Patent ID: 6019531
Filing Date: 2000-02-01
Classification: B41J,G09F,Y10T

Abstract:
A label printer/applier for printing label data on labels of a strip of label media having a plurality of laterally staggered labels in a plurality of sequences of the labels with a first label of each sequence of the labels having a leading edge which is sensible and thereafter applying printed labels on a surface at lateral positions corrected for staggering, the label printer/applier comprising:a) a printhead for printing on the media;b) at least one sensor sensing the leading edge of each first label at a known distance from said printhead;c) a drive system moving the plurality of labels from a position of said at least one sensor to a pre-established print position under said printhead;d) a label attaching mechanism receiving printed labels from said printhead, said label attaching mechanism being laterally movable a distance equal to an offset width of said common pattern of staggering;e) a shifting mechanism having a signal input shifting said label attaching mechanism laterally a distance and amount dictated by a signal at said signal input; and,f) position and print logic,f1) for sensing each first label of each sequence of labels with said at least one sensor,f2) for moving a next in sequence label from said position of said at least one sensor to said pre-established print position under said printhead,f3) for printing label data on labels positioned under said printhead, andf4) for outputting a signal to said signal input indicating the lateral position of a label positioned at said label attaching mechanism for attachment to a surface whereby said label is properly positioned laterally on said surface to compensate for its lateral offset in said common pattern of staggering.