<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.18


                         COMMERCIAL PROMISSORY GRID NOTE

$1,000,000                                              AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997

      FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, TRIDENT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (the
"BORROWER"), hereby promises to pay to the order of FLEET NATIONAL BANK (the
"BANK") at the office of Bank at 777 Main Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06115,
or at such other place as the holder (including Bank, hereinafter referred to as
"HOLDER") hereof may designate, the principal sum of ONE MILLION DOLLARS
($1,000,000), or the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Advances made by
Holder to Borrower hereunder, whichever is less, in lawful money of the United
States, and to pay interest on each Advance, beginning on the date hereof,
before and after maturity or judgment (but subject to the default rate of
interest set forth below) at either (a) a fixed rate per annum equal to one
hundred fifty (150) basis points above IBOR (as determined for each Interest
Period applicable thereto) for available Interest Periods of thirty (30), sixty
(60) or ninety (90) days, or (b) a floating rate per annum equal to the Prime
Rate, whichever Borrower elects pursuant to the terms of this Note, and to pay
all taxes (except taxes on the overall net income or gross receipts of Holder)
levied or assessed on this Note or the debt evidenced hereby against Holder, and
together with all costs, expenses and attorneys' and other professional fees
incurred in any action to collect and/or enforce this Note or to enforce,
preserve, protect, defend, foreclose or realize upon any security agreement or
other agreement securing or relating to this Note or to enforce, preserve,
protect, defend, foreclose or sustain the lien of said security agreement or
other agreement or in any litigation or controversy arising from or connected
with said security agreement or other agreement, or this Note. Capitalized terms
used above shall have the meanings set forth in Paragraph 1 hereof.

       This Note has been executed and delivered subject to the following terms
and conditions:

       1.    ADVANCES.

             (a) Definitions. As used in this Paragraph 1 and elsewhere in this
Note, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

                  (i) "Advance" shall have the meaning set forth in subparagraph
(b) of this Paragraph 1.

                  (ii) "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday,
Sunday or a day on which commercial banks located in Hartford, Connecticut are
required or permitted by law to close.

                  (iii) "Defaulting Event" means the occurrence of an Event of
Default or the occurrence of any condition or event which but for the giving of
notice or passage of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.

                  (iv) "Dollar" or "$" means lawful money of the United States
of
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America.


                  (v) "Event of Default" shall have the meaning set forth in
Paragraph 11 hereof.

                  (vi) "IBOR" means, for any LIBOR Rate Loan for any Interest
Period, the interest rate per annum determined pursuant to the following
formula, as adjusted from time to time in accordance with subparagraph (a)(xiii)
of this Paragraph 1:

                            IBOR = IBOR Base Rate
                                   --------------------------------
                                   1-Reserve Requirements

                  (vii) "IBOR Base Rate" means, as applicable to each LIBOR Rate
Loan, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher
1/32nd of 1%) as determined on the basis of the offered rates for deposits in
Dollars, for a period of time comparable to the Interest Period applicable to
such LIBOR Rate Loan, which appears on the Telerate page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m.
London time on the day that is two (2) LIBOR Business Days prior to the first
day of the Interest Period applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loan; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, if the rate described above does not appear on the Telerate System on
any applicable interest determination date, the IBOR Base Rate shall be the rate
(rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher 1/32nd of 1%) for deposits in
Dollars for a period substantially equal to the Interest Period applicable to
such LIBOR Rate Loan on the Reuters Page "LIBO" (or such other page as may
replace the LIBO Page on that service for the purpose of displaying such rates),
as of 11:00 a.m. London time on the day that is two (2) LIBOR Business Days
prior to the first day of the Interest Period applicable to such LIBOR Rate
Loan.

             If both the Telerate and Reuters system are unavailable, then the
rate for that date will be determined on the basis of the offered rates for
deposits in Dollars for a period of time comparable to the Interest Period
applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loan which are offered by four (4) major banks in
the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on the day
that is two (2) LIBOR Business Days prior to the first day of the Interest
Period applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loan as selected by the calculation agent.
The principal London office of each of the four major London banks will be
requested to provide a quotation of its Dollar deposit offered rate. If at least
two (2) such quotations are provided, the rate for that date will be the
arithmetic mean of the quotations. If fewer that two (2) quotations are provided
as requested, the rate for that date will be determined on the basis of the
rates quoted for loans in Dollars to leading European banks for a period of time
comparable to the Interest Period applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loan offered by
major banks in New York City at approximately 11:00 a.m. New York City time, on
the day that is two (2) LIBOR Business Days prior to the first day of the
Interest Period applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loan. In the event that Holder is
unable to obtain any such quotation as provided above, it will be deemed that a
LIBOR Rate Loan is unavailable and, accordingly, such requested LIBOR Rate Loan
shall be made as a Prime Rate Loan.

