprised of a pluralitv ~f respective flexible resllient fingers 382 and 383. The sub~
frame section 215 has a projection 3S4 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 projec~ion 386 comprised o~ a plurality of flexi~le resili~nt ~ingers 387 snap-fitted into the socket 381.. The su~frame section - 215 has a projection 388 comprised of a plurality of flexible resilient ~pring fingers 389 received in a socket 390. The socket 390 is comprised of flexible resilient spxing fingers 391.
A projection 392 formed integrally with the fr~me section 212 extends through tha soc~e~ 380, through the projection 384, and to about the end of the projection 38~ in the socket 390. The spring finger~ 383 of the socket 381 are made thinner and con-sequently more flexible than the spring fingexs 383 of the socket 380. An attemp~ 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 392 prevents the subframe sections 215 and 216 from separatin~
because the spring fingers 389 cannot deflect inwardly because of the interference provided by the projection 392. Once the frame section 213 has been removed, the inside of the apparatus -~09A~13q9 Docket ~!-249 218 is exposed. It is apparent that accidental unsnappir.g of the subframe 214 or the frame section 212 rom the subfr2me 214 is ob~iated by this construction. Further disassembly can be accomplished by deliberately unsnapping the subframe 214 S rom the frame section 212. This is accomplished by moving the projection 384 out of the soc~et 380. When this has been accomplished, the projection 392 has moved out of the space between the spring fingers 389 of the projection 3~8 and consequently the subfr~ne sections 215 and 216 can be separated.
With reference to FIGURES 7 through 9 for e~ample, th subframe section 216 is shown to have four projections 393 which are adapted to ~e snugly received in recesses 394 a~ the end of the guide 262. The projections 393 received in the hol~s 394 assist in removably holding the subframe sections ~15 and 276 to~ether.
~ith reference to FIGUR~5 1 and 14 the cover 251 is shown to have an L-shaped flange 395 at one end and a pro~ection 396 at its other end. To attach the inking mechanism 252 to ~he apparatus, the projection 395 i5 pushed under a shoulder 397 of the frame section 213 and thereafter the cover 251 is snapped into position by causing the projection 3a6 to snap under a lip 393 o~ thP fram~ section 213. In this manner, the inking mecha~ism or inker 252 is removably mounted to the apparatus. To remove the in~ing mechanism, the user can engage his fingernail beneath an extension 399 of the cover 251, thereby causing the projection 396 to snap around the lip 398.

-2~-~.~9~q~
Docket M-249 With reference to FIGU~E 6, the operator 235 is shown to pivot on the pin 237O It is preferred to pivot the operator 235 at the lower end of the handle 232 in that the user's stron~est fingers, namely his index, middle and ring S fingers engage the operator 235 at substantial distances from the pivot pin 237, while the user's relatively weak little finger is close to the pivot pin-237. The ends o the pin 237 are undercut as indicated respectively at 403 and 404. The ends 401 and 402 are received in sockets 405 and 406 in respec~ive rame sections 212 and 213. The sockets 405 and 406 are comprised or 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 recei~ed about the pin 237. The spiral or torsion spring 238 is shot~n to be received on pin 237 }~etween the legs 409 and 410. If it is desired to remove the frame section 213, the frame sectlon 213 is moved relatively away fro~n the frame section 212 causing the socket 406 to move out of snap-fit en~agement 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 4û9. This construction obviates accidental disconnection of the pin 2~7 from the frame sections With reference to FIGU~E 28, there is shown an alternative construction by which a selector 357a having a plural~ ty 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 member or wheel 351a. The embodiment of FIGURE 28 differs ~L0~4~9 Doc~et M-249 from the em~odLment of the print head 219 shown for ~xample in FIGURES 24 through 28 in that each of the driven members 351a is pro~ided with an internal annular groove 411 and the chamfering 363 (~IGURE 27~ is omitted. Accordingly, instead S of having the pawl 364a engage between adjacent driven members ~51 as shown in FIGURES 26 and 27 for ex~mple, the pawls 364a engage in the groove 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 dri~ing engagement. By this construction, the driving function as well as the detenting function are accomplished by the selector 357a in cooperation with a single driven member 351a.
