US3924532A

US3924532A - Method for printing on labels

Info

Publication number: US3924532A
Application number: US464500A
Authority: US
Inventors: David W Hubbard; William W Coville
Original assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
Current assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
Priority date: 1973-06-25
Filing date: 1974-04-26
Publication date: 1975-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 1992-12-09
Also published as: FR2234607A1; CA1019636A; JPS5083112A; JPS5810236B2; FR2234607B1

Abstract

Method and apparatus are described for forming, by a scribing action, bar codes of relatively long length on record members such as tickets, tags, labels and the like. The printing of the long length bar codes is accomplished without the need for increasing the size of the printer or for utilizing the relatively high forces required for normal pressure printing operations. A plurality of individually indexible discs are coaxially mounted so as to collectively define a printing drum, each disc being provided with raised bar code fonts or projections that are adapted to scribe print different bar code characters. The printing drum is positioned for cooperation with a pressure backing element and a sheet material strip, the sheet material strip which includes a carrier tape for the record members and a suitable inking ribbon being positioned between said drum and backing element. With the discs rotatably indexed to and locked in selected scribing positions the sheet material strip is moved relative to the printing drum so that the selected raised bar code fonts on the drum cause the scribing on a record member of a plurality of code bars that define a desired code pattern or character. Provision is also made for roll printing alpha-numeric characters adjacent and corresponding to each scribed bar code character.

Description

Hubbard et a1.

Dec. 9, 1975 [54] METHOD FOR PRINTING 0N LABELS [75] inventors: David W. Hubbard; Willliam W.

Coville, both of Stamford, Conn.

[73] Assignee: Pitney Bowes, inc, Stamford, Conn.

[22] Filed: Apr. 26, 1974 [21] Appl No.: 464,500

Related US. Appiication Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 373,381, June 25,

1973, abandoned.

[52] U.S. C1. 101/426; 101/1; 101/92; 101/2i9;10i/288;197/1R [51] lint. C1. EML 47/46 [58] Field of Search 101/93 C, 93 R, 110, 99,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,428,560 10/1947 Faust 101/110 2,656,240 10/1953 Hell 197/! R 2,659,652 11/1952 Thompson 346/50 2,976,801 3/1961 Dirks 197/1 R 3,109,058 10/1963 Luhn 197/1 R 3,223,033 12/1965 Sundbiad 101/110 X 3,231,446 1/1966 Satas H 156/384 3,317,017 5/1967 Young..... 19711 R 3,322,252 5/1967 West 197/1 R 3,357,533 12/1967 Artzt 197/1 R 3,419,886 12/1968 Ortlieb 197/1 R X 3,834,301 9/1974 Croquelois et a1 101/] Primary Examiner-Edgar S. Burr Assistant Examiner---Pau1 J. Hirsch Attorney, Agent, or Firm-William D. Soltow, Jr.; Albert W. Scribner; Peter Vrahotes [57] ABSTRACT Method and apparatus are described for forming, by a scribing action, bar codes of relatively long length on record members such as tickets, tags, labels and the like. The printing of the long length bar codes is accomplished without the need for increasing the size of the printer or for utilizing the relatively high forces required for normal pressure printing operations. A plurality of individually indexible discs are coaxially mounted so as to collectively define a printing drum, each disc being provided with raised bar code fonts or projections that are adapted to scribe print different bar code characters. The printing drum is positioned for cooperation with a pressure backing element and a sheet material strip, the sheet material strip which inchides a carrier tape for the record members and a suitable inking ribbon being positioned between said drum and backing element. With the discs rotatably indexed to and locked in selected scribing positions the sheet material strip is moved relative to the printing drum so that the selected raised bar code fonts on the drum cause the scribing on a record member of a plurality of code bars that define a desired code pattern or character. Provision is also made for roll printing alpha-numeric characters adjacent and corresponding to each scribed bar code character.

2 Ciaims, 3 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 9 1975 3,924,532

METHOD FOR PRINTING ON LABELS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of pending application Ser. No. 373,381 filed June 25, 1973, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for preparing record members such as tickets, tags, and labels. More specifically the invention relates to a method and apparatus for conveniently forming relatively long code bars on record members such as labels etc. that are to be used in stores and the like to identify merchandise.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The automatic identification of merchandise at checkout counters has been extensively developed in recent years. Equipment to accomplish this is known as a point of sale system. In a typical system a bar code pattern or character is applied to a record member such as a ticket, tag or label which is then placed on or retained with a given piece of merchandise so as to enable an operator at a checkout counter to automatically scan the record member and thereby identify the product being sold, the sale price thereof, and any other information recorded on said record member. A bar code character is defined by a code combination of bars and spaces therebetween that collectively represent a particular number, letter or symbol.