                  (viii) "Interest Period" means, with respect to each Advance
which Borrower elects to be or continue to be a LIBOR Rate Loan, an available
period of one (1), two


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(2) or three (3) months, as Borrower may elect pursuant to subparagraphs (b),
(c) and (d) of this Paragraph 1, commencing on the date upon which such Advance
is made, continued as or converted to a LIBOR Rate Loan, and ending on the last
day of such period, provided that:

                   (A) any Interest Period which would otherwise end on a day
which is not a London Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding
Business Day unless such next London Business Day falls in another calendar
month, in which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately
preceding London Business Day;

                   (B) any Interest Period that begins on the last London
Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically
corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period)
shall end on the last London Business Day of a calendar month; and

                   (C) no Interest Period shall end after the Termination Date.

                  (ix) "LIBOR Rate Loan(s)" means any Advance(s) which bears
interest at a rate determined with reference to IBOR.

                  (x) "London Business Day" means a Business Day on which
dealings in Dollar deposits are also carried on in the London interbank market
and banks are open for business in London.

                  (xi) "Prime Rate" means, for any Prime Rate Loan, the variable
per annum rate of interest so designated from time to time by Holder as its
prime rate. The Prime Rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily
represent the lowest or best rate being charged to any customer. With respect to
each Prime Rate Loan, any change in the interest rate because of a change in the
Prime Rate shall become effective, without notice or demand, immediately upon
any change in the Prime Rate.

                  (xii) "PRIME RATE Loan(s)" means any Advance(s) hereunder
which bears interest at a rate determined with reference to the Prime Rate.

                  (xiii) "Reserve Requirements" means, for any Interest Period
for each LIBOR Rate Loan, the maximum reserve percentage requirement (including
any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves, and rounded to the
next higher 1/100th of 1% and expressed as a decimal) in effect for any day
during such Interest Period under Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System for Eurocurrency Liabilities as defined therein (or in
the case of the fallback rate, for the type of deposits or liabilities on which
the fallback rate is based). With respect to each LIBOR Rate Loan, any change in
the interest rate because of a change in the Reserve Requirements shall become
effective, without notice or demand, on the date on which such change in the
Reserve Requirements becomes effective.

                  (xiv) "Termination Date" means August 1, 1998.


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             (b) Procedure for Advances, Payment. During the period from and
including the date hereof to but excluding the Termination Date, so long as
Borrower is in compliance with all of the terms and conditions of this Note and
no Defaulting Event has occurred and is continuing, Borrower may borrow, repay
and reborrow advances hereunder (each, an "ADVANCE"); provided, however, that
for the period commencing on the date hereof and continuing through and
including the Termination Date, there shall be no borrowings or reborrowings and
no outstanding principal under this Note for at least thirty (30) consecutive
days. Each Advance shall be either a Prime Rate Loan, a LIBOR Rate Loan or a
combination thereof, as Borrower may elect subject to the provisions of this
Note. Whenever Borrower desires an Advance, Borrower shall notify Holder (which
notice shall be irrevocable) by telex, telecopy or telephone of the proposed
borrowing. Such notice (each, a "NOTICE OF BORROWING") shall specify the date of
the proposed borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), the type of borrowing
(e.g. either a Prime Rate Loan, a LIBOR Rate Loan or a combination thereof), the
amount to be borrowed and, if a LIBOR Rate Loan is requested, the duration of
the initial available Interest Period. Each Notice of Borrowing for Advances
which are Prime Rate Loans must be received by Holder no later than 12:00 p.m.,
Hartford, Connecticut time on the day such borrowing is requested, and each
Notice of Borrowing for Advances which are LIBOR Rate Loans must be received by
Holder no later than 10:00 a.m., Hartford, Connecticut time at least three (3)
Business Days' prior to the day such borrowing is requested. Any Notice of
Borrowing may be followed by a written confirmation thereof by Borrower,
PROVIDED that if such written confirmation differs in any respect from the
action taken by Holder, the records of Holder shall control absent manifest
error. If any Advance is made, Holder may, at its option, record on the books
and records of Holder or endorse on Schedule 1 hereto, an appropriate notation
evidencing each Advance hereunder, the interest rate applicable to each such
Advance and repayments of all Advances; and Borrower authorizes Holder to
maintain such records or make such notations and agrees that the amount shown on
the books and records of Holder or on said Schedule 1, as applicable, as
outstanding from time to time shall constitute the amount owing to Holder
pursuant to this Note, absent manifest error. In the event the amount shown on
Schedule 1 conflicts with the amount noted as due pursuant to the books and
records of Holder, the books and records shall control the disposition of the
conflict. UNLESS SOONER ACCELERATED AS A RESULT OF THE OCCURRENCE OF AN EVENT OF
DEFAULT, ALL ADVANCES AND ANY OTHER SUMS DUE HEREUNDER SHALL BE DUE AND PAYABLE
IN FULL ON THE TERMINATION DATE IN IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FUNDS, at which time
Borrower shall have no ability to request, and Holder shall have no obligation
to make, any further Advances hereunder. Holder is authorized (but not required)
to charge principal and interest and all other amounts due under this Note to
any account of Borrower maintained with Holder as and when it becomes due.

