CA1096237A - Inking mechanism for hand labeler - Google Patents

Abstract

Docket M-232-C-3-1 INKING MECHANISM FOR HAND LABELER

Abstract of the Disclosure There is disclosed an inker for a printing apparatus.
The inker includes an inker body and an ink roller rotatably mounted to the inker body. A spring finger is connected at a first end portion to the inker body. The spring finger also has a second end portion. The spring finger has a curvature located between the first and second portions. The spring finger is adapted to resiliently urge the inker body and the ink roller which it mounts in one direction. The inker body is mounted by structure disposed at opposite sides of the curvature in the spring finger

Description

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23'7 This invention relates to the art of pressure sensitive labels, method and apparatus for making and using same, and label printing and applying machines.
Brief Descri~tion of the P ior Art ~arious U.S. patents ~osO 1,642,387~ J. ~. Reis, Septembex 13, i927; 2,259,358, R. P. Templeton, October 14, 1941;

2,275,064, Go A. Moore, March 3, 1942; 2,502,257, G. Lo Xawkins et al~ March 28, 1950; 2t516~487, T~ F. Schlicksupp, July 25, 1950, 2,620,205, C~ ~. Vogt, December 2, 1952; 2,656,063, R. S. Kafka, October 20, 1953; 3,051,353, A. P. Rrueger, August 28, 1962;

3,265,553, O. Kind et al, August 9, lg66; 3,343,485, H. H. ~oef1er, September 26, 1967; 3,440,123, P. ~. Hamisch, Sr., April 22, 1969;
3,501,365, E. C. Marshall, March 17, 1970; 3,5517251, Yo Sato et al, December 29, 1970; 3,611,929, Kurt Schrotz et al, October 12, 1971;
arq made of record.

~L~9~3~
Docket M-232 Summary of the Invention The invention relates to improved means for selectively setting and detenting printing member-s using a shiftable and rotatable selector for selectively changing - the settings of any of the printing members. The selector has a drive element and a yieldable de~ent element. The drive element and the detent element are located on the selector such that when the drive element is in engagement with the selected driven element the detent element is in detenting position in contact with at least one driven element.
In one embodiment, the driven elements can comprise wheels about which respective flexible printing bands are trained.
In this embodiment the selector can be in driving engage-ment with one of the driven wheels and can be shifted into driving engagement with any of the remaining wheels to set the printing bands to print the desired data on a record such as a ticket, tag, or label. The detent element engages either in a recess between adjacent wheels or in a groove or recess in one of the wheels. In another embodiment the printing members comprise print wheels, the hub of each of which comprises a driven member. The selector is detented in the same manner.

23~

The platen is formed from an inversely-bent metallic plate to provide a pair of side-by-side plate por~ions joined by an inversely-bent portion having a small radius and defining a peel edge. Printing is accomplished when the prin~ head moves into printing relationship with a label positioned on the platen, and the printed label is delaminated from a web of supporting matPrial by the peel edge. In a specific embodiment the plate portions are substantially co-extensive and are secured to each other hy weldments.
The invention also comprises an inker or inking mechanism cooperable with printing means in the form of a print head. The inker comprises a one-piece inker body and an ink roLler rotatably mounted by the inker body. The ink roller comprises a hub snap-fitted into the inker body and an ink receptive roll on the hub. The hub comprises a pair of hub sections. There is a stub end on each hub section and a flange on each hub section inboard of the stub end. A
porous ink receptive tubular roll is mounted between the flanges o~ the hub sections. The stub ends of the ink roller are snap-fitted into the inker body. The inker body is mounted for relative movement with respect to the printing means. The ~ ~ 6 ~ 3 inker body includes an integrally formed resilient flexible finger for urging the ink roll into cooperation with the printing means.
The invention also comprises an applicator by which labels or the like can be applied to merchandise. The applicator includes at least one and preferably a plurality o wheels. Labels are advanced into label applying rela~ion ship with respect to the applicator. The whe~ls are mounted fox independent rotational and independent resilient yielding movements. Specifically, each wheel has an annulax rim which carries an O-ring having a high-co~fficient of friction.
A plurality of flexible resilient arms formed integrally with the rim are engaged with a mounting shaft. While the label is being applied, the arms deflect resiliently to allow the individual wheels to yield independently. This feature is particularly useful in applying labels to merchandise with irregular surfaces.

/ ~

~6~:3'7 FIGURR 1 is an exploded perspective view of label printing and applying apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a partly broken away top plan view o~
a composite web useful in the label printing and applying apparatus of the invention;
FIGUR~ 3 is a sectional elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE l;
FIGU~E 4 is a sectional view taken generall~ along line 4--4 of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of one of the subframe sections of the apparatus;
FIGURE 8 is a top plan view taken along line 8--8 of FIGURE 7;
FIGURE 9 i5 a side elevational view of the other subframe section:
FIGURE 10 is a top plan view showing the manner in ..
which the label core for the roll of lab~ls is held and the manner in which braking force is applied by the subframe sections;
FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11 of FIGURE 10;
FIGURE 12 is a sectional view taken generally along line 12 -12 of FIGURE 3;

Docket M-232-C ~ 23 7 FIGURE 13, in the second sheet of drawings, is an exploded perspective view of the inking mechanism;
FIGURE 14 is an enlarged sectional view showing a fragmentary portion of the apparatus in solid li~es, and in .~ particular showing a fragmentary portion of the ~rint head and the inklng mechanism in both solid and phantom line positions;
FIGURE 15 iS a sectional view taken along line 15--15 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 16 is a developed view showing the arrangement of the teeth of the detent mechanism;
FIGURE 17 is a sectional view taken along line 17--17 of FIGURE 15, FIGURE 18 is a sectional view taken generally along line 18--18 of FIGURE 15;
FIGURE 19 is a sectional view showing one of the three sets of snap-fit connections used to interconnect the frame and the subframe;
FIGURE 20 is an enlarged view of an applicator roll shown mounted in the frame of the apparatus;
FIGURE 21 is a sectional view taken along line 21--21 of FIGURE 20;

FIGURE 22 is a sectional view taken along line 22--22 of FIGURE 21, but omitting the shaft and the frictional mem,ber;
FIGURE 23 is a partly sectional view of the mounting shaft which forms part of the applicator roll;
FIGURE 24 is an exploded perspective view of the print head;

