US3798106A

US3798106A - Label printing and applying apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3798106A
Application number: US00205854A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Jenkins; P Hamisch
Original assignee: Monarch Marking Systems Inc
Current assignee: Avery Dennison Retail Information Services LLC
Priority date: 1971-12-08
Filing date: 1971-12-08
Publication date: 1974-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 1991-03-19
Also published as: CA984666A; CA1004633A

Abstract

The apparatus feeds pressure sensitive labels mounted on a web of supporting material to a printing zone and to a delaminating zone. An applicator disposed downstream of the delaminating zone is used to apply the labels to merchandise.

Description

March 19, 1974 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 8, 1971 March 19, 1974 w JENKINS ETAL 3,798,196

LABEL PRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. a, 1971 RN mum March 19, 1974 w, A, JEN INS gm. 3,798,106

LABEL PRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 8, 1971 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 wil j .l L 1.- 1 .L

3/] 3/7 3 5 3 9 FIG IOM March 19, 1974 w JENKINS ET AL 3,798,106

LABEL PRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 8, 1971 7 Shets-Sheet 4 25/ FIG-l4 30 m j 2 m 195 W4, .9 m

March 19, 1974 w JENKINS ETAL 3,798,106

LABEL PRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS 7- Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 8, 1971 March 19, 1974 w JENKINS ETAL 3,798,106

LABEL PRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 8, 1971 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG-26 A ii March 19, 1974 w JENKINS ET AL 3,798,106

LABEL PRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 8, 1971 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 FIG-32 United States Patent Oflice 3,798,106 Patented Mar. 19, 1974 LABEL PRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS William A. Jenkins, Englewood, and Paul H. Hamisch,

Jr., Franklin, Ohio, assignors to Monarch Marking Systems, Inc., Dayton, Ohio Filed Dec. 8, 1971, Ser. No. 205,854 Int. Cl. B32b 31/00 U.S. Cl. 156-384 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE There is disclosed label printing and applying apparatus by which labels are successively printed and applied to merchandise. The apparatus feeds pressure sensitive labels mounted on a web of supporting material to a printing zone and to a delaminating zone. An applicator disposed downstream of the delaminating zone is used to apply the labels to merchandise.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This invention relates to the art of pressure sensitive labels, method and apparatus for making and using same, and label printing and applying machines.

Brief description of the prior art Various U.S. Pats. Nos. 1,642,387, 2,259,358, 2,275,- 064, 2,502,257, 2,516,487, 2,620,205, 2,656,063, 3,051,- 353, 3,265,553, 3,343,485, 3,440,123, 3,501,365, 3,551,- 251 and 611,929 and British Pat. No. 1,057,126, Feb. 1, 1967 are made of record.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention resides in label printing and applying apparatus, a specific embodiment of which is comprised of a pair of frame sections, a subframe disposed in the frame, and a print head mounted for movement by the subfra-me. A composite web of pressure sensitive labels is held by the subframe and composite web is paid out of the roll and guided to a printing zone and from there to a delaminating zone where one label at a time is delaminated from a web of supporting material. The supporting material form which the labels have been delaminated is engaged by a toothed feed wheel which cooperates with a die wheel to form feed holes in the supporting material. The formation of feed holes is facilitated by weakening the supporting material adjacent to but downstream of cuts which provide feed edges. As the teeth of the driver cooperate with the die wheel, the teeth rupture through the weakening in the supporting material and bring the labels into registration with the printing zone and the delaminating zone each time a manual operator is actuated. In order to maintain tension on the supporting material all the way from the supply roll to the toothed feed wheel, the structure by which the roll is mounted comprises not only means for providing a pair of hubs which extend into the label core, but also brake surfaces carried by the subframe engage only the ends of the label core and exert a braking force for preventing undesired rotation of the roll. Printing is effected by a print head movable into and out of printing cooperation relative to a platen. The print head has a pair of ball tracks. Each subframe section has an external ball track. A ball bearing is received in one print head ball track and a respective subframe ball track and another ball bearing is received in the other print head ball track and the respective subframe ball track.

There are also provided various sets of snap-fit connections for holding the frame sections together. One set of these snap-fit connections provides a snapfit connection between the frame sections. Another set provides a snap-fit connection between each frame section and the subframe and also between the subframe sections. Means are also provided for preventing the subframe section from being accidentally unsnapped while one of the frame sections is being unsnapped from the other frame section. By this arrangement the apparatus can be disassembled systematically without the accidental disassembly of those components which the user desires be maintained intact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of label printing and applying apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partly broken away top plan view of a composite web useful in the label printing and applying apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of one of the subframe sections of the apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the other subframe section;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view showing the manner in which the label core for the roll of labels is held and the manner in which braking force is applied by the sub frame sections;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken generally along line 12-12 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the inking mechanism;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view showing a fragmentary portion of the apparatus in solid lines, and in particular showing a fragmentary portion of the print head and the inking mechanism in both solid and phantom line positions;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 16 is a developed view showing the arrangement of the teeth of the detent mechanism;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken generally along line 18-18 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing one of the three sets of snap-fit connections used to interconnect the frame and the subframe;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of an applicator roll shown mounted in the frame of the apparatus;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along line 21-21 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along line 22-22 of 16 21, but omitting the shaft and the frictional mem- FIG. 23 is a partly sectional view of the mounting shaft which forms part of the applicator roll;