             (c) Election and Continuation of Interest Periods. Borrower shall
elect the initial available Interest Period applicable to each Advance
hereunder which it elects to be a LIBOR Rate Loan by its applicable Notice of
Borrowing or by its notice of conversion given to Holder pursuant to
subparagraph (d) of this Paragraph 1, as the case may be. Any LIBOR Rate Loan
may be continued as such upon the expiration of the then current Interest Period
with


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respect thereto by Borrower giving irrevocable written notice to Holder (which
notice, in the case of a continuation of a LIBOR Rate Loan, shall indicate the
duration of the next available Interest Period to be applicable to such LIBOR
Rate Loan) not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the last Business Day
of the then current Interest Period with respect to such Loan, PROVIDED that no
LIBOR Rate Loan may be continued as such: (i) at a time when any Defaulting
Event has occurred and is continuing, (ii) in the event a LIBOR Rate Loan is
unavailable pursuant to subparagraphs (e) and (f) of this Paragraph 1, and (iii)
after the date that is thirty (30) days prior to the Termination Date. If Holder
does not receive timely written notice of continuation, or if any LIBOR Rate
Loan may no longer continue as such, such LIBOR Rate Loan shall be automatically
converted, without notice, to a Prime Rate Loan on the last day of the then
expiring Interest Period.

             (d) Conversion of Advances. Borrower may elect from time to time,
subject to the limitations set forth below, to convert a Prime Rate Loan to a
LIBOR Rate Loan or a LIBOR Rate Loan to a Prime Rate Loan by giving Holder not
less than three (3) Business Days' prior irrevocable written notice of such
election, PROVIDED that any such conversion of a LIBOR Rate Loan to a Prime Rate
Loan shall only be made on the last Business Day of the then current Interest
Period with respect thereto. Any such notice of conversion shall specify the
amount of the Advance being converted and, in the case of a conversion to a
LIBOR Rate Loan, the length of the initial available Interest Period applicable
thereto. All or any part of outstanding Advances hereunder which may be
converted as provided herein, PROVIDED that no Prime Rate Loan may be converted
by Borrower to a LIBOR Rate Loan (i) at a time when any Defaulting Event has
occurred and is continuing, (ii) at a time when a LIBOR Rate Loan is unavailable
pursuant to subparagraphs (e) and (f) of this Paragraph 1, and (iii) after the
date that is thirty (30) days prior to the Termination Date.

             (e) Illegality. Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, if any
applicable law or governmental regulation, guideline, order or directive, or any
change therein, or in the interpretation or application thereof by any
governmental authority charged with the interpretation or the administration
thereof (whether or not having the force of law) shall make it unlawful for
Holder to make or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans as contemplated by this Note: (i)
the obligation of Holder to make LIBOR Rate Loans, continue LIBOR Rate Loans as
such and/or convert Prime Rate Loans to LIBOR Rate Loans shall forthwith be
canceled, and (ii) such Advances then outstanding as LIBOR Rate Loans, if any,
shall be converted automatically, without notice, to Prime Rate Loans on the
respective last days of the then current Interest Periods with respect thereto
or within such earlier time as required by law. If any such conversion of the
LIBOR Rate Loans is made on a day that is not the last Business Day of the then
current Interest Period applicable thereto, Borrower shall pay Holder such
amount or amounts required pursuant to subparagraph (g) of this Paragraph 1.