Docket M~232-C 10~6237 FIGURE 25 is a sectional view of the print head taken generally along line 25--25 of EIGURE 3;
FIGURE 26 is a sectional view showing the selector in relationship to the associated driven wheels;
FIGURE 27 is an enlarged sectional view~ showing the ~- manner in which detenting of the selector is effected, but showing the driven members as being of different widths;
FIGURE 28 is a view similar to a fragmentary portion of FIGURE 26, but showing the manner in which detenting can be effected directly on a wheel;
FIGURE 29, in the fifth sheet of drawings, is an enlarged, partly sectional, elevational view showing an alternative arrangement for constructing the selector, FIGURE 30, in the fifth sheet of drawings, is a perspective view showing the driving member depicted in FIGURE 29;
FIGURE 31 is a partly exploded perspective view of a modified print head in accordance with the invention;
FIGURE 32 is an exploded perspective view of the selector in association with type wheels and mounting structure for the type wheels;
FIGURE 33 is an end elevational view of the type wheels and the selector assembled in the mounting members; and . FIGURE 34 is a sectional view taken generally along line 34--34 of FIGURE 33.

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Descri~tion of the Pxeferred Embodiments Referring now to a label printing and applying apparatu~ generally indicated at 210 in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 27, and initially to FIGU~E 1, there is shown to be a housiny or main frame generally indicated at 211 The housing or frame 211 is specifically shown to include a pair of frame sections 212 and 213. Disposed within the housing 211 is a subframe generally indicated at 214 which comprises a pair of subframe sections 215 and 216. The frame sections 212 and 213 mount a platen 217 which includes a peel edge 218. A prin~ head generally indicated at 219 is mounted by the subframe 214. r~ore specifically, the print head 219 includes a plurality of selectable settable printing r,lembérs 220 in the form of endless printing bands mounted by a print head frame 221. E~tending from the frame 221 ar~ a pair of flanges 222 and 223. Gear sect1ons or specifically racks 22 and 225 are provided at the ends of the respective flan~es 222 and 223. Opposed tracks 226 and 227 are formed on the respective flanges 222 and 223 to receive straight ball bearings 228 and 229. The subframe sections 215 and 216 have respective tracks 230 and 2310 The ball bearing 22~ is received in the 623~
.. .
track 22~ of the flange 222 and in the track 230, and the ball bearin~ 2~9 is rsceived in the track 227 in the flange 223 and in the track 231, The ball bearings 228 and 229 have respective balls 228' and 229' rotatably held by respective tangs or holders 228" and 229". In this manner, thP print head 219 is mounted for movement, particularly reciprocating movement, toward and away from the platen 217.
The housing 211 has a handle generally indicated at 232 and particularly each housing or frame section 212 and 213 has a respective handle por~ion 233 and 234. ~n operator generally indicated at 235 is shown to comprise a pivotally opexated lever 236 pivotally mounted by a post 237 at ~he lower end of the handle 232, The lever 236 is normally urged in a counterclockwise direction (FIGURE 1) by a torsion spring 23~ received about the post 237. The pivotal movement of the lever 236 is limited by an adjustable stop block 239 received by the handle 232 between the handle portions 233 and 234.
The upper end o~ the operating lever 235 carries a pair of spaced-apart gear sections 240 and 241. The gear sections 240 and 241 are shown to be in the form of spur gear segments.
Gear sections 240 and 241 are in meshing engagement with respective spur gears 242 and 243. The spur gears 242 and 243 are in meshing engagement with respective gear sections 224 and 225 carried by t}le print head 219.
A roll of pressure sensitive labels, in the form for example o the composite web 30 shown in FIGURE 2, is mounted by its core 44 by the sub frame 214. As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the composite web 30 is drawn off the roll into overlying relationship with 23~
respect to the platen 217 and the supporting material 32 is engaged b~ a toothed driver 24~. The gear 243 carries an integral ~awl 245 cooperable with a ratchet wheel 246 which is coupled to the driver 244 by a detent mechanism ~enerall~
indicated at 247. An input or drive member 248 of the detent mechanism 247 is shown in FIGURE 1. The toothed driver 2~4 has a plurality of equally spaced apart drive teeth 249 arranged about its outer periphery. The pawl 245 is integrally joined at ~ut one end to the gear 243. The pawl 245 is flexible and resilient and ean ride on the ratchet wheel 246 and deflect into engagement with a tooth 265 of the ratchet wheel 246.
The housing or frame section 213 has an access opening 250. A cover 251 is removably connected to the frame section 213 at the access opening 250. The cover 251 mounts an inking mechanism 252 cooperable with the printing rnemb rs 220 of the print head 219. The housing sections 212 and 213 mount an applicator 253 disposed downs.tream of the peel edge 218.
Referring to FIGURE 2~ ther~ is shown composite web 30 of label material 31 releasably adhered to and carried by suppor ing or backing material 32. The label mater~al 31 is cut transversely by transverse cuts 33 extending all the way across the web 31 of label material to the side edges 34 and 35 of the composite web 30. The cuts 33 known as "butt cuts"
separate the web 31 of label material into a series of end-to-end labals 36. The underside of the wsb 31 of label material has a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive 37 which adheres strongly to the web 31 of label material. The wPb 32 of supporting material carries a thin film or coating (not shown) 3~
whi~h allows the labels to be peeled from the web 32 of supporting material.
Groups 38 of cuts are provided at equally spaced apart intervals along the length of the composite web 30.
Each group 3~ of cuts is shown to extend through the supporting material as well as through the label material. Each group of cuts is shown to be made in a generally I-shaped configuration comprised of cuts 39S, 40S and 41S in the supporting material and aligned cuts 39L, 40L and 41L in the label material. The part of the web 32 between the one end of the cut 39S and the cut 40S provides a frangible portion 43S and the part of the web 32 between the other end o the cut 39S and the cut 41S
pro~ides frangible portion 42S. In like manner, the part of the label material between the end of the cut 39L and the cut 40L provides a frangible por~ion 43L an~ the part bet~een the other end of the cut 39L and the cut 41L provides a frangible portion 42L~
Referring to FIGURE 3, the interrelationship of the components of the apparatus 210 is shown in detail. The composite web 30 is paid out of the roll and passes through a passage provided by subframe sections 215 and 216 and specifically by groove 254 (FIGURE 9) in the subframe section 215 and a cooperating groove 255 (FIGURES 1, 3 and 7) in the subframe~section 216. From there the composite web 30 passes partly around a roll 256 and into overlying relationship with th platen 217. Delamination is efected at the peel edge 218 formed at the end o the platen 217~ The supporting material 32 is drawn around the peel edge 218 beneath the platen 217 and passes partl~ around a roll 257, below the guide 258 and between the toothed driver 244 and the mating die wheel 259.

