LABEL PRINTING AND DISPENSING TOOL
United States Patent 3656430
A label printing and dispensing tool has a spring biased striker which is initially set and thereafter released in response to the dispensing operation to press a label of a label tape against a printing mechanism for printing such label before dispensing it from the tool.
US Patent References:
Document printing device
Shoup et al. - June 1966 - 3254596
Label printing and dispensing machine
Hedinger - September 1950 - 2522224
Printing-machine
Dodge - June 1920 - 1344489
Printing recording counter
Hennessy et al. - August 1954 - 2687088
Apparatus for printing, dispensing and application of gummed labels
Kind et al. - August 1966 - 3265553
Document printing device
Shoup et al. - June 1966 - 3254596
Label printing and dispensing machine
Hedinger - September 1950 - 2522224
Printing-machine
Dodge - June 1920 - 1344489
Printing recording counter
Hennessy et al. - August 1954 - 2687088
Apparatus for printing, dispensing and application of gummed labels
Kind et al. - August 1966 - 3265553
Application Number:
04/865258
Publication Date:
04/18/1972
Filing Date:
10/10/1969
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
101/292, 156/384
International Classes:
B65C11/02; B65C11/00; B32B35/00; B41J1/08; B41J7/70
Field of Search:
101/292,291,288,92,95,90,297,287 156/384,277
US Patent References:
Primary Examiner:
Penn, William B.
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. A label printing and dispensing tool comprising
2. A tool as in claim 1 further comprising an adjustable stop to limit the return movement of said driving pawl.
1. A label printing and dispensing tool comprising
2. A tool as in claim 1 further comprising an adjustable stop to limit the return movement of said driving pawl.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a label printing and dispensing tool having means for advancing stepwise a continuous label tape and dispensing the labels thereof one at a time, and having a printing mechanism for printing the labels prior to the dispensing.
In prior art tools of this kind the printing mechanism is combined with an inking pad and is mobile in order to be pressed against the label at the printing thereof, the inking pad being simultaneously moved away from the printing mechanism. When the printing mechanism returns after the printing operation has been completed the inking pad is reapplied to the printing mechanism in order to ink its types and thus prepare the types for a following printing operation.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a label printing and dispensing tool of the kind described above, wherein the printing of the labels is more distinct than in prior art tools of this kind and which is easier to handle and to operate than such tools since the printing operation proper is not derived directly from the advancing movement and since only very few moving members are involved in the printing operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance therewith the invention provides a label printing and dispensing tool of the kind described, which comprises a magazine for a continuous label tape, means for advancing such tape stepwise and dispensing the labels thereof one at a time, a stationary printing mechanism for printing the labels prior to the dispensing, a striker mounted for movement towards and away from said printing mechanism, spring means for biasing said striker towards said printing mechanism, means to set said striker against the action of said spring means by said advancing movement, and means to momentarily release said striker when initially set, at the end of an advancing step to press a label against said printing mechanism thereby printing such label.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specification which describes an embodiment of the tool with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a label printing and dispensing tool in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the label printing and dispensing tool; and
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the label printing and dispensing tool, showing its functional parts.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The label printing and dispensing tool shown in the drawings comprises a casing 10 forming a magazine 11 holding a roll of label tape 12. Such tape may be of a known type and may consist for example of a backing 12a carrying individual pressure-sensitive labels 12b which are disposed on one side of the backing with a proper spacing of the labels. Label tape 12 passes from magazine 11 through a slot 13 and extends from the said slot in a straight path to a folding edge 14. From the said edge backing 12a extends through a passage 15 to a nip between a rubber roller 16 rotatably mounted in casing 10, and a driving tape drum 17 also rotatably mounted in casing 10, in order subsequently to be discharged from the tool through a slot 18, labels 12b being separated from the backing when the latter passes around folding edge 14.