~ IGURE 27 is actually an alternati~e embodiment which shows t~e detenting of one of the ~awls 364 in recesses or grooves provided ~y beveling or cham~ering 363. FIGURE 27 shows one OI the wheels 351 as wider than the adjacent wheel 351 to show that the selector 357 in accordance with the invention can wor~ equally well with wheels 351 of different sizes with-out afecting aetentins. 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 ~enerally indicated at 357b.
The selector 357b is the same as the selector 357 in that it has ; 25 four drive luss 360b, and a pair of opposed pawls 364b. The selector 357b differs 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 -~0~a8'7g~
Docket M- 2 4 a 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 rotating relative to each other.
The body section 413 has four rlexible resilient fingers 416 terminating at projections 417 shown in F~GURE 29 to be received 3 over a bead 418. In this position, an annular flange 419 is in abutment with a shoulder 420 on the body section 412 The ~10 selector 357~ is used in the s~me manner as the selector 357.
If desired, the selector 357a (FIGURE 28) can be made in two ~arts as illustrated in FIGURES 29 and 30~
Referring to the embodiment of FIGURE 31, there i5 shown a print head generally indicated a~ Z19c 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 22~
and 225. Accordingly, the pair of gears (not shown) which would - me~h with gear sections 224c and 225c would have to be sp ced apart by a greater distance than the sears 242 and 243. It is also apparent that ball tracks (not shown~ which would correspond to the ball tracks 230 and 231 would have to be spaced ~ider apart, as would be readily appaxent to one s~illed in the art.
Side plate 341c carries a guide member 374c. The side plate 109~879 Doc~et ~1-249 341c rotatably mounts a pair of selectors 357c for the respeCti~Je se~ of driven members 351c~ The posts 344c mount respecti~e rectangular sections 371c which provide respective windows 356c.
It is readily apparent that with slight modificatlons the print head 219c can be operated ~y a mechanism the same in principle and construction as the mechanism which operates the prin~ head 219.
Referring to the embodiment of FIGURES 32, 33 and 34, there is provided a selector 357d which is identical to the selector 357. Printing members take the form of print wheels 220d. Each print wheel 220d is shown to ~e identical and comprises printing elements 421 carried by an annular hub 422. A mounting and detenting wheel 423 i~ shown to be formed integrally wit~ each side of the hu~ 422. The wheeis 423 have generally annular outer sur~aces 424 receive2 in sockets 425 of adjacent mounting members 426. The sockets 425 comprise an annular portion 4~7 and a pair of flexible resilient arms 428 formed integrally therewith. Accordingly, the print wheels 220d can be inserted either axially ir,to the sockets 42i or they can b~ inserted into or removed from the respective soc~ets 425 by spreading arms 428~ Mounting members 426 are provided with recesses 429 in ~hich offset integrally formed detent pawls or spring fingers 430 and 431 are disposed. ~he pawl 430 of one mounting member 426 is cooperable with notches 430' to efect 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 ~he adjacent print wheel 220d on the other side of the mounting member 226.

~4~37~
DQ cket M-249 Each wheel 220d has a central hole 432, the ends of which are chamered as indicated at 433. As best shown in FIGURE 34, pawls 364d are recei~ed in the chamfering between adjacent wheels 220d and drive lugs 360d are in driving en-S gagement with the adjacent print wheel 220d. If desired,de~enting can be effected in the manner illustrated in the embodiment of FIGUR~ 2~.
Referring to FIGURES 35 through 54 and 58 through 70, there is shown an alternative em~odLment of the la~el print-lG ing and applying apparatus generally indicated at 210a. In thisembodiment, those components whic~ are generally related to thos2 in the em~odiment of FIGURES 1 through 34 are indicated by the same reference characters, with the addition o the letter 17 al~ .
Those ccmponents of the apparatus 210z which differ Erom or are in addition to components in the embodLment 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, which includes a housing 211a, has two-part frame sections gen-erally indicated at 212a and 213a. The rame 211a includes a handle 232a having handle portions 233a and 2~4a. The frame sections 212a and 213a have relatively movable rame 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 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 par~s 501 and 503.
T~e subframe sections 215a and 216a rec~ive and retain platen 217a ~hich has a delaminator such as a peel edge or turning edge 218a~ Print head 219a, having printing members 220a carried by its print head frame 221a, is movable relati~ely toward and away from t~e platen 21Ja. The print head ~rame 221a has integrally foxmed racks 224a and 225a and respective tracks 226a and 221a. The subframe section 215a has a track 230a and the su~frame section 216a has an opposite track Inot shown)for respective ball bearings 228a and 229a.