Docket M-232-C

As a tooth 249 moves into mating cooperation with the die wheel 259, the tooth 249 engages the supporting material 32 at the longitudinal cut 39S and effects rupturing or bursting of the frangible portions 42S and 43S, whereupon the tooth 249 which is in mating cooperation with the die wheel 259 (FIGURE
18) is considered to have formed a feed hole in the supporting material 242. It is preferred that there be three teeth 249 in driving engagement with the supporting material 32 at all times. The subframe sections 215 and 216 have respective aligned strippers 260 and 261 which facilitate disengagement of the teeth 249 with ~he supporting material 232 as the driver 244 rotates. Opposed guide grooves 262 and 263 formed in the subframe sections 215 and 216 guide the supporting material 32 to an exit opening 264. Excess supporting material which dangles from the apparatus 210 can be readily torn off at the exit opening 264O
With reference to FIGURE 3, the print head 219 is shown by solid lines in the initial or home position and by phantom lines 219' in the printing zone in printing cooperation with the label 36 and the platen 217~ The operator 235 is shown by solid lines in its initial or home position and in phantom lines 235' in the fully actuated position. In the fully actuated position, the print head 219 has been moved into printing cooperation with the labels 36 and the platen 217, and the operator 235 is in abutment with the stop block 2390 In this position of the operator 235, the flexible resilient pawl 245 (FIGURE 15), joined integrally at one end to the gear 243, has moved to the position shown by phantom lines 245' in driving cooperation with a tooth 265 of the ratchet wheel 246.

When the user releases the operator 235, the spring 238 (FIGURE 3) 23~
..
returns the operator 235 against stop 239' to the solid line position shown in FIGURE 3. While ~he operator 235 is returning to the solid line position from the fully actuatPd position indicated by phantom lines 235', the gear sections 240 and 241 (FIGURES 3 and ~) rotate gears 242 and 243 clockwise (FIGURE
3) to return the print head 219 to the solid line position from the position shown by solid lines 219', and to drive the pawl 245 from the position shown by phantom lines 245' to the position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 15. Thus, the pawl 245, which is in line position from ~he fully ac~uated position indicated by phantom lines 235', the gear sections 240 and 241 (FIGURES 3 and 4) rotate gears 242 and 243 clockwise (FIGURE 3~ to return the print head 219 to the solid line position from the position shown by solid lines 219', and to drive the pawl 245 from the position shown by phantom lines 245' to the position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 15 r Thus, the pawl 245, which is in engagement with a tooth 265, drives the ratchet wheel 246 counterclockwise (FIGURE 15). This counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel 246 (FIGUR~ 15) causes the driver 244 to advance the supporting material 32 to effect substantially complete delamination of a label at the peel edge 218.
Counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel 246 continues until a pawl 266 (FIGURES 1, 7 and 15) in the form of a flexible resilient appendage of the subframe section 216, moves into engagement with a tooth 265 of the ratchet wheel. This prevents the web of supporting material 32 ~rom being accidentally moved in the return direction.
As best shown in FIGURE 4, the driver 244 has an annular rim 267 joined to a hub 268 by a radial web 269. The hub 268 has a hub section 268' extending in one direction and 23~
Docket M-232-C

another hub section 258" extending in the opposite direction.
The hub section 268' terminates at a knob 270r and the hub section 268" terminates at a knob 270'. The gear 242 is rotatably journaled on and with respect ~o the hub section-268'. The - gear 242 has a hub or flange 271 which is rotatably journaled in opening 272 in the frame section 212. The hub section 268' extends through an enlarged opening 273 in the subframe section 215. The hub section 268" provides a stepped pair of bearing surfaces 274. The ratchet wheel 246 is formed integrally with the drive member 248 of the detent mechanism 247. The ratchet wheel 246 and the drive member 248 have a hub 276 with a stepped bore 275 into which the hub section 268" extends. A hub 276 rotatably receives and mounts the gear 243. me gear 243 has a hub 277 rotatably received in a bearing 278 formed integrally with the housing section 213. As seen in FIGURE 4 the gears 242 and 243 are in driving engagement with respective gear sections 224 and 225 carried by the print head 219; the relative position of the drive pawl 245 to the ratchet wheel 246 is also shown.
With reference to FIGURE 15, the drive member 248 includes a plurality of spring fingers or detent pawls 278.
The pawls 278 are of equal length, are flexible and resilient, and are continuously urged against teeth 279 formed on the inside of the annular rim 267. In ~he illustrated embodiment there are one hundred and seventy-seven teeth 279 at equally spaced-apart intervals. There are twelve pawls 278 integrally connected to the hub 276 at equally spaced-apart intervals.
The teeth 279 comprise respective tooth faces 280 and a recess between adjacent tooth faces 280 in which the end of a pawl 278 can be received. The pawls 278 drive the feed wheel 244 in a driving direction (counterclockwise in FIGURE 15~ but can move in .