The label tape is advanced through the tool by means of label drum 17 which is connected with a ratchet wheel 19 to be rotatable as a unit therewith. Label drum 17 and ratchet wheel 19 may be formed as a unitary element. A tooth segment 20 is pivoted for movement about the rotational axis of tape drum 17 and ratchet wheel 19 independently of these two elements and preferably on a common shaft thereof and is provided with a pawl 21 to engage ratchet wheel 19 when swung counter-clockwise as seen in FIG. 3, and thereby to bring along said ratchet wheel in its motion. When segment 20 moves clockwise as seen in FIG. 3 pawl 21 will be disengaged and will slide over the teeth of ratchet wheel 19 a stationary pawl 22 engaging the ratchet wheel to prevent it from following pawl 21 as a result of frictional engagement, if any, between this pawl and the teeth of ratchet wheel 19. In order to oscillate segment 20 and consequently to rotate stepwise tape drum 17 and thus to advance stepwise label tape 12, the tool is provided with an operating member formed as a trigger 23 which is pivoted to casing 10 at 24 and is biased by means of a pressure spring 25 tending to move the trigger towards the left as seen in FIG. 3. A further tooth segment 26 on trigger 23 is operatively engaged with segment 20, and when trigger 23 is manually moved towards the right as seen in FIG. 3, segment 20 will consequently move tape drum 17 counter-clockwise. However, the tape drum is kept stationary by means of pawl 22 when trigger 23 resumes its initial position under the action of biasing spring 25, with pawl 21 sliding over ratchet wheel 19. The magnitude of the stroke of trigger 23 and consequently the magnitude of the advancing step of the label tape is controlled by a stationary stop 27 which will be engaged by trigger 23 when manually actuated, and a stop 28 which is engaged by a shoulder 29 on segment 20 when trigger 23 and segment 20 resume their initial position. Stop 28 is adjustable and consequently determines the stroke of trigger 23 by limiting the return movement thereof under the action of spring 25. Stop 28 can be adjusted from the outside of the tool in a curved slot centered on the rotational axis of tape drum 17 and ratchet wheel 19, by means of an adjustment member 30.
In the straight path of the label tape between slot 13 and folding edge 14 there is stationary mounted in the tool a printing mechanism 31 the types of which are adjustable from outside by means of a number of wheels or dials 32. Beneath the printing mechanism there is provided a striker 33 formed as an arm which is pivotally mounted at 34 and the free end of which is provided with a platen 35 arranged to be applied against printing mechanism 31 in a manner to be described. Arm 33 is provided with a pawl 36 preferably a resilient pawl which is adapted to co-operate with a stationary abutment 37 provided in casing 10 in order to keep striker 33 slightly spaced from the printing mechanism. Striker 33 may be brought to the retracted position in which it is anchored by pawl 36, by gravity when the tool is held substantially in the position shown in the drawings. Furthermore, striker 33 is provided with a leaf spring 38 on its lower side, and said leaf spring is adapted to be engaged by a cam surface 39 on segment 20 when said segment is swung counter-clockwise as seen in FIG. 3, in order to be tensioned against striker 33 when arrested by means of pawl 36. On segment 20 there is also provided a releasing member formed by a projection 40 in order to actuate pawl 36 at the end of the counter-clockwise movement of segment 20 so that striker 33 is released so as to be forced under the action of tensioned leaf spring 38 against printing mechanism 31 at the end of an advancing movement produced by means of trigger 23.
An inking ribbon 41 extends from a storage reel 42 rotatably mounted in casing 10, over a driving roller 43 rotatably mounted in casing 10, between printing mechanism 31 and the label tape to a rewinding reel 44 past a tensioning roller 45. Rewinding wheel 44 may be spring biased to rotate for rewinding the ribbon or may be operatively connected with other driving mechanism. Also, it may be connected by frictional engagement with the tape advancing mechanism to be rotated thereby. The feeding of ribbon 41 past printing mechanism 31 is controlled by means of a roller 46 engaging roller 43 and serving to apply the labels separated from the label tape. Roller 46 is rotated through a small portion of a full revolution thereof during each application. When striker 33 is released platen 35 is applied by the spring force against the label tape, which is consequently pressed against printing mechanism 31 with the inking ribbon 41 interposed therebetween. Other inking ribbon arrangements than that described having means for moving stepwise the ribbon in response to the operation of the tool may be provided. Also, a stationary inking mechanism may be used.
When the label printing and dispensing tool described above is used, actuation of trigger 23 provides advancing of the label tape step by step, the magnitude of a step being dependent on the adjusted position of stop 28. The label tape passes beneath inking ribbon 41 and the labels are printed when they are positioned opposite printing mechanism 31. In that position the advancing of the label tape has just been completed and the printing takes place when pawl 36 is moved by means of releasing member 40 out of engagement with abutment 37, so that spring 38 recently tensioned by the cam surface 39 causes striker 33 to strike a label positioned opposite the printing mechanism against the types of the printing mechanism by means of platen 35. When the labels approach application roller 46 at folding edge 14 during the stepwise advancing, they will be separated from the backing due to the bending of the backing at said edge and pushed out of the tool in order to be adhered by means of application roller 46 directly onto the object to be provided with the label. At the same time inking ribbon 41 is fed forward. The backing is discharged from the tool through slot 18.
