CA1097536A - Ink supply devices for portable labeling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

INK SUPPLY DEVICES FOR PORTABLE LABELING MACHINE

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An ink supply device for use in a labeling machine:
the ink supply device includes at least one inking roller;
guide means on the frame of the labeling machine guide the inking roller to roll over the printing surface of a printing head; the guide means may comprise curved slots in or rails on the side plates of the machine frame; guide rollers that support the inking rollers are received in the guide means;
in another embodiment, there are additional bearing plates attached at both ends of an inking roller; these plates are engageable with the lower end surfaces of the printing head;
in other embodiments, two inking rollers are provided; each such roller is biased and guided in a different way; springs may bias both rollers toward the print surface, or only one roller; the roller may be guided to vertically shift over the print surface by a guide slot in the support carriage for the roller or by the slot of the guide means.

Description

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INK SUPPLY DEVICES FOR poRTAsLE LAsELING MACHINE

Back~round of the Invention The present invention relates to portable label printing and applying machines for printing and applying labels to commodities, and more particularly to ink supply devices for such labeling machines for uniformly inking the printing surface of a printing head.
Most labeling machines have a printing head. Most such machines include a device for supplying ink to the printing surface of the printing head. In most ink supply devices, an inking roller is attached to the leading end of a spring biased pivotally mounted arm~ The inking roller rolls over the printing surface under spring pressure as it supplies the ink.
An inking device that relies upon spring pressure upon the inking roller has several drawbacks. Aging of the spring lessens its biasing force and reduces the pressure of the inking roller on the printing surface. This will cause deterioration of the ink application and in the printing quality. Imprinted indicia will be dimmed and may not print in part.
The weakened spring will cause less ink to be pumped from the inking roller. Such pumping occurs when the roller is allowed to bulge as it returns to shape from being depressed by the types. Ink which might otherwise be confined f .

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at the center portion of the roller is pumped out~ The biasing force of the spring is liable to vary with the strength of the actuating force of the inking device. In the worst case, the inking roller may have no contact with the printing surface during the inking operation.
Abrupt gripping of an actuating hand lever may cause irregular contact of the inking roller on the printing surface. The resultant non-uniform inking is not suitable for printing the complex, detailed indicia, such as bar codes, that are now in use~
Recently, the so-called "POS (Point of Sale) System" has been developed. Information encoded in the form of characters, such as bar codes or OCR letters, are printed on labels to be applied to commodities. This information is later automatically read out by an optical character-reading machine which is connected to a computer. The operating material such as goods in stock, amount of sales, pursuit of customers by goods or gain calculations is recorded in and processed by the computer. Highly precise imprintillg of labels is requirecl in order that the characters be accurately read by the optical character-reading machine. For this reason, the ink supply to the printing surfaces of the printing heads should be adequate in quantity and uniformly distributed.
To properly ink all types in a plurality of print heads, it has become customary to use a plurality of inking rollers. Where only one inking roller is used for inking the plurality of printing heads, it is quite difficult to supply an ade~uate quantity of ink uniformly to all of the printing surfaces of the respective printing heads. This results in irregularities in the print.
In accordance with the recent developments in the portable labeling machine art, the ink supply step should be accomplished before the printing of a label by the printing head. The supplying of ink should be accelerated to permit higher speed printing. For this purpose, it is found diffi-cult to effect sufficient supply of ink with use of a single ink-impregnated roller. Thus, at least two ink-impregnated rollers are useful in certain portable labeling machines.
Use of a number of rollers increases the gripping force required for gripping the hand lever to its full stroke and increases labeler operator fatigue. This problem occurs because the plural inking rollers have to roll over the printing surfaces and be depressed to the desired extent on their outer peripheries.
The gripping force required of the operator is increased in proportion to the scale and number of the depressions in the inking rollers which must be forcibly formed by the interactions between the types being inked and the inking rollers. I'he required gripping force may exceed the strength of the operator of the hand labeler.
One additional way to overcome the resistance to the motion of the inking roller is to cause it to move faster or to more rapidly grip and release the hand lever.
If the hand lever is gripped and released at a high speed, the imprint on the labels is thinner than when the hand lever is gripped and released at a lower speed.
If there are irregularities in the diameters or shapes of the inking roller or if the roller diameters or shapes change as a result of use and wear or they are unpre-dictably enlarged during ink impregnating operation, it may be difficult to properly and uniformly supply ink to the printing surfaces with inking rollers.

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Summary of the Invention It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved ink supply device for use in a labeling machine, which device has none of the drawbacks of an inking device that uses a biasing spring for pressing its inking roller against a printing surface.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink supply device of the above type, in which the inking roller is depressed to a predetermined depth upon contacting the printing surface of a printing head and in which the inking roller is squeezed under a predetermined suitable pressure.
It is a further object of the invention that the foregoing be accomplished despite deformation, wear and non-uniformity of the shapes of the inking rollers.
Still another object is to provide an ink supply device of the above type for uniformly supplying ink to the printing surface of a printing head.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink supply device of the above type, in which the pushing force of the inking roller against the printing surface of a printing head is so regulated that the ink at the center portion of the inking roller may oo~e or be pumped to the outer surface of the roller to thereby make the ink supply last longer and to make the ink application properly uniform.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an ink supply device of the above type, by which a large number of labels can be precisely printed without any shading of the imprint for a prolonged time period.

~6~q753~i A further object of the invention is to provide an ink supply device of the above type which ensures precision inking and printing for a prolonged time.
Another object of the invention is to supply ink in a manner which permits labels to be imprinted with charac-ters for a POS system.
Yet another object of the invention is to enable inking and subsequent printing to be performed rapidly.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an ink supply device of the above type, in which the force required in the gripping of the hand lever is so reduced that the label printiny and applying operations may be accom-plished with ease.
A still further object of the invention is to reduce operator fatigue in using a labeling machine supplied with an ink supply device of the above type.
Another object of the present invention is to pro-vide an ink supply device of the above type, which can reduce the manual force required for the gripping action of an actu-ating hand lever.
In the present invention, the ink supply device is used in a portable label printing and applying machine which has a platen press printing process. The ink supply device uses at least one ink impregnated roller which is guided by predeterminately positionable guide means to roll over the printing surface of a printing head so that the roller contacting with the printing surface may follow a continuously predictable path and be depressed a predetermined suitable depth by the printing surface.
Thus~ broadly, the invention contemplates an inking device for a labeling machine which prints labels wherein the lab~ling machine comprises a frame, a printing head in the frame, ~q7536 at least one row of types in the pri.nting head with the types facing toward a print position, a means for moving the printing head toward and away from a label whereby the types may contact the label when the types have been moved to the label, and an actuating lever movably connected to the frame to operate th~
labeling machine. The inking device comprises a inking roller, support and moving means for moving the inking roller across the types when the label is not in contact with the types, inking roller guide means in the frame positioned and shaped to be in engagement with and to guide the inking roller to move over the types on a predetermi.ned pathway with respect to the printing head with the guide means to remain in engage-ment with the inking roller over the entire predetermined pathway of the inking roller thereby to cause the inking roller to press on the types with a desired pressure, and the actuating lever being connected with the inking roller to cause the inklng roller to move along the predetermined pathway as the actuating lever is operated.
In a further embodiment of the invention the actuating lever is connected to the printing head for moving it toward and away from a label, the inking roller gulde means comprises a fixedly positioned and immovable guiding element supported on the frame and positioned and shaped to be in engagement with and to guide the inking roller to move over the types on a predetermined pathway with respect to the printing head, and the guiding element is positioned and shaped so as to engage the inking roller at a side thereof away from the side con-tacted by the types and for pressing the i.nking roller against the types and against force exerted by the types against the inking roller as the inking roller rolls by the types such that the cooperative engagement between the guide means and the inking r~;
. --6--,t . ~ ~ .

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roller is the sole cause of the inking pressure of the inking roller on the types. The guiding element is shaped and positioned to remain in engagement with the inking roller over the entire predetermined pathway of the inking roller thereby to cause the inking roller to press on the types with a desired pressure over the predetermined pathway. The actuating lever is connected with the inking roller to cause the inking roller to move along the predetermined pathway as the actuating lever is operated.
In all embodiments of the present invention, the ink supply device comprises a support that is supported by the machine frame and that is normally biased toward the ~''t -6a-printing surface. An in~ing roller ;s rotatably carried on the support. In some e~nbodiments, the support for the inking roller is pivotal'y attached to the machine frame. In~others, it is pivotally attached ~o the actuating lever fol~ the entire labeling machine.
In all of the embodiments, a guide roller is rota-tably~attached at the end o-f at least one of the inking rollers or to the support for the rollers. Guide means, such as a guide rail or slot, are formed on the machine frame and are engaged by the guide roller. These guide means define the pathway traveled by the inking roller that is controlled by the guide means as it is forced to move. In some embodiments, the inking roller is caused to move along the guide means by the motion of the printing head and its support. In other embodiments, appropriate levers attached to the inking roller and to the actuating lever cause motion of the actuating lever to move the inking rollers along the guide means.
In some embodiments, a bearing plate is attached to the end of an inking roller. The piate is engageable with the lower end surface of the frame of the printing head or the support for that frame. In all embodiments having a bea~ing plate, the bearing plate at the inking roller defines the distance from any point on the printing head that the inking roller will have. This, in turn, determines how deeply the types being inked ~ill indent into the in~ing roller. The guide means regulate at least the farthest position of the inking roller relative to the faces of the - types, i.e. the printing surface. The inkillg roller is thus caused to roll over the printing surface under a predeter-mined pressure.

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In an el~bodiment in ~hich the print head shifts, ~hen the printillg head is shiEted toward the imprinting position, the bearing plate is pushed by the lower end surface of the printing head or the support therefor against the biasing force that is applied ~o the inking roller and its support. In this case, the guide means is so oriented with respect to the lo~er end surface of the printing head or the support for the printing head, e~g~ by their meeting at an acute angle, that the force of the printing head toward the imprinting position and against the bearing plate trans-lates into motion of the inking roller across the printing surface.
In other embodiments, the printing head and the support therefor are stationary. Here, the bearinx plate is not pushed by the printing heads, but the inking roller is instead moved by levers connected with the actuating lever of the laheler. ~
In another embodiment of the present invention, the inking roller support comprises a rocker arm. The rocker arm has a cam follower surface near an end thereof.
The actuating lever for the labeling machine is attached to a yoke which moves as the actuating lever is operated. A
cam on the yoke is positioned to engage the cam follo~er surface on the rocker arm as the yoke is mo~cd by the actu-ating lever. Thus, motion o-E the actuating lever is trans-lated into motion of the rocker arm which moves the inking roller.
In some other embodiments, the ink supply device includes a main inXing roller, roller carrying means carrying the main inking roller, and an auxiliary inking roller and auxiliary roller carrying means carrying ~he auxiliary ~753~i inkin~ roller. I)ri~!e means is pi~otally connected to the actuating lever and to both roller carrying means -for trans-mitting the drive force from the former to the latter so that the rollers may be kept in a first position in the vicinity of the printing surface o~ the printing h~ad as the actuating lever is manually operated. In different embodi-ments, the tl~O roller carrying means may be separate, inde-pendently movable elements or they may be part of a unitary structure.
In one of these other embodiments, position regu-lating means for the main roller includes guide means of the type`described above for other embodiments. ~here the guide means comprise guide grooves~ the width of the guide grooves is chosen to regulate the spacing during inking operation between the printing surface and the axis of the main inking roller so that the surface of the main inking roller may be depressed a predetermined depth by the printing surface.
Auxiliary roller position regulating means includes a bearing plate of the type described for other embodiments which is engageable with the printing surfaces or the frames or supports therefor and which thereby regulates the spacing during inking bet~een the printing surface and the axis of the auxiliary inking roller so that the surface of the auxiliary inking roller may be depressed a predetermined depth by the printing surface.
In another of these embodiments~ constant pressure biasing means is connected to the main inking roller for biasing the same onto the printing sur:Eace under a predeter-mined pressure. The constant pressure biasing means includes 3~ a push cam spring biased to push against the shaft of the main inking roller. Guide means more of the type previously described are mounted at the auxiliary inking rollcr for ~7536 reg~llatillgT thc pressure this roller applies to thc printing surface .
Bccause the auxiliary in~ing roller rolls over the same printing surfaces as and f~llo~s the main inking roller, the ink layer is aI-plied to the printing su~faces in a more precise manner.
~ In yet another embodiment, the inking roller is moved by means of linkages pivotally connected to the actu-ating lever, but the spacing and position of the inking roller with respect to the types being inked is determined, on the one hand, by the guide means associated with the inking roller and the machine and, on the other hand, by the bearing plates on the roller and engageable with the printing heads and/or the supports therefor.
Other objects and advantages of the present inven-! tion will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

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Bri~f nescription of the DralYings .
Fig. 1 is a side ele~ational vie-~ of a labeling machine in Yhich a first cmbo~iment of an ink supply device of the invention is incorporated;
Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the labeling machine of Fig. l;
~ Fig. 3 is a side elevation view into the labeling machine of Fig. 1, showing the first embodiment of the ink supply device;
Pig. 4 is a side elevational view of the type shown in Fig. 3, showing the operation of the labeling machine when the hand lever is gripped;
Fig. 5 is a ~iew similar to Fig. 4, showing the labeling machine with the hand lever further gripped and the platen pressed against the printing sllrface;
Fig. 6 is also a view similar to ~ig. 4, showing the labeling machine with the hand lever gripped to its full stroke and with the platen lowered;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the drive mechanism of the labeling machine, the first embadiment of the ink supply device and a rotating mechanism for a feed roller;
Fig. 8 is a perspective vie~ of a platen -for the labeling machine;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an inking roller holder frame;
Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 and showing an inking roller holder;
Fig. 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the inking roller holder of Fig. 10;
.

~97S36 Tig. 12 is a tOll pl~ln ViC~- show;ng two examples of labels on t~hich bar codes and the corresponding nulnbers are printed;
Fig. 13 is a partially cross sectioned, side ele-vational vie~ showing a prior art ink supply device;
; Fig. 14 is a partially cross-sectioned, side elevational view of a portable labeling machine containing an inking device according ~o a second embodiment of the present invention, with the frame plate of the machine removed;
Fig. 15 shows a detail o the labeling machine of Fig. 14, in which the hand lever has been moved partially through its full stroke;
Pig. lG is a cross-sectional, side elevational view of the same labeling machine in which the hand lever has been moved through its full stroke;
Fig. 17 is a front elevational ~iew of the labeling machine of Figs. 14-16;
Pig. 18 is a perspective view of the second embodi-ment of inking device according to the present invention;
Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the inking device of Fig. 18 under the condition in which a cartridge frame and holder for an inking roller have been removed from a support member;
Figs. 20a, 20b and 20c are fragmentary side eleva-tional views sho~iing stages in the operation of the second embodiment of the inking device;
Fig. 21 is a view sim;lar to Fig. 15 and showing a third embodiment of ink supply device according to the present invention;

~l~ 7S36 22.1, 221) ~ d 22c are fra~mentary side ele-ational ~ie~s s~lo-ing st~ges in the operation of the third eillbodimen~ of the in~in~ device;
Fig. 23 is a partially cross-sectioned, side ele-vational vie~ of a portable labeling machine containing a fourth embodiment of inking de~-ice according to the invention with ~the fram~ plate of the labeling machine removed;
Fig. 24 shows a detail of the labeling machine of Fig. 23, in which the hand lever has been moved partially through its stroke;
Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional, side elevational view of the same labeling machine in which the hand lever has been moved through its full stroke;
Fig. 26 is a front elevational view o-f the labeling machine of Figs. 23-25;
Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the fourth embodi-ment of the inking device according to the present invention;
Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the inking device of Pig. 27 under the condition in which a cartridge frame and holder for an inking roller have been removed from a support member;
Fig. 29 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing one condition of the ink-impregnated roller body, wherein it has been restored to its original shape;
Fig. 30 is a view similar to Fig. 29, sho~ing the condition in which the types are pushing into the ink-impregnated roller body;
Fig. 31 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the fourth embodiment of the inking device;
Figs. 32 to 38 are a series of side elevational views showing various conditions of the fourth embsdiment of ~7536 t}lC in~ i.llg ~ICVi.(:C, i.ll ~hich t}~c cl~-ls oE the in~ing roller is locatc~l Ol~ ~h~ lin~ 0-0~ , 2-2', 3 31, 4-4', 5-5' and 6-6' o Fig. 31, r~pectively.
~ ig. 39 is a par~ially cross-sectioned side ele-~ational vie~ of a portablc labeling maclline, equipped with a flfth embodimen~ of the ink supply device according to the present invention, with the frame plate on the viewer's side removed;
Fig. 40 is the same vie~ as Pig. 39 with the hand lever gripped partially through its stroke;
Fig. 41 is the same view as Fig. 39 with the hand lever gripped to its full stroke;
Fig. 42 is an enlarged perspective view showing the fifth embodiment of an ink supply device according to the present invention;
Fig. 43 is an exploded perspective view ~ the embodi-ment of the ink supply device shown in Fig. 42;
Fig. 44 is a longitudinal cross-sectional ~iew of a portable labeling machine which is equipped with an ink supply device exemplifying a sixth embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 45 is a simplified side elevation o~ the labeling machine of Fig. 44 with the frame plate on the view~r's side removed, under the condition, in which the hand lever is gripped midway of its full stroke;
- ~ig. 46 is the same view as Fig. 45, but showing the condition, in which the hand lever is g~ipped t~ its full stroke;
Fig. 47 is an exploded perspective view o~ the ink supply device according to the sixth embodim~nt of the present invention;
~ ig. 48 is a partially cut away, s;de elev~tional view of ~ portable labeling machine e~emplifying the seventh ~m~)odim~nt of ~l in~ing d~vicc according to the present in~elltion t~i.th thc fram~ platc of the v;ewer's side being r~movcd;
. Fig. 49 is a view similar to Fig. 48 showing the labeling machine when the hand lever is partially gripped and the ink supply device is midway through its full stroke;
~ Fig. 50 is a view also simiIar to Fig. 48 showing the labeling machine when the hand lever is fully gripped and the ink supply device has mo~ed through its full stroke, Pig. 51 is a perspective view of the seventh embodiment of the ink supply device according to the present invention;
Fig. 52 is an enlarged side elevational view of a fragment of the labeling machine.explaining the operation of the ink supply device; and ' Fig. 53 is an exploded perspective view of the seventh embodiment of the ink supply device.