2~

a non-driving direction (clockwise in FIGURE 15) relative to the feed wheel 24~ by manually operating the detent mechanism 247.
Accordingly, ev~ry fifth pawl 27~ is engaged with the ace 280 of a tooth 27~. The pawls 278 between every fifth set of pawls are out of engagem~nt with their respective tooth faces 280 by different increments as best illustrated in FIGURE 16. I~ormally, the pawls 278 hold the ratchet wheel 246 and the feed wheel or driver 244 in ~ixed relationship with respect to each other.
With reference to FIGURE 15, as the drive pawl 245 moves counter-clockwise the ratchet wheel 246 is driven counterclockwise and khe three pawls 278 which are in driving engagement with their respective tooth ~aces 280 will drive the feed wheel 244 counter-clockwise. Accordingly, there is no relative rotation between the ratchet wheel 246 and the feed wheel 244. Should it ba desired to change the position to which the labels are advanced by the feed wheel 244 upon actuation of the operator 235, the user will grasp the knobs 270 and 270' and will rotate the knob 270' counterclockwise (FIGURE 1) relative to the knob 270. This will cause the input member 248 to rotate (counter-clockwise in FIGURE 1, clockwise in FIGURE 15) relative to the feed wheel 244 so that the next three successive teeth move into engagement with the next three respective tooth faces 280.
For example, if it is considered that first, fifth and ninth pawls 278 were initially in engagement with respective teeth 279, only a very slight rotation will cause second, sixth and tenth pawls to move into engagement with their respectiva tooth faces 280, and so on. Although any desired numbex of pawls 278 and teeth 280 can be used, the illustrated en~odiment provides ~ ~ 6 Z 3 ~

ver~l minute adjustme~t o F ~he feed wheel 244 relative to the ~laten 217 an~ the peel edge 218 and the arrangement of teeth 280 and cooperating pawls 27~ causes the entire input or drlve member 24~ to ~e centered within the annular ri~ 267. With respect to ~le printing function, adjustment of the detent mechanism 247 changes the position relative to the printing zone between the prin~ head 19 and the platen 217 to which a label 35 is advanced. With respect to the delaminating function, operation of the detent mechanism ~47 also changes the position to which the label 36 is advanced. Accordingly, it is apparent that the detent mechanism 247 is useful both in establishing th~ position to which a label is advanced relative to the pxinting zone and to the delaminating zone.
It is impoxtant that just the correct amount o trailing marginal end edge of the label remain adhered to the peel ~dge so th~ the label 36 is ~eld in ~hat position until it is ready to be applied to merchandise by the applicator 253.
As best shown in FIGURES 15, 17, and lS, the supportiny material 32 is initiall~ brought into engagement with the feed wlleel 244 as it passes around the die wheel 259. The die wheel 259 is comprised of an annular plastic roll ~gl journaled by subframe sections 215 and 216. The roll 281 has frictional members in the form of rubber o-rings 282 received at spaced-apart locations about the periphery of the roll 281. The O-rinys straddle the teeth 249 and are just spaced apart far enoush to act as a die wheel with mating teeth 249. ~s a tooth 249 begins to engage the web of supporting material 32 at the cut 39S

.

~ i%3~

(FIGURE 2), the die wheel 259 cooperates with the tooth 249 to hold ~he supporting material 32 on each side of the group 38 of cuts in intimate contact with the outer surface of the ~eed w}leel 24~ as best sho~m in FIGURE 18. mhis insures that the tooth 249 properly bursts or forms a hole, facilitated by the group 38 of cuts, in the supporting material 32 and that the drive face of the tooth 249 is in driving engagement with the laading cut 41S. When the ~irst tooth 249 registers with the ~roup 38 of cuts in the supporting material 32 the composite web 30 is properly registered with the printing zone and the delaminating zone. Once such registration is accomplished as the result of the tooth 249 cooperating with the die roll 259, correct registration continues.
The platen 217 and the peel edge 218 (FIGURES 1, 3 and 4) are formed from an inversely-bent platP having a pair of side-by-side plate portions 2~3 and 284 joined by an inversely-bent portion 285. The inversely-bent portion 2~5 has a small radius and defines the peel edge 218. The plata portions 283 and 284 are co-extensive and are secured to each other by weldments 236. The plate which forms the platen 217 and the peel edge 213, received in recesses 286' in subframe sections 215 and 216, is preferably constructed of highly polished stainlass steel. The sides of the plate that forms the platen ~17 and the peel edge 218 are received in opposed recesses 286' in ~he subframe sections 215 and 216. A label stopper is provided by a pair of aligned plates 218' formed integrally with the subframe sections 215 and 216. The plates 218' are disposed beneath but are spaced from the ~late 217. Should a label 3 Z~7 attempt to fall onto the supporting material 32 after being delaminated at the peel edge 218, the labels 36 will be caught by the platss 218'. This will prevent any label 36 from continuing along the path through which the supporting material 32 passes af~er passing the peel edge 218.
With refsrence to FIGUP~ 3, the stop block 239 is shown to be slidable on a stop surface 287. The stop block ~39 has a threaded bore 288 which threadably receives an adjusted screw 289. One half of the scxew 289 is rotatably received in a semi-circular groove 290 and one-half of the head 291 of the screw 289 is captive in a semi-circular recess 292 in the seat 2930 The handle portion 233 of the frame section 212 provides another stop surface (not shown) for the stop block 239 in alignment with the stop surface 237, another semi-circular groove (not shown) opposite the groove 290 for receiving the other one-half of the screw 289, and another semi-circular recess (not shown) opposite the recess 292 for receiving the other one-half of the head 291. A hole 294, one-half of which is formed by each handle portion 233 and 234, enables entry of a tool (not shown) by which the head 291 of the screw 289 can be enga~ed to rotate the screw 289. Rotation of the screw in one dixection will cause the stop block 239 to rnove upwardly (FIGURE 3) and rotation of the screw 239 in the opposite direction will cause the stop block 239 to move downwardly (FIGURE 3). It is apparent that adjustment of the position of the stop block 239 will adjust the limit of the travel of the operator 235 Docket M-232-C
23~
With reference to FIGURE 13, the inking mechanism 252 is shown to comprise a one-piece inker body 295 having an aligned pair of sockets 296 having converging openings 297.
The sockets 296 extend for more than 180 so that the ink roll 298 can be snapped into the sockets 296. The inRer body 295 - has a pair of aligned projections 299 which are 6apable of being snapped into sockets 300 (FIGURE 1 ) in the cover 251.
The soc~ets 300 are shaped like the sockets 296. The inker body 295 has an integrally formed leaf spring or spring finger 301 which is shown in FIGURE 14 to be urged against the cover 251. The spring finger 301 normally urges the inking mechanism 252 into the solid line position shown in FIGURE 14. The ink roller 298 is shown in FIGURE 14 to be in the path of but slightly spaced from the print head 219 because in that position the inker body 295 contacts the frame 221 of the print head 21~.
When the print head 219 is moved from the solid line position to the phantom line position, the ink roll 298 applies ink to the printing bands 220 and the entire inking mechanism 252 pivots about projections 299 to the position shown in phantom lines.
When the print head 219 returns to the solid line position shown in FIGURE 14, the spring finger 301 returns the inking mechanism 252 to the solid line position.
With reference to FIGURE 13, the ink roller 298 is shown to comprise a pair of hub section 302 and 303. The hub seCtion 302 has an elongated projection 304 at one end and a stub end 305 at i~s opposite end. The hub section 302 has an annular fl~.nge 3~6 hetween the stub end 305 and a reduced 23'~