Thus, for each movement of trigger 23 there is a predetermined movement of segment 20 and the same movement is imparted rotationally to tape drum 17. Immediately before the trigger engages stop 27 a label is printed in the manner described above and when the trigger subsequently returns to its previous position under the action of spring 25 segment 20 returns simultaneously and will be immobilized at stop 28, tape drum 17 remaining stationary during such return movement. Striker 33 falls down by gravity and is latched by means of pawl 36. Striker 33 may be biased by a spring considerably weaker than spring 38, towards the retracted position.
Due to the fact that stop 28 is adjustable the tool can be set for labels of different spacing on the backing since such stop determines the stroke of the trigger and consequently the length of the advancing step. In order that a label may be positioned opposite printing mechanism 31 during each printing operation, roller 16 may be adjustable from outside by means of a rotatable member 47 in order to advance the label tape independently of the trigger mechanism, and in casing 10 there may be provided a window 48 through which it may be checked that a label is positioned opposite printing mechanism 31 when the label printing and dispensing operation begins.
The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown and described above but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.
The present invention relates to a label printing and dispensing tool having means for advancing stepwise a continuous label tape and dispensing the labels thereof one at a time, and having a printing mechanism for printing the labels prior to the dispensing.
In prior art tools of this kind the printing mechanism is combined with an inking pad and is mobile in order to be pressed against the label at the printing thereof, the inking pad being simultaneously moved away from the printing mechanism. When the printing mechanism returns after the printing operation has been completed the inking pad is reapplied to the printing mechanism in order to ink its types and thus prepare the types for a following printing operation.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a label printing and dispensing tool of the kind described above, wherein the printing of the labels is more distinct than in prior art tools of this kind and which is easier to handle and to operate than such tools since the printing operation proper is not derived directly from the advancing movement and since only very few moving members are involved in the printing operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance therewith the invention provides a label printing and dispensing tool of the kind described, which comprises a magazine for a continuous label tape, means for advancing such tape stepwise and dispensing the labels thereof one at a time, a stationary printing mechanism for printing the labels prior to the dispensing, a striker mounted for movement towards and away from said printing mechanism, spring means for biasing said striker towards said printing mechanism, means to set said striker against the action of said spring means by said advancing movement, and means to momentarily release said striker when initially set, at the end of an advancing step to press a label against said printing mechanism thereby printing such label.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specification which describes an embodiment of the tool with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a label printing and dispensing tool in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the label printing and dispensing tool; and
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the label printing and dispensing tool, showing its functional parts.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The label printing and dispensing tool shown in the drawings comprises a casing 10 forming a magazine 11 holding a roll of label tape 12. Such tape may be of a known type and may consist for example of a backing 12a carrying individual pressure-sensitive labels 12b which are disposed on one side of the backing with a proper spacing of the labels. Label tape 12 passes from magazine 11 through a slot 13 and extends from the said slot in a straight path to a folding edge 14. From the said edge backing 12a extends through a passage 15 to a nip between a rubber roller 16 rotatably mounted in casing 10, and a driving tape drum 17 also rotatably mounted in casing 10, in order subsequently to be discharged from the tool through a slot 18, labels 12b being separated from the backing when the latter passes around folding edge 14.
The label tape is advanced through the tool by means of label drum 17 which is connected with a ratchet wheel 19 to be rotatable as a unit therewith. Label drum 17 and ratchet wheel 19 may be formed as a unitary element. A tooth segment 20 is pivoted for movement about the rotational axis of tape drum 17 and ratchet wheel 19 independently of these two elements and preferably on a common shaft thereof and is provided with a pawl 21 to engage ratchet wheel 19 when swung counter-clockwise as seen in FIG. 3, and thereby to bring along said ratchet wheel in its motion. When segment 20 moves clockwise as seen in FIG. 3 pawl 21 will be disengaged and will slide over the teeth of ratchet wheel 19 a stationary pawl 22 engaging the ratchet wheel to prevent it from following pawl 21 as a result of frictional engagement, if any, between this pawl and the teeth of ratchet wheel 19. In order to oscillate segment 20 and consequently to rotate stepwise tape drum 17 and thus to advance stepwise label tape 12, the tool is provided with an operating member formed as a trigger 23 which is pivoted to casing 10 at 24 and is biased by means of a pressure spring 25 tending to move the trigger towards the left as seen in FIG. 3. A further tooth segment 26 on trigger 23 is operatively engaged with segment 20, and when trigger 23 is manually moved towards the right as seen in FIG. 3, segment 20 will consequently move tape drum 17 counter-clockwise. However, the tape drum is kept stationary by means of pawl 22 when trigger 23 resumes its initial position under the action of biasing spring 25, with pawl 21 sliding over ratchet wheel 19. The magnitude of the stroke of trigger 23 and consequently the magnitude of the advancing step of the label tape is controlled by a stationary stop 27 which will be engaged by trigger 23 when manually actuated, and a stop 28 which is engaged by a shoulder 29 on segment 20 when trigger 23 and segment 20 resume their initial position. Stop 28 is adjustable and consequently determines the stroke of trigger 23 by limiting the return movement thereof under the action of spring 25. Stop 28 can be adjusted from the outside of the tool in a curved slot centered on the rotational axis of tape drum 17 and ratchet wheel 19, by means of an adjustment member 30.