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the print head;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view of the print head taken generally along line 25-25 of FIG. 3; I

FIG. 26 is a sectional view showing the selector in relationship to the associated driven wheels;

FIG. 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 diflr'erent widths;

FIG. 28 is a view similar to a fragmentary portion of FIG. 26, but showing the manner in which detenting can be effected directly on a wheel;

FIG. 29 is an enlarged, partly sectional, elevational view showing an alternative arrangement for constructing the selector;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing the driving member depicted in FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a partly exploded perspective view of a modified print head in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 32 is an exploded perspective view of the selector in association with type wheels and mounting structure for the type wheels;

FIG. 33 is an end elevational view of the type wheels and the selector assembled in the mounting members; and

FIG. 34 is a sectional view taken generally along line 34-34 of FIG. 33.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to a label printing and applying apparatus generally indicated at 210 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 27, and initially to FIG. 1, there is shown to be a housing or main frame generally indicated at 211. The housing or frame 211 is specifically shown to include a pair of

frame sections

212 and 213. Disposed within the housing 211 is a subframe generally 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 print head generally indicated at 219 is mounted by the subframe 214. More specifically, the print head 219 includes a plurality of selectable settable printing members 220 in the form of endless printing bands mounted by a print head frame 221. Extending from the frame 221 are a pair of

flanges

222 and 223. Gear sections or specifically racks 224 and 225 are provided at the ends of the

respective flanges

222 and 223.

Opposed tracks

226 and 227 are formed on the

respective flanges

222 and 223 to receive

straight ball bearings

228 and 229. The

subframe sections

215 and 216 have

respective tracks

230 and 231. The ball bearing 228 is received in the track 226 of the flange 222 and in the track 230, and the ball bearing 229 is received 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, the 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 portion

233 and 234. An operator generally indicated at 235 is shown to comprise a pivotally operated lever 236 pivotally mounted by a post 237 at the lower end of the handle 232. The lever 236 is normally urged in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 1) by a torsion spring 238 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 of the operating lever 235 carries a pair of spaced-apart

gear sections

240 and 241. The

gear sections

240 and 241 are shown to be in the form of spur gear 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 the print head 219.

A roll of pressure sensitive labels, in the form for example of the composite web 30 shown in FIG. 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 respect to the platen 2 17 and the supporting material 32 is engaged by a toothed driver 244. The gear 243 carries an integral pawl 245 cooperable with a ratchet wheel 246 which is coupled to the driver 244 by a detent mechanism generally indicated at 247. An input or drive member 248 of the detent mechanism 247 is shown in FIG. 1. The toothed driver 244 has a plurality of equally spaced apart drive teeth 249 arranged about its outer periphery. The pawl 245 is integrally joined at but one end to the gear 243. The pawl 245 is flexible and resilient and can 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 members 220 of the print head 219. The

housing sections

212 and 213 mount an applicator 253 disposed downstream of the peel edge 218.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown composite web 30 of label material 31 releasably adhered to and carried by supporting or backing material 32. The label material 31 is cut 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 labels 36. The underside of the web 31 of label material has a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive 37 which adheres strongly to the web 31 of label material. The web 32 of supporting material carries a thin film or coating (not shown) which allows the labels to be peeled from the web 32 of supporting material.

Groups 38 of cuts are provided at equally spaced apart intervals along the length of the composite web 30. Each group 38 of cuts is shown to extend through the supporting material as well as through the label material. Each group of cuts is shown to be made in a generally I-shaped configuration comprised of

cuts

398, 405 and 418 in the supporting material and aligned cuts 39L, 40L and 41L in the label material. The part of the web 32 bet-ween the one end of the cut 395 and the cut 408 provides a frangible portion 43S and the part of the web 32 between the other end of the cut 398 and the cut 415 provides frangible portion 428. In like manner, the part of the label material between the end of the cut 39L and the cut 40L provides a frangible portion 43L and the part between the other end of the cut 39L and the cut 41L provides a frangible portion 42L.

Referring to FIG. 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 (FIG. 9) in the subframe section 215 and a cooperating groove 255 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 7) in the subframe section 216. From there the composite web 30 passes partly around a roll 256 and into overlying relationship with the platen 217. Delamination is effected at the peel edge 218 formed at the end of the platen 217. The supporting material 32 is drawn around the peel edge 218 beneath the platen 217 and passes partly around a roll 257, below the guide 258 and between the toothed driver 244 and the mating die wheel 259. As a tooth 249 moves into mating cooperation with the die wheel 25-9, the tooth 249 engages the supporting material 32 at the longitudinal cut 398 and effects rupturing or bursting of the frangible portions 428 and 43S,

whereupon the tooth 249 which is in mating c-oopera tion with the die wheel 259 (FIG. 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 the supporting material 232 as the driver 244 rotates.