In order that bar code characters may be read quickly and reliably, it is necessary that the code bars thereof have sufficient length. Where the bar codes are read manually, as with a hand held optical pen, the length of the code bars need not be too great, in this case a length as short as /16 of an inch may be satisfactory. However where the bar codes are to be read automatically the code bars may require a length up to approximately 1 inch or so. To print code bars in excess of 5/16 inch in length would normally require relatively large, heavy and expensive printers if conventional printing methods and apparatus were used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a method and apparatus for forming code bars of relatively long length on a record member are provided which are particularly convenient, practical and inexpensive. The apparatus involved does not require heavy structural features and may be conveniently adapted for printing bar codes on merchandise labels and the like.

As described with reference to one embodiment of the invention a plurality of bar codes fonts are formed on the surfaces of a plurality of discs. The discs are positioned coaxially adjacent to one another so as to effectively define a printing drum and may be rotated individually and collectively about a common axis. The peripheral surfaces of the discs are provided with raised bar code fonts, or scribing elements, each disc being rotatably indexible to and locked in a selected position so as to be capable of cooperating with an ink ribbon so as to scribe form various desired bar code patterns on record members. This scribing technique is very efficient as compared with conventional bar code printers in that the plurality of scribing discs require only relatively small forces to progressively form a bar code pattern on a record member.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a convenient and practical method and apparatus for forming bar code patterns or characters on merchandise labels or similar record members which may then be automatically read using suitable scanning devices.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a relatively inexpensive convenient and practical method and apparatus for printing bar code patterns using a scribing technique.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for efficiently printing on a record member code bars having relatively long lengths.

These and other objects and advantages of the instant method and apparatus for forming bar code patterns may be understood from the following detailed description of an embodiment described in conjunction with the instant drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view illustrating the instant apparatus and method for forming a bar code pattern on a record member;

FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view ofa portion ofa label with a bar code pattern and an alpha-numeric charac ter formed thereon in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view illustrating the shape of each scribing element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT With reference to FIG. 1 the instant bar code printing apparatus 10 includes a printing drum 11 comprising three discs 12a, 12b and 120. Only three discs are shown, however it is to be understood that any number of such discs may be used; for example ten discs might be employed to form a ten character bar code pattern, each disc determining one such character at any given time. The peripheral surface 14 of each disc is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced bar code fonts 16, each font being defined by a group of small generally wedgeshaped scribing elements or projections 17. The widths w, FIG. 1, of projections 17, and the lateral spacings s therebetween for any one font or group of projections are determined in accordance with the bar code character that is to be printed by said group of scribing elements. The circumferential length l of each scribing element 1.7 is selected so as to provide sufficient structural rigidity to enable the element to exert the necessary scribing forces against a record member, however the radial outer tip 20 of each scribing element has a very short effective length as measured circumferentially on the associated disc. The print contact area of each projection tip 20 is thus much smaller than the area of the code bar to be printed by each such tip 20. The discs 12, 12b and are located coaxially adjacent to one another and when rotatably indexed and locked in selected printing positions have the scribing elements 17 in lateral alignment as is illustrated at 21 of FIG. 1. A pressure element is provided which may be defined by any suitable means affording a rigid backing surface such as a cylindrical element 22. Element 22 may be formed from a single cylinder or a plurality of adjacent cylinders that are rotatably supported on a suitable shaft 23.

A sheet material strip 24 is adapted to be passed between the printing drum 11 and the pressure element 22. The strip 24 includes a backing or carrier tape 26 on which record members, such as labels 28, are releasably secured by a suitable adhesive as is well understood in the art. The strip 24 also includes an ink ribbon 30 which is disposed above the labels 28 and which may be defined by a thin mylar tape or ribbon carrying a layer of pressure transferrable ink on the lower surface 32 thereof. The ink ribbon 30 being pressure sensitive is thus capable of marking on labels 28 upon relative scribing movement between the sheet material strip 24 and the selected bar code fonts 16.