             (f) Basis for Determining IBOR Inadequate or Unfair. In the event,
and on each occasion, that Holder shall have determined (which determination
shall be conclusive and binding upon Borrower) that (i) adequate and reasonable
means do not exist for determining IBOR, or (ii) Dollar deposits in the relevant
amount and for the relevant maturity are no longer


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available to Holder in the London interbank market, or (iii) the making or
continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans has been made impractical or unlawful by the
occurrence of a contingency that materially and adversely affects the London
interbank market, or (iv) the IBOR Base Rate will not adequately and fairly
reflect the cost to Holder of making or maintaining LIBOR Rate Loans, Holder
shall give Borrower notice of such determination as soon as practicable. If such
notice is given (A) any requested LIBOR Rate Loan shall be made as a Prime Rate
Loan, unless Borrower gives Holder three (3) Business Days' prior written notice
that its request for such borrowing is canceled, (B) any Prime Rate Loan that
was to have been converted to a LIBOR Rate Loan shall be continued as a Prime
Rate Loan, and (C) any outstanding LIBOR Rate Loan shall be automatically
converted, without notice, to a Prime Rate Loan effective on the last Business
Day of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto. Until such notice
has been withdrawn, no further LIBOR Rate Loans shall be made or continued as
such, nor shall Borrower have the right to convert Prime Rate Loans to LIBOR
Rate Loans.

             (g) Indemnity. Borrower agrees to indemnify Holder and to hold
Holder harmless from any loss (including any of the Additional Costs referred to
in Paragraph 4 hereof and any lost profits) or expense that it may sustain or
incur as a consequence of (i) a default by Borrower in the payment of the
principal of or interest on any LIBOR Rate Loan, (ii) the failure by Borrower to
complete a borrowing of, conversion into or continuation of a LIBOR Rate Loan
after notice thereof has been given, or (iii) the making of a prepayment of a
LIBOR Rate Loan (irrespective of whether such prepayment is made pursuant to
Paragraph 6 hereof, as a result of termination and/or acceleration following an
Event of Default or for any other reason) on a day which is not the last day of
the then current Interest Period applicable thereto, including, but not limited
to, in each case, any such loss or expense arising from the reemployment of
funds obtained by it or from fees, interest or other amounts payable to
terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained. Holder shall prepare
a certificate as to any additional amounts payable to it pursuant to this
subparagraph (g), which certificate shall be submitted by Holder to Borrower and
shall, absent manifest error, be deemed conclusive.

            (h) Survival. The obligations and covenants of Borrower under this
Paragraph 1 shall survive the repayment of all Advances made hereunder.

      2. INTEREST. All computations of interest hereunder shall be made on the
basis of a 360 day year and the actual number of days elapsed and shall be due
and payable as follows: (a) interest on each LIBOR Rate Loan shall be due and
payable on the last Business Day of each Interest Period in immediately
available funds; and (b) interest on each Prime Rate Loan shall be due and
payable monthly, in arrears, in immediately available funds commencing on the
first day of the next succeeding month following the making of, or conversion of
a LIBOR Rate Loan into, such Prime Rate Loan and continuing on the first day of
each and every month thereafter until such Prime Rate Loan is paid in full or
converted to a LIBOR Rate Loan pursuant to subparagraph (d) of Paragraph 1
hereof. Upon the occurrence of any Defaulting Event, without in any way
affecting Holder's other rights and remedies, or after maturity or after
judgment has been rendered on this Note, Borrower's right to select pricing
options shall cease and the unpaid principal balance of all outstanding Advances
shall, at the option of Holder, bear interest at a rate


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which is four (4) percentage points per annum greater than that which would
otherwise be applicable.

      3. LAWFUL INTEREST. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Note, it is the
understanding and agreement of Borrower and Holder that the maximum rate of
interest to be paid by Borrower to Holder shall not exceed the highest or the
maximum rate of interest permissible to be charged by a commercial lender such
as Holder to a commercial borrower such as Borrower under the laws of the State
of Connecticut. If, at any time, the rate of interest, together with all amounts
which constitute interest and which are reserved, charged or taken by Holder as
compensation for fees, services or expenses incidental to the making,
negotiating or collection of any Advance evidenced hereby, shall be deemed by
any competent court of law, governmental agency or tribunal to exceed the
maximum rate of interest permitted to be charged by Holder to Borrower, then,
during such time as such rate of interest would be deemed excessive, that
portion of each sum paid attributable to that portion of such interest rate that
exceeds the maximum rate of interest so permitted shall be deemed a voluntary
prepayment of principal.