Detailed Description of an Embodiment of'th'e'Prior Art'' ` ' One embodiment of prior art ink supply is now described, with reference to Fig. 13. Two swingable arms 203 are pivotally connected at their upper ends to a frame 201 of a po~table label printing and applying machine. The arms 203 are biased to rotate counterclockwise in ~ig. 13 by the action of a spring 202. A holder frame 205 is pivotally connected to the lower free ends of the s-Yinging arms 203.
Frame 205 is biased to rotate counterclockwise in Fig. 13 by the action of spring 204. A single inking roller 206 is rotatably attached to a trailing or rear ena portion of the holder frame 205.

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~ ell h~LII~I lever ~n8 is gripped to~ard ~rip 207 of the labeliTIg machille, t~ro yokes 209 are rotated counterclock-~ise about th~ir pivots 20~a on the frame of the labeling machine. The projections or cams 210 formed at the leading ends of the yokes 209 push do~vnwardly upon the cam follower surfaces 213, which are formed near the top of the swinging arms 203. As a result, the s~ringing arms 203 pivot clockwise and this accordingly moves the holder frame 205 to the left.
The ink roller 206 is drawn to roll-across the printing surface 212 of a printing head 211 so that a suitable amount of ink may be applied to the printing sur-Eace 212.
The above described inking device has several characteristics which the present invention impro~es upon:
~ 1) The inking roller 206 is pressed against the printing surface 212 by the biasing forces ~f the two springs ~17536 202 and ~04. T}lc ~lc~ure e~rted by th~ ;nking roller 206 against th~ printin~ surf~ce 212 reduces as the biasing forces of the springs weaken d~le to aging. This will inter-fere with the application of ink and will diminish the quality and precision of ~he printing of a label For example, label imprints will be dim or have skipped, unmarked areas~. Printing quality deterioration is highly undesirable, especially in a labeling machine that prints precisely defined size and shape indicia, such as bar codes, or that prints characters for an OCR ~Optical Character Recognition) system or that prints characters for a reader which employs a laser beam, or the like, for the optical reading purpose and which requires high printing precision.

(2) As the biasing forces of the springs reduce, the body of the print head 211 will scarcely be pressed against and into the ink roller 206, thus stoppin~ the pumping of ink from the roller. As a result, ink that is deep inside the ink roller 206 will not be pumped to the roller surface, but that ink will be confined to the center portion of the roller. Were there adequate pumping, it would be possible *o use the small quantity of in~ that comes to the surface of the roller even with only slight pressure o-f the printing surface 212 onto the ink roller 206. An ink supply mechanism that is operated by an aging spring cannot provide economical inking because it only permits a small number of impressions for each ink impregna-tion of the ink roller 206.
~ 3) When the hand lever 208 is abruptly gripped to its full stroke, ink roller 206 often has no contact or little contact with the printing surface 212, thus maXing it impossible to obtain a clear imprint on the label then being printed.

(4) l~cell~ly, it hcLs bccolne customary to imprint labels ~ h tlle name o~ a s~orc, the name, quantity, content ancl production da.e oE a commodity and, as bcfore, the p~icc of the commodity. In this case, a printing head having a sin~le row of type is not sufficient. The printing head must have two or three rows of printable types. With a printing head having two or more printing forms, ink cannot be applied uniformly by the disclosed conventional method~
in which the ink roller 206 is forced by springs into pressure contact with the prin*ing surfaces 212. Irregular ink application will result in correspondingly irregular printing of the label surface. This will, in turn, produce frequent mistakes in the recognition or reading of printed characters or symbols.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments bf the Invention The ink supply device according to the present invention is incorporated in a label printing and applying machine, of the type described in Application Serial No.
681,251, filed April 2~, 1976, incorporated by reference.
A first embodiment of ink supply de~ice of the present invention is now described. As sho~n in Figs. 1-3, the frame 21 of the label printing and applying machine is comprised of two side plates 14 and 15 which are secured to each other at their upper portions by means of a grip 22 and at their front, center, rear and lower portions by means of a number of shafts and pins, not all of ~hich are illustrated or speci~ied.
The labeling machine includes a conventional printing mechanism 1 which is secured to the upper front portion of the machine frame 21, a drive mechanism 2 mountea to ~ )cl ~OI'tiOII of thc -flcl!lc thro-lgh t}le grip 22, a hand le~er 25~ clnl ~ITI ;n~ suypl~ ~le~:ice 4 according to the present illVelltiOll. The in~ ~upyly de~ice ~ is lnounted to a lo-rer fl~ollt por,ion of th~ labelin~ machinc. Th~rc are a label ~trip fe:ed mcch~nism 5 mounted to a rear portion oE the labcling machine, a pressure applying mechanism 3 mounte~ to a center portion of the labeling machine frame, a label peeling mechanism 6 mounted to the lower front portion of the machine frame for peeling labels from their supporting backing strip, a label applying mechanism 7 mounted to the lower front end of the labeling machine frame, and a label strip holding mechanism 8 mounted to an upper rear portion of the frame and from which the label strip is unwound and fed.

The printing mechanism 1 includes at least one and more usually several rows of types. Each type row is definea by a side by side array of type wheels, each carrying bar codes. Each type wheel is independently rotatable. Each row of type wheels is interposed between two support plates.
Each type wheel has a printing surface de~ined at its lower-most end. The types 20 on each type ~ eel carry a bar code.
lhe types in one ro~. thereof are arran~ed side by side.

After each printing operation, a label 13 is printed ~ith a~pattern of bar codes of the kind seen in Fig. 12.
Referring to Fig. 3, the dri~e mechanism 2 is com-prised of two front drive le~rers 29 and t~Yo rear drive-levers 69, plus the gri~ 22 and the hand lever 25. The grip 22 is integrally forrned at the upper central portion of the machine ~rame 21. The }land lcYer 25 is plvotally stlpported ~L~Cs7536 on a pivot 2~ on tile framc 21, so that the hand lcvcr may be manually ~ripped to~ard the grip 22. A drive spring 24 is connected under tension bet~.~een pin 16 on hand lever 25 and pin 17 on the frame 21, thereby to bias the hana lever 25 in ~he c1Ock~i~ise direction in Fig. 3.
In front ~to the left) of the hand lever 25, there is a ront drive mechanism 75, ~hich includes bifurcated yokes 26 that are integrally attached to the hand lever 25 and pivot therewith. The yo~es 26 carry pins 30. The drive mechanism 75 further includes the front dIive levers 29.
Each drive lever 29 has a slot 29a at its upper portion in which a corresponding pin 30 is slidably fitted, thereby permitting relative longitudinal and rotational motion of yokes 26 and drive levers 29. Drive levers 2g have slots 27 at their lo-~er portions and these slots receive and are pivotally supported on pins 34 of rocking levers 33 Slots 27 permit relative longitudinal and pivotal motion of pins 34. In addition~ drive levers 29 are secured to the machine frame 20 at the pins 28 spaced in from the upper portions of the lever 29.
At the rear (to the right) of the hand lever 25, there is a rear drive mechanism 76. That ~echanism includes the rear drive levers 69 which carry hook pins 68 at their lower ends. The drlve mechanism76 includes a rear drive pin 67, which pivotally connects the rear drive le~rers 69 to the rear end of the hand lever 25. There is a stop pin 70 on the frame 21 which determines the upper limit of the stroke of the hand lever 25.
As sho~n in Figs. 3 and 7, the inX supply device 4 according to the first embodiment of the present in~ention is comprised of an inl; roller holder 48, a holder frame 36, -2~-1~"7536 a pa;r of rockin~ Ic~rs 33 and also guidc means comprised o~ a pair of cur~ed slots or grooves 47 formed in the side ~rames 14, 15 and ~hic}l define the path of motion of frame 3G.
Each of the rocking levers 33 has a slot 31 in i~s lot~er portion to receive holder frame pin rollers 39 and to permit relative longitudinal and pivotal motion of rollers 39 and frame 36 with respect to rocking levers 33. The upper portion of each rocking lever is pivotally supported by a pin 32, which is affixed in the machine rame 21. The pins 34 extend from the middle portion of the rocking levers 33. Rings 35 are loosely fitted on corresponding rocking lever pins 34. The rings 35 are shaped and fitted to slidably eng~ge in the slo~s 27 of the front drive levers 29. -- Turning to Fig. 9, the holder frame 36 has a U-shaped cross-section. The outer sides of its opposed side w~lls 37 carry outwardly projecting pins 38. ~isposed around these pins 38 are loosely fitted rings 3~ hich are shaped and fitted to slidably engage with *he slots 31 of rocking levers 33. The side walls 37 are joined by a bottom plate 40. Plate 40 includes a generally centrally located retaining slot 41 extending across the plate toward side walls 37. Two pairs of guide pins 42 and 43 project ~rom corresponding positions on the outer side of the opposed side walls 37 and in front and in bac~ of the pins 38, respectively. On the guide pins 42 and 43, there are looscly ~itted two pairs of corresponding rings 4¢ and 45, respectively.
The ring~ 44 and 45 are slidably received in *he curved guide means slots or ~rooves 47, which are formed in the side plates 14 and 15. This enables the holder frame ~6 to move back and forth in slots 477 as better seen in Fig. 4.

~'37536 Tllc~ roll~}~ !lolder ~8 is rclllov~l)ly retained on the bottom l'l"t~ 40 of thc holclcr Lrame 36, as will be exp]aincd belo~.
~s sh~n in Figs. 10 and 11, thc ink roller holder 48 is comprised ~E an ink roller frame 60, a retaining member 64 and a pair of ink-impregnated rollers 54 and 55.
The ink roller frame 60 has a U-shaped cross-section similar to that of the holder frame 36. The opposed side walls 49 of the frame 60 are secured together by a bottom plate 56, which also has a centrally located retaining slot 57 extending across plate 56 toward walls 4g. rwO support shafts S0 and 51 are located bet~een the side walls 49 so that they may pivotally support the ink impregnated spongy rollers 54 and 55. The rollers have respective built-in central sleeves 52 and 53. The front (left in Figs. 10 and 11) extension of the bottom plate 56 of the ink roller frame 60 is o-E narrowed width and is bent upward so that its leading end forms a tab 59. Depending from both sides of the front extension, just behind the bent portion thereof is a pair of ears 58 which form an inverted "U" with the front extension.
The retaining member 64 for retaining the ink roller holder 48 on the holder frame 36 is bent at its front (left) portion so as to form a tab 63 and it is bent to define a pair of upstanding ears 62 at both sides of the tab 63, rear~ardly of its front. Ears 62 are alignable l~ith the ears 58. The rear extension of the retaining member 64 is folded to define a retaining portion 61 haYing an inverted "V" shape. The ears 58 of the inX roller frame 60 are pivotally attached to the corresponding ears 62 of the retaining membeT 64 by means of a pin 65~ A torsion spring 66 is mounted on pin 65 and engages the elements 59 and 63 to force the retaining portion 61 into the retaining slot 57 in the inX roller holder 48 ~q7536 ~ Yhen the tabs 59 a~ld 63 of the ink roller rame 60 and the retaining m~inber 64, r~spectively, are manually pivoted by being pinched tol~ard each other against the-action of the spring 66, this separa~es the bottom plate 56 of the frame 60 and the retaining portion 61. With the retaining portion apart from frame 60, the bottom plate 40 of the~ holder frame 36 is inserted into the space between the plate 56 and the portion 61 and the openings 41 and 57 are aligned. The ta~s 59 and 63 are then released and this forces the retaining portion 61 into engagement with the retaining slot 41, thus securing the ink roller holder 48 in position in the holder frame 36.
The ink supply device of the first embodiment of the present invention operates as follows. When the hand lever 25 is gripped, the front drive levers 29 connected to the yoXes 26 are rotated clockwise about the fixed pins 28, as shown in Fig. 4. The rocking levers 33 are also rotated cloch~ise about the pins 32. As a result, the holder frame 36 is moved forward through the cur~ed slots or grooves 47.
The rings 44 and 45, which are loosely fitted on the guide pins 42 and 43 of the holder frame 36, are slidably guided through the slots or grooves 47. The two spongy, ink impreg-nated rollers 54 and 55 are rolled over the printing su face 20 and exert a predetermined pressure thereupon. The spongy rollers 54, 55 rotate as thei~ outer peripheral surfaces are pressed against, depressed by and rolled past the printing surface 20. Thus, the ink, which is stored at the center of the ink-impregnated rollers 54 and 55 oozes to their peripheries due to the pumping action which occurs when the type caused depressions in the rollers bulge to lestore their original contour. Furthermore, because two or more in~ing rollers 7~36 ~ cl ~5 in th;~ c!nl)od~ t) ~urn p~st tlle same printing surf~cc 2Q, in~ c~l bc sup~]ied to the pr;nting surface 20 in a sufficiell~ quclntity and uniformly.
Printing by the printing means is carried out while the holdeT frame 36\and the ink roller holder 48 are at their front rest positions and afteT each application of ink t~o the printin~ surface 20. The pressure keeping mechanism

3 which enables printing on a label, includes a platen 78 having a pressing surface 79, as sho~n in ~ig. 8. The platen 7~ is rapidly elevated and lowered along vertical grooves 77 (compare Figs. 4 and 5), while the holder frame 36 is in its rest position. This presses a label 13 that is then on the pressing surface 79 against the printing surface 20. Wlth consecutive feeding of the labels, printing of the labels 13 in sequence occurs, as seen from Figs. 12 and 13.
When the hand le~er 25 is released from its gripped condition, the holder frame 36 is forced t~ return ~to the right) by the action of the drive spring 24, to the inX
supply position of Fig. 3.
The ink-impregnated rollers 54 and 55 are pressed against and roll over the printing surface 20 under a constant predetermined suitable pressure. As a result, the quantity of ink supplied to the printing surface can be maintained at a constant lavel. This enables precision printing of labels.
Since the ink at the surfaces of the rollers and also the ink which is near the center portion of the rollers, can be pumped out and used l~ith little loss, a greater n~ber of labels can be printed by inXing rollers after a single inX
;mpregnation of the rollers ~ith conventional ink supply device. In addition, the inking rollers can be s;~ply interchanged.