The scribing discs are individually rotatably mounted on the shaft 34 to enable an operator to select the desired bar code fonts 16 for printing on a label 28. The periphery of each

disc

12a, 12b and 12c is marked so as to facilitate the proper positioning of each disc; here for example an eye-readable digit at location A on the upper portion of the surface 14 of disc 12a designates the bar code character font 16 that is then located in print position on the diametrically opposite lower portion of the disc 12a. Through this expedient one may readily determine when any desired bar code font has been positioned for scribing engagement with the strip 24. Any suitable locking mechanism 36 may be employed to releasably lock each disc in a selected printing position. This locking means 36 may for example include a spring loaded finger 38 for each disc; each such finger having a lower V-shaped end which is adapted to cooperate with corresponding V-shaped notches 40 formed in the surface 14 of the associated disc. Each disc is provided with a plurality of such notches 40 which are respectively associated with the various bar code fonts on the disc. The notch 40 and fingers 38 are arranged so that when a disc is rotated to a selected indexed position and locked therein that bar code font character that is represented by the eye readable digit at the said upper location of said disc, corresponding to location A, is in a position to scribe print on a label 28..

As shown in FIG. 1 a plurality of raised alphanumeric character types 42 are mounter in circumferential spaced relation on the periphery 14 of each disc, each type 42 being located adjacent an associated bar code font 16. Any given type 42 is adapted to print a visually readable alpha-numeric character that identifies the bar code character that is scribe printed by the bar code font 16 next adjacent to that type 42. As will be apparent the effective printing surfaces of the raised types 42 and the tips 20 of bar code fonts scribing elements 17 have substantially the same radius with respect to the axis of drum ill. The types 42 are adapted to roll print alpha-numeric characters on labels 28 as will be further discussed below.

Pressure element 22 and shaft 23 are supported by any suitable means not shown for movement towards and away from an operative backing or printing support position with respect to the drum 11. as is indicated by arrows and 52 respectively.

ln the operation of the instant apparatus the pressure element 22 is initially moved away or disengaged from the printing drum it, as indicated by arrow 52, so that

discs

12a, 12b and 12c may be unlocked, rotatably indexed to their respective desired print positions, and then relocked so as to be thereafter capable of scribe printing the desired bar code characters on a label 28. The sheet material strip 24 is then placed between the printing drum l1 and the pressure element 22 with that portion of the label which is to be printed on and which is adjacent the leading edge 56 thereof in registration with and beneath the line of selected and operatively positioned bar code fonts 16. The pressure element 22 is then moved towards and held in a operative position with respect to the printing drum 11, as indicated by arrow 50, so as to firmly hold the sheet material strip 24 against the tips 20 of the scribing elements 17 defining the selected line of bar code fonts 16. The strip 24 is then pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow 57 and this movement produces a scribing action of the said tips 20 of said selected bar code fonts 16 with respect to strip 24 so as to transfer ink from ribbon 30 onto the said label 28 and thereby form thereon the various elongated code bars of the desired bar code character such as that illustrated at 44. The movement of the strip 24 may be assisted by rotably driving the backing element 22 by any suitable means. The duration or extent of this movement of the sheetmaterial strip 24 is selected so as to be commensurate with the desired length h, FIG. 2, for the printed code bars.

When the above described bar code scribe printing action is completed, the various locking mechanisms 36 are moved to inoperative positions so that all the discs are unlocked and free to rotate together on shaft 34. The printing drum 11 as a whole is then allowed to rotate, as indicated by arrow 58, in response to and under the control of the continued movement of the strip 24 to thereby provide a roll printing action by those associated alpha-numeric printing types 42 that are next adjacent to and following the bar code fonts 16 that have just completed their scribe printing action. These types 42 are physically located close enough to their respectively associated type fonts 16 so that only a slight rotational movement of the drum 1 1, produced by the said continuing movement of strip 24 and acting on the just previously operative fonts 16, is required to initially bring the said associated types 42 into roll printing contact with strip 24. Thereafter the continued movement of strip 24 will complete a roll printing of the alpha-numeric characters, such as that illustrated at 59,. on the label; these characters being located in a position on the label that is closely adjacent to the respectively associated bar code characters such as 44 just previously scribe printed thereon. The backing member 22 and/or the drum 11 may be rotatably driven during the roll printing of the alpha-numeric characters. Upon completion of the roll printing action both the bar code characters such as 44 and the associated alpha-numeric characters will then have been printed on a label 28, and the strip 24 during this printing period will have been moved through a longitudinal distance approximately equal to the width W, FIG. 2, of the label 28. The pressure element 22 is then moved away from drum 11 as indicated by the arrow 52 so as to release the printing drum 11 from printing engagement with the strip 24 and thus permit

discs

12a, 12b and 12c to be rotatably indexed and locked in their next operative scribing positions as required to print the desired bar code and alpha-numeric characters on the next label 28. The strip 24 is advanced to being the next label to print receiving position and the apparatus may then be operated as above described to perform another cycle of operation.