Opposed guide grooves

262 and 263 formed in the

subframe sections

215 and 216 guide the supporting material 32 to an exit opening 264. Excess supporting material which dangles from the apparatus 210 can be readily torn off at the exit opening 264.

With reference to FIG. 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 239. In this position of the operator 235, the flexible resilient pawl 245 (FIG. 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 (FIG. 3) returns the operator 235 against stop 239' to the solid line position shown in FIG. 3. While the op erator 235 is returning to the solid line position from the fully actuated position indicated by phantom lines 235', the gear sections 240 and 241 (FIGS. 3 and 4) rotate

gears

242 and 243 clockwise (FIG. 3) to return the print head 219 to the solid line position from the position shown by phantom lines 219' and to drive the pawl 245 from the position shown by phantom lines 245' to the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 15. Thus, the pawl 245, which is in engagement with a tooth 265, drives the ratchet wheel 246 counterclockwise (FIG. 15). This counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel 246 (FIG. 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 (FIGS. 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 from being accidentally moved in the return direction.

As best shown in FIG. 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 another hub section 268" extending in the opposite direction. The hub section 268' terminates at a knob 270, and the hub section 268" terminates at a knob 270'. The gear 242 is rotatably journaled on and with respect to 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. The gear 243 has a hub 277 rotatably received in a bearing 278 formed integrally with the housing section 213. As seen in FIG. 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 FIG. 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 the 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 FIG. 15) but can move in a nondriving direction (clockwise in FIG. 15) relative to the feed wheel 244 by manually operating the detent mechanism 247. Accordingly, every fifth pawl 278 is engaged with the face 280 of a tooth 279. The pawls 278 between every fifth set of pawls are out of engagement with their respective tooth faces 280 by different increments as best illustrated in FIG. 16. Normally, the pawls 27 8 hold the ratchet wheel 246 and the feed wheel or driver 244 in fixed relationship with respect to each other. With reference to FIG. 15, as the drive pawl 245 moves counterclockwise the ratchet wheel 246 is driven counterclockwise and the three pawls 278 which are in driving engagement with their respective tooth faces 280 will drive the feed wheel 244 counterclockwise. Accordingly, there is no relative rotation between the ratchet wheel 246 and the feed wheel 244. Should it be desired to change the position to which the labels are advanced by the feed wheel 244 upon actuation of the operator 235, the user will grasp the knobs 270 and 270' and will rotate the knob 270" counterclockwise (FIG. 1) relative to the knob 270. This will cause the input member 248 to rotate (counterclockwise in FIG. 1, clockwise in FIG. 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 intially in engagement with respective teeth 279, only a very slight rotation will cause second, sixth and tenth pawls to move into engagement with their respective tooth faces 280, and so 011. Although any desired number of pawls 278 and teeth 280 can be used, the illustrated embodiment provides very minute adjustment of the feed wheel 244 relative to the platen 217 and the peel edge 218 and the arrangement of teeth 280 and cooperating pawls 278 causes the entire input or drive member 248 to be centered within the annular rim 267. With respect to the printing function, adjustment of the detent mechanism 247 changes the position relative to the printing zone between the print head 219 and the platen 217 to which a label 36 is advanced. With respect to the delaminating function, operation of the detent mechanism 247 also changes the position to which the label 36 is advanced. accordingly, it is apparent that the detent mechanism 247 s useful both in establishing the position to which a label is advanced relative to the printing zone and to the delaminating zone. It is important that just the correct amount of trailing marginal end edge of the label remain adhered to the peel edge so that the label 36 is held in that position until it is ready to be applied to merchandise by the applicator 253.

As best shown in FIGS. 15, 17, and 18, the supporting material 32 is initially brought into engagement with the feed wheel 244 as it passes around the die wheel 259. The die wheel 259 is comprised of an annular plastic roll 281 journaled by

subframe sections

215 and 216. 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-rings straddle the teeth 249 and are just spaced apart far enough to act as a die wheel with mating teeth 249. As a tooth 249 begins to engage the web of supporting material 32 at the cut 398 (FIG. 2), the die wheel 259 cooperates with the tooth 249 to hold the supporting material 32 on each side of the group 38 of cuts in intimate contact with the outer surface of the feed wheel 244 as best shown in FIG. 18. This 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 leading cut 41S. When the first tooth 249 registers with the group 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 (FIGS. 1 and 3) are formed from an inversely-bent plate having a pair of side-by-

side plate portions

283 and 284 joined by an inversely-bent portion 285. The inversely-bent portion 285 has a small radius and defines the peel edge 218. The

plate portions

283 and 284 are co-extensive and are secured to each other by weldments 286. The plate which forms the platen 217 and the peel edge 218, received in recesses 286' in

subframe sections

215 and 216, is preferably constructed of highly polished stainless steel. The sides of the plate that forms the platen 217 and the peel edge 218 are received in opposed recesses 286' in the

subframe sections

215 and 216. A label stopper is provided by a pair of aligned plates 218' formed integrally with the

subframe sections

215 and 216. The plates 218 are disposed beneath but are spaced from the plate 217. Should a label 36 attempt to fall onto the supporting material 32 after being delaminated at the peel edge 218, the labels 36 will be caught by the plates 218. This will prevent any label 36 from continuing along the path through which the supporting material 32 passes after passing the peel edge 218.