      4. ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS. In the event that applicable law, treaty or
regulation or directive from any government, governmental agency or regulatory
authority, or any change therein or in the interpretation or application
thereof, or compliance by Holder with any request or directive (whether or not
having the force of law) from any central bank or government, governmental
agency or regulatory authority, shall:

             (a) subject Holder to any tax of any kind whatsoever (except taxes
on the overall net income or gross receipts of Holder) with respect to this Note
or the loans made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to Holder
of principal, interest or any other amount payable hereunder (except for changes
in the rate of tax on the overall net income of Holder);

             (b) impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit,
compulsory loan or similar requirements against assets held by, or deposits or
other liabilities in or for the account of, advances or loans or other
extensions of credit by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of
Holder, including (without limitation) pursuant to Regulations of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System; or

             (c) in the reasonable opinion of Holder, cause this Note or any
Advance evidenced hereby to be included in any calculations used in the
computation of regulatory capital standards; or

             (d) impose on Holder any other condition;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to Holder of
making, converting into, continuing and/or maintaining the Advances evidenced
hereby (or any part thereof) by an amount that Holder reasonably deems to be
material, or to reduce the amount of any payment (whether of principal, interest
or otherwise) with respect of the Advances evidenced hereby by an amount that


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Holder reasonably deems material, then, in any case, Borrower shall promptly pay
Holder, upon its demand, such additional amounts equal to such additional costs
or such reduction, as the case may be (collectively the "ADDITIONAL COSTS").
Holder shall certify the amount of such Additional Costs to Borrower, and such
certification, absent manifest error, shall be deemed conclusive.

       5. LATE CHARGE. Holder may collect a late charge not to exceed five (5)
percent of any installment of interest or payment of principal or any other
amount due to Holder, which is not paid or reimbursed by Borrower within fifteen
(15) days of the due date thereof to defray the extra cost and expense involved
in handling such delinquent payment and the increased risk of non-collection.
The minimum late charge shall be $15.00.

       6. PREPAYMENTS. If, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all
Advances outstanding under this Note shall exceed the maximum amount permitted
by this Note, Borrower shall immediately prepay so much of the outstanding
principal balance that, after giving effect to such prepayments, the outstanding
principal balance shall not be in excess of the maximum amount permitted by this
Note. In addition, Borrower may, at its option and upon one (1) Business Days'
prior written notice, prepay any Advance hereunder, in whole or in part, on the
following conditions: (a) Borrower shall pay all accrued interest on the
principal being paid to the date of the prepayment and, in the case of
prepayments in full, all fees, charges, costs, expenses and other amounts then
due hereunder; and (b) in the case of a LIBOR Rate Loan, such LIBOR Rate Loan
shall only be prepaid on the last Business Day of the then current Interest
Period with respect thereto. In its notice, Borrower shall specify the date and
amount of the prepayment, whether the Advance being prepaid is a Prime Rate
Loan, LIBOR Rate Loan or a combination thereof, and, if a combination thereof,
the amount allocable to each. In the event that any prepayment (whether
mandatory or voluntary) of a LIBOR Rate Loan is required or permitted on a date
other than the last Business Day of the then current Interest Period with
respect thereto, Borrower shall indemnify Holder therefore in accordance with
subparagraph (g) of Paragraph I hereof. All prepayments will be applied first to
the payment of accrued interest to the date of the prepayment and the remainder
to the principal balances of this Note.

       7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. In order to induce Holder to make
Advances, Borrower makes the following representations and warranties to Holder,
which shall be deemed made as of the date hereof and on the date of each Advance
and shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and each performance
hereunder. Any knowledge acquired by Holder shall not diminish its rights to
rely upon such representations and warranties.

            (a) Good Standing and Qualification. Borrower is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware.

             (b) Corporate Authority. Borrower has full power and authority to
enter into and perform the obligations under this Note, to make the borrowings
contemplated herein, to execute and deliver this Note and any other documents
executed in connection herewith, and to incur the obligations provided for
herein, all of which have duly authorized by all necessary and proper corporate
action. No other consent or approval or the taking of any other action in


                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9
respect of the shareholders or of any public authority is required to be
obtained by Borrower as a condition to the validity or enforceability of this
Note or any other document executed in connection herewith.

             (c) Binding Agreements. This Note and any other document executed
in connection herewith constitute the valid and legally binding obligations of
Borrower, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.