portion 307. The reduced portion 307 is disposed hetween the flange 306 and the projection 304. The other hub ~ortion 303 has an annular flange 308 disposed between a reduced portion 309 and a stub ~nd 310. The reduced portion 309 has a bore 304' into which the projection 30~ is adapted to be press-fitted. The projection 304 has straight flutes which serve to lock the hub portions 302 and 303 together. An ink-reeeptive tubular porous roll 311, composed for example of rubber or the like, is received on the reduced portions 307 and 309 of respective hub sections 302 and 303~ The flanges 306 and 308 abut the ends of the roll 311 and prevent the roll 311 from shifting.
I~lith reference to FIGUP~ES 7, 8 and 9, the subframe sections 215 and 216 are shown to have respective integral leaf springs 312 and 313~ The leaf springs 312 and 313 are provided with integral annular brake members 314 and 315 having respective annular brake surfaces 316 and 317. Brake members 314 and 315 are formed integrally with projections or hubs 318 and 319, surfaces 318' and 319' of which are received in and mount label core 44. The brake surfaces 316 and 317 co~perate to exert braking forces on the labeI core 44. Neither the hubs 31~ and 319 nor the brake members 314 and 315 contact the composite web 30 which is wound on the label core 44. In this manner, any gum or adhesive that my exist at the marginal side edges of the composite web 30 will not be transferred to the brake surfaces 316 and 317~ FIGURE 10 illustrates, in exaggerated form, by phantom lines, the initial positions of ~he leaf springs 312 and 313, the brake members 314 and 315 and the hubs 313 and 319. The initial canted position of the ~23~

leaf springs 313, the brake members 315 and the hub 319 relative to the remainder of the s~b~rar~le section 216 is also shown in FIGURE 8. Insertion of the label core 44 onto the hubs 318 and 319 will cause the leaf springs 312 and 313 to ~lex outwardly and the brake surfaces 316 and 317 will exert a pre-determined braking force on the ends of the core 44O The braking force applied to the core 44 will insure that there is tension in the web 32 of supporting material from the label roll to the printing zone, to the peel edge 218, and to the toothed driver 244. As the pawl 266 (FIGURE 15) prevents the reverse rotation of the driver 24~, it is seen that the apparatus maintains a slight but,desirable amount of tension on the web of supporting material 32 at all times.
The fxame 211 comprises an essentially closed shell but the rear part provides an access opening 211' through which a roll of labels can be inserted and a spent core 44 can be removed without ev~n partial disassembly of the apparatus 210.
With reference to FIGURES 20 through 23, there is shown the applicator 253 mounted by the frame 211. The applicator 253 comprises a hub 320 shown to have four annular generally V-shaped ~rooves 321 in which respective wheels 322 are rotatably mounted.
Th~ hub 320 aIso has a pair of annular flanges 323 disposed between the set of three wheels 322 and the remaining whael 322. The wheels 322 have greatsr diametsrs than the ~langes 323. The ends of the hub 320 beyond the grooves 321 are stub ends 324. Undercuts 325 inboard of the stub ends 32~1 enable the hub to be retained in cooperating ~ieldable sockets 32G
and 327 in frame sections 212 and 213. The sockets 32~ and 327 -21~

23~
.

are comprised of a plurality of separate socket sections or flexi~le resilient fingers 328 and 329 to enable the stub ends 32~ to be snappe~ into place. The sockets 326 and 327 and the cooperating stub ends 324 provide opposed snap-fit connections.
The wheels 322 are identical so only one is described in detail. Each wheel 322 is comprised of an annular rim 330 having an annular groove 331 in its outer peripheryO A rubber O-ring 332 is received in the groove 331. A plurality of equally spaced-apart arms 333 formed integrally with the rim 330 have generally V-shaped bearing sections 334 received in the respective groove 321. The bearing sections 334 of the axms 333 exert forces against the hub 320, but enable the wheel 322 to rotate relative to the hub 320 and enable the wheel 322 to yield as a label 36 is being applied to the merch,andise.
As the rubber O-rings 332 have a high coefficient of friction, rotation of the wheels 322 during label application is facilitated. The spacing of the wheels 322 allows the applicator 253 to press the label 36 onto the merchandise t~ithout contacting the printing which was applied to the labels 36 by the print head 219. A5 the label is pressed onto the merchandise, the arms 333 allo~l the wheels to yield. This vielding action is particularly useful when applying labels to merchandise having irregular surfaces in that the wheels 322 are mounted for both independent rotational and independent yielding movements with respect to each other. The flanges 323 prevent the adjacent wheels 322 from deflecting more than a small amo~nt away from the perpendicular ~lith respect to the hub 320.

Referring to FI5URE 24, there is shown an exploded view of the print head 219. The print head frame 221 is shown to comprise a side plate 335 to which the flanges 222 and 223 are joined.. A mounting block 336 is molded integrally with the side plate 335. The block 336 has a platen or pressure member 337 and arcuate mounting surfaces 338. The mounting block 336 also has a socket 339 for receiving a projection 3~0 of the other side plate 341. A post 342 is formed integrally with the side plate 335 in axial alignment with a hole 343 in the side plate 341. A pair of studs or posts 344 formed integrally with the side plate 33S have hooks 345 which engage shoulders 346 of the side plate 341. The side plate 341 has projections 347 which are adapted ~o fit under prsjections 348 on the block 336. When the projections 347 are positioned underneath the projections 348, that is, between the projections 34~ and the side plate 335, the projection 340 is received in the socket 339, and when the hooks 345 are in engagament with shouldars 346, then the frame 221 is securely but releasably locked together.
The printing bands 220 are mounted in the frame 221 as best shown in FIGURE 25. The printing bands 220 are urged against the support or pressure member 337 and are detented because teeth 34g formed on the underside of each of the printing bands 220 are in engagement with notches 350 formed on the side of the support 337. In this position, the ~rojection 340 is 3~