With reference to FIG. 3, the stop block 239 is shown to be slidable on a stop surface 287. The stop block 239 has a threaded bore 288 which threadably receives an adjusted screw 289'. One half of the screw 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 293. 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 2 87, another semi-circular groove (not shown) opposite the groove 290 for receiving the other one-half of the screw 289, and another semicircular 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 engaged to rotate the screw 289. Rotation of the screw in one direction will cause the stop block 239 to move upwardly (FIG. 3) and rotation of the screw 289 in the opposite direction will cause the stop block 239 to move downwardly (FIG. 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.

With reference to FIG. 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 inker body 295 has a pair of aligned projections 299 which are capable of being snapped into sockets 300 (-FIG. 1) in the cover 251. The sockets 300 are shaped like the sockets 296. The inker body 295 has an integrally formed leaf spring or spring finger 301 which is shown in FIG. 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 FIG. 14. The ink roller 298 is shown in FIG. 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 219. 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 FIG. 14, the spring finger 301 returns the inking mechanism 252 to the solid line position.

With reference to FIG. 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 its opposite end. The hub section 302 has an annular flange 306 between the stub end 305 and a reduced portion 307. The reduced portion 307 is disposed between the flange 306 and the projection 304. The other hub portion 303 has an annular flange 308 dis posed between a reduced portion 309 and a stub end 310. The reduced portion 309 has a bore 304' into which the projection 304 is adapted to be pressfitted. The projec tion 304 has straight flutes which serve to lock the

hub portions

302 and 303 together. An ink-receptive tubular porous roll 311, composed for example of rubber or the like, is received on the reduced portions 307 and 309 of

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.

With reference to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the

subframe sections

215 and 216 are shown to have respective integral leaf springs 3'12 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 3115 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 cooperate to exert braking forces on the label core 44. Neither the hubs 3'18 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 may exist at the marginal side edges of the composite web 30 will not be transferred to the brake surfaces 316 and 317. FIG. 10 illustrates, in exaggerated form, by phantom lines, the initial positions of the

leaf springs

312 and 313, the

brake members

314 and 315 and the

hubs

318 and 319. The initial canted position of the leaf springs 313, the brake members 315 and the hub 319 relative to the remainder of the subframe section 216 is also shown in FIG. 8. Insertion of the label core 44 onto the

hubs

318 and 319 will cause the

leaf springs

312 and 313 to flex outwardly and the brake surfaces 316 and 317 will exert a predetermined braking force on the ends of the core 44. The braking force applied to the core 44 will insure that there is tension in the web 32 of 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 (-FIG. 15) prevents the reverse rotation of the driver 244, 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 frame 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 even partial disassembly of the apparatus 210.

With reference to FIGS. 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 grooves 321 in which respective wheels 322 are rotatably mounted. The hub 320 also has a pair of annular flanges 323 disposed between the set of three wheels 322 and the remaining wheel 322. The wheels 322 have greater diameters than the flanges 323. The ends of the hub 320 beyond the grooves 321 are stub ends 324. Undercuts 325 inboard of the stub ends 324 enable the hub to be retained in cooperating

yieldable sockets

326 and 327 in

frame sections

212 and 213. The

sockets

326 and 327 are comprised of a plurality of sepa rate socket sections or flexible

resilient fingers

328 and 329 to enable the stub ends 324 to be snapped 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 pehiphery. 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 hearing sections 334 received in the respective groove 321. The bearing sections 334 of the arms 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 merchandise.

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 without contacting the printing which was applied to the labels 36 by the print head 219. As the label is pressed onto the merchandise, the arms 333 allow the wheels to yield. This yielding action is particularly useful when applying labels to merchandise having irregular surfaces in that the wheels 322 are mounted for both independent rotational and independent yielding movements with respect to each other. The flanges 323 prevent the adjacent wheels 322 from deflecting more than a small amount away from the perpendicular with respect to the hub 320.

Referring to FIG. 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 340 of the other side plate 341. A post 342 is formed integrally with the side plate 335 in axial alignment with a hole 343 in the side plate 341. A pair of posts 344 formed formed integrally with the side plate 335 have hooks 345 which engage shoulders 346 of the side plate 341. The side plate 341 has projections 347 which are adapted to fit under projections 348 on the block 336. When the projections 347 are positioned underneath the proejctions 348, that is, between the projections 348 and the side plate 335, the projection 340 is received in the socket 339, and when the hooks 345 are in engagement with shoulders 346, then the frame 221 is securely but releasably locked together.