18~7~36 The seconcl cmbodim~nt of in~ing device of the present invention is no~ described. Re-ferring to Figs. 14 to 16, t}-ere is a machine frame 101 containing a pair of yokes 102. The yo~es 102 are secured to each other near the top rear (right hand) portion. The yokes 102 are integrally joined with the front end portion of a hand grip lever 103.
The yo~kes are also pivotally attached to the machine frame 101 at a fixedly located support shaft 104.
Immovable grip 105 extends rearwardly from the ~0 machine frame 101. A spring pin 106 is affixed in the grip 105. Spring supporting projection 107 is integrally attached to the hand le~er 103. A spring 109 under tension extends between a hole 108 formed in the projection 107 and the spring pin 1060 This normally biases the yokes 102 and the hand lever 103 clockwise about the support shaft 104.
The stopper 110 on frame 101 engages the upper sides of the yokes 102 and this detérmines the uppe~ limit of spring biased motion of the yokes 102.
Referring to Fig. 1~, the ratchet pawl 135 is attached to a rear portion of the yokes 102 and is spaced from yoke pivot 104. A ratchet wheel 136 is mounted to rotate about a shaft that-is fixedly located on frame 101.
The pawl 135 and wheel 136 are positioned so that pawl 135 engages ratchet wheel 136 to rotationally ad~rance the ratchet wheel 136 by a predetermined angle during each cycle of motion of yokes 102 under the influence of hand lever 103.
A feed wheel 137 is fixed coaxially to the ratchet wheel 136. Feed wheel 137 has a plurality of angularly spaced feed teeth 138 on its outer periphery. These feed teeth are engageable with engagement portions ~not shown) of a continuous strip 139 of labels so that the continuous label stlip 139 m.l~ l)e fed through thc labcling machine by the rotat;on~ of th~ feed l~lle~l 137.
The continuous label strip 139 is a laminate of a series of labels to be print~d and applied and of a supporting backin~ strip. The label strip 13~ is separated at a peeling portion 140 into a series of labels 139a and into a strip 139b of backing paper. The labels 139a have adhesive on their back sides so that they can be adhered to a commod;ty to be labeled by a label ap~licator 141.

Three printing heads llla, lllb and lllc are fixedly attached to the leading ~left hand) end portions of the yoXes 102. The printing heads extena through a printing mechanism frame 134 on the yokes. ~he desired type on each of the printing heads llla, lllb and lllc is selected by the respective selecting knob 143 for that head (Fig. 17). A
label 139a, which is described abo~e, may thus be printed by the selected type 112a, 112b and 112c then at the print position on the respective printing heads llla, lllb and 1 llc .
Re~erring to Figs. 1~-16 and 1~ a shaft 113 is fixedly mounted to the machine frame 101. A pair o-E spaced apart rocker arms 11~ are pi~otally attached at their upper ends to respective opposite ends of the sha~t 113. The rocker arms 114 are normally biased to roc~ counterclock~ise in the dTal~ings by spring 116 ~hich is ~ound around and engages shaft 113 and the upper ~.eb joining arms 114. A
pair of pins 117 project in-~ardly from and are affixed to the machine frame 101 Pins 117 pass through and are g~ulded ~, 1~7536 by corrcsponding g~icle grooves 118 in arms 114, in accord-ance with the rocking motions of the rocker arms 114.
Referring to ~ig. 19, a support member 120 extends ~etween and is pivotally attached by a shaft 19 to the lower end portions of the rocker arms 114. The support member 12~
has side plates at arms 114. There are engagement holes 121 through both side plates.
The U-shaped ink roller holder 122 is removably' attached to the support member 120. ,The holder 122 is , ~0 formed from a flexible, resilient material and is preferably of plastic. Near the centers of the exteriors of both of its side arms, the holder 122 carries side projections 128 which are snapped into the engagement holes 121 of the respective support members 120. Further out along the legs of holder 122 beyond projections 128, there are pinch por-tions 124. The outer surfaces of the legs defining these pinch portions are rotched to eliminate operator's finger slippage. The bottom of the web of the holder 122 supports a "T" cross-section projection 129, which is fitted into a correspondingly shaped engagement groove 127 of an ink roller frame 123, as described below. This provides a tongue-in-groove type connection bet~een ink roller frame 123 and ink roller holder 122.
The ink roller frame 123 is U-shaped. An inking roller 125 is rotatably mounted between the legs of the frame 123 by a shaft 126. At the bottom of its web, the frame 123 has the engagement groove 127 which receives and is shaped to securely retain the projection 129 of the holder 122. The frame 123 may thus be removably attached to the holder 122 to form an integral assembly.
In ~i~. 18, which SllOws the assembled irk supply device, the projections 128 of the holder 122 are ~itted in 1'..~'~7S36 the engager~ent holes 121 of tlle support mcmber 120. This mounts thc cartridge type frame 123 to the support mcmber 120. In this manncr, the inking roller 125 is removably attached to the labeling machine.
~ Yhen the inking roll~r l25 has been exhausted of its ink, the pinch portions 124 of the holder 122 are squeezed toget~er by an operator. This deforms the legs of the "U"-shaped holder 122 to disengage the projections 128 from the holes 121. As shown in Fig. 19, the cartridge type frame 123 holding the inking roller 125 is removed from the support member 120 together with the holder 122. Then the engaged groove 127 and projection 129 are separated by displacing the frame 123 and the holder 122 sideways of each other.
A new cartridge type frame 123 carrying a replace-ment inking roller 125 is attached to the holder 122. The pinch portions 124 are again squeezed and the projections 128 are fitted in the holes 121. Then the pinch portions 124 are released and the support member 120 resumes its original shape.
The inking roller 125 is of integral roller construc-tion. The roller is comprised of an ink impregnatea spongy body 130 and of a pair of bearing plates 131 attached to both ends of the body 130. This inking roller 125 is rotatably supported between the leg portions of the frame 123 by the shaft 126 passing through the roller. A pair of guide rollers 132 are rotatably attached at the outsides of the side walls of the frame 123 at both ends of the shaft 126.
The rollers 132 are freely rotatable with respect tv shaft 126.
Referring to Figs. 14 and 17, there are a pair of narrow width guide rails 133 affixed to the inner walls of the machill~ rramc lnl, alld ~tending forwardly and rearwardly in the frame 101. The rails 133 incline slightly downwardly moving for~ardl~ (left in Fig. 14~ through the labeling machine. They are also normally ~ertically spaced from the printin~ head frames 134. Frames 134 are part of the yokes 102~ whereby below described motion of frames 134 is corres-pondi~g motion of yokes 102.
The leading end portions of the guide rails 133 are slightly inclined upwardly, for reasons discussed below.
The guide rollers 132 roll over the upper sides of the guide rails 133. At the same time, the bearing plates 131 roll under and against the lower sides of the printing head frames 134. The undersides of the frames 134 are so oriented and the rails 133 spaced from the frames 134 are so oriented that they are oblique to each other and a preferably acute angle is defined be*ween their directions of extension, which serves to move the inking device as described below.
Also, the spacing bet~een rails 133 and frames 134 is such that the guide rollers 132 may ride atop rails 133 and at least part of the inking roller 125 is between rails 133 and the undersides of frames 134 as the types are inked.
The operation of the ink supply device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is now described. When the hand lever 103 is manually gripped toward the grip 105, the yo~es 102 are rotated counterclock-wise in Fig. 14 about their support shaft 104. This causes the lower sides of the printing head Irames 134, which are fixed to the yo~es 102, to push do~n against the bearing plates 131 at the ends of the inking roller 125. This presses the guide rollers 132 against the guide rails 133.
Because the guide rails 133 are inclined with respect to the undersides of -frames 134, the guide rollers 132 and the -2~-~ ~'753~

coa~i~l in~;ng rollcr 125 .-lre nlo~ed for~ard along thc upper sides of the guidc rails 133 by the for~ard conlponent of the pushing orce of th~ printing ilead frames 134. Forward motion o~ thc inking roller 125 under the guidance of frames 134 and r~ils 133 mo~es the spongy roller body 130 across and into contact witll the types 112a, 112b and 112c of the respective printing heads llla, lllb and lllc which are fixed to the printing head frames 13~. The types are thereby supplied consecutively with the proper and uniform amount of ink, as shown in Fig. 15.
- In addition to the inking roller 125, the frame 123,the support member 120 that supports the inking roller 125 and the holder 122 are all moved forward through the machine frame 101. The rocker arms 114, which are pivoted to the support member 120, are turned cloc~Yise about the shaft 113 until they assume their substantially vertical positions ~compare Figs. 14 and 15).
Because the bearing plates 131 of the inking roller 125 rotate against the lower sides of the printing head frames 134, this regulates the closest position of the inking roller 125~ 130 relative to the printing surfaces 112a, 112b and 112c. As the diameters of the bearing plates 131 increase, the inking roller 125 will be spaced urther from every point on the print head. As a result, the ink-impregnated roller body 130 can be protected against being too strongly pushed and deeply deformed by the printing surfaces 112a, 112b and 112c, thereby to preclude overinking.
The guide rollers 132 riding upon the guide ~ails 133 regulate the farthest distance of thc inking roller 125 relative to the printing surfaces 112a, 112b and 112c, so that these printing surfaces can be pressed by the inking roller with a predetermined and uniorm pressure.

Turning to Figs. 20a~ 20b and 20c, the ink imprcg-nated SpOIlgy roller body 130 is depressed in sequence by the printing surfaces 112a, 112b and 112c Ink stored in the center portion of the roller body 130 is pumped to the surface of the roller when the depresslons in the roller return to their original shapes. This arrangement has the advantages that a proper amount of ink can be supplied to the printing surfaces 112a, 112b and 112c, which enables a clear print to always be obtained and that substantially all of the ink in the inking roller can be used without any waste, whereby the înk supply device of the present invention is highly economical.
When the hand lever 103 is further gripped to its full stroke, the bearing plates 131 of the inking rollerl25 are moved forward beyond the lower sides of the printing head frames 134. The bearing plates 131, inking roller 125 and rollers 126 then ride on the upwardly inclined fo~ard portion of rails 133 which raise the rollers 132, as shown in Pig. 16. Once the bearing plates are no longer pressed by frames 134, they stop just forward of the frames 134 and spring 116 presses the bearing plates lightly against the front of frames 134. Once the inking roller is forward of frames 134~ the printing heads llla, lllb and lllc are lowered to bring their respective printing surfaces 112a, 112b and 112c into engagement with the upper sides of the - continuous label strip 139 and this prints the label 139a then beneath surfaces 112.
When the hand lever 103 is released from its gripped condition~ the yokes 102 and frames 134 are returned clockwise by the spring 109- The inking roller 125, which has been halted in engagement ~ith the fron~ face o~ the ~3~'536 I)I`illtin~ held frc~ cc; 134, is l-~t~l~ned rearwardly along thc ul)per side~ of the guide r~ils 133 by the spring 116, which is biasing the roc~er arms ll~t to the ori.ginal position of Fig. 14; The ratc~lct pawl 135 on the yo~es 102 simultaneously moves a predetermined distance (to the left in Fig. 14) with the rocXing motion of the yo~es and the pawl rotates the ratchet wheel 136 through a predetermined angle. The feed wheel 137 is turned through the same angle. This feeds the continuous label strip 139, which is in engagement with the feed teeth 138. .At the peeling portion, the continuous label strip 139 is separated to remove the labels 139a, which have already had their upper sides imprinted with desired indicia. The imprinted labels 139a are fed to an area below the label applicator 141.
Figs. 21 and 2Z show the third embodiment of the present invention, wherein a pair of guide slots 142 in the inside walls of the side frames serve as the guide means in place of the guide rails 133 of the second embodiment. In all other respects, the third embodiment corresponds to the second embodiment. The description of the common features of the third embodiment is not repeated. Common.features of th~ second and third embodiments are numbered identically.
The guide slots 142 have substantially th~ same breadth as the outer diameters of the guide rollers 132. The guide rollers 132 can turn in the guide slots 142. Like the guide rails 133, the guide slots 142 are inclined downwardly in the fo~ward direction, as compared with the lower sides of the print head frames 134. The leading end portions of slots 142 are slightly inclined upward. In this em~odiment, because the in~ing roller 125 has its position with respec~
~o the printing heads llla~ lllb and lllc regulated br the ~6~97536 action of the ~uidc slots 1~2, thc ~earing plates 131 may have substantially the same diameter as the roller body 130.
This is also bec~use the bearing plates 131 need not turn u~on the lot~er sides nf the printing head frames 134, as contrasted with the second em~odiment where they must roll over these lo~er sides.
`~ The operation of the third embodiment is similar to that of the second embodiment. Upon squeezing hand lever 103, the lower surfaces of the printing head frames 134 push the bearing plates 131 sideways and the guide rollers 132 are turned in the guide slots 142 by the sideways ~leftward in Fig. 21) component of the pushing force. The spongy roller body 130 is turned consecutively over the printing surfaces l ~a, 112b and 112c and supplies them with the proper amount of ink. See the sequence shown in Figs. 22a, 22b and 22c. With the regulating action provided by the guide slots 142, the roller body 130 pushes the printing surfaces with a predetermined proper pressure and supplies a proper amount of ink.
The ink impregnated body of the inXing roller is always forced to roll over the printing surface under a regulated constant pressure. Therefore, the amount of ink supplied to the printing surface can be constant. Highly precise printing of the labels can be obtained. Ink stored both on the surface and at the center portion of the inking roller can be used to the last. Thus, a greater n~lmber of labels can be printed by a single inking roller than with a conventional method.
The fourth embodiment of the present invention is now described. The labeling machine and the inking device therein of the fourth embodiment are virtually identical in structure and operation to the second embodiment. These descriptiolls ale, th~refore, no~ repeated. Only t}lc dif~ercnt clements of the f~llrtll embodi~ nt are dcscribed. Each elemellt of thc fourth embodin~ent that corresponds to one in the second embodiment is correspondingly numbered Yith a reference numeral raised by 200.
Instead of having the generally straight sided configuration of the second embodiment, the rocker arms 314 have rearwardly projecting cam followers 315 formed at their upper sides. The upper surfaces 315a of the cam followers 315 are the cam follower surfaces, and these surfaces incline both downwardly and rearwardly to facilitate rolling coopera-tion with below described roller cams 342.
At the forward end of the yokes 302, remote from their pivot 304 and above the cam follower surfaces 315a are positioned freely rotating camming rollers 342, which ride down the cam follower surfaces 315a as the yokes 302 pivot.
The cam followers 315a and cams 342 cooperate in piYoting the rocker arms 314, as described below.
The operation of the ink supply device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is now described. When the hand lever 303 is manually gripped toward the grip 305, the yokes 302 are rotated counterclock-wise in Fig. 23 about the support ~haft 304. Compare Figs.
23 and 2~. The camming rollers 342 mounted on the leading ends of the yokes 302 push down the cam followers 315a of the rocking arms 314. The arms 314 turn clockwise against the normal bias oE the spring 316. Thus, the support member 320, which is pivoted to the rocking arms 3~4, and also the holder 322, the frame 323 and the in~ing roller 325 are together moved forward (left in the drawings). The guide rollers 332 roll over the guidc rails 333 while the bearing 1~7S3~