             (d) No Conflicting Law or Agreements. The execution, delivery and
performance by Borrower of this Note and any other document executed in
connection herewith (i) do not violate any provision of the Certificate of
Incorporation or By-laws of Borrower, (ii) do not violate any order, decree or
judgment, or any provision of any statute, rule or regulation, (iii) do not
violate or conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with notice or
lapse of time, or both) a default under any shareholder agreement, mortgage or
contract to which Borrower is a party, or by which any of its property is bound,
and (iv) do not result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or
encumbrance of any nature whatsoever upon any property or assets of Borrower,
other than any such lien, charge or encumbrance in favor of Holder created
hereunder.

             (e) Compliance. Borrower: (i) is not in default in any material
respect with respect to or in violation of any order, writ, injunction or decree
of any court or of any federal, state, municipal or other governmental
department, commission, board, bureau, agency, authority or official, or in
violation of any law, statute, rule or regulation to which it or its properties
is or are subject, (ii) has not received notice of any such default from any
party, and (iii) is not default in the payment or performance of any of its
material obligations or in the performance of any material mortgage, indenture,
lease, contract or other agreement to which it is a party or by which any of its
assets or properties are bound.

       8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; NOTICE OF DEFAULT. Borrower shall deliver to
Holder: (a) within sixty (60) days after the close of each quarter of each
fiscal year of Borrower, a copy of Borrower's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
filed or to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission; (b) within
ninety (90) days after the close of each fiscal year of Borrower: (i) financial
statements including, a balance sheet as of the close of such year and
statements of income, cash flows and retained earnings for the year then ended,
prepared in conformity with GAAP (as defined below), applied on a basis
consistent with that of the preceding year or containing disclosure of the
effect on financial position or results of operations of any change in the
application of accounting principles during the year and accompanied by a report
thereon, containing an opinion, unqualified as to scope, of Arthur Andersen LLP,
or another nationally recognized firm of independent certified public
accountants selected by Borrower, and (ii) a copy of Borrower's Annual Report on
Form 10-K filed or to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission; (c)
within one hundred twenty (120) days after the close of each fiscal year of
Borrower, the most recent year end balance sheet and statement of income and
retained earnings of each endorser or guarantor of this Note (herein a
"GUARANTOR"), if any, in form and detail satisfactory to Holder, signed by such
Guarantor and certified as true, accurate and complete or, if Guarantor is a
natural person, personal financial statements in form and detail satisfactory to


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<PAGE>   10
Holder and such Guarantor's federal and state income tax returns and all
schedules thereto, signed and dated and filed with the Internal Revenue Service
and applicable state revenue collection agency; and (d) promptly on becoming
aware of any Defaulting Event, notice thereof, in writing.

      9.     COVENANTS. Unless Holder otherwise consents in writing, Borrower
shall not:

             (a) Encumbrances. Incur or permit to exist any lien, mortgage,
security interest, pledge, charge or other encumbrance, against any of its
property or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired (including, without
limitation, any lien or encumbrance relating to any response, removal or
clean-up of any toxic substances or hazardous wastes), except: (i) liens,
mortgages, security interests, charges or other encumbrances (A) in favor of
Holder, (B) listed on Schedule 2 attached hereto, or (C) specifically permitted,
in writing, by Holder; (ii) pledges or deposits in connection with or to secure
worker's compensation or unemployment insurance; and (iii) liens for taxes,
assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due and payable, liens for
taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies being contested in good
faith for which adequate reserves have been established to the extent required
by GAAP (as defined below), liens incurred in the ordinary course of business
which do not secure indebtedness for borrowed money such as carriers',
warehousemen's and mechanics' liens and other similar liens arising in the
ordinary course of business, liens incurred in connection with workers'
compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security, and
liens for purchase money indebtedness and capital lease indebtedness incurred by
Borrower as permitted in subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph 9.

             (b) Limitation on Indebtedness. Create, incur or guarantee any
indebtedness or obligation for borrowed money (including without limitation, any
reimbursement obligations for any letter of credit issued by any financial
institution) from, or issue or sell any of its obligations to any lender other
than Holder in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding.

             (c) Contingent Liabilities. Assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise
become liable upon the obligations of any person, firm or corporation, or enter
into any purchase or option agreement or other arrangement having substantially
the same effect as such a guarantee, except by the endorsement of negotiable
instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary
course of business.