The printing bands 220 are mounted in the frame 221 as best shown in FIG. 25. The printing bands 220 are urged against the support or pressure member 337 and are detented because teeth 349 formed on the understide of each of the printing bands 220 are in engagement with notches 350 formed on the side of the support 337. In this position, the projection 340 is shown received in the socket 339, the printing bands are trained partially around driven members in the form of wheels 351, the printing bands 220 are under slight tension, and the wheels are cradled in and rotatable on the mounting surfaces 338. The wheels 351 have notches 352 in which the teeth 349 are received.

Each printing band 220 has a plurality of printing blocks 353. The different printing blocks 353 of each printing band 220 can print different data, as in conventional. The printing blocks 353 are contained in a printing section 354 of the printing band 220. The printing band 220 also contains a non-printing human readable section 355. The human readable section 355 contains human readable indicia. The user knows what data the printing block 353 at the pressure member 337 will print by peering through a window 356.

It is often desirable to change the 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. A selector, generally indicated at 357, has a knob 358 and a shaft or tubular portion 359 received by the post 342. The selector 357 is freely rotatable about the post 342 and is movable axially so that its driving members or 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 as best indicated at 363. In addition to the driving lugs 360, the selector 357 is shown to have a pair of opposed pawls or spring detent fingers 364, the ends of which engage the recesses provided by the chamfering 363. The detent fingers 36'4 serve to hold the selector 357 in the axial position to which it is manually shifted, but enable the selector 357 to be shifted to any desired position so that its driving 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 the respective printing bands or hands 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 attempt 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 and 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.

The selector 357 is provided with an annular groove 367 adjacent the knob 358. An indicator, generally indicated at 368, has a split collar 369 with a projection 370 received in the groove 367. The indicator 368 has a rectangular section 371 which defines the window 356. The posts 344 have tongues or guides 344' which are in engagement in grooves 372 in the rectangular section 371. A pair of pointers 373 disposed on the inner surface of the rectangular section 371 are in alignment with the lugs 360 on the selector 357. Accordingly, the pointers 373 indicate the position of the lugs 360 so that if the selector 357 is not in position to drive the desired driven member 351 and its associated printing band 220, the selector 357 can be shifted to a position in which the lugs 360 are in-g driving engagement with the desired driven member 351 to advance the associated printing band 220 to the selected position.

As shown in FIG. 24, the side plate 341 has a projection or lug 374 by which the printing head 219- is guided by the

frame sections

212 and 213 by respective guides 375 and 376 (see FIGS. 1, 3, 14).

The housing or

frame sections

212 and 213 are connected by identical snapfit connections including generally snap shaped flexible resilient members 377 arranged along the periphery of the housing section 212 and engaged in undercut recesses 378 in the housing section 213. One of these snap-fit connections is shown in detail in FIG. 5.

The

subframe sections

215 and 2 16 of the subframe 214 are connected to each other and the

frame sections

212 and 213 of the frame 211 are connected to the subframe 214 by means of three sets of identical snap-fit connections generally indicated at 379, one of which is shown in detail in FIG. 19. With reference to FIG. 19, the

frame sections

212 and 213 have

respective sockets

380 and 381 comprised of a plurality of respective flexible

resilient fingers

382 and 383. The subframe section 215 has a projection 384 snap-fitted into the socket 380. The projection 384 has a plurality of flexible resilient spring fingers 385. The subframe section 216 has a projection 386 comprised of a plurality of flexible resilient fingers 387 snap-fitted into the socket 381. The subframe section 215 has a projection 388 comprised of a plurality of fiexible resilient spring fingers 389 received in a socket 390. The socket 390 is comprised of flexible resilient spring fingers 391. A projection 392 formed integrally with the frame section 212 extends through the socket 380, through the projection 384, and to about the end of the projection 388 in the socket 390. The spring fingers 383 of the socket 381 are made thinner and consequently more flexible than the spring fingers 382 of the socket 380. An attempt to open up the frame 211 by separating the

frame sections

212 and 213 will cause the frame section 213 to be separated from the sub-frame 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 separating because the spring fingers 389 cannot deflect inwardly because of the interference provided by the projection 392. Once the frame section 213 has been removed, the inside of the apparatus 210 is exposed. It is apparent that accidental unsnapping of the subframe 214 or the frame section 212 from the subrame 214 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 accomplished, the projection 392 has moved out of the space between the spring fingers 389 of the projection 388 and consequently the

subframe sections

215 and 216 can be separated.

With reference to FIGS. 7 through 9 for example, 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 holes 394 assist in removably holding the

subframe sections

215 and 216 together.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 14 the cover 251 is shown to have an L-shaped flange 395 at one end and a projection 396 at its other end. To attach the inking mechanism 252 to the apparatus, the projection 395 is pushed under a shoulder 397 of the frame section 213 and thereafter the cover 251 is snapped into position by causing the projection 396 to snap under a lip 398 of the frame section 213. In this manner, the inking mechanism or inker 252 is removably mounted to the apparatus. To remove the inking mechanism, the user can engage his fingernail beneath an extension '399 of the cover 251, thereby causing the projection 396 to snap around the lip 398.