Frame parts 500 and 502 have respective sockets 510 and 511 in which respective pivot pins 512 and 513 of inker bodl 514 ¢f an inking mechanism 252a are received. As the print head 219a moves ~oward 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 23ga ` -Docket M~24~

is ad~ustable by means of a screw 289a received in a threaded bore 288a. The opera~or 235a is urged away from ~he stop bloc~
239a by means of a spring assembly 51$ which bears at one end against a socket 516 formed partly by handle portion 233a and partly by handle portion 234a and at its other end against a socket 517 tFIGUR~ 47~ integral with the operator 235a. Gear sections 240a and 241a carried by the le~er 236a are in meshing engag~ment with respective compound gears 242a and 243a. Specifi-cally, the gear sections 240a and 241a mesh with respective sections 518 and 519, and sections 520 and 521 mesh with respective racks 224a and 225a of the print head 219a. Toothed driver 241a is driven 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 dri~er 244a engage t~e supporting mate~ial of t~e composite web ln the manner shown and described i~ the embQdiment of FIGURES 1 through 34 a~d 45. Rolls 256a and 257a guide the composite web 30a and the supporting material web 32a, respectiv~ , and roll 259a cooperates with the toothed dri~er 244a. The composite web 30a is in the form of a roll ' 20 carried on a core 44a which can be inserted ~nto the housing throu~h an opening 211a'. The core 44a is mounted by hubs 318a and 319a carried by respective leaf springs 312a and 313a. Annular bxake 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 32a. J.abel material 31a is Doc~et M-249 cut transversel~ at longikudinally spaced-apart inter~als by transverse cuts 33a. The composite web 30a is like the composite web 30 eYcept that there is an additional group of cuts 38b between groups o~ 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 FIGU~ES 39 t.~rough 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 com~osite we~ 30a in roll form is inserted into the frame 211a into position on the hubs 318a and 319a. While the user holds the labeler 210a in his one hand by means of the handle 233a and depresses the lever 23~a slightly to release brake 522, the marginal end portion 30' of the web is inserted through brake 522 into a passageway formed partly by the groove 254a (FIGURE 35) and the groove 255a. He now passes the marsinal end portion 30' of the composite web 30a partly around the roll 256a and o~er platen 217a and then between a guide 523 and the appllcator 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 a~ay 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 9~379 -Do~ket M-249 platen 217a. In that the marginal end portion 30' is pulled in a direction substantially parallel to the pla~er. and the supportins material undergoes z sharp bend of about 180, in so doing, the supporting mat,erial 32a is torn as indicate~
at 32t as it is forced past the guide 523 and against the under-sid~ of the platen 217a and is pull~d to the position shown in FIGURE 40, The marginal end portion 30' is pulled to a predetermined point 232' at the front tip of the handle 232a so that just the right number of labels 36a are delaminated.
The result is that an end section 30" o~ the supporting material 32a is completely stripped of a plurality (such as about seven) labels 36a. The labels on the end section 30" are readily removed without ha~ing to manually remove them one-by-one from the suppQrtir.g material 32a~ If desired, the marginal end portion 30$ can be severed f~o~ the end section 30" at the tear 32t preferably through one group of cu~s 38a in the supporting material web 3~a so that the end section which is devoid of labels 36a can b~ passed between the toothed member 244a and the cooperating die roll 259a, as ~est shown in FIC-URE 42. In the position shown in PI~URE 42, slackness exists in the end section 30". By manually operating the opera~or 235a, the end section 30" can be advanced through the apparatus until all the slac~ness has been removed as best shown in FIGURE 43. The apparatus 210a is now rc~dy for use. In this position, each manual operation of the operator 235a 2S will cause a label 36a to be printed and ~hereafter d'ispensed to the position shown in FIGURES 43 and 44 in whicll the trailing edge of the label 3Ga is still adhered to the sup~orting matexial 32a.