shown received in the socket 339, the printing bands are trained partially around driven members in the form o~ wheels 351, the printing bands 220 are under slight tension, and the wheels ara cradled in and rotatable on the moun~ing surfaces 338. The wheels 351 havs notches 352 in which the teeth 349 are rec~ived.
Each prin~ing band 220 has a plurality of printing blocks or elements 353. The different printing bloc~s 353 of each printing band 220 can print differen~ da~al as is conventional. The printing blocks 353 are contained in a printing section 354 of the printing band 220. The printing band 220 also contains a non-printing human readable section 355. The human readable section 355 contains human readable indicia. The user ]~nows what data the printing block 353 at the pressure member 337 will print by peering through a window 356.
It is often desirable to change ~he data which the print head 219 is to print. This is generally accomplished by advancing the printing band 220 to the printing position in which the selected data will be printed on the label.
selector, ~enerally indicated at 357, has a knob 358 and a shaft or tubular portion 359 received by the yost 342. The selector 357 is freely rotatable about the post 342 and is movable axially so that its driving members or drive elements in the form of lugs 360 can be shifted into driving cooperation with any one of the driven members 351. Each driven member 351 has a central hole 361 which is provided with a plurality of notches 362 for receiving respective lugs 360. Each driven member 351 is also chamfered at the central hole 361 to ths .

driving lugs 360, the selector 357 is shown to have a pair of opposed pawls or spring detent elements or fingers 36'1, the ends of which engage the recesses provided by the chamfering 363. The detent fingers 364 serve to hold the selector 357 in the axial position to which it is manually shifted, but enable the selector 3S7 to be shifted ~o any desired posi~ion so that its driving members 360 will be in driving engagement with the selected driven member 351. Accordingly, by shifting the selector 357, any one or all of the driven members 351 can be rotated, one at a time, which results in ~he respective printing bands or bands 220 being selectively moved to the selected position to print the selected data on the labels.
The driving lugs 360 are spaced slightly from the ends of the recesses or notches 362. Should the user att~mpt to turn the knob 358 so as to apply excessive torque to the selector 357, the driving lugs 360 will deflect and move out of the set of notches 362 in which they are positioned in the driven member 351 and will move into the next set of notches 362 in the same driven member 351. Accordingly, there will be relative rotation between the selector 357 a~d the driven member 351 in which the lugs 360 are received.
There is a spacer 365 between each of the driven members 351 and bands 220. Each of the spacers 365 has a pair of lugs 365' which engage around the ends 366 at the ends of the mounting surface 338.

~iZ3~7 The selector 357 is provided with an annular groove 367 adjacent the knob 358. An indicator, generall~ indicated at 36~, has a split collar 369 with a projection 370 received in the groove 367. The indicator 358 has a rectangular section 371 which defines the window 356. ~lle posts 344 have tongues or guides 344' which are in engagemen~ in grooves 372 in the rectangular section 371. A pair of pointers 373 disposed on the inner surface of the rectangular section 371 are in align ment with the lugs 360 on the selector 357. Accordingly, the pointers 373 indicate ~he position of the lugs 360 so that if the selector 357 is not in position to drive the desired driven member 351 and i~s associated printing band 220, the selector 357 can be shi~ted to a position in which the lugs 360 are in driving engagement with the desired driven mer~er 351 to advance the associated printing band 220 to the selected positionO
As shown in FIGURE 24, the side plate 341 has a projection or lug 374 by which the printing head 219 is guided by the frame s~ctions 212 and 213 by respective guidQs 375 and 376 (see FIGURES 1, 3, 14).
The housing or frame sections 212 and 213 are connected by identical snap-fit connections includin~ generally snap~shaped fle~ible resilient members 377 arranged along the periphery of the housing section 212 and engaged in undercut recesses 378 in the housing section 213. One of these snap-fit connections is shown in detal in FIGU~E 5.

.

~623~

Th~ subframe sections 215 and 216 of the subframe 214 are connec~ed to each othex and the frame sections 212 and 213 of the frama 211 are connected to th subframe 21~ by means of three sets of identical snap-fit connections gensrally indicated at 379, one of which is shown in detail in FIGURE
19. r,Tith reference to FIGURE 19, the frame sections 212 and 213 have respective sockets 380 and 3~1 comprised of a plurality of respective flexible resilient fingers 382 and 333. Tlle subframe section 215 has a projection 384 snap-fittsd into th~ socket 3~0. The projection 384 has a plurality of flexible resîlient spring fingers 3850 The subframe section 216 has a projection 3~6 comprised of a plurality of flexible resilient fingers 387 snap-fitted into the socket 381. The subframe section 215 has a projection 3~8 comprised of a plurality of flexible resilient spring fingers 389 received in a socke~ 390.
The socket 390 is comprised of flexible resilient spriny fingers 391. A projection 392 formed integrally with the frame section 212 extends through the socket 380, through the projectio~
3~4, and to about the end of the projection 388 in the socket 390. The spring fingers 383 of the socket 381 are made thinner and consequently more fl~xible than the spring fingers 383 of the soc~t 380. An attempt to open up the frame 211 by separating the frame sections 212 and 213 ~,~ill cause the frame section 213 to be separated from the subframe section 216~ The frame section 212 will remain connected to the subframe 214. As the frame section 213 is being separated from the subframe 214, the projection 392 prevents the subframe sections 215 and 216 from separatin~
because the spring fingexs 3~9 cannot deflect in~ardly becaus~

.

of the interference provided by the projection 392. Once the frame section 213 has been removed, the inside of the apparatus 213 i5 exposed. It is apparent that accidental unsnappiny of the subframe 214 or the frame section 212 from the subframe ~14 is obviated by this construction. Further disassembly can be accomplished by deliberately unsnapping the subframe 214 from the frame section 212. This is accomplished by moving the projection 384 out of the socket 380. When this has been accomplishad, the projection 392 has movad out of the space between the spriny finyers 389 of the projection 338 and consequently the sub~rame sections ` 215 and 216 can be separated.
With reference to FIGURES 7 through 9 for exa~ple, the subframe section 216 is shown to have four projections 393 which are adapted to be snugly received in recesses 394 at the end of the guide 262~ The projections 393 received in the holQs 3~4 assist in removably hol~ing the subframe sections 215 and 216 together.
i With reference to ~IGURES 1 and 14 the cover 251 is shown to have an L-shaped flange 395 at one end and a projection 396 at its other end. To attach the inking m~chanism 252 to the apparatus, the projection 3~5 is pushed ~nder a shoulcler 397 o the frame section 213 and thersafter the cover 251 is snapped into position by causing the projection 396 to snap under a lip 393 of the frame section 213. In tnis rnanner, the inking mechanism or inker 252 is removably mounted to the apparatus, To remove the inkiny mechanism, the user can engaye his fingernail beneath an extension 399 of the cover 251, thereby causing the projection 396 to snap around ths lip 39~.