With reference to FIG. 6, the operater 235 is shown to pivot on the pin 237. It is preferred to pivot the operator 235 at the lower end of the handle 232 in that the users strongest fingers, namely his index, middle and ring fingers engage the operator 235 at substantial distances from the pivot pin 237, while the users relatively weak little finger is close to the pivot pin 237. The ends of the pin 237 are undercut as indicated respectively at 403 and 404. The ends 401 and 402 are received in

sockets

405 and 406 in

respective frame sections

212 and 213. The

sockets

405 and 406 are compirsed of respective flexible

resilient fingers

407 and 408. The operator 235, as best shown in FIGS. 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 238 is shown to be received on pin 237 between the

legs

409 and 410. If it is desired to remove the frame section 213, the frame section 213 is moved 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 from the frame section 21-2 can the end 401 move out of the socket 405 because of interference caused by leg 409. This construction obviates accidental disconnection of the pin 237 from the frame sections 212.

With reference to FIG. 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 of FIG. 28 differs from the embodiment of the print head 219 shown for example in FIGS. 24 through 27 in that each of the driven members 351ais provided with an internal annular groove 411 and the chamfering 363 (FIG. 27) is omitted. Accordingly, instead of having the pawl 364a engage between adjacent driven members 351 as shown in FIGS. 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 construction, the driving function as well as the detenting function are accomplished by the selector 357a in cooperation with a single driven member 351a.

FIG. 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. FIG. 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 well with wheels 351 of dilferent sizes Without affecting detenting. 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 FIGS. 29 and 30, there is shown another embodiment of a selector generally indicated at 3571). The selector 357b is the same as the selector 357 in that it has four drive lugs 360b, and a pair of opposed pawls 36412. The selector 357b differs from the selector 357 only in that the selector 357 is of one-piece construction and the selector 357b is of two-piece construction. The selector 357b comprises

body sections

412 and 413 snap-fitted together. The body section 412 has a non-circular hole, and in particular a square hole 414, and the body section 413 has a corresponding square portion 415 received in the hole 414. By this construction, the

body sections

412 and 413 are incapable of rotating relative to each other. The body section 413 has four flexible resilient fingers 416 terminating at projections 417 shown in FIG. 29 to be received over a bead 418. In this position, 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 (FIG. 28) can be made in two parts as illustrated in FIGS. 29 and 30.

Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 31, there is shown a print head generally indicated at 2190 having two spaced-apart sets of printing members 2200. The print head 2190 has two sets of mounting blocks 3660, two sets of driven members 3510 and posts 3440, all formed integrally with side plate 3350. Flanges 2220 and 2230 and gear sections 2240 and 2250 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 2240 and 2250 would have to 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 3410 carries a guide member 3740. The side plate 3410 rotatably mounts a pair of selectors 3570 for the respective set of driven members 3510. The posts 3440 mount respective rectangular sections 3710 which provide respective windows 3560. It is readily apparent that with slight modifications the print head 2190 can be operated by a mechanism the 13 same in principle and construction as the mechanism which operates the print head 219.

Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 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 422. A mounting and detenting wheel 423 is shown to be formed integrally with each side of the hub 422. The Wheels 423 have generally annular outer surfaces 424 received in sockets 425 of adjacent mounting members 426. The sockets 425 comprise an annular portion 427 and a pair of flexible resilient arms 428 formed integrally therewith. Accordingly, the print wheels 220d can be inserted either axially into the sockets 425 or they can be inserted into or removed from the respective sockets 425 by spreading arms 428. Mounting members 426 are provided with recesses 429 in which offset integrally for-med detent pawls or

spring fingers

430 and 431 are disposed. The pawl 430 of the mounting member 426 is cooperable with notches 430' to effect detenting of an adjacent print wheel 220d on one side of the mounting member 426, and the other is cooperable with notches 431 to effect detenting of the adjacent print Wheel 220d on the other side of the mounting member 426.

Each wheel 220d has a central hole 432, the ends of which are chamfered as indicated at 433. As best shown in FIG. 34, pawls 364d are received in the chamfering between adjacent wheels 220d and drive lugs 360d are in driving engagement with the adjacent print wheel 220a. If desired, detenting can be effected in the manner illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 28.

It is preferred to mold the driver or feed wheel 244 of a material which incorporates a lubricant to diminish the amount of 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 polytetrafluoroethylene lubricants. One such material is sold commercially under the name Thermocomp, Number KL- 4030 by Liquid Nitrogen Processing Corporation, Malvern, Pennsylvania, USA. The remainder of the apparatus in FIGS. 1 through 34 except for the platen 217, O-

rings

282 and 332, the

ball bearings

228 and 229, the spring 238, 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 ink roll 311 is preferably constructed of porous vinyl. Accordingly, the apparatus is very light in weight, and easy and convenient to use with a minimum of fatigue.