             (d) Covenant to Secure Equally and Ratably. Permit any other
indebtedness incurred after the date hereof to be secured by any asset of
Borrower unless Borrower secures this Note or causes this Note to be secured
equally and ratably with all such other indebtedness secured other than
indebtedness, secured liens or encumbrances permitted pursuant to subparagraph
(a) of this Paragraph 9.

             (e) Consolidation, Merger, Purchase of Assets. Merge or consolidate
with or into any other person, firm or corporation nor will Borrower purchase or
otherwise acquire all or a material portion of the stock or assets of any other
person, firm or corporation.


                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11
10.   FINANCIAL COVENANTS. Unless Holder otherwise consents in writing:

            (a) Definitions. As used in this Paragraph 10, the following terms
shall have the following meanings:

                  (i) "Current Ratio" means, as of any date of determination,
that quotient equal to (A) Total Current Assets, divided by (B) Total Current
Liabilities.

                  (ii) "Debt-to-Tangible Net Worth Ratio" means, as of any date
of determination, that quotient equal to (A) Total Liabilities, divided by (B)
Tangible Net Worth.

                  (iii) "EBIT" (Earnings Before Interest and Taxes) means, as of
any date of determination (without duplication), the sum of (A) net income (or
net loss) from continuing operations (excluding extraordinary items of income),
plus (B) all Interest expense net of interest income, plus (C) all income tax
expense, plus (D) any other non-cash items of expense, all as determined in
accordance with GAAP.

                  (iv) "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in
the United States of America, as from time to time in effect; provided, however,
that for purposes of compliance with this Paragraph 10 and the related
definitions, GAAP means such principles as in effect on the date of the
preparation and delivery of the financial statements described in Paragraph 8
hereof and consistently followed, without giving effect to any subsequent
changes other than changes consented to in writing by Holder.

                  (v) "Indebtedness" means all obligations that in accordance
with GAAP should be classified as liabilities upon Borrower's balance sheet as
liabilities.

                  (vi) "Intangible Assets" means Borrower's assets that in
accordance with GAAP are properly classifiable as intangible assets, including,
but not limited to, good will, franchises, licenses, patents, trademarks,
tradenames and copyrights.

                  (vii) "Interest" means, for the applicable period, all
interest paid or payable, including, but not limited to, interest paid or
payable on Indebtedness.

                  (viii) "Interest Coverage Ratio" means, as of any date of
determination, that quotient equal to (A) EBIT, divided by (B) Interest.

                  (ix) "Tangible Net Worth" means, as of any date of
determination, the sum of (A) Total Assets, minus (B) the sum of (1) Total
Liabilities, plus (2) Intangible Assets.

                  (x) "Total Assets" means total assets determine in accordance
with GAAP (using the FIFO inventory valuation method).

                  (xi) "Total Current Assets" means total current assets
determined in


                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12
accordance with GAAP (using the FIFO inventory valuation method).

                  (xii) "Total Current Liabilities" means total current
Indebtedness determined in accordance with GAAP (using the FIFO inventory
valuation method).

                  (xiii) "Total Liabilities" means total Indebtedness determined
in accordance with GAAP (using the FIFO inventory valuation method).

            (b) Accounting Terms. Unless otherwise defined or specified in this
Paragraph 10, all accounting terms shall be construed and all accounting
determinations shall be made in accordance with GAAP.

            (c) Tangible Net Worth. Borrower shall not permit its Tangible Net
Worth to fall below Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000) at any time.

            (d) Interest Coverage Ratio. Borrower shall not permit its Interest
Coverage Ratio to be less than 3.0-to-1.0 as of March 31, June 30, September 30
and December 31 of each year.

            (e) Current Ratio. Borrower shall not permit its Current Ratio to be
less than 1.5-to-1.0 as of March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of
each year.

            (f) Debt-to-Tangible Net Worth Ratio. Borrower shall not permit its
Debt-to-Tangible Net Worth Ratio to be greater than 1.0-to-1.0 as of March 31, 
June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year.