~09~L8~9 ~oc~et M-249 Referring to FIGURES 45 through 48, the relationship of the spring assembly 515 'o the handle 232a and to ~he operator 235a is shown in greater detail than in FIGURE 35. The spring assèmbly 515 is shown to have a tubular body or sleeve 524 having a circular cylindrical internal wall 525. One end of the tubular body 524 is open as indicated at 526 and its other end is closed off by an end walL 527. A connector 528 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 sur~ace 5161 slightly greater than 180 in ext~nt. The surface 529 extends transversely with respect to the tubular body 524 and more specifically the axis of the surface 529 extends ~erpendicularly and throu~h the axis of the tubular section 524. A ~ubular plunger 530 having a circular cylindrical outer surface 531 is shown to be received in 5 lidable 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 sur~ace 535 subs.antially greater than 180 in extent is formed inteyrally with the end wall 533. The surface 535 extends transversely with respect to the plunger 530 and more specifically the axis o the outer surface 535 extends perpendicularly to and ; through the axis of the plunger 530. The connector 534 is received by the socket 517 which has a circular cylindrical inner surface 5t7' slightly greater than 180 in extent. A compression spring 536 is received in a ~ore 537 of the ~lunger 530 and abuts at one end against the end wall 533. The other end of the spxing 536 Doc~et ~-249 ~09~7 abuts against the end wall 527 of the body 524. A keeper 538 formed integrally with th~ end wall 527 extends coaxially within the inside wall 525. The body 524 has a pair of opposed longitudinally extending slots 539 and 540. The plunger 530 S has a pair o~ opposed resilient spring fingers 541 and 542 having respecti~e abutment surfaces 543 and 544. The ends of the slots 539 and 540 constitute stops 545 a~d 5460 rn the position shown in ~IGURE 47, the abutment surfaces 543 and 544 are in abutment with respective stops 545 and 546. In that the plunger 530 is constructed o~ resilient plastic material, the fingers 541 and 542 can resiliently yield while the spring ass~mbly SlS is being assembled, specifically as the end 532 o~ the plunger 530 is inserted into the open end 526 of the tubular body 524. As the abutment surfaces 543 and 544 clear t~e stops 545 and 546 while t~e plunger 541 is being pushed into the tu~ular body 524, the spring fingers 541 and 542 first deflect and then spring outwardly to the position shown in FIGU~E 47. Assem~ly or the spring assembly 515 is now complete and the tubular body 524 and the plunger 530 can now undergo limited relative movement wlth respect to each other. The spring ass~mbly 515 is easy to assemble in manufacturing and ls easy to install in the apparatus 210a as a modular sprin~ assembly or unit. In that the sockets 516 ar.d 517 are resilient ~hey can expand resilientl~ to recei~e respective connectors 528 and 534.
Durin~ use the spring ~ssembly 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 ~IGURE 46. Upon sub-se~uent release or the operator 235a, the sp-~in~ assembly 515 re~urns the operator 235a to its iJli tial position.

~ 0~8~9 Docket M-249 With reference to FIGU~ES 35, 45 and 49, there is shown a lubricant applicator generally indicated at 547. The pur~ose of the applicator 547 is to apply a lubricant to the perlpheral surface of the toothed driver 244a to retard the accumulation of yum ~aahesive, paper dust, and the like~ on the toothed dxiver 244a. The applicator 547 is shown to be comprised of a curved strip of porous flexi~le resilient material, for example, feIt. The applicator 547 is generally hat-shaped in transverse section. The applicator 547 is disposed ~etween the outer surface of the toothed driver 244a and flanges 548 and 549 of respective subframe sections 215a and 216a. The flanges 548 and 549 sup~ort the applicator 547. A portion 550 of the applicator is disposed between the ends of the flanges 548 and 549 so it is apparen~
that the su~frame sections 215a and 216a and their respective flanges 548 and 549 amply support and retain the applicator 547. The applicator 547 has a surface 551 which i5 in light contact with the peripheral surface of the toothed driver 242a.
This light contact assures that lubricant contained in the appli-cator 541 is transferred to the peripheral surface of the driver 244a, but that the fri tional 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 d-river 244a. Transverse slits or slots 547~ in the applicator 547 acilitate bending of the strip to the shape of the periphery of the driver 244a. As best shown in FIGURE 35, the applicator 547 has a groo~e 552 in which the teeth 249a of the driver 244a travel.