Other embodiments and modifications of this invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and all such of these as come within the spirit of this inven tion are included within its scope as best defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having frame sections, a subframe having subframe sections mounted in the frame, a print head for printing selected data on a web at a printing zone, a pair of parallel flanges connected to the print head and straddling the subframe, each subframe section having a ball track, each flange having a ball track corresponding to the related subframe section ball track, a ball bearing received between each flange and its related subframe section, an applicator mounted downstream of the print head, means mounted by the subframe for feeding the web to the printing Zone, and means including a manually actuatable operator mounted by the frame for sequentially driving the print head and the web feeding means.

2. Label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having frame sections, a subframe mounted in the frame, a print head for printing selected data on a web at a printing zone, means mounting the print head on the subframe for movement toward and away from the printing zone, an applicator mounted downstream of the print head, means mounted by the subframe for feeding the web to the printing zone, and means mounted by the frame for sequentially driving the print head and the web feeding means, the driving means including a manually operable lever and further including a gear disposed in the frame on each side of the subframe, a pair of gear sections connected to the print head and in engagement with the gears, means drivingly connecting the operator and the gears, and means providing a drive connection between one of the gears and the web feeding means.

3. Label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having frame sections, a subframe having subframe sections mounted in the frame, a print head for printing selected data on a web at a printing zone, a pair of parallel flanges connected to the print head and straddling the subframe, each flange having a gear section, each subframe section having a ball track, each flange having ball track corresponding to the related subframe section ball track, a ball bearing received between each flange and its related subframe section, an applicator mounted downstream of the print head, means mounted by the subframe for feeding the web to the printing zone, and means including a manually actuatable operator mounted by the frame for sequentially driving the print head and the web feeding means, the driving means including a gear disposed in the frame on each side of the subframe and in meshing engagement with the gear sections, means drivingly connecting the operator and the gears, and a drive connection between one of the gears and the web feeding means.

4. Label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having frame sections, a subframe mounted in the frame, the subframe having a pair of outwardly facing tracks, a print head for printing selected data on a web at a printing zone, the print head having guide means stradding the subframe and cooperable with the subframe tracks to effect guided movement of the print head toward and away from the printing zone, means mounted by the subframe for feeding the web to the printing zone, and means including a manually actuatable operator mounted by the frame for sequentially driving the print head and the web feeding means.

5. Label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, an applicator mounted by the frame, an operator movably mounted at the handle, a subframe having a track, means for removably mounting the subframe in the frame, a print head mounted directly on the subframe track for reciprocating movement toward and away from a printing zone, means carried by the subframe for feeding a web of labels toward the printing zone into cooperation with the print head, the subframe having a pair of subframe sections enabling ready assembly and disassembly of the label feeding means with respect to the subframe, and means drivingly coupling the operator with the print head and the label feeding means.

6. Label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, an operator movably mounted at the handle, a split subframe having a pair of subframe sections removably mounted in the frame, means for removably connecting the subframe sections to each other, a print head movably mounted by the subframe toward and away from a printing zone, an applicator mounted downstream of the print head, means for feeding a web of labels toward the printing zone into cooperation with the print head, the feeding means includes a feed wheel disposed between the subframe sections, and means drivingly coupling the operator with the print head and the label feeding means, the coupling means includes a driven member, a pawl carried by the driven member, and a ratchet wheel cooperable with the pawl and drivingly coupled to the feed wheel.

7. Label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, an operator movably mounted at the handle, a split subframe having a pair of subframe tions removably mounted in the frame, a print head movably mounted directly by the subframe toward and away from a printing zone, an applicator mounted downstream of the print head, a feed wheel carried by the subframe for feeding a web of labels toward the printing zone into cooperation with the print head, and means drivingly coupling the operator with the print head and the label feeding means, the coupling means including gear means driven by the operator for driving the feed wheel and the print head and further including means coupled to the feed wheel and to the gear means for varying the position relative to the printing zone to which the labels are fed by the feed wheel when the operator is actuated.

8. Label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, the frame having frame sections, an applicator mounted by the frame, a operator movably mounted at the handle, a subframe removably mounted in the frame, the subframe having subframe sections, a snap-fit connection between the subframe sections, a snapfit connection between each frame section and the subframe, means cooperable with one of the snap-fit connections for preventing the subframe sections from being accidentally unsnapped while the frame sections are being unsnapped, a print head movably mounted by the subframe toward and away from a printing zone, means for feeding a web of labels towards the printing zone into cooperation with the print head, and means for drivingly coupling the operator with the print head and the label feeding means.

9. Label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, the frame having frame sections, an applicator mounted by the frame, an operator movably mounted at the handle, a subframe removably mounted in the frame, the subframe having subframe sections, a snap-fit connection between one frame section and its next adjacent subframe section, a snap-fit connection between the subframe sections, a snap-fit connection between the other frame section and its next adjacent subframe section, a print head movably mounted by the subframe toward and away from a printing zone, means for feeding a web of labels toward the printing zone into cooperation with the print head, and means for drivingly coupling the operator with the print head and the label feeding means.