~6%37 l~litll refsrence to FIGU~E 6, the operator 235 is shown to pivo~ on the pin 237. It is prererred to pivot the operator 235 at the lower end of the handle 232 in that the user's strongest fingers, namely his index, middle and ring fingers engage the operator 235 at substantial distances from the pivot pin 237, while the user's relatively weak little finger is close to the pivot pin 237. The ends of the pin 237 ar undercut as indicated respectively at 403 and 404. The ends 401 and 402 are received in sockets 405 and 406 in respective frame sections 212 and 213. The sockets 405 and 406 are comprised of respective flexible resilient fingers 407 and 408. The operator 235, as best shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, is shown to be generally U-shaped in section. Legs 409 and 410 are shown to be rotatably received about the pin 237. The spiral or torsion spring 23 is shown to be receiv~d on pin 237 between the legs 409 and 410. If it is desired to remove the frame section 213, the frame section 213 is moved relatively away from the frame section 212 causing the socket 406 to move out of snap-fit engagement with the end 402. Only when the operator 235 is moved away rom the frame section 212 _an the end 401 move ou~ of the soc~et 405 because of interference caused by leg 409. This construction obviates accidental disconnection of the pin 237 from the frame sections 212.
With reference to FIGURE 28, there is shown an alternative construction by which a selector 357a having a plurality of driving lugs 360a like the lugs 360 and also having a pair of opposed pawls 364a, selectively controls the setting of a selected driven member or wheel 351a. The embodiment o FIGURE 2g differs rom the embodiment of the print head 219 shown for e~ample in FIGURES 24 through 28 in that each of the ~623~

driven members 351a is provided wi~h an internal annular groove 411 and the cllamfering 363 (F~GURE 27) is omitted.
Accordinyly, instead of having the pawl 364a engage between adjacent drivan members 351 as shown in FIGURES 26 and 27 for example, the pawls 364a engage in the groove 411 of one of the driven members 351a, and as is preferred in the groove 411 of the same wheel with which the lugs 360a are in driving engagement. By this construc~ion, the driving func~ion as well as the detenting function are accomplished by the selector 357a in cooperation with a single driven member 351a.
FIGURE 27 is actually an alternative embodiment which shows the detenting of one of the pawls 364 in recesses or grooves provided by beveling or chamfering 363. FIGUR~ 27 shows one of the wheels 351 as wider than the adjacent wheel 351 to show that the selector 357 in accordance with the invention can work equally wall with wheels 351 of different sizes without affecting datenting. With such a construction some of the printing bands 220 can be wider than others as is highly desirable in some applications.
With reference to FIGURES 29 and 30, there is shown another embodiment of a selector generally indicated at 357b.
The selector 357b is the same as the selector 357 in that it has four drive lugs 360b, and a pair of opposed pawls 364b.
The selector 357b differs from the selector 357 only in that the selector 357 is of one-piece construction and the selector 357b is of two-piece constructionO The selector 357b comprises body sections 412 and 413 snap-fitted together. The body section 412 has a non-circular hole, and in particular a square hol~ 414, and the body section 413 has a corresponding square portion 415 -~96~37 received in the hole 41~. By this construction, the body sections 412 and 413 are incapable of rotating relative to each other. The body section 413 has four flexible resilient fingers 416 terminating at projections 417 shown in FIGURE 29 to be received over a bead 418. In this posi~ion, an annular flange 419 is in abutment with a shoulder 420 on the body section 412. The selector 357b is used in the same manner as the selector 357. If desired, the selector 357a (FIGURE 28) car. be made in two parts as illustrated in FIGURES 29 and 30.
Referring to the embodiment of FIGURE 31, there is shown a print head generally indicated at 219c having two spaced-apart sets of pri~ting members 220c. The print head 219c has ~wo ~ets of mounting blocks 366c~ two sets of driven members 351c and posts 344c, all formed integrally with side plate 335c. Flanges 222c and 223c and gear sections 224c and 225c are spaced apart wider than the flanges 222 and 223 and gear sections 224 and 225. Accordingly~ the pair of gears (not shown) which would mesh with gear sections 224c and 225c would have ko be spaced apart by a greater distance than the gears 242 and 243. It is also apparent that ball tracks (not shown) which would correspond to the ball tracks 230 and 231 would have to be spaced wider apart, as would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. Side plate 341c carries a guide member 374c. The side plate 341c rotatably mounts a pair of selectors 357c for the respective set of driven members 351c.
The posts 3~c mount respective rectangular sections 371c which provide respective windows 356c. It is readily apparent that with slight modification the print head 219c can be operated ~623~

by a mechanism the same in principle and construction as the mechanism which operates the print head 219, Referring to the embodiment of FIGURES 32, 33 and 34, there is provided a selector 357d which is identical to the selector 357. Printing members take the form of print wheels 220d. Each print wheel 220d is shown to be identical and comprises printing elements 421 carried by an annular hub ~22. A mounting and detenting wheel 423 is shown to be formed integrally with each side of the hub 422. The wheels 423 have generally annular outer surfaces 424 received in sockets 425 of adjacent mounting members 426. The sockets 4 5 comprise an annular portion 427 and a pair of flexible resilient arms 428 formed integrall~ therewith. Accordingly/ the print wheels 220d can be insexted either axially into the sockets 425 or they can be inserted,into or removed ~rom the respective soc~ets 425 by spreading arms 428. Mounting members 426 are provided with racesses 429 in which offset integrally formed det~nt pawls or spring fingers 420 and 431 are disposed. The pawl 430 of one mounting member 426 is cooperable with notches 430' to effect detenting of an adjacent print wheel 220d on one side of tl~s mounting member 426, and the other is cooperable with notchas 431' to effect detenting of the adjacent print wheel 220d on the other side of the mounting memher 226.
Each wheel 220d has a central hole 432, the ends o~
which are chamfered as indicated at 433. As best shown in FIGURE 34, pawls or detent elements 364d are received in the chamfering between adjacent wheels 220d and drive elements or lugs 360d are in driving engagement with notches 362d in the adjacent print wheel 220d. ~lotches 352d and associated lugs l~9GZ~