Docket .~-249 With reference to FIGURE 45, it is noted tnat the applicator 547 is positioned in contact wit~ that portion of the driver 244a which is out of the path o the supporting material web 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 ap~licator in the form of a strip which is easy to manufacture and assemble. The applica-tor 247 can contain any suitable lu~ricant which can retard the trznsfer of gum from the supporting material 32a onto the driver 244a. By way of example, not limitation, the absorbent applicator 547 can contain the following suitable lubricanto Dow Corning 1107 fluid, a liquid silicone, described in Bulletin :05~169 dated February, 1967, of the Chemical Products Division, Dow Corning Corporation, Midland, Michigan 48640.
Referring to FIGURES 50 through 54, the brake 522 is shown to include a roll 553. The roll 553 has a pair of spaced apart O-rings 554 and 555 comprisad of resilient material such as rubber. The roll 553 has stub ends 556 and 557 received in respective trac.~s 558 and 559 in respectiv2 subframe sections 215a and 21~a~ It is apparent that the roll 553 is rotata~le and also mova~le relatively toward and away from sur~aces 560 and 561 of respective su~frame sections 215a and 216a. ~s shown in FIGURES 50 and 51, end portion 562 of print head frame 221a is in engagement wi.h the O-rings 554 and 555 of roll 553, and the composite ~eb 30a is clamped between ~he roll 553 and the Docket ~i-2~9 sur~aces 56~ and 561. Accordingly, in this position of the bra~e 522, because of the friction exerted between the roll 553 and end portion 562 of the print head 21ga, rotation of th~ roll 553 is prevented. Consequently, the compcsite web 30a which is in frictional engagement with the roll 5;3 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 la~el 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 ~hich causes the print ~ead 219a to mo~e toward the platen 217a. As the print head 219a moves toward the platen 217a, the portior~ 562 of the fra-me 221a of the print head 219a mo~es out of conta~t 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 drivex 244a to ad~ance the com-posite web 30a and to effect return of the print head 219a to the position shown in FIGURE 51. During return of the print head 219a from the position shown in FIGURE 52 to the position shown in FIGURE Sl, the roll 5S3 permits the composite web 30a to advance as it rolls on the ad~ancing web 30a. Howeve~, upon the substan-tial completion of travel of the print head 219a, the portion 562 again operates the brake 552 to effect clamping of the composite 99~879 Docket M-249 web 30a between the roll 553 and sur~aces 560 and 561. The brake 522 is simple in construction and automatic in its operation and yet it serves the pureose of preventing any paying out of the composite web 30a from the roll during ap~lica-S 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 of one label 36a remains connected to the leading edge of the next subseauent label 36~.. As is evident in this embodiment of the in~rention the brake 522 exerts a substantial braking force on the web 30a, while brake surfaces 318a and 319a e~ert only a slight braking force on the core 44a.
With reference to ~IGURES 55 ~hrough 57, there is shown a modification for the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 34 and for the embodiment of FIGUR~S 35 through 54 and 58 through 70. Components which are generally related to those of ei~her 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 pxinting and applying apparatus 210b includes subframe 214b having qubframe sections 215b and 216b. The apparatus 210b differs from apparatus 210a only in the respect that leaf springs 312a and 313a rotatably ~ount 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 have frus~ro-conical surfaces 572 and 573 which serve to automatically center ~4~7~
Doc~et M-249 ~he core 44b with espect to the center line CL of the sub-frame 214~. The rolls 570 and 571 have _especti~e hubs 574 and 57S having respective bearing shouldexs 576 and 571. The bearing shoulders 576 and 577 bear against the arms '12b and 313b.
As the rolls 570 and 571 rotate the shou;ders 5~6 and 577 prevent other portions of the respecti~e rolls 570 and 571 ~rom rubbing on the arms 312~ and 313b. The arms 312b and 313b are fle~ible znd resilient enough to ena~le the core 44b to,~e inserted on rolls 570 and 571 and yet rigid enough to enable the core 44~ to be mounted as illustrated in FIGURES 55 and 57.