10. Label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, a manually engageable operator disposed at the handle, printing means disposed in the frame, a subframe removably mounted in the frame, means mounted by the subframe and coupled to the operator for advancing a web of label material to the printing means, an applicator disposed beyond the printing means, the frame having a pair of frame sections, the subframe having a pair of subframe sections, a snap-fit connection between the subframe sections, a snap-fit connection between each frame section and the subframe, and means cooperable with one of the snapfit connections for preventing the subframe 'from being accidentally unsnapped while the frame sections are being unsnapped.

11. Label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, a manually engageable operator disposed at the handle, printing means disposed in the frame, a subframe removably mounted in the frame, means mounted by the subframe nad coupled to the operator for advancing a web of label material to the printing means, an applicator disposed beyond the printing means, the frame having frame sections, the subframe having subframe sections, a snap-fit connection between the subframe sections, a snap-fit connection between each frame section and the subframe, and means for preventing the subframe from being accidentally unsnapped while the frame sections are being unsnapped, wherein the preventing means comprises a projection connected to one frame section and engageable with the snap-fit connection between the subframe sections to prevent the snap-fit connection between the subframe sections from being unsnapped until the other frame section has been unsnapped from the subframe and until the subframe is unsnapped from the one frame section.

12. Label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a delaminator for delaminating labels from a Web of supporting material, a platen and a cooperable print head disposed upstream of the delaminating means for printing on the labels, the supporting material web having a plurality of cuts, there being weakening of the web adjacent each cut, each cut providing a drive face, a toothed wheel for pulling the web of supporting material across the delaminating means, an applicator disposed beyond the delaminating means for applying a label to merchandise, means for applying a braking force to the web upstream of the platen, the toothed feed wheel having a pluralityof teeth, a die wheel in mating relationship with the toothed feed wheel between which the supporting material web passes for causing the teeth to break successively through the web at the weakening as the toothed feed wheel rotates, means for successively stripping the web from the teeth as the toothed feed Wheel rotates, and means for sequentially driving the print head and the toothed wheel the driving means including a manually operable actuator and a gear drivingly coupling the actuator to the print head and to the toothed wheel.

13. Label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame, a subframe mounted to the frame, a print head for printing selected data on a web at a printing zone, two ball tracks mounted by the subframe, two ball tracks mounted to the print head, one subframe ball track and one print head ball track constituting a pair of ball tracks, the other subframe ball track and the other print head ball track constituting another pair of ball tracks, a ball bearing between each pair of ball tracks, an applicator mounted downstream of the print head, means mounted by the subframe for feeding the web to the printing zone, and means for sequentially driving the print head and the web feeding means, the driving means including a manually operable actuator and a gear drivingly coupling the actuator to the print head and to the web feeding means.

14. Label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, an operator movably mounted at the handle, a subframe mounted by the frame, a print head movably mounted by the subframe toward and away from a printing zone, two ball tracks mounted by the subframe, two ball tracks mounted to the print head, one subframe ball track and one print head ball track constituting a pair of ball tracks, the other subframe ball track and the other print head ball track constituting another pair of ball tracks, a ball bearing between each pair of ball tracks, an applicator mounted downstream of the print head, a feed wheel carried by the subframe for feeding a web of labels toward the printing zone into cooperation with the print head, and means drivingly coupling the operator with the print head and the label feeding means, the coupling means including a gear driven by the operator for driving the feed wheel and the print head and further including means coupled to the feed wheel and to the gear for varying the position relative to the printing zone to which the labels are fed by the feed wheel when the operator is actuated.

(References on following page) References Cited UNITED Templeton 28211.5 A

Hermann Satas 15 3 4 DOUGLAS I. DRUMMOND, Primary Examiner Hamisch, 156384 5 M. G. WITYSHYN, Assistant Examiner Kind et a1. 156-384 Hurwich et a1. 156577 US. Cl. X.R.

Sklenar 29-453 X Wada 156 384 156-577, 579, 584; 1013l6 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent; No; 3,798 I Dated March 19, 1974 Inventor) William A. Jenkins and PauliH. Hamisch, Jr.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as s' hown" below? Column 1, line 50, "form" should be -from-. Column 6, line 53, the "a" in "accordingly" should be capitalized. Column 9, line 40, the second occurrence of "formed" should be deleted. Column 9, line 53, "underside" has been misspelled.

Column 10, line 53, "in" has been misspelled. Column 11, line 65, "comprised" has been misspelled. Column 13, line 20; "the" (second occurrence) should be -one--. Column 14 line claim 4, "straddling" has been misspelled. Column 15, line 9, claim 7, "split" should be deleted; line 10 claim 7 "sections"'has beenmisspelled. Column 15, line 73, claim ll, "and" has been misspelled. Column 16, line 29, claim 12, "weakening" should be weakenings; line 33, claim 12, has been omitted after -wheel--.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of September 1974.

(SEAL) Attest: I

MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. 0. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 60376-969 & us, GOVERNMENT HUNTING oFHc: I959 0-356-33 FORM PO-1050 (10-69)