It will be observed that the relatively long code bars of characters such as 44 can be formed using the above described technique even through the effective circumferential strip contact length p, FIG. 3, of each scribing element is much shorter than either the corresponding peripheral lengths of the alpha-numerictypes 42 or the length h, FIG. 2, of the bar code characters to be formed.

As will be apparent means producing an impact type printing action may be utilized to'form the said alphanumeric characters such as 59 rather than a roll print type of action as above described.

Having thus described a method and apparatus in accordance with the invention for forming a bar code pattern, the advantages and objects of the invention may be appreciated. A simple device and fast method for printing bar codes on labels is provided suitable for use at diverse point-of-sale locations.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of preparing a label or the like that is to be marked with a machine readable bar code character; comprising the steps of placing the label and an overlying ink ribbon between a pressure element and a printing drum having a plurality of groups of bar code scribing elements and a plurality of groups of alpha-numeric character types peripherially spaced relative to said scribing elements disposed thereon;

locating a selected group of said bar code scribing elements in scribe printing positions;

moving the said selected group of scribing elements and said pressure element toward one another and into opposed printing pressure relation with re spect to said ink ribbon and label;

moving said ink ribbon and label between the said selected scribing elements and the pressure element while maintaining said printing drum stationary so as to thereby scribe machine readable code bars on said label;

continuing said movement of said ink ribbon and label for a distance corresponding to the length desired for the code bars of said code character; and

rotating said printing drum in coordination with the movement of said ink ribbon and said label to print alpha-numeric characters on said label adjacent said scribed bar codes.

2. A method for forming machine readable bar codes patterns on labels so as to enable automatic identification of the merchandise with which the labels are to be respectively associated: comprising the steps of providing a sheet material strip that includes a tape carrying labels that underlie the ink disbursing side of a pressure responsive ink ribbon;

positioning said strip between a substantially rigid pressure backing surface and a printing drum having formed thereon a plurality of groups of bar code scribing elements and a plurality of groups of alpha-numeric character type spaced relative to said bar codes;

bringing said backing surface and a selected group of said scribing elements into opposed pressure engagement with said strip;

moving the sheet material strip relative to said scribing elements while maintaining the printing drum stationary to enable said selected group of scribing elements to scribing transfer ink from said ribbon onto one of said labels and continuing this movement for a distance commensurate with the desired length of the code bars of a desired bar code pattern;

moving said printing drum in coordination with the movement of said sheet to print alpha-numeric characters thereon;

moving said backing surface and said printing memher out of said opposed engagement with said strip; and

repeating the last three mentioned steps with respect to each of a plurality of succeeding labels carried by said tape so that each of said succeeding labels is thereby provided with the desired machine readable bar code pattern thereon.

Claims

1. A method of preparing a label or the like that is to be marked with a machine readable bar code character; comprising the steps of placing the label and an overlying ink ribbon between a pressure element and a printing drum having a plurality of groups of bar code scribing elements and a plurality of groups of alphanumeric character types peripherially spaced relative to said scribing elements disposed thereon; locating a selected group of said bar code scribing elements in scribe printing positions; moving the said selected group of scribing elements and said pressure element toward one another and into opposed printing pressure relation with respect to said ink ribbon and label; moving said ink ribbon and label between the said selected scribing elements and the pressure element while maintaining said printing drum stationary so as to thereby scribe machine readable code bars on said label; continuing said movement of said ink ribbon and label for a distance corresponding to the length desired for the code bars of said code character; and rotating said printing drum in coordination with the movement of said ink ribbon and said label to print alpha-numeric characters on said label adjacent said scribed bar codes.

2. A method for forming machine readable bar codes patterns on labels so as to enable automatic identification of the merchandise with which the labels are to be respectively associated: comprising the steps of providing a sheet material strip that includes a tape carrying labels that underlie the ink disbursing side of a pressure responsive ink ribbon; positioning said strip between a substantially rigid pressure backing surface and a printing drum having formed thereon a plurality of groups of bar code scribing elements and a plurality of groups of alpha-numeric character type spaced relative to said bar codes; bringing said backing surface and a selected group of said scribing elements into opposed pressure engagement with said strip; moving the sheet material strip relative to said scribing elements while maintaining the printing drum stationary to enable said selected group of scribing elements to scribing transfer ink from said ribbon onto one of said labels and continuing this movement for a distance commensurate with the desired length of the code bars of a desired bar code pattern; moving said printing drum in coordination with the movement of said sheet to print alpha-numeric characters thereon; moving said backing surface and said printing member out of said opposed engagement with said strip; and repeating the last three mentioned steps with respect to each of a plurality of succeeding labels carried by said tape so that each of said succeeding labels is thereby provided with the desired machine readable bar code pattern thereon.