The arms 312b and 313b are sufficiently yieldable to accommodate for manufacturing ~ariations in the length of core 44b. The hubs 574 and 575 are rotatably received in holes 578 and 579 in arms 312~ and 313b. Spring clips 580 and 581~,,prevent ~he hubs 574 ~nd 57S from shifting off the arms 312b and 313b but - permit the rolls 570 and 571 to rotate. Rolls 570 ana 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 FIGURE 57, a resilient device 584, illustrated as being a cu'~ed leaf spring, serves to facilitate the gradual paving out of the composite web 30b. In that ~he apparatus 210b causes the composite web 30b to be pulled once for each actuation and return cycle of the operator ~235 or 235a), and in that the apparatus is capable of printing and applying multiple labels (36, 36a or 36bJ in succession per second, the d~vice 584 is conducive to the gradual unwinding of the composite w~b roll. Wh~n the composite ~Jeb 30b is advanced, , -44-Docket M-249-C-1 ~og~79 the resili~nt device 584 will mo~e from the position shown by phantom lines to the posit~'on s~own ~v solid lines in ~IGURE 57. As the roll unwinds gradually, the device 584 moves to the positi~n shown b~ phantom lines in FIGU~E 57.
One end 585 of the device 584 is retained in fixed position relative to a su~Irame 214b by fitting i~to a retaining pocket 586 foDmed partly in the subframe section 215b and partly ~y the subframe section 216b.
With reference to FIGURE 58, there is sho~m diao~ammatically the structure which is already shown in greater ~etail in FIGURES 24, 25 and 26, for example. Specifically, printing band 22~a has a printing section 354a and a non-printir.s human readable section 355a. The printing section 354a has printing bloc~s 353a and the non-prin~ing section cortair.s human readable indicia (FIGURE 25~ representa-tive of the data which the printing bloc~s 353a are capa~le o p,inting. The printing section 354a is thicker than the non-printing section 35;a as best seen in FIGURE 58. ~he pointers 373 ~FIGU~E 2) ~re modi~ied to the extent that they are e~tended as sho~m at 373a in FIGURE 58. The Pointers 373a axe molded inte~rally ~ith the frame 371a whlch can be shifted in a direction parallel to the axis of the driven members 351a ~only one of w~ich is shown in FIGURE 58). It is apparent that the pointers 373a include stop faces 587 and that the pxinting bloc~s 353a adjacen~ the nor.-printing section 355a have abu~nen1 faces 588. Thus, the non-printing .

8~

Docket M-249 section 35~a is incapable of being moved to the printing position at.which it would b~ inked by the ink roller. Inadvertent movement of t~e non-printins section to the printing and inking zone would result in inking of the human reada~le indicia which would ma~e them difficult to read; but this problem is obviated 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 ad~acent non-printing human reada~le section.
~0 With reference to FIGU~ES 59 through 64, there is illustrated a method by ~-nich the platen 217a is made. Rerexring i~itially to FIGURE 59, there is provided a flat sheet composed of benda~le subs~antially rigid material. Although any suitable sheet material can be employed, it~is preferred to use steel haYing a smooth surface, for ~ample, pol1shed 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 extanding through the centers of holes 603, with the holes 601 and 602 b~lng in alignment with each other and wi~h 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 sh~et 600 is inversely bent a~out the line 604 to provide a pair of plates or plate portion~ 605 and 606 joined by a bight portion 607. ~ith a sheet of fle~i~le, resilient moldable material 608 disposed bet~een the plates 605 and 606 there is ~09~37~
Docket M-249 provided a sand~ich arrangement ~nich is placed between press members 609 and 610 of a press to effect extrusion OL
the moldable material into the space within the holes 601 and 602. This extrusion can ~e accomplished by applying pressure using the press mem~ers 609 and 61~ accomp?nied by suitable heating means ~not shown] ~or heating t.he moldable material 608. For this purpose, the platen mem~.ers 609 and 610 can ~e heated. As shown in FIGURES 63 and 64 the sets of holes 601 and 502 ~re in alignment with each other. The piaten 217a thus has flexible resilient platen sections 611, G12 and 613 which can yield independently of each other during printing as iilustrated in FIGURE 64. The oomposlte we~ 30a is o~itted from between printing members 220a and 220a' and the platen 217a in FIGURE 64 for the sake of clarity. This means that each llne of p~inting c~aracters can produce quality printing irrespective of minor manufacturing ~ariations in the prin~
head or the platen which might other~rise 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 ~.ore 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 relati~ely sharp delaminator or peel edge 217a and the holes 603 provide generally semi-circular notc~les 614 at the pcel edge ~17a. Each notch 614 constitutes Docket M-249 ~O 9487 9 an interruption in the edge which reduces tne area of contac~
with the web of supporting materiaL 32a thereby reduci~g friction therebetween as the web 32a is drawn in the direction of arrow 615~ With reference to FIGU~ES 61 and 62, the moldable material 608 which would othe~ise exist in the notches 614 is pre~erably trimmed away.