362d' of each wheel 220d constitute a driven element which can be driven by the drive elements 360do If desired, detenting can be effectad in the manner illustrated in the embodiment of FIGURE 28.
It is preferred to mold the driver or feed wheel 244 of a material which incorpoxates a lubricant to diminish the amount o~ gum or adhesive that is transferred to the feed wheel 244 during use to prevent improper feeding. By incorporating the lubricant in the feed wheel 244 the surface of the feed wheel 244 has a low coefficient of friction. However, the teeth 249 are adequate to grip and drive the web 32. One specific material to be used to mold the feed wheel is an acetal resin combined with polytetra~luoroethylene lubricants. One such material is sold commercially under the name Thermocomp, Number K~-4030 by Liquid Nitrogen Processing Corporation, Malvern, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. The remainder of the apparatus in FIGURES 1 through 34 except for the platen 217, O rings 282 and 332, the ball ~earings 228 and 229, the spring 23~, the washers 365, and rubber printing bands 220~ are composed of suitable lightweight moldable plastic materials, for example, acetal, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, or the like, but the in~ roll 311 is preferably constructed of porous vinyl.
Accordingly, the apparatus is very light in weight, and ~asy and convenient to use with a minimum of fatigue.
Other embodiments and modifications of this invention will suggest themselves to those s~illed in the ar~, and all such of these as come within the spirit of this invention are included within its scope as best defined by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

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

1. For a printing apparatus: an inker including an ink roller and an inker body, means for rotatably mounting the ink roller to the inker body, a spring finger having first and second end portions and having a curvature located between its first and second end portions, the spring finger being connected at its first end portion to the inker body, the spring finger being adapted to resiliently urge the inker body and the ink roller which it mounts in one direction, and mounting means connected to the inker body and disposed at opposite sides of the curvature in the spring finger and adapted to movably mount the inker body.

2. For a printing apparatus: an inker including an ink roller and an inker body, means for rotatably mounting the ink roller to the inker body, a spring finger having first and second end portions and having a curvature located between its first and second end portions, the spring finger being connected at its first end portion to the inker body, the spring finger being adapted to resiliently urge the inker body and the ink roller which it mounts in one direction, and spaced-apart arms connected to the inker body and disposed at opposite sides of the curvature in the spring finger for mounting the inker body, each arm being spaced outwardly from the spring finger.

3. The combination defined in claim 1, including pivotal mounting means connected to the arms and adapted to pivotally mount the inker body.

4. For a printing apparatus: an inker including an ink roller and an inker body, the inker body having snap-sockets, means received in the snap-sockets for rotatably mounting the ink roller to the inker body, a spring finger having first and second end portions and having a curvature located between its first and second end portions, the spring finger being connected at its first end portion to the inker body, the spring finger being adapted to resiliently urge the inker body and the ink roller which it mounts in one direction, and mounting means connected to the inker body and disposed at opposite sides of the curvature in the spring finger and adapted to movably mount the inker body.

5. For a printing apparatus: an inker including an ink roller and an inker body, the inker body having snap-sockets, means received in the snap-sockets for rotatably mounting the ink roller to the inker body, a spring finger having first and second end portions and having a curvature located between its first and second end portions, the spring finger being connected at its first end portion to the inker body, the spring finger being adapted to resiliently urge the inker body and the ink roller which it mounts in one direction, and spaced-apart arms connected to the inker body and disposed at opposite sides of the curvature in the spring finger for mounting the inker body, each arm being spaced outwardly from the spring finger.

6. For a printing apparatus: an inker including an ink roller and an inker body, the inker body having snap-sockets, means received in the snap-sockets for rotatably mounting the ink roller to the inker body, a spring finger having first and second end portions and having a curvature located between its -first and second end portions, the spring finger being disposed at the other end of the inker body, the spring finger being adapted to resiliently urge the inker body and the ink roller which it mounts in one direction, and spaced-apart mounting arms connected to the inker body and disposed on opposite sides of the curvature in the spring finger.

7. For a printing apparatus: an inker including an ink roller and an inker body, the inker body having snap-sockets disposed at one end of the inker body, means received in the snap-sockets for rotatably mounting the ink roller to the inker body, a spring finger having first and second end portions and having a curvature located between its first and second end portions, the inker body being of one-piece plastics construction and the spring finger being formed integrally with the one-piece body, the spring finger being connected at its first end portion to the inker body, the spring finger being disposed at the other end of the inker body, the spring finger being adapted to resiliently urge the inker body and the ink roller which it mounts in one direction, and spaced-apart mounting arms connected to the inker body and disposed at opposite sides of the curvature in the spring finger.

8. For a printing apparatus: an inker body adapted to mount an ink roller, a spring finger having first and second end portions and having a curvature located between its first and second end portions, the spring finger being connected at its first end portion to the inker body, the spring finger being adapted to resiliently urge the inker body in one direction, and mounting means connected to the inker body and disposed at opposite sides of the curvature in the spring finger and adapted to movably mount the inker body.

9. For a printing apparatus: an inker body adapted to mount an ink roller, a spring finger having first and second end portions and having a curvature located between its first and second end portions, the spring finger being connected at its first end portion to the inker body, the spring finger being adapted to resiliently urge the inker body in one direction, and spaced-apart arms connected to the inker body and disposed at opposite sides of the curvature in the spring finger for mounting the inker body, each arm being spaced outwardly from the spring finger.

10. The combination defined in claim 9, including pivotal mounting means connected to the arms and adapted to pivotally mount-the inker body.