plates 33l roll llpon the lo~ r sid~s of the printing head frames 33~. Eor~.~ar~l motion of the inking roller 325 under the guidance of Erames 334 and ~ails 333 movcs the spongy roller ~ody 330 across and into contact w;th the types 312a, 312b and 312c of the respective printing heads 311a, 311b and 311c, which arc fixed to the printing head frames 334.
The types are thereby supplied consecutively with the proper and uniform amount of ink. Because the bearing plates 331 of the inking roller 325 rotate against the lower end surfaces of the printing head frames 334, this regulates the closest position of the inking roller 325, 330 relative to the printing surface 312a, 312b and 312c. The guide rollers 332 riding upon the guide rails 333 regulate the farthest distance of the i~king roller 325 relative to the printing surfaces 312a, 312b and 312c.
Turning to Figs. 32-38, the ink impregnated spongy roller body 330 is depressed in sequence, by the printing surfaces 312a, 312b and 312c. This operates upon the inking roller 330 in the same manner as in the second embodiment and results in the same advantages.
When the hand lever 303 is further grippe~ to its full stroke, the bearing plates 331 of the inking roller 325 are moved forward beyond the lower sides of the printing head frames 334. The bearing plates 331, inking roller 325 and rollers 326 Tide upward on the upwardly inclined forward portion of rails 333 ~hich raise the rollers 332, as shown in Fig. 25. Once the bearing plates are no longer pressed by frames 334, they stop just forward of the frames 334 and spring 316 presses the bearing plates lightly against the front of frames 334. Once the inking roller is forward of n.?s ~ ;$ thc pl~in~in~ hca(ls 311a, 31]~) and 311c are lo~icrecl tc) bring tll~ir res~ ct;vc E~rinting surEilccs 312a, 312b allcl 312c in~o cngagclllellt ~ith the ~Ipper sides of the continuo~ls labcl strip 339, and this prints the label 339a then beneath surfaces 312.
I~hen the hand lever 303 is rclcased from being gripped, the yokes 302 are moved clocl;~iisc or upl~aTd by the spring 309. The in};ing roller 325, which had been halted i~
front of the printing head frames 33~, is returned backward along the guide rails 333 by the spring 316, because the spring biases the rocking arms 314 to restore their original position of Fig. 23.
The fifth embodiment of the present invention is now described in connection with Figs. 39-43O
In Figs. 39-41, the hand labeler includes a machine frame 410 comprised of two paralle~, spaced apart plates. A printing mechanism 401 is immovably afflxed to an upper front (left end) portion of the machine frame 410. A
labeler drive mechanism 402 is mounted at a rear portion of 20 the machine frame. The labeler drive mechanism 402 is comprised of a grip 422 and of a hand lever 425. A constant printing pressure mechanism 403 is located at a center portion of the frame 410. A label strip feed mechanism 405 is located at a lo-~er center portion of tne frame for feeaing a label strip. A peeling mechanism 406 for peeling labels from the backing strip on which the labels are secu~ed is located at a lo~er front portion of the frame. An applicator 407 for applying labels to commodities is located at the lower front end portion of the frame. ~ holder 408 for 30 continuous label strip 409 is located at an upper center portion of the machine frame ~10 The prilltillg mcc}lanisln 401 is comprised of three printillg he~ds ~not sho~n) o~ the type dcscribed herein.
The prin~illg heacl~ are sand~iched betl~een the side frames 411 of the prin~ing mcchanism 401. In this embodilllent, the printing mechanism 401 is affixed stationary to the machine frame 41a.
~ A series of below described labels 488 are printed by the printing types at the printing surfaces which are at the lower ends of the respective printing heads.
The grip 422 o the drive mechanism 402 is integral with the rear portion of the machine frame 410. The hand lever 425 is pivotally supported on a support shaft ~14 that i5 afixed in position on the machine frame 410. The lever 425 pivots toward and away from the grip 422 about shaft 414. The hand lever 425 is biased clockwise in Figs. 39-41 by drive springs 413. Springs 413 are interposed between a spring supporting pin 416 located on a lower center portion of the machine frame 410 and a spring-pin fll7 located on the hand lever 425.
Referring to ~ig. 39, the hand lever 425 extends forwardly to and is an integral part of a pair of yo~es 415 which themselves extend forward thro~lgh the labeler. There are a pair of drive levers 418, which have rearward ends that are pivotally attached to the forward ends of respective yokes 415 by a pivot pin 419. The forward ends of the drive levers 418 are pivotally attached to a pa;r of rocking levers 421 by pins 423. Rocking levers 421 are pivotally supported on the printing mechanism frames 411 by fixedly located pivot pins 420. Pins 423 are beneath pins ~20 and are intermediate the length of levers 421.
A pair of drive levers 424 depend beneath the rearward ends of yokes 415. Levers 424 dr;ve the label strip feed mechanis~ 405. Hook support pins 42~ are carried g7S3~
Oll the lower portions of the drive levers 424. A pair of hooks 427 are pi~otally supported on pins 426. Springs 428 bias hooks 427 counterclockwise. The springs 428 are inter-posed under tension between hooks 427 and drive levers 424.
A push member 429 is pivotally attached at an upper intermediate portion of the hand lever 425 by a pivot support shaft 430.
Turning to Figs. 42 and 43, the ink supply device 404 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention includes main inking roller assembly 431, auxiliary inking roller assembly 432, a pair of separated, opposedly positioned holding members 438, and the paired, opposed, cooperating rocking levers 421. The ink supply device also includes guide means for controlling motion of the inking mechanism. The guide means include a pair of guide grooves 433 which are formed in the inside walls of the machine frame 410 and a pair of rollers 460, described further below, which ride in grooves 433. (Also see Figs. 49 and 41).
0 The main inking roller assembly 431 includes a main inking roller 434, an inking roller cartridge frame 435, a cartridge frame holder 436 (which holds both of the inking rollers), and a manually grippable pinch member 437.
The cartridge frame 435 has a U-shape. Each of its side legs is formed with a respective attaching hole 439 and with a respective pair of upper and lower retaining portions 440 of a generally C-shape, whose open sides face toward one another. The intermediate connecting web portion of the cartridge frame 35 has on its outer, forward facing surface an engaging land 447.
The main inking roller 434 has shaft ends 441 projecting therefrom. Shaft ends 441 are fitted in attaching holes i~3~ of frame ~35, wheleb~- the main inking roller 434 is removal)l) attached to its cartridge rrame 435.
The cartridge frame holder ~36 is also o-f U-shape.
It has ieg por-tions that are formed with for~Yard pin holes 442 and rear~ard pin holes 443. The holder 436 has a con-necting web portion. Lower pin holes 444 are formed in the side legs at the connecting web portion. On the exterior of each leg of holder 436 there is a respective vertically extending, projecting stopper 435. The lo~er face of each leg portion of the holder 436 has a respective downwardly facing retaining recess 446 in which below described pin 47 may be fitted. The connecting web portion of the cartridge frame holder 436 has a generally C-shaped retaining portion formed on its outer, rearwardly facing surface~ with the C-shape opening rearwardly of the holder. The engaging land 447 of the cartridge frame 435 is slid into and securely fitted, in tongue-in-groove fashion, into the retaining portion 448 of the holder 446.
The pinch member 437 has a planar forward end which includes the pinch element 449. The rearward end of pinch member 437 includes a rectangularly shaped notch 450 which provides clearance for portion 477 of below described spring 475. The lolYer face of the pinch member 437 at its rearward end and at both sides of the pinch member supports two pairs of semi-circularly shaped downwardly depending projections 453 and 454. The projections 453, 454 ~espec-tively include forward pin holes 451 and rearward pin holes 452.
Each of the opposed, spaced apart holding members 438 has an elongated, thinner width projectîon 455 formed on both of its upper and lower edge5. Retaining notches 456 are defined at the lower surfaces of the front portions of -3~-1~75;~t;

the holdill~3 me~ ers 438. The C-shaped retaining portions 440 at both sides of the cartridge frame 435 receive the upper and lower projections 455 of the holding members 438.
The below described pin 474 is retained in the retaining notches 456.
The forward ends of the holding members 438 are pivotally connected by pins 457 to the forward ends of the lower side plates 458 of the rocking levers 421. A pair of guide rollers 460 are rotatably attached at the rear ends of the holding members 438 by pins 459. The guide rollers 460 are received in and turn in and move through the guide grooves 433 that are formed in the inner faces of the side walls of machine frame 410. For reasons described below, the width of the guide grooves 433 is slightly larger than the diameters of the guide rollers 460.
The lower portions of the rocking levers 421 are widened so as to define the widened side plates 458 thereof.
As noted above, the forward end portions of the holding members 38 are pivotally attached by pins 457 to the forward ends of the side plates 458. The rear end portions of the side plates 458 of rocking levers 421 are cut out to form rearwardly facing open notches 461. As seen in Fig. 42, the guide rollers 460 are positioned in the notches 461, and the positioning of the rollers and the shape of the notches are such that the rollers do not contact the walls defining the notches 461 during motion of the rocking levers 421.
The auxiliary inking roller assembly 432 includes the auxiliary inking roller 462, an auxiliary roller car-tridge frame 463 and an auxiliary roller cartridge holder 464.
The cartridge frame 463 is of U-shape. Its up-standing leg portions have respective attaching holes 465 753~

~heret~rough. Thc connecting ~.eb ~ortion of fr~mc ~63 includ~s ~ gcnelally C-sha~ccl rctaining groove extending thercacro~s an~l facin~ outwardly of the cartridge ~rame 463.
The au~iliary inking rollcr 462 includes an ink-impregnated spongy roller body 467 and also includes a pair of externally mounted bearing plates 468 which are attached concentriccally a~ both ends of the roller body 467 and which have a larger diameter than the roller body. Shaft ends 469 concentric with roller body 467 project sideways from the bearing plates 468. Shaft ends 469 are received in the attaching holes 465 of frame 463~ thereby to rotatably attach the auxiliary inking roller 462 to the auxiliary roller cartridge frame 463. The outer peripheries of the bearing plates 468 are engageable with the lower surfaces of the stationary printing mechanism rames 411, whereby the bearing plates 468 are guided and in turn,-guide their roller 467 for movement across the printing surfaces 412.
The auxiliary cartridge frame holder 464 includes an engaging land 470 that projects above the upper surface of the Tear -end portion of the holder 464. A stopper 471 projects above the intermediate portion of the holder 464.
Pin holes 472 are formed in the side plates of the frame holder 464 forwardly of the stopper 471.
The above described elements of the ink supply device 404 are assembled as no~ described.
In the main inking roller assem~ly 4313 the car-tridge frame 435 has the main inking roller 434 attached to it. This combined sub-assembly is then attached to the frame holder 436 by sliding of the for-~ard engaging land 447 into the C-shaped retaining opening 448 of the frame holder 436, for a tongue-in-groove connection. The pinch member 437 is next inserted into the space between the leg portions of the frame holder 436 until the forward and rearward pin holes 4~1, 4~2 ~re in regi.stry ~iith thc corresponding forward ~in holes 442 and rcar~ard notches 446 of the fra]ne holder 436. The pins 473 and 474 are next inserted through the front pin holes 451, 452 and through the rear pin holes 452 and notches 446, respectively. That pin 474 passes through the open sided notch 446 enables the pinch member 437 to be pivoted with respect to the frame holder 436, as described belo~.
A pin 476 is inserted through one of the rear pin - 10 holes 443, is passed through the winding of the torsion spring 475 and is then inserted through the other rear pin hole 443. The end portions 482 of the torsion spring 475 project beyond the sides of frame 436 and are retained on the stepped portions 483 at the forward sides of the lower side plates 458 of the rocking levers 421. The center abut--ment portion 477 of the spring 475 abuttingly engages the upper side of the above mentioned pin 473 and pushes the pin downwardly. This biases the enkire ma;n inking roller assembly 431 counterclockwise about pins 457. The main inking roller 434 is continuously biased toward the printing surfaces 412 of the printing mechanism 401, within the range of motion permitted by the guide grooves 433.
In the auxiliary in~ing roller assembly 432, the auxiliary inking roller 462 is attached to the cartridge frame 463. This subassembly is attached to the holder 464 by means of the land 470 on the holder 464 being slid side-ways into the correspondingly shaped retaining groove 466 on the frame 463. Next, the pinholes 472 of the holder 464 are moved into registry with the lower, rearward pinholes 444 of the frame holder 436. A ~in 478 is inserted through one ~f the sets of registered holes 472, 444, then through the winding of torsion sprin~ 479 and finall~ through the other 3 ~

~ct of rcgi~terccl holcs ~4, 472. Thc ccntral opcrating por~ioll ~79a o~ thc torsion springs 479 presses do-~n~ardly against the portion of the holdcr 46~ forward of the shaft 47S. The free arms 479 of thc torsion spring 479 are engaged against thc forward, lower edge of the connecting web portion ¦ of the frame holdeT 36 and this serves as the abutment j enabllng the torsion spring to push against the frame holder 464. The torsion spring 479 biases the entire auxiliary inking roller assembly 432 counterclockwise about the pin 478.
A combined assembly 481 comprised of the main inking roller 431 and the auxiliary inking roller 432 is removably attached to the holding members 438 which are, in turn, pivotally attached to the rocking levers 421. The C-shaped retaining portions 440 of the cartridge frame 435 are pushed forwardly or rearwardly while in sliding engagement with the projections 455 on the upper and lower edges of the holding members 438, until the front end faces 480 of the holding members 438 abut the stoppers 445 on the exterior of the legs of the -frame holder 436. Now, assembly of the inking device is complete.
Referring to Figo 42, in the assembled ink supply device 404, the retaining notches 456 of the holding members 438 register with the retaining recesses 446 of the frame holder 436. The pin 474 attached to the pinch member 437 is received in the aligned notches 456 and recesses 446~
For disassembling the combined assembly 481, the - pinch element 449 of the pinch member 437 is pinched and moved upwardly. This moves the pinch member 437 clockwise 3Q about the pin 473. Such motion removes the pin 474 ~rom the retaining notches 456 of the h~ldin~ members 438. The pinch elemellt 1~9 ;s t]len l~ulle~l forl;ard (~o thc leEt~ and thc combillc~l as~nbl~ ~31 is s~par~tcd from the holding members 43~ by p~lllin~ upon thc pillC}I clement 4~9 until the retaining portions 440 ~re ~lid free o the projections 455.
To scrvice or replace either of the main inking roller 434 or the a-lxiliary in~ing roller 462, e.g. because their ink supplies are exhausted, the combined assembly 481 is first remo~ed from the holding members 438, as described above. Then the respective cartridge framc 435 or 463 is removed from its respective cartridge frame holder 436 or 464 together with the attached inking roller. The respective cartridge frames may be discarded or, at the least, their inking rollers may be separated therefrom and discarde~. A
new cartridge frame 435 or 463 having a nel~ ink impregnated inking roller 484 or 467 is incorporated into its respective frame holder 436 or 464, thereby to reconstruct the ccmbined assembly 481, which is then remounted in the holding members 438.
The operation of the fifth embodiment of the ink supply device of the present invention is now described.
When the hand lever 425 is gripped upward toward the grip 422, from the position of Fig. 39 to the position of Fig. 40, the rocking levers 421 are rotated clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 40, about the pins 420 through the motion of the drive levers 418 connected to the yokes 415. This moves the combined assembly 481, comprised of the main inking roller assembly 431 and the auxiliary inking roller assembly 432, which is attached to the holding members 43~ and which is pivotally connected to the rocking levers 421, to move forward through the labeling machine. The main inXing roller 434 rolls over the printing suraces 412 of the stationary print heads 401. Because the guide rollers 4~0 on 1~7536 th~ holding m~mbels 438 are gu;ded thlo~lgh thc guide grooves 433 in the insidc ~alls of the machine frames 410, the main I inking rollcr is rolled over thc printing surfaces 412 with i a prede~ermined prcssure determined by the position of the ~ grooves 433 and the printing surfaces 412 and the size of ¦ the main roller 43~.
, ~ The width of the guide grooves Q33 is slightly - larger than the diameters of the guide rollers 460. The depth of the depression produced in the ink rol ? er body 484 by a printing type at the printing surface 412 is predeter-mined to be slightly larger than the difference between t~e width of the grooves 433 and the diameter of the guide rollers 460. The depth of the depression in the ink roller body 484 can be determined by the placement of the elements described just above. As a result, the main inking roller 434 rolls over the printing surfaces 412 and applies a constant, proper pressure to the printing surfaces~ without the axis of the roller 434 either approaching too near or moving too far from the printing surfaces 412. The restoration of the shape of the ink impregnated ink roller body 484 pumps inX to the periphery of the main inking roller 434.
As a result, all of the ink in the main inking roller 434 can be used up and ink is aplied to the pr;nting surfaces 412 in sufficient quantity and uniformly.
Furthermore, because the main inking roller 434 is biased upwardly at all times by the torque force exerted by the torsion sprin~ 475, as described above, the main inking roller 434 does not move away from the printîng sur~aces 412 while it is applying the proper amount of ink thereto, even if the roller 434 has a slight error or distortion in its shape ordiameter.
As shown in Fig. 40, the au~iiiary inking roller 462 is disposed to the rear of the main inking roller 434.

.~uxiliar~ in~ t~ rol~cr ~62 is biascd by torsion s~ring 479 against thc prill~in~ surfaccs 412. The depth of the depres-sion into the body ~67 of the auxiliary inking roller is regulatéd by the size of the bearing plates 468 in engagement with the surfaces of the printing mechanism frames 411.
This aspect of inXing roller construction was discussed in connection with the second embodiment of this invention.
The auxiliary inking roller 462 follows the main inking roller across the printing surfaces 412 to,finish off the application of ink to the printing surfaces. With two in~
application rollers, ink application is assured of being uniform and the entire printing surface is assured of receiving ' ink.
When the hand lever 425 is fully gripped~ as shown in Pig. 41, the combined assembly 481 is moved forward of the printing surfaces 412 and then upward along the upwardly curving guide grooves 433 until the combined assembly 481 stops forward o the printing mechanism 401.
While the combined assembl~ is positioned in front of the printing mechanism 401, a platen 485, whose operation is not described here, is rapidly moved upward and then downward along vertical grooves 486. This moves a label 488 of continuous label strip 487, which label has been fed onto the platen 485, into engagement with the printing surfaces 412. Individual labels 488 on the strip 487 are thus printed.
When the hand le~er 425 is released from its gripped condition the combined assembly 481 retracts to the position shown in Fig. 39. Meanwhile, the label strip 487 is separated at the peeling mechanism 406 into the indi-vidual imprinted labels 488 and their paper backing strip 489. The printed lahels 488 are then fed beneath the applicator 407 to be applied to commodities, -~6-~Q~753~;

¦ The sixth embodimcrlt o-f ink supply device of thei present invention is now described in connection with Figs.