In the straight path of the label tape between slot 13 and folding edge 14 there is stationary mounted in the tool a printing mechanism 31 the types of which are adjustable from outside by means of a number of wheels or dials 32. Beneath the printing mechanism there is provided a striker 33 formed as an arm which is pivotally mounted at 34 and the free end of which is provided with a platen 35 arranged to be applied against printing mechanism 31 in a manner to be described. Arm 33 is provided with a pawl 36 preferably a resilient pawl which is adapted to co-operate with a stationary abutment 37 provided in casing 10 in order to keep striker 33 slightly spaced from the printing mechanism. Striker 33 may be brought to the retracted position in which it is anchored by pawl 36, by gravity when the tool is held substantially in the position shown in the drawings. Furthermore, striker 33 is provided with a leaf spring 38 on its lower side, and said leaf spring is adapted to be engaged by a cam surface 39 on segment 20 when said segment is swung counter-clockwise as seen in FIG. 3, in order to be tensioned against striker 33 when arrested by means of pawl 36. On segment 20 there is also provided a releasing member formed by a projection 40 in order to actuate pawl 36 at the end of the counter-clockwise movement of segment 20 so that striker 33 is released so as to be forced under the action of tensioned leaf spring 38 against printing mechanism 31 at the end of an advancing movement produced by means of trigger 23.
An inking ribbon 41 extends from a storage reel 42 rotatably mounted in casing 10, over a driving roller 43 rotatably mounted in casing 10, between printing mechanism 31 and the label tape to a rewinding reel 44 past a tensioning roller 45. Rewinding wheel 44 may be spring biased to rotate for rewinding the ribbon or may be operatively connected with other driving mechanism. Also, it may be connected by frictional engagement with the tape advancing mechanism to be rotated thereby. The feeding of ribbon 41 past printing mechanism 31 is controlled by means of a roller 46 engaging roller 43 and serving to apply the labels separated from the label tape. Roller 46 is rotated through a small portion of a full revolution thereof during each application. When striker 33 is released platen 35 is applied by the spring force against the label tape, which is consequently pressed against printing mechanism 31 with the inking ribbon 41 interposed therebetween. Other inking ribbon arrangements than that described having means for moving stepwise the ribbon in response to the operation of the tool may be provided. Also, a stationary inking mechanism may be used.
When the label printing and dispensing tool described above is used, actuation of trigger 23 provides advancing of the label tape step by step, the magnitude of a step being dependent on the adjusted position of stop 28. The label tape passes beneath inking ribbon 41 and the labels are printed when they are positioned opposite printing mechanism 31. In that position the advancing of the label tape has just been completed and the printing takes place when pawl 36 is moved by means of releasing member 40 out of engagement with abutment 37, so that spring 38 recently tensioned by the cam surface 39 causes striker 33 to strike a label positioned opposite the printing mechanism against the types of the printing mechanism by means of platen 35. When the labels approach application roller 46 at folding edge 14 during the stepwise advancing, they will be separated from the backing due to the bending of the backing at said edge and pushed out of the tool in order to be adhered by means of application roller 46 directly onto the object to be provided with the label. At the same time inking ribbon 41 is fed forward. The backing is discharged from the tool through slot 18.
Thus, for each movement of trigger 23 there is a predetermined movement of segment 20 and the same movement is imparted rotationally to tape drum 17. Immediately before the trigger engages stop 27 a label is printed in the manner described above and when the trigger subsequently returns to its previous position under the action of spring 25 segment 20 returns simultaneously and will be immobilized at stop 28, tape drum 17 remaining stationary during such return movement. Striker 33 falls down by gravity and is latched by means of pawl 36. Striker 33 may be biased by a spring considerably weaker than spring 38, towards the retracted position.
Due to the fact that stop 28 is adjustable the tool can be set for labels of different spacing on the backing since such stop determines the stroke of the trigger and consequently the length of the advancing step. In order that a label may be positioned opposite printing mechanism 31 during each printing operation, roller 16 may be adjustable from outside by means of a rotatable member 47 in order to advance the label tape independently of the trigger mechanism, and in casing 10 there may be provided a window 48 through which it may be checked that a label is positioned opposite printing mechanism 31 when the label printing and dispensing operation begins.
The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown and described above but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.