      11. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES. Each of the following shall constitute an
"EVENT OF DEFAULT" hereunder:

            (a) Failure to make due payment of principal or interest on this
Note or in the payment of any other liability owing by Borrower to Holder, now
existing or hereinafter incurred, whether direct or contingent, within five (5)
days of the due date thereof,

            (b) Failure by Borrower to observe or perform any covenant contained
in this Note or any of its obligations under any document, instrument or
agreement governing, evidencing or securing this Note, and with respect only to
Borrower's covenants set forth in Paragraph 9 hereof, a continuation of any such
failure for fifteen (15) days;

            (c) Any representation or warranty made by Borrower to Holder or any
statement, certificate or other data furnished by any of them in connection
herewith proves at any time to be incorrect in any material respect;

            (d) Any levy, seizure, attachment, execution or similar process
shall be issued or levied on any property of Borrower having a fair market value
in excess of $250,000;


                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13
            (e) Borrower shall (i) apply for or consent to the appointment of a
receiver, conservator, trustee or liquidator of all or a substantial part of any
of its assets; (ii) become insolvent or be unable, or admit in writing its
inability, to pay its debts as they mature; (iii) file or permit the filing of
any petition, case, arrangement, reorganization, or the like under any
insolvency or bankruptcy law, or the adjudication of it as a bankrupt, or the
making of an assignment for the benefit of creditors or the consenting to any
form of arrangement for the satisfaction, settlement or delay of debt or the
appointment of a receiver for all or any part of its properties; or (iv) take
any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

            (f) An order, judgment or decree shall be entered, or a case shall
be commenced, against Borrower, without the application, approval or consent of
Borrower by or in any court of competent jurisdiction, approving a petition or
permitting the commencement of a case seeking reorganization or liquidation of
Borrower or appointing a receiver, trustee, conservator or liquidator of
Borrower, or of all or a substantial part of its assets and Borrower, by any
act, indicates its approval thereof, consent thereto, or acquiescence therein;

            (g) Failure by Borrower to pay or perform any other indebtedness or
obligation in the aggregate principal amount of $250,000, whether contingent or
otherwise, or if any such other indebtedness or obligation shall be accelerated,
or if there exists any event of default under any instrument, document or
agreement governing, evidencing or securing such other indebtedness or
obligations;

            (h) Holder believes that any material adverse change in the assets,
liabilities, financial condition or business of Borrower has occurred since the
date of any financial statements delivered to Holder before or after the date of
this Note; and

            (i) If, at any time, holder believes in good faith that the prospect
of payment of any obligation or the performance of any agreement of Borrower is
impaired, or there is such a change in the assets, liabilities, financial
condition or business of Borrower as Holder believes in good faith impairs
Holder's security (if any) or increases its risk of non-collection.

      Upon the occurrence of (1) any Event of Default set forth in subparagraphs
(e) and (f) of this Paragraph 11, any requirement upon Holder to make further
Advances hereunder shall automatically and immediately terminate and any and all
indebtedness hereunder shall automatically become immediately due and payable,
without presentment, demand, protest, notice of protest or other notice or
requirements of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by Borrower, and (2)
any one or more of the other Events of Default, any requirement upon Holder to
make further Advances hereunder shall, at the option of Holder, terminate and
any and all indebtedness hereunder shall, at the option of Holder, become
immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest, notice of
protest or other notice or requirements of any kind, all of which are expressly
waived by Borrower. Failure to exercise such option shall not constitute a
waiver of the right to exercise the same in the event of any subsequent default.


                                      -13-
<PAGE>   14
      12. LIEN AND SET OFF. Borrower hereby grants Holder a lien, security
interest and right of setoff as security for all of its indebtedness and other
liabilities to Holder, whether now existing or hereafter arising, upon and
against all its deposits, credits, collateral and property, now or hereafter in
the possession, custody, safekeeping or control of Holder or, if Holder is Bank,
any entity under common control of Fleet Financial Group, or in transit to any
of them. At any time, without demand or notice, Holder may apply or set off the
same, or any part thereof, to any liability or obligation of Borrower to Holder,
even though unmatured and regardless of the adequacy of any other collateral
securing the indebtedness hereunder. ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO REQUIRE HOLDER TO
MARSHAL OR OTHERWISE EXERCISE ITS RIGHTS OR REMEDIES WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER
COLLATERAL WHICH SECURES ANY OR ALL OF THE INDEBTEDNESS HEREUNDER PRIOR TO
EXERCISING ITS RIGHT OF SETOFF WITH RESPECT TO SUCH DEPOSITS, CREDITS OR OTHER
PROPERTY OF BORROWER ARE HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY OR IRREVOCABLY WAIVED.

      13. PREJUDGMENT REMEDY WAIVER. BORROWER (1) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE ADVANCES
EVIDENCED BY THIS NOTE ARE PART OF A COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION, AND (2) TO THE
EXTENT PERMITTED BY STATE OR FEDERAL LAW, WAIVES THE RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO PRIOR
NOTICE OF AND