4~-47.
The labeler which includès this embodiment of the in~ suppl~r device has spaced apart parallel frames 501 which ¦ extend from the front ~the left in Fig. 44) to the rear of the labeler. A grip 502 is integrally attached to and extends back from the machine frames 501. A hand lever 504 is pivotally supported between frames 501 and pivot~ about pin 503 in frames 501. The forward portion of hand lever 504 forms bifurcated yokes 505. A printing mechanism 507 is affixed to tne forward end portion of the yokes 505. The printing mechanism 507 is illustrated as including two printing heads 506.
A spring support pin 560 is mounted in the grip 502.
Another spring support pin 561 is attached to the hand lever 504. A drive spring 562 is interposed under tension between the pins 560 and 561, whereby the yokes 505 and the hand lever 504 are biased to normally turn clockwise about the shaft 503.
Referring to Fig. 1, there is a label cutting mechanism 542, including a cutting blade 5~3 which is movably held in a blade support 544. The label feed mechanism 545 is coactive with a feed roller 551 of the cutting mechanism 542 through gear mechanisms 549 and 550. There is a cut label feed mechanism 545, including a silicone treated, endless belt 54S which runs around a larger rear roller 546 and a smaller forward roller 547.
The ink supply device 508 according to the si~th embodiment of the present invention is particularly shown in Figs. 45-47. It is comprised of a curved, C-shaped drive 7 S 3~
lin~ 50~, and ~-sh~ cl roc~ing link 51Q, a hatchet-shaped or I-sh~pecl roc~ing fr~me 511, and an ink applying portion 512.
(The near side of ink supyly device 508 cannot be seen in Fig. 44, because Fig. ~4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view.) I The drive link 509 has its upper or rearward end pi~otally connected by pivot shaft 514 to the outside of ~ that yoke 505 on the same side of the ink supply device as t the link 509. The lower, forward end of link 509 is pivotally i 10 attached by pivot shaft 515 to the free end of the inter-mediate arm 518 of the F-shaped rocking lin~ 510.
The rocking link 510 has a lower crossbar which is pivotally connected by shaft 516 to the lower front end portion of the machine frame 501. The top end of link 510 at the end of its upright leg is pivotally connected by shaft 517 to the rearward end of the shorter portion 521 of the j below described rocking frame 511.
¦ Referring to Pig. 47, the rocking frame 511 is a U-shaped, integral structure comprised of a center connecting 2Q web portion 519 and of two generally hatchet or L-shaped side portions 520. The side portion 520 that is nearest link 509 includes the shorter or hatchet blade portion 521, which projects from the upper portion of the respective one of the longer portions 522 of the side portion 520. This shorter portion 521 has a hole through its rearward, lower end. Pivot shaft 517 passes through this hole and pivotally connects this shorter portion 521 to the top or ena of the upright leg of the roc~ing lin~ 510. The lo~ermost ends of both of the longer portions 522 are pivotally connected by pins 523 to openings 527 at one end of a support member 526, described below.

-4~-1~7S36 ~ t thc l-e~r of thc upl~er en~ portions of both side portions 520, elon~atcd slots 524 are formed. A respective roller 53~ is slid~bly fi~ted in each slot 524. Both rollers 539 are loosely fitted in their slots for free rotation on a pin 525 which extends between the inside walls of, and is located at the upper front ends of, the machine frames 501.
Pin 525 fixedly locates the rollers 539 in the frames, while permitting them free rotation.
The i~k applying portion 512 of the ink supply device is described with reference to Fig. 47. It includes the support member 526, which is rotatably attached by pins 523 to the lower free ends of the longer portions 522 of the rocking frame 511. The support member 526 has side plates.
Both side plates of the support member have respective openings 527 formed in their forward portions, and have openings 528 formed in their middle portions. A pair of guide rollers 540 are rotatably attached at the outsides of the rear portions of the side plates of support ~ember 5~6.
A U-shaped, resilient material holder 529 is remo-vably attached to the support member 526. At the outsidesof both legs of the holder 529, near the connecting web thereof, there are projections 535 which may be fitted into the openings 528 of the support member 526. The forward, free ends of the legs of holder 529 are formed into pin~h portions 531, which can be pinched together at their outer faces. Pinching of pinch portions 531 enables insertion and removal of projections 535 in openings 528. There is a pair of 7ongitudinally extending vertically and oppositel~ pro-jecting opposed ridges 536 at the rear or bottom of the connecting portion of the holder 529 which can be fitted in the engagement groove 534 o~ the belo~ described cartridge-type frame 530.

` 1C~"7536 ~ `he c~rtricl~e ty~e frame 530 may bc comprised of resilieTIt nlaterial (if it is d~sircd to reuse the cartridge for another in~ing roller 532) and has a U-shape. ~n inking roller 532 is rotatably supported on both legs of the frame 530 by means of the shafts 533 that project from the ends of I the rollers 532. ~here frame 530 is fabricated of resilient j material, the shafts 533 may be snapped into and out of the holes at the ends of the legs of frame 530. The bottom or forward edge of the connecting web portion of the U-shaped frame 530 has an engagement groove 534 defined in it, which groove can receive the above described ridges 536 of holder 529 in tongue-in-groove fashion. In this manner, the frame 530 is removably attached to the holder 529. Frame 530 is also thereby joined to support member 526, thereby completing the ink applying portion 512. By means of the ink applying portion 512, the inking rol]er 532 is removably attached to the portable labeling machine.
Figs. 44-46 show that the inking roller 532 is ar-ranged eccentrically of and slightly forward of the guide rollers 540. Even when the inking roller 532 moves to its most forward position, shown in Fig. 46, the guide rollers 540 are prevented from running off the front ends of the guide grooves 541 to the outside of the portable labeling machine.
Once the ink in the inking roller 532 is exhausted, the roller 532 should be replaced. The pinch portions 531 of the holder 529 are pinched together. This deforms both side plates of the holder 529 so that its proiections 535 are released from the openings 528 of the support member 526. The frame 530, still carrying the in~ing roller 532, 1~7536 is thus rcmo~d fro]n the supI)ort member 526, togethcr with the holder 5Z9. No~, the frame 530 and the holder 529 are slid in opposite, sideways directions, thereby sliding the ridges S36 out Or thcir engagement with the groove 534. If the construction of the framc 530 permits, a new in~ing roller 532 is substituted in the frame 530. A new cartridge type~frame 530, which is rotatably supporting another inking roller 532, with nel~ ink impregnated roller body 537, is attached to the holder 529. The pinch portions 531 of the holder 529 are again pinched together, enabling the projec-tions 535 to again be fitted in the openings 528 of the support member 526. The new inking roller 532 is mounted in the support member 526, together with the holder 529.
The inking roller 532 is comprised-o~ a spongy, ink impregnated roller body 537 and is also comprised of the bearing plates 538, which have a slightly larger diameter than the roller body 537, and are integrally attached at the outsides of body 537.
Referring to Figs. 45 and 46, a pair of parallel guide groo~es 541 are formed in identical corresponding po-sitions in both of the inside walls of the machine frames 501. The grooves 541 incline gradually downwardly moving forwardly through the labeler. Forward o-f the print he~d 507, however, the rails 541 gradually incline upwardly. The guide rollers 540 of the support member 526 are positioned to roll o~er the upper surfaces of the guide grooves 541 and the rollers mo~e dol~nwardly along the incline of the grooves 541. Other guide means, such as a pair of guide ~ails on the opposite inside walls of the machine -frames, may be substituted or the grooves 541.

~7536 The bearin~ plates 538 roll under and against the lo~.er sur~aces of the frames ~13 of the printing mcchanism.
This is also the lo~er surfaces o-E the yo~es 505. The in-clination of the lo~cr surfaces o-f frames 513 is such that these suraces and the grooves 541 would, if extended, intersect at an acute angle, as in the above described second embodiment. Further, the lower surfaces of the frames 513 and the grooves 541 cooperate with the inking roller in substantially the same manner as described in the second and fifth embodiments, except, as described below, the contact between the bearing plates 538 and the frames 513 is not the principal impetus to motion of the inking roller 532.
The operation of the ink supply device 508 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention is now described. As the hand lever 504 is gripped to pivot coun*er-clockwise toward the grip 502, the yokes 505 also pivot counterclockwise (or downward) about the support shaft 503, as shown in Figs. 45 and 46. Then the drive link 509, which is pivotally connected to a yoke 505 and to the rocking link 510 moves both downwardly and clockwise and the rocking link is moved forward by the drive link 509. The fastening of the rocking link 510 at shaft 516 causes the forward motion of the rocking link 510 to be a countercloc~ise rotation.
As the rocking link 510 pivots for~ard about the shaft 516, the engagement at shaft 517 between links; 510 and Sll generally pivots the rocking frame 511 clockwise about rollers 539. The bottom ends of the lona~er portions 522 of the rocking frame 511 are pivotally connected to the sUppoTt member 526 of the ink applying portion 512. As the longer po~tions 522 piYot g they also shift downwardly due to the -~2-~7536 dif~erellt d;rcction along whic}l ink applying portion 512 is directcd to Illove. Thus, aS t}le ink applying portion 51~ is moved for~ard as a ~hole through the support member 526, th^
slots 5~4 slidc along the loosely fitted rollers 539 ~nd are guided thereby. The whole rocking frame 511 moves -forward while turning clockwise about the shaft 517. This also moves~the holder 529 and the cartridge type frame 530, which - are attached to the support member 526.
As the ink applying portion 512 moves foTward, the ~ 10 guide rollers 54~, which are rotatably attached to the rear t end portion of the support member 526, roll over the upper surfaces of the guide grooves 541 of the machine frames 501.
, At the same time, the bearing plates S38 on the inking t roller 532 roll against the lower surfaces of the frames 513 of the printing mechanism 507. Unlike the second embodiment, however, the engagement between the frames 513 and bearing plates 538 is not what primarily moves the roller 532 forward through the labeler. Instead, the above noted links do this. The guide grooves 541 and bearing plates 538 ensure that the ink impregnated spongy roller body-537 will always roll over the printing sur~aces 552 of the printing heads 506 with a predetermined pressure, thereby to apply ink to the printing surfaces 552. Why the proper inking pressure is obtained has been revie-~ed above in the previous embodi-ments.
When the hand lever 504 is gripped to its full stroke, as in Fig. 46, and the bearing plates 53g of the inking roller 532 move forward past and out of engagement with the lower surfaces of the printing mechanism frames 513, then the rollers 540 move upward along the upwa~dly inclined forward portions of the guide grooves 541. This ~ ~ 7 S 3~
frces the in~ecl prirlting hea~s 506 to bc moved do-~nl~ardly to bring thcir printing surfclces 552 in-to ~ngagement with a label 555 that is fed to the print position upon the belt 548 of the label fced mechanism 545.
The treatment of the label 555 is no~J described.
Referring to Fig. ~4, a continuous label strip 553 is fed from a roll 558, which is rotatably supported on a plate 557, which proj ects above the labeling machine frames. The label strip 553 is divided into a strip of adhesive backed labels 554 and a strip of backing paper 556, said aivision occurring at a label peeling portion 559 at the top of the frame of the labeler. The separated-label strip 554 is then fed to the cutting mechanism 542, where the label strip is cut into a series of labels 555 of a predetermined length.
The cutting is performed by the cutting blade 543, which acts in response to the motion of the hand lever 504. The now cut labels 555 are next fed onto the belt 548 in response to the biasing return force of the drive spring 562, which spring is released to operate upon release of the hand lever 504, as described below.
When the hand lever is released fTom being gripped~
the whole labeler returns from its position of Fig. 46 to its position of Fig. 44. The yokes 505 are raised and pivoted clockwise by the drive spring 562. The drive link 509, the rocking link 510 and the rocking frame 511 all move opposite to their motions during the gripping of the hand lever 504.
This retracts the ink applying portion 512 to the rear of the la~eler as its guide rollers 540 roll along the guide grooves 541. During the retraction~ the label feed mechanism 545 is actuated by a known ratchet linkage ~not sh~n), which is connected to hand lever 504 and which moves the belt 548 a predeteTmined distance during each gripping cycle ~7536 of the }land le~el~ sn~, The previously printed label 55 is fed belo~r the label applic~tor 563, ~Yhile at the same time, thc next label 555, ~rhich has been cllt by the cutting blade 543, but ~hich has not yet been printed, is fed below the printing mechanism 507.
Subsequent operation of the grip lever r~peats the forego~ing operation.
The seventh embodiment of the inking device of the present invention is now described with reference to Figs.
48-53.
The labeler containing this embodiment includes two parallel, spaced apart cooperating frames defining a machine frame 602. An ink supply device A according to this embodiment is disposed at a front portion of the labeler.
Grip 601 extends rearwardly from the frame 602 of the labeler.
A hand lever 603, which is pi~otally attached to the machine frame 602 by the fixedly located pivot support shaft 604, can be squeezed toward and away from the grip 601. A tensioned drive spring 605, which is connected between pins on the grip and on the hand lever, biases the hand le~er 603 clockwise to its position shown in Pig. 1. A pair of yokes 606 attached to and movable together with the hand lever 6~3 extend for-wardly of the support shaft 604. YoXes 606 have a printing mechanism B of any of the previously described kinds attached at the forward ends of the yokes.
The ink supply device A of the present invention extends between the intermediate portions of the paired yokes 606 and betl~een the upper and lower forward end portlons of the machine frame 602.
Referrin8 to ~igs. 51-53, the de~ice A includes a pair of operating links 607, which are pivotally attached at their upper, rearward ends by a pin 6~8 to the respective outer sides of the paired yokes 606. A pair of ~-shaped lin~s 609 are pivotally connected at the ends of their shorter intermediate arms 610 to the lower forward ends of the oper-ating links 607 by respective pins 612. The ends of the longer, lower arms 611 of the links 609 are pivotally con-nected to a lower forward end portion of the machine frame 602 by a support shaft 613 of the label applicator C~ The top rear ends of the vertical arms of the F-shaped links 609 are connected by respectire pivot pins 615 to intermediate portions of a pair of spaced apart, opposed, parallel rocking lD links 614~ The rocking links 614 are affixed together by a web. The rocking links 614 have respective vertically extending slots 616 at their upper portions. A guide shaft 617, which is rotatably supported on the machine frames 602, is slidably received in slots 616, whereby the links 614 may both pivot and shift vertically with respec* to shaft 617.
The lower portions of the rocking links 614 are pi~otally cDnnected by a pair of pins 61g that extend into holes 619a to the forward portions of the side walls of a generally pan shaped ink roller casing 618. Casing 618 is f~bricated from a synthetic resin material.
Each pin 619 supports a push cam 620 outside both sides of the ink roller casing 618. Each push cam 620 is actu-ated by a wound torsion spring 622 which is carried on the respective pin 619. The upper or hooked end of each spring - 622 presses against the rearward side of the respective pro-jection 621, thereby to bias both cams 620 counterclockwise in Fig. 53, and the lower end of the spring engages the rearwara side of a short post on the floor of the ink roller casing 618 just to the rear o~ opening 619a. The hole5 619a and cams 620 are quite near to and in front of the roller shaft 636 of main ink impregnated roller A, described below. Each spring 6Z2 s- causes the respecti~e projection 621 sf the respective cam 620 to ~ 56-1(3 ~7536 mo~re illtO ColltaCt With the underside o the roll~r shaEt 636. A pair of gu;de rollers 623 are attached by ~ins 623a to the outer sides of the rear~ard portions of the side walls of the ink roller casing 618. The guide rollers 623 roll over a pair of stepped guide means 638 which are formed on the inside of both machine frames 602. The guide means 638 function much as the guide rails and guide grooves of the guide means in the previous embodiments.
A cartridge type ink roller holder 624 is removably mounted in the pan-shaped ink roller case 518. This ink roller holder 624 is preferably fabricated from a synthetic resin. Both of the main ink impregnated inking roller a and the finish ink impregnated inking roller b are rotatably held in the ink roller holder 624.
The main inking roller a is the more forward one and it has a relatively smaller diameter. The finish inking roller b is the trailing roller and it has a relatively larger diameter. This embodiment is not limited to the described roller sizes. The rollers may instead have the same diameters or the positions of the large and small rollers may be reversed.
Both inking rollers include foamed, spongy material roller bodies that are impregnated with ink.
The roller shaft 636 of the main inking roller a has opposite ends that extend from both sides of the ink roller holder 624 through slots 625a that are ormed in the side walls of the ink roller holder 624~ Slots 625a are vertically elongated, wherehy roller shaft 636 may vertically move through the slots 625a as the main inking roller a moves over the printing surfaces of the printing head, as described below. The roller shaft 637 of the finish inking Toller b extends sideways from roller b so as to fit into attaching holes 625b which are formed in the ink roller holder 624.