Referring to FIGURE 66, the inking mechanisIn 252a is shown in its operative in~ing position between the print head 219a and t~e platen 217a. The inking mec~anism 252a includes the inker body 514 and an ink roller 620 carried by the inker ~ody 514. The inking mechanism 252a also includes a pair of tracks 621 and 622 which gulde the i~k roller 620 as the print head 219a is driven toward and a~ay from the platen 217a. Wit~ reference to FIGURE 67, the one-piece inker body 514, which is composed of a ~lexible resilie~t material, has a pair of slotted arms 623 and 624 having respective elongated aligned slots 625 and 626.
The ink roller 620 includes an ink receptive, tubular, porous ink roll 627 rece~ted 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 ex~mple of rubber or the like~ is received by the hub portions 629 and 630, as best shown in FIGURE 69. The hub portions 629 and 630 have respective integral flanges or bearing rolls 633 and 634, which are adapted to ride on bearing surfaces 635 and 636 of the print head 219a. Stub ends 637 and 638 mount respective rollers 639 and 640, and 641 and G42. T~e rollers -cket M-249 ~487~

640 and 641 are received in the elongated slots 625 and 626 of slotted portions 623 and 624, the rollers 639 and 642 are received in respective tracks 621 and 622.
The inker body 514 also has integrally formed arms or leaf springs 643 and 644 which carry the integrally formed pivot pins 512 and 513 received in the respective sockets 510 and 511.
As the print head 219a moves toward the platen 217a (FIGURE 66), the constant slope of the tracks 621 and 622 causes the ink roller 620 to travel across the ink and the printing members 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 (FIGURE 66). When the print head 219a moves away from 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 travel of 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 trac~s 621 and 622 define the path of travel of the ink roller 620. Installation of the inker body 514 and its ink roller 620 is accomplished by flexing together the leaf springs 643 and 644 so that the respective pivot pins 512 and 513 can be inserted into the respective sockets 510 and 511. The inker body 514 can be removed by flexing to~ether leaf springs 643 and 644. The ink roller 620 can be installed or removed from the inker body by flexing apart the slotted arms 623 and 624. FIGURE 68 shows the inker body 514 and its ink roller 620 being removed from the apparatus~ while housing part 502 and the corresponding housing part 502 (FIGURE 65) are in an open position relative to the respective housing parts 501 and 503.

9487~

Docket M~249~C-l The print head 219a has two rows of printing bands as is shown in somewhat greater detail in FIGURE 31. rn order to print a third line o~ data between the two lines of ~rinting members 22a, a slug 646 (~IGURES 66, 69 and 70) is insertæd into the print head frame 221a. As 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 6Sl in the print head frame 221a. The base 6~7 has an elongated ~xtension 652 having a projection 653 which is receivsd in a recess 654 in the print head frame 221a. In this manner, the slug 646 can be inserted into a slot 655 in the print head frame 221a and resiliently snapped into place by means of the pro jection 656 which can be used to facilitate insertion or removal o the slug ~46.
It is ~referred to moLd the driver or feed whe~l 2 of a material which incor?orates a lubricant to dimlnish the amount of gum or adhesive that is transferred to the f ed whe~l 24~ duxing use to prevent Lmproper feeding. ~y incorporating the lubricant in the feed wheel 244 the surface of the feed wheel 244 has a low coefficient of friction. however, ~he tPeth 249 are adequate to grip and drive the web 32. One specific materia' to be used to mold the feed wheel is an acetal resin combined wi~h polytetraflueroethylene lubricants. One such material is sold commercially und~r Number XL~4030 by Liquid Nitrogen Processing Corporation, Malvern, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Claims

Docket M-249-C-1-4-1 The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. For a label applying machine: an applicator, means for advancing labels or the like into applying relationship with respect to the applicator, the applicator having a plurality of wheels, and means mounting each wheel for independent rotational and independent resilient yielding movements.