~7536 ~ t, sha~t 637 cloc~ not ~xtcn~l beyollcl the sidc ~lls of the hol(ler 624. ~t tlle cncls of s~laft 637 there are bearing plates for t}le finish inking roller b~ which, as shown in Fig. 52, roll along the underside of thc frame of the printing llead and define ~he extent of maximum depression of the types into the finish roller b.
~ Porward of the ink roller holder 624, there is a pinch holder 627, ~hich is preferably fabricated from a syn-thetic resin material. The pinch holder 627 has a land 628 formed on its bottom or rear side. This land-is sized and shaped to be received in an engaging dovetail groove 626 which is formed on the forward side of the ink roller holder 624.
Both side portions 629 of the pinch holder 627 have a respective vertically elongated apertuTe 63~ there-through into and out of which a respective pinch member 632 is moved. Both side por~ions of pinch holder 627 have through holes 631 to the rear of the apertures 630 for receiving a respective one of a pair of retaining members 634. The paired pinch members 632 also have through holes 633, through which the paired retaining members 634 are biased to project by a compression 635 extending bct-~een members 634. The retaining members 634 project far enough to releasably engage an opposed pair of engaging holes 634 of the ink roller casing 618 through the holes 631 of the pinch holder 627. The pinch holder 627 is thus releasably held at the forward end of inX roller casing 618.
The side walls of the ink roller casing 618 also ha~e a pair of attaching holes 619a behind holes 634a in which the pins 619 for the rocking link 614 and for the push cam 620 are fitted. There are a pair of bearing notches 636 in the side walls of the roller casing 618 behind holes 619a

-5~-7 S3 ~
for r~cei~ing the sh~t 63G of thc n~lin inking rollcr a. As describcd belo~, tile sh~lft 636 is sh;fl:able vertically through the slot 62sa, whereby it moves into and out of the notches 636a. A pair of opposed attached holes 623~ are formed in the ink roller casing 618 for receiving and affixing the pins 623a of the guide rollers 623.
~ The operation of the seventh embodiment of the ink supply dev;ce of the present invention is now described.
As the hand lever 603 is gripped toward the grip 601, the 1~ ink supply device a is changed from the condition ~f Pig. 48 or 52 to the condition of Fig. 49. The hand lever and the yokes 606 pivot counterclockwise about the support shaft 604.
The operating links 607, which are coactive with the yokes 606, are pushed downward thereby. The F-shaped links 609 are pivoted counterclockwise about their ~ixed support shaft 613. Then, the rocking links 614, which are attached to ~rd are coactive with the P-shaped links 609 are moved. The rocking links 614 are guided over the guide shat 617 such that the links 614 are pushed upwardly ~compare Figs. 48 and 49) until the guide shaft 617 engages the lower end of the slot 616. The rocking links 614 are simultaneously pivoted clockwise about the guide shaft 617 until they project for-ward from the machine body, as shown in Fig. 49. In response to the upward9 clockwise motion o-f the rocking links 614, the ink roller casing 618 pivotally attached thereto is moved forward along with the two inking rollers a and b and the ink roller holder 624. During their forward motion, the two inking rollers a and _ roll over the selected printing surface 639 of the printing mechanism B under constant pressure and under appropriately controlled elastic conditions, so-as to apply to the printing surface a proper, uniformly distributed ~0"7536 amount o in~ T}l~ fc)r~rard, m~in in~in~ roller a rolls over the printing sllrface 639 of t~lc printing mechanism E under an elastic pressurQ e~erted upon roller a from below by the push cams 620 W}liC]l are biased by the springs 622 which are, because the cams are on pin shafts 619, located adjacent to the shaft 636. The shaft 636 also is guided in its motion by the Yertically elongated slot 625a.
By means of the contact between the main inking roller a and the printing surface 639, the spongy r~ller lD body of the ink impregnated roller a is deformed and depressed.
Ink, which has been stored in the roller body, is pumped to the surface of the roller and is applied to the printing surface.
In the second or finish step, the trailing, ink impregnated finish roller b is rolled over the prin*ing sur-face ~39, which has already been supplied with ink by the main inking roller a. -This distributes the ink uniformly over the printing surface 639. Motion of the finish inking roller b is guided by the guide rollers 623, which are attached to the ink roller casing 618 and which roll along the stepped guide portions 638 formed on the inside walls of the machine frame 2.
The ink impregnated finish roller b-is also efec-tive to soak up extra inX that has been applied to the printing surface by the previous passage ~f the main roller a. The finish roller b also applies its own ink supply to the por-ti.ons of the printing surface which have not been adequately supplied by the main roller. As a result3 application of ink to the printing surface can be uni-form.
Referring to ~ig~ 50, when the h~nd le~er OE03 is gripped to its full stroke, the rocking links 614 are dis-placed downwardly and clocXwise to a position at which the 753~
upl)er cnd ~.a~l~ o~ t~lc slots 616 abut against the guide shaft 617. The roc~ g lin~s 614 t~ell project forward o~ the framc of thc l~belcr. In response to the forward projection of the rocking links 614, the guide rollers 623 of the ink roller casing 61S disengagc from the stepped guide portions 638 of the machine frame, move for~ard of the frame and they are guided into the space between the shorter intermediate arm 61 and the longer arm 611 o the F-shaped links 609, which also now project ~orward of the machine frame 602. The guide rollers 623 wait at a position forward of the printing head until the printing operation of the printing mechanism B is completed and the hand lever G03 is released from its gripped condition.
When the hand lever 603 is in i~s fully g~ipped condition, the printing mechanism B is moved downward with a predetermined pressure on the label L', which has been fed onto a platen 640. Printing of the label is accomplished with a constant printing pressure. Immediately following the im-printing, the printing surface 639 is held at a position slightly 2Q above the label L'. Details of the printing mechanism are not part of the present invention and are thus omitted here. The label L~ is supplied to the platen 640 by a eed mechanism E
from a continuous label strip A which is held on a label holder D disposed above the machine frame A more complete description of la~el supply and feeding may be found in afore-said application No. 681,251.
When the hand lever 603 is released from its gripped condition, the in~ supply device A and the printing mechanism B return to their condition of Fig. 48.
3Q The foregoing description of the ink supply-de~rice describes at least two ink impregnated rollers~ wherein the forward, main roller is biased to rotate against the printillg ~61-~urface Or a priJItil~g ~lleeh~ni~ thr~ugh tlle acti~n of a constant press~lre biasing m~ns and thc trail;ng, finish roller has its ~ath~ay regulated by guide means that force the roller agalnst the printing surface. Because the main roller is not regulated by guide groov~s or rails, it can always be biased against the printlng surface in proportion to the spring pressure on the push cams 620. Even if the diameter of the main roller changes or is distorted during use of construction of the printing device, e.g., the diameter of the roller is reduced or dis-torted due to wear, or where the roller diamete~ is enlargedduring ink impregnation, the main ink impregnated roller a can still be biased against the printing surface under regu-lated conditions. Thus, a sufficient quantity of ink can be applied to the printing surface with constant pressure.
All of the embodiments of the invention have a number of advantages. The ink impregnated bodies of the inking rollers are always forced to rotate over the printing surfaces of the pr;nting head under a constant, regulated pressure. As a result, the quantity of ink supplied to the printing surfaces can be kept constant at all times. Thus, highly precise inking of the types and highly precise printing of the labels can be obtained.
The inking rollers themselves ar~ so constructed and the way in which they are biased against the printing surfaces of the printing heads is so designed that the ink that is at the sur-face of the rollers and also the ink that is stored deep inside the rollers is all available for use and can be used without any significant waste of in~. Thus, a relatively greater quantit)r of labels can be imprinted by 3Q a single inking roller than ~as previously possible.

10~7536 In a numbcr of emhodiments, the mechanislll for movin~ the inkin~ lollers has h~en improved to thcreby reduce the force Ie~lired for gripping of the hand lever ~o operate the lab~lcr. This reduces possible operator f~tigue over prolonged use of the machine Other ad~antages of various embodiments of the invention should be apparent from the foregoing dexcription.
- An ink supply device according to any embodiment of the present invention is particularly useful for a labeling machine performing precision printing, such as a machine printing bar codes or characters used for an OCR
system.
Although the present invention has been described in connection with a number of. preferred embodiments thereof, many variations and modifications will now become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

Claims (78)

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

1. An inking device for a labeling machine which prints labels-said labeling machine comprising:
a frame; a printing head in said frame; at least one row of types in said printing head; said types facing toward a print position;
means for moving said printing head toward and away from a label whereby said types may contact the label when said types have been moved to the label;
an actuating lever movably connected to said frame to operate said labeling machine;
said inking device comprising:
an inking roller; support and moving means for moving said inking roller across said types when the label is not in contact with said types;
inking roller guide means in said frame positioned and shaped to be in engagement with and to guide said inking roller to move over said types on a predetermined pathway with respect to said printing head, said guide means to remain in engagement with said inking roller over the entire said predetermined pathway of said inking roller, thereby to cause said inking roller to press on said types with a desired pressure:
said actuating lever being connected with said inking roller to cause said inking roller to move along said pre-determined pathway as said actuating lever is operated.

2. An inking device for a labeling machine which prints labels:
said labeling machine comprising:
a frame; a printing head in said frame; at least one row of types in said printing head; said types facing toward a print position;
means for moving said printing head toward and away from a label whereby said types may contact the label when said types have been moved to the label;
an actuating lever movably connected to said frame to operate said labeling machine; said actuating lever being connected to said printing head for moving it toward and away from a label;
said inking device comprising:
an inking roller; support and moving means for moving said inking roller across said types as said printing head moves toward the label and while the label is not in contact with said types;

inking roller guide means comprising a fixedly positioned and immovable guiding element supported on said frame and positioned and shaped to be in engagement with and to guide-said inking roller to move over said types on a predetermined pathway with respect to said printing head;
said guiding element being positioned and shaped so as to engage said inking roller at a side thereof away from the side contacted by said types and for pressing said inking roller against said types and against force exerted by said types against said inking roller as said inking roller rolls by said types such that the cooperative engagement between said guide means and said inking roller is the sole cause of the inking pressure of said inking roller on said types;
said guiding element being shaped and positioned to remain in engagement with said inking roller over the entire said predetermined pathway of said inking roller and also to cause said inking roller to press on said types with a desired pressure over said predetermined pathway;
said actuating lever being connected with said inking roller to cause said inking roller to move along said predetermined pathway as said actuating lever is operated.

3. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 2, wherein said predetermined pathway of said inking roller extends completely across all said types, such that said inking roller is out of the way of contact between a label to be imprinted and said types.

4 The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 3, further comprising a support roller attached to and supporting said inking roller and positioned to engage said guide means over the entire said predetermined pathway, whereby the engagement between said guide means and said inking roller is through said support roller.

5. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 3, wherein said guide means comprises a slot formed in said frame and extending along said frame past said types;
means on said inking roller for engaging in said slot.

6. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 3. wherein said types are arrayed in a plurality of rows thereof and said guide means extends past all said rows of types.

7. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 6, wherein said guide means comprises a slot formed in said frame and extending along said frame past said types;
a support roller attached to and supporting said inking roller; said support roller being the part of said inking roller that is in engagement with said slot.

8. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 2, further comprising a pivot on said frame; said actuating lever being pivotally connected on said pivot, whereby said actuating lever pivotally moves with respect to said frame;
an inking roller support between said inking roller and said actuating lever for translating the pivoting motion of said actuating lever into motion of said inking roller along its said predetermined pathway.

9. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 8, wherein said predetermined pathway of said inking roller extends completely across all said types, such that said inking roller is out of the way of contact between a label to be imprinted and said types.

10. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 9, further comprising a support roller attached to and supporting said inking roller and positioned to engage said guide means over the entire said predetermined pathway.

11. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 9, wherein said types are arrayed in a plurality of rows thereof and said guide means extends past all said rows of types.

12. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 11, wherein said guide means comprises a slot formed in said frame and extending along said frame past said types;
a support roller attached to and supporting said inking roller; said support roller being the part of said inking roller that is in engagement with said slot.

13. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 6 or Claim 12, wherein said support roller has a pre-determined diameter and said slot has a width approximating said predetermined diameter.

14. An inking device for a labeling machine which prints labels:
said labeling machine comprising:
a frame; a printing head in said frame; at least one row of types in said printing head; said types facing toward a print position;
means for moving a label and said types relative to each other to contact the label against said types and to move the label away from said types;
an actuating lever movably connected to said frame to operate said labeling machine;
said inking device comprising:
an inking roller; support and moving means for moving said inking roller across said types when the label is not in contact with said types;
inking roller guide means in said frame positioned and shaped to be in engagement with and to guide said inking roller to move over said types on a predetermined pathway with respect to said printing head, said guide means to remain in engagement with said inking roller over the entire said predetermined pathway of said inking roller, thereby to cause said inking roller to press on said types with a desired pressure;
said actuating lever being connected with said inking roller to cause said inking roller to move along said predetermined pathway as said actuating lever is operated, a pivot on said frame; said actuating lever being pivotally connected on said pivot, whereby said actuating lever pivot-ally moves with respect to said frame;
an inking roller support between said inking roller and said actuating lever for translating the pivoting motion of said actuating lever into motion of said inking roller along its said predetermined pathway;
said inking roller support comprises:
a yoke attached to said actuating lever for pivoting with said actuating lever;
a drive lever pivotally connected to said machine at one pivot on said drive lever and pivotally connected to said yoke at another pivot on said drive lever;
a rocking lever pivotally connected to said machine frame at one respective pivot on said rocking lever and pivotally connected to said drive lever at another respective pivot on said rocking lever and pivotally connected to said inking roller at yet another respective pivot on said rocking lever.

15. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 14, wherein said printing head is fixedly attached to said machine frame;
a platen normally located opposed to said types at said print position;
lever means joining said platen to said actuating lever for moving said platen to said types upon motion of said actuating lever.

16. An inking device for a labeling machine which prints labels:
said labeling machine comprising:
a frame; a printing head in said frame; at least one row of types in said printing head; said types facing toward a print position;
means for moving said printing head toward and away from a label, whereby said types may contact the label when said types have been moved to the label;
an actuating lever movably connected to said frame to operate said labeling machine; said actuating lever being connected to said printing head for moving it toward and away from a label;
said inking device comprising:
an inking roller and a holder therefor; an inking roller holder pivot on said inking roller holder on which said pivot said inking roller is pivotally supported;
a holder frame; holder frame support means on said holder frame for removably engaging said inking roller holder and for holding said inking roller holder to said holder frame;
means attaching said holder frame to said actuating lever for moving said inking roller across said types as said printing head moves toward the label and while the label is not in contact with said types;
inking roller guide means comprising a fixedly positioned and immovable guiding element supported on said frame and positioned and shaped to be in engagement with and to guide said inking roller to move over said types on a predetermined pathway with respect to said printing head, said guiding element being positioned and shaped so as to engage said inking roller at a side thereof away from the side contacted by said types and for pressing said inking roller against said types and against force exerted by said types against said inking roller as said inking roller rolls by said types such that the cooperative engagement between said guide means and said inking roller is the sole cause of the inking pressure of said inking roller on said types; said guiding element being shaped and positioned to remain in engagement with said inking roller over the entire said predetermined pathway of said inking roller and also to cause said inking roller to press on said types with a desired pressure over said pre-determined pathway.

17. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 16, further comprising:
a support roller for said holder frame; said support roller being in engagement with said guide means, whereby said support roller provides the said engagement between said inking roller and said guide means;
a guide pin projecting from said holder frame; said support roller being rotatably mounted on said guide pin.

18. An inking device for a labeling machine which prints labels;
said labeling machine comprising:
a frame; a printing head in said frame; at least one row of types in said printing head; said types facing toward a print position;
means for moving said printing head toward and away from a label, whereby said types may contact the label when said types have been moved to the label;
an actuating lever movably connected to said frame to operate said labeling machine;
a yoke attached to said actuating lever and extending toward said printing head; said yoke being movable with said actuating lever; said printing head being secured to said yoke for movement therewith; said yoke having an end surface thereof facing generally in said print direction; through said yoke, said actuating lever being connected to said printing head for moving said printing head toward and away from a label;

said inking device comprising:
an inking roller; support and moving means for moving said inking roller across said types as said printing head moves toward the label and while the label is not in contact with said types;
inking roller guide means comprising a fixedly positioned and immovable guiding element supported on said frame and posi-tioned and shaped to be in engagement with and to guide said inking roller to move over said types on a predetermined pathway with respect to said printing head; said guiding element being positioned and shaped so as to engage said inking roller at a side thereof away from the side contacted by said types and for pressing said inking roller against said types and against force exerted by said types against said inking roller as said inking roller rolls by said types such that the cooperative engagement between said guide means and said inking roller is the sole cause of the inking pressure of said inking roller on said types; said guiding element being shaped and positioned to remain in engage-ment with said inking roller over the entire said predetermined pathway of said inking roller and also to cause said inking roller to press on said types with a desired pressure over said pre-determined pathway;
said yoke end surface being spaced from said guide means such that at least part of said inking roller is normally positioned between them;
said guide means having a first orientation for guiding said inking roller on a pathway that crosses the direction of motion of said yoke; said end surface having a second orientation that is oblique to said first orientation;
a bearing plate connected with said inking roller and movable therewith; said bearing plate normally being in engage-ment with said yoke end surface, whereby upon motion of said yoke with respect to said guide means, said end surface, pressing upon said bearing plate, shifts said inking roller in one direction along said guide means;
said actuating lever being connected with said inking roller to cause said inking roller to move along said pre-determined pathway as said actuating lever is operated.

19. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 18, wherein said yoke end surface is part of said print head.

20. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 18, further comprising a pivot on said frame; said actuating lever being pivotally connected on said pivot, whereby said actuating lever pivotally moves with respect to said frame;

an inking roller support between said inking roller and said actuating lever for translating the pivoting motion of said actuating lever into motion of said inking roller along its said predetermined pathway.

21. The inking device for labeling machine of Claim 18, wherein the size and placement of said bearing plate with respect to said inking roller determines the location of said inking roller with respect to said end surface and thus determines the pressure that said inking roller can exert upon said types under the influence of said guide means.

22. The inking device for a lableing machine of Claim 20, further comprising said yoke having, in addition to said end surface, a separate camming element thereon connectable with said inking roller for moving said inking roller in said one direction.

23. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 18, wherein said predetermined pathway of said inking roller extends completely across all said types, such that said inking roller is out of the way of contact between a label to be imprinted and said types.

24. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 23, further comprising a support roller attached to and supporting said inking roller and positioned to engage said guide means over the entire said predetermined pathway, whereby the engagement between said guide means and said ink-ing roller is through said support roller.

25. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 23, wherein said guide means comprises a slot formed in said frame and extending along said frame past said types over the entire said predetermined pathway.

26. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 23, wherein said guide means extends along said frame past said types over the entire said predetermined pathway.

27. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 26, wherein said types are arrayed in a plurality of tows thereof and said guide means extends past all said rows of type.

28. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 23, wherein said guide means comprise a rail attached to said frame; means attached to said inking roller for engaging said rail and for moving along said rail with said inking roller.

29. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 28, wherein said means attached to said inking roller for engaging said rail comprises a support roller connected to and supporting said inking roller and positioned to engage said rail.

30. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 29, wherein said support roller engages said rail on the side thereof facing said end surface.

31. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 18, further comprising biasing means operating upon said inking roller in the direction opposite said one direction.

32. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 31, further comprising a rocker arm pivotally attached to said machine frame and to said inking roller for supporting said inking roller to said machine frame, said rocker arm being pivotable with respect to said frame as said inking roller moves along said guide means.

33. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 32, further comprising said yoke having a camming element thereon positioned to be engageable with said rocker arm upon motion of said yoke in a particular direction and said camming element being so positioned as to engage and move said rocker arm to move said inking roller in its said one direction.

34. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 33, further comprising a cam follower surface on said rocker arm and positioned to be engaged by said camming element and to have said camming element slide over said cam follower surface as said yoke is moved in its respective direction and as said yoke pivots said rocker arm.

35. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 34, wherein said end surface and said guide means are so positioned that motion of said inking roller in its said one direction occurs upon motion of said end surface toward said guide means.

36. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 32, further comprising an ink roller frame to which said inking roller is pivotally mounted; said inking roller being pivotally connected to said rocker arm through said ink roller frame.

37. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 36, wherein said ink roller frame includes attachment pieces for being received by a support member; a support member for receiving said attachment pieces; said support member being affixed to said rocker arm.

38. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 37, wherein said ink roller frame is generally U-shaped, having two spaced legs and a web joining said legs;
said inking roller extending across said web of said ink roller frame; said attachment pieces being respectively on each leg of said ink roller frame; said legs of said ink roller frame being resiliently deflectable, thereby to enable separation of said ink roller frame from its said support member by resilient deflection of said ink roller frame legs to move said attachment pieces off their said receiving means.

39. An inking device for a labeling machine which prints labels:
said labeling machine comprising:
a frame; a printing head in said frame; at least one row of types in said printing head; said types facing toward a print position;
means for moving said printing head toward and away from a label whereby said types may contact the label when said types have been moved to the label;
an actuating lever movably connected to said frame to operate said labeling machine;
said inking device comprising:
an inking roller; support and moving means for moving said inking roller across said types when the label is not in contact with said types;
inking roller guide means comprising a fixedly posi-tioned and immovable guiding element supported on said frame and positioned and shaped to be in engagement with and to guide said inking roller to move over said types on a prede-termined pathway with respect to said printing head; said guiding element being positioned for urging said inking roller toward said types against force exerted by said types against said inking roller as said inking roller rolls by said types;
said guiding element being shaped and positioned to remain in engagement with said inking roller over the entire said predetermined pathway of said inking roller, thereby to cause said inking roller to press on said types with a desired pres-sure;
said actuating lever being connected with said inking roller to cause said inking roller to move along said predetermined pathway as said actuating lever is operated;
a yoke attached to said actuating lever and extending toward said printing head; said yoke being movable with said actuating lever; said printing head being secured to said yoke for movement therewith for moving a label and said types relative to each other to contact the label against said types and to move the label away from said types;
said yoke having an end surface thereof facing generally in said print direction; said yoke end surface being spaced from said guide means such that at least part of said inking roller is normally positioned between them;
said guide means having a first orientation for guiding said inking roller on a pathway that crosses the direction of motion of said yoke; said end surface having a second orientation that is oblique to said first orientation;
a bearing plate connected with said inking roller and movable therewith; said bearing plate normally being in engagement with said yoke end surface, whereby upon motion of said yoke with respect to said guide means, said end surface, pressing upon said bearing plate, shifts said inking roller in one direction along said guide means;
said end surface and said guide means are so positioned that motion of said inking roller in its said one direction occurs upon motion of said end surface toward said guide means.

40. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 39, further comprising a platen than is normally located opposed to said types; said yoke being movable toward said platen; movement of said yoke toward said platen causes said types to print upon a label located on said platen.

41. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 18, further comprising said yoke having, in addition to said end surface, a separate camming element thereon connectable with said inking roller for moving said inking roller in said one direction.

42. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 2, further comprising a yoke attached to said actuating lever and extending toward said printing head; said yoke being movable with said actuating lever; said printing head being secured to said yoke for movement therewith;
said guide means having a first orientation for guiding said inking roller on a pathway that crosses the direction of motion of said yoke; a rocker arm pivotally attached to said machine frame and to said inking roller for supporting said inking roller to said machine frame; said rocker arm being pivotable with respect to said frame as said inking roller moves along said guide means;
said yoke having a camming element thereon posi-tioned to be engageable with said rocker arm upon motion of said yoke in a particular direction and said camming element being so positioned as to engage and move said rocker arm to move said inking roller in its said one direction.

43. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 42, further comprising a cam follower surface on said rocker arm and positioned to be engaged by said camming element and to have said camming element slide over said cam follower surface as said yoke is moved in its respective direction and as said yoke pivots said rocker arm.

44. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 38, further comprising an ink roller holder; said inking roller being pivotally connected to said ink roller holder; said roller holder and said ink roller frame having cooperating tongue-in-groove-connection means thereon for holding them together, whereby this holds said inking roller to said ink roller frame.

45. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 2, further comprising biasing means connected with said inking roller to normally bias same toward said types.

46. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 7, further comprising biasing means connected with said inking roller to normally bias same toward said types;
said support roller having a predetermined diameter, said slot having a width greater than said predetermined diameter, permitting said inking roller to shift against the force of said biasing means as said inking roller passes over said types.

47. An inking device for a labeling machine which prints labels:
said labeling machine comprising:
a frame; a printing head in said frame; at least one row of types in said printing head; said types facing toward a print position;

means for moving said printing head toward and away from a label whereby said types may contact the label when said types have been moved to the label;
an actuating lever movably connected to said frame to operate said labeling machine; said actuating lever being connected to said printing head for moving it toward and away from a label;
said inking device comprising:
two inking rollers, each having a respective axis and said axes of said printing rollers being parallel; support and moving means for moving both said inking rollers across said types as said printing head moves toward the label and while the label is not in contact with said types;

inking roller guide means comprising a fixedly posi-tioned and immovable guiding element supported on said frame and positioned and shaped to be in engagement with and to guide said inking rollers to move over said types along a predetermined pathway with respect to said printing heads;
said guide means being positioned and shaped so as to engage at least one of said inking rollers at a side thereof away from the side contacted by said types and for pressing said at least one inking roller against said types and against force exerted by said types against said inking rollers as said inking rollers roll by said types such that the cooperative engagement between said guide means and said at least one inking roller is the sole cause of the inking pressure of said at least one inking roller on said types;
said guiding element being adapted to remain in engagement with said at least one inking roller over the entire said predetermined pathway of said inking rollers over said types and also to cause said inking rollers to press against said types with a desired pressure over said predetermined pathway;
said actuating lever being connected with said inking rollers to cause said inking rollers to move along said predetermined pathway as said actuating lever is operated.

48. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 47, wherein said actuating lever causes said inking rollers to shift in one operative direction over the entire said predetermined pathway of said inking rollers, thereby to ink said types by motion of said inking rollers in said one operative direction;
a supporting assembly for said inking rollers;
said actuating lever being connected with said inking rollers by being connected with said supporting assembly; said supporting assembly comprising:
a first frame holder; said first inking roller being rotatably attached to said first frame holder;
a second frame holder; said second inking roller being rotatably attached to said second frame holder;
joining means joining said first and said second frame holders together to enable them to be shifted together under the influence of said actuating lever;
said joining means being a pivot means oriented and positioned to enable each said frame holder and its respective said inking roller to pivot around said joining means toward and away from said types and with respect to the other said frame holder;
biasing means in engagement with each said frame holder to bias each said frame holder and its respective said inking roller toward said types independently of the other said frame holder.

49. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 48, further comprising a rocking link pivot on said frame; a rocking link pivotally supported on said rocking link pivot; said actuating lever being connected with said rocking link to cause same to pivot; said rocking link being joined to said supporting assembly for causing said support-ing assembly to move along said guide means and to move said inking rollers over said types as said actuating lever is operated.

50. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 49, wherein the manner of engagement of said inking rollers with said guide means comprises a support roller attached to and supporting said supporting assembly; said support roller being positioned to engage said guide means over the pathway of said supporting assembly along said guide means.

51. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 50, wherein said support roller has a predetermined diameter;
said guide means comprising a slot formed in said frame and extending along said frame past said types; said slot having a width greater than said support roller pre-determined diameter, permitting said support roller to shift across the width of said slot and permitting at least one said inking roller to shift against the force of said biasing means as said inking rollers pass over said types.

52. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 49, further comprising a holding member connected between said rocking link, on the one hand, and said sup-porting assembly, on the other hand;

the manner of engagement of said inking rollers with said guide means comprises a support roller carried on said holding member and positioned to engage said guide means over the pathway of said supporting assembly along said guide means.

53. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 49, wherein said printing head has a lower surface that faces toward the print position;
a bearing plate connected with one said roller and movable therewith; said bearing plate normally being in engagement with said lower surface of said printing head, wherein the size and placement of said bearing plate with respect to its respective said inking roller determines the location of that said inking roller with respect to said printing head lower surface and thus determines the pressure that that said inking roller can exert upon said types as it rolls thereover.

54. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 53, wherein said bearing plate is on the said inking roller that is the trailing inking roller as said inking rollers move in said one operative direction.

55. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 48, wherein said first frame holder includes means for releasably engaging said first inking roller; said second frame holder includes means for releasably engaging said second inking roller;
said joining means for said firs and said second holders comprise a pivot pin joining said holders together.

56. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 2, further comprising a yoke attache to said actuating lever and extending toward said printing head; said yoke being movable with said actuating lever; said printing head being secure to said yoke for movement therewith;

said yoke having an end surface thereof facing generally in said print direction; said yoke end surface being spaced from said guide means such that at least part of said inking roller is normally positioned between them;
a bearing plate connected with said inking roller and movable therewith; said bearing plate normally being in engagement with said yoke end surface; said actuating lever being connected with said inking roller to move said inking roller in one direction along said guide means, whereby upon motion of said yoke with respect to said guide means the size and placement of said bearing plate with respect to said inking roller determines the location of said inking roller with respect to said yoke end surface and thus deter-mines the pressure that said inking roller can exert upon said types under the influence of said guide means.

57. An inking device for a labeling machine which prints labels:

said labeling machine comprising:
a frame; a printing head in said frame; at least one row of types in said printing head; said types facing toward a print position;
means for moving a label and said types relative to each other to contact the label against said types and to move the label away from said types;
an actuating lever movably connected to said frame to operate said labeling machine;
said inking device comprising an inking roller; support and moving means for moving said inking roller across said types when the label is not in contact with said types;
inking roller guide means in said frame posi-tioned and shaped to be in engagement with and to guide said inking roller to move over said types on a predetermined pathway with respect to said printing head, said guide means to remain in engagement with said inking roller over the entire said predetermined pathway of said inking roller, thereby to cause said inking roller to press on said types with a desired pressure;
said actuating lever being connected with said inking roller to cause said inking roller to move along said predetermined pathway as said actuating lever is operated;
a pivot on said frame; said actuating lever being pivotally connected on said pivot, whereby said actuating lever pivot-ally moves with respect to said frame;
an inking roller support between said inking roller and said actuating lever for translating the pivoting motion of said actuating lever into motion of said inking roller along its said predetermined pathway; said inking roller support comprises:
a yoke attached to said actuating lever for pivot-ing with said actuating lever; a drive link having one end connected to said yoke for being movable therewith and being pivotally connected thereto for pivoting with respect thereto;
a rocking link pivotally connected to said frame for pivoting with respect thereto;
said drive link having another end pivotally con-nected to said rocking link, such that motion of said drive link under the influence of said yoke pivots and rocks said rocking link about its said pivot connection to said frame;
a rocking frame, which is pivotally connected at a rocking frame pivot on said machine frame to be pivotable with respect to said machine frame and which is pivotally con-nected to said rocking link such that pivoting of said rocking link about its said pivot causes said rocking frame to pivot about its said pivot; said inking roller being connected with said rocking frame at a location spaced from said rocking frame pivot, whereby pivoting of said rocking frame about said rocking frame pivot shifts said inking roller along said pathway defined by said guide means.

58. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 57, wherein said rocking frame includes an elongated slot and said rocking frame pivot connection comprises a shaft supported on said machine frame and passing through said elongated slot, such that said rocking frame both pivots about said rocking frame pivot and moves with respect to said rocking frame pivot connection shaft passing through said slot in said rocking frame, thereby to compensate for said rocking frame pivot connection shaft remaining sta-tionary as said rocking frame pivots under the influence of said rocking link.

59. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 58, wherein said rocking link is F-shaped with the end of its main shaft being connected with said rocking frame, with the end of its intermediate crossbar being connected with said drive link and with the end of the end crossbar being pivotally connected to said machine frame.

60. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 59, wherein said rocking frame has a generally hatchet head shaped portion in which said elongated slot for said rocking frame pivot shaft is positioned and to which said rocking link is pivotally connected.

61. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 10, wherein under the influence of said actuating lever, said inking roller is movable in one operative direction for engaging and inking said types;

said support roller being eccentric to said inking roller, with the axis of said support roller being behind said inking roller in said operative direction, whereby said support roller may continue to engage said guide means after said inking roller has moved in said operative direction beyond said types.

62. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 47, wherein said actuating lever causes said inking rollers to shift in one operative direction over the entire said predetermined pathway of said inking rollers, thereby to ink said types by motion of said inking rollers in said one operative direction;
a supporting assembly for said inking rollers; said actuating lever being connected with said inking rollers by being connected with said supporting assembly; said supporting assembly comprising:
an ink roller holder; both said inking rollers being attached to said holder; said actuating lever being connected with said inking rollers by being connected to said holder.

63. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 62, further comprising biasing means on said holder and in engagement with the said roller that leads in motion in said one operative direction, said biasing means being for biasing the leading said roller toward said types against movement of that said roller caused by the profiles of said types.

64. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 63, further comprising a support shaft on and for the leading said inking roller in said one operative direction;
said holder having a guide formation thereon for enabling guidance of motion of that said inking roller with respect to said holder under the influence of said biasing means and the influence of the profiles of said types.

65. An inking device for a labeling machine which prints labels:
said labeling machine comprising:
a frame; a printing head in said frame; at least one row of types in said printing head; said types facing toward a print position;
means for moving a label and said types relative to each other to contact the label against said types and to move the label away from said types;
an actuating lever movably connected to said frame to operate said labeling machine;
said inking device comprising:
two inking rollers, each having a respective axis and said axes of said printing rollers being parallel;
support and moving means for moving both said inking rollers across said types when the label is not in contact with said types;
inking roller guide means in said frame positioned and shaped to be in engagement with and to guide said inking rollers to move over said types along a predetermined pathway with respect to said printing heads, said guide means to remain in engagement with said inking rollers over the entire said predetermined pathway of said inking rollers over said types, thereby to cause said inking rollers to press against said types with a desired pressure;
said actuating lever being connected with said inking rollers to cause said inking rollers to move along said predetermined pathway as said actuating lever is operated; said actuating lever causing said inking rollers to shift in one operative direction over the entire said predetermined pathway of said inking rollers, thereby to ink said types by motion of said inking rollers in said one opera-tive direction;

a supporting assembly for said inking rollers; said actuating lever being connected with said inking rollers by being connected with said supporting assembly; said supporting assembly comprising:
an ink roller holder; both said inking rollers being attached to said holder; said actuating lever being connected with said inking rollers by being connected to said holder;
biasing means on said holder and in engagement with the said roller that leads in motion in said one operative direction, said biasing means being for biasing the leading said roller toward said types against movement of that said roller caused by the profiles of said types;
a support shaft on and for the leading said inking roller in said one operative direction;
said holder having a guide formation thereon for enabling guidance of motion of that said inking roller with respect to said holder under the influence of said biasing means and. the influence of the profiles of said types;
said guide formation on said holder comprises an elongated slot, which is elongated along the pathway in which the leading said inking roller is biased by said biasing means and said types; said support shaft for the leading said inking roller riding in and being guided in the said elongated slot in said holder.

66. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 65, further comprising a rocking link pivot on said frame; a rocking link pivotally supported on said rocking link pivot; said actuating lever being connected with said rocking link to cause same to pivot; said rocking link being joined to move along said guide means and to move said inking rollers over said types as said actuating lever is operated.

67. An inking device for a labeling machine which prints labels:
said labeling machine comprising:
a frame; a printing head in said frame; at least one row of types in said printing head; said types facing toward a print position;
means for moving a label and said types relative to each other to contact the label against said types and to move the label away from said types;
an actuating lever movably connected to said frame to operate said labeling machine;
said inking device comprising:
two inking rollers, each having a respective axis and said axes of said printing rollers being parallel;
support and moving means for moving both said inking rollers across said types when the label is not in contact with said types;

inking roller guide means comprising a fixedly positioned and immovable guiding element supported on said frame and positioned and shaped to be in engagement with and to guide said inking rollers to move over said types-along a predetermined pathway with respect to said printing heads;
said guide means being positioned for urging said inking rollers toward said types and against force exerted by said types against said inking rollers as said inking rollers roll by said types; said guide means being adapted to remain in engagement with said inking rollers over the entire said predetermined pathway of said inking rollers over said types, thereby to cause said inking rollers to press against said types with a desired pressure;

said actuating lever being connected with said inking rollers to cause said inking rollers to move along said predetermined pathway as said actuating lever is oper-ated;
said actuating lever causing said inking rollers to shift in one operative direction over the entire said predetermined pathway of said inking rollers, thereby to ink said types by motion of said inking rollers in said one operative direction;
a supporting assembly for said inking rollers;
said actuating lever being connected with said inking rollers by being connected with said supporting assembly; said supporting assembly comprising:
an ink roller holder; both said inking rollers being attached to said holder; said actuating lever being connected with said inking rollers by being connected to said holder;
biasing means on said holder and in engagement with the said roller that leads in motion in said one operative direction, said biasing means being for biasing the leading said roller toward said types against movement of that said roller caused by the profiles of said types;
a support shaft on and for the leading said inking roller in said one operative direction;
said holder having a guide formation thereon for enabling guidance of motion of that said inking roller with respect to said holder under the influence of said biasing means and the influence of the profiles of said types;
a rocking link pivot on said frame; a rocking link pivotally supported on said rocking link pivot; said actuating lever being connected with said rocking link to cause same to pivot; said rocking link being joined to said ink roller holder for causing said ink roller holder to move along said guide means and to move said inking rollers over said types as said actuating lever is operated;
the manner of engagement of said inking rollers with said guide means comprises a support roller attached to and supporting said ink roller holder; said support roller being positioned to engage said guide means over the pathway of said ink roller holder along said guide means.

68. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 67, wherein said printing head has a lower surface that faces toward the print position;
a bearing plate connected with one said roller and movable therewith; said bearing plate normally being in en-gagement with said lower surface of said printing head, wherein the size and placement of said bearing plate with respect to its respective said inking roller determines the location of that said inking roller with respect to said printing head lower surface and thus determines the pressure that that said inking roller can exert upon said types as it rolls thereover.

69. The inking device for a labeling machine oF Claim 68, wherein said bearing plate is on the said inking roller that is the trailing inking roller as said inking rollers move in said one operative direction.

70. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 66, further comprising a supporting pan for said holder, and said holder being positioned in and connected to said pan to move therewith; said rocking link being con-nected to said holder by being connected to said pan;
said support roller being connected to said holder by being connected to said pan;
said biasing means for engaging the leading one of said inking rollers as said inking rollers move in said one operative direction, extends between said pan and that said inking roller.

71. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 53, wherein the manner of engagement of said inking rollers with said guide means comprises a support roller attached to and supporting said supporting assembly; said support roller being positioned to engage said guide means over the pathway of said supporting assembly along said guide means;
said support roller having a predetermined diameter;
said guide means comprising a slot formed in said frame and extending along said frame past said types; said slot having a width greater than said support roller pre-determined diameter, permitting said support roller to shift across the width of said slot and permitting the other said inking roller not provided with said bearing plate to shift against the force of said biasing means as said inking rollers pass over said types.

?5

72. An inking device for a labeling machine which prints labels:
said labeling machine comprising:
a frame; a printing head in said frame; at least one row of types in said printing head; said types facing toward a print position;
means for moving said printing head toward and away from a label whereby said types may contact the label when said types have been moved to the label;
an actuating lever movably connected to said frame to operate said labeling machine;
a yoke to which said printing head is attached; said yoke having an end surface thereof facing generally in said print direction; through said yoke, said actuating lever being connected to said printing head for moving said printing head toward and away from a label;
said inking device comprising:
an inking roller; support and moving means for moving said inking roller across said types as said printing head moves toward the label and while the label is not in contact with said types;
inking roller guide means comprising a fixedly positioned and immovable guiding element supported on said frame and positioned and shaped to be in engagement with and to guide said inking roller to move over said types on a predetermined pathway with respect to said printing head; said guiding element being positioned and shaped so as to engage said inking roller at a side thereof away from the side contacted by said types and for pressing said inking roller against said types and against force exerted by said types against said inking roller as said inking roller rolls by said types such that the cooperative engagement between said guide means and said inking roller is the sole cause of the inking pressure of said inking roller on said types;

?6 said guiding element being shaped and positioned to remain in engagement with said inking roller over the entire said pre-determined pathway of said inking roller and also to cause said inking roller to press on said types with a desired pressure over said predetermined pathway;
said yoke end surface being spaced from said guide means such that at least part of said inking roller is normally positioned between them;
said guide means comprising a fixedly positioned, immov-able guiding element supported on said frame; said guide means having a first orientation for guiding said inking roller on a pathway that crosses the direction of relative motion of the labels toward and away from said types; said end surface having a second orientation that is oblique to said first orientation;
a bearing plate connected with said inking roller and movable therewith; said bearing plate normally being in engagement with said yoke end surface, whereby upon relative motion of a label and said types toward each other, said end surface presses upon said bearing plate as said inking roller shifts in one direction along said guide means;
said actuating lever being connected with said inking roller to cause said inking roller to move along said pre-determined pathway as said actuating lever is operated.

73. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 72, wherein said yoke end surface is part of said printing head.

74. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 72, further comprising a pivot on said frame; said actuating lever being pivotally connected on said pivot, whereby said actuating lever pivotally moves with respect to said frame;

an inking roller support between said inking roller and said actuating lever for translating the pivoting motion of said ?7 actuating lever into motion of said inking roller along its said predetermined pathway.

75. The inking device for a labeling machine of Claim 74, wherein the size and placement of said bearing plate with respect to said inking roller determines the location of said inking roller with respect to said end surface and thus determines the pressure that said inking roller can exert upon said types under the influence of said guide means.

76. An inking device for a labeling machine which prints labels:
said labeling machine comprising:
a frame; a printing head in said frame; at least one row of types in said printing head; said types facing toward a print position;
means for moving said printing head toward and away from a label, whereby said types may contact the label when said types have been moved to the label;
an actuating lever movably connected to said frame to operate said labeling machine;
a yoke attached to said actuating lever and extending toward said printing head; said yoke being movable with said actuating lever; said printing head being secured to said yoke for movement therewith; said yoke having an end surface thereof facing generally in said print direction; through said yoke, said actuating lever being connected to said printing head for moving said printing head toward and away from a label;
said inking device comprising:
an inking roller; support and moving means for moving said inking roller across said types as said printing head moves toward the label and while the label is not in contact with said types;
?8 inking roller guide means comprising a fixedly positioned and immovable guiding element supported on said frame and posi-tioned and shaped to be in engagement with and to guide said inking roller to move over said types on a predetermined pathway with respect to said printing head; said guiding element being positioned and shaped so as to engage said inking roller at a side thereof away from the side contacted by said types and for pressing said inking roller against said types and against force exerted by said types against said inking roller as said inking roller rolls by said types such that the cooperative engagement between said guide means and said inking roller is the sole cause of the inking pressure of said inking roller on said types; said guiding element being shaped and positioned to remain in engagement with said inking roller over the entire said predetermined pathway of said inking roller and also to cause said inking roller to press on said types with a desired pressure over said predetermined pathway;
said yoke end surface being spaced from said guide means such that at least part of said inking roller is normally positioned between them;
a bearing plate connected with said inking roller and movable therewith; said bearing plate normally being in engagement with said yoke end surface; said actuating lever being connected with said inking roller to move said inking roller in one direction along said guide means, whereby upon motion of said yoke with respect to said guide means the size and placement of said bearing plate with respect to said inking roller determines the location of said inking roller with respect to said yoke end surface and thus determines the pressure that said inking roller can exert upon said types under the influence of said guide means;
said actuating lever being connected with said inking roller to cause said inking roller to move along said predetermined pathway as said actuating lever is operated.

77. An inking device for a labeling machine which prints labels;
said labeling machine comprising:
a frame; a printing head in said frame; at least one row of types in said printing head; said types facing toward a print position;
means for moving said printing head toward and away from a label; whereby said types may contact the label when said types have been moved to the label;
an actuating lever pivotally connected to said frame at a pivot on said frame, whereby said actuating lever pivotally moves with respect to said frame, said actuating lever being for operating said labeling machine; said actuating lever being connected to said printing head for moving it toward and away from a label;
said inking device comprising:
an inking roller; support and moving means between said inking roller and said actuating lever for translating the pivoting motion of said actuating lever into motion of said inking roller along a predetermined pathway, for moving said inking roller across said types as said printing head moves toward the label and while the label is not in contact with said types;
said predetermined pathway of said inking roller extends com-pletely across all said types, such that said inking roller is out of the way of contact between a label to be imprinted and said types; under the influence of said actuating lever, said inking roller is movable in one operative direction for engaging and inking said types;
inking roller guide means comprising a fixedly positioned and immovable guiding element supported on said frame and posi-tioned and shaped to be in engagement with and to guide said inking roller to move over said types on a predetermined pathway with respect to said printing head;

a support roller attached to and supporting said inking roller and positioned to engage said guide means over the entire said predetermined pathway; said guiding element being positioned and shaped so as to engage said inking roller support roller at a side thereof away from the side contacted by said types and for thereby pressing said inking roller against said types and against force exerted by said types against said inking roller as said inking roller rolls by said types such that the co-operative engagement between said guide means and said inking roller support roller is the sole cause of the inking pressure of said inking roller on said types; said guiding element being shaped and positioned to remain in engagement with said inking roller support roller over the entire said predetermined pathway of said inking roller and also to cause said inking roller to press on said types with a desired pressure over said pre-determined pathway;
said inking roller support roller being eccentric to said inking roller, with the axis of said support roller being behind said inking roller in said operative direction, whereby said support roller may continue to engage said guide means after said inking roller has moved in said operative direction beyond said types;
said actuating lever being connected with said inking roller to cause said inking roller to move along said pre-determined pathway as said actuating lever is operated.

78. An inking device for a labeling machine which prints labels:
said labeling machine comprising:
a frame; a printing head in said frame, at least one row of types in said printing head; said types facing toward a print position;

means for moving said printing head toward and away from a label whereby said types may contact the label when said types have been moved to the label;
an actuating lever movably connected to said frame to operate said labeling machine; said actuating lever being connected to said printing head for moving it toward and away from a label;
said inking device comprising:
two inking rollers, each having a respective axis and said axes of said printing rollers being parallel;
an inking roller holder; both said inking rollers being attached to said holder; said actuating lever being connected with said inking rollers by being connected to said holder for moving both said inking rollers across said types as said printing head moves toward the label and while the label is not in contact with said types;
said actuating lever causes said inking rollers to shift in one operative direction over the entire said predetermined pathway of said inking rollers, thereby to ink said types by motion of said inking rollers in said one operative direction;
biasing means on said holder and in engagement with the said roller that leads in motion in said one operative direction, said biasing means being for biasing the leading said roller toward said types against movement of that said roller caused by the profiles of said types;
a support shaft on and for the leading said inking roller in said one operative direction;
inking roller guide means comprising a fixedly positioned and immovable guiding element supported on said frame and posi-tioned and shaped to be in engagement with and to guide said inking rollers to move over said types along a predetermined pathway with respect to said printing heads; said guide means being positioned and shaped so as to engage at least one of said inking rollers at a side thereof away from the side contacted by said types and for pressing said at least one inking roller against said types and against force exerted by said types against said inking rollers as said inking rollers roll by said types such that the cooperative engagement between said guide means and said at least one inking roller is the sole cause of the inking pressure of said at least one inking roller on said types; said guiding element being adapted to remain in engagement with said at least one inking roller over the entire said predetermined pathway of said inking roller over said types and also to cause said inking rollers to press against said types with a desired pressure over said predetermined pathway; a rocking link pivot on said frame;
a rocking link pivotally supported on said rocking link pivot; said actuating lever being connected with said rocking link to cause same to pivot; said rocking link being joined to said ink roller holder for causing said ink roller holder to move along said guide means and to move said inking rollers over said types as said actuating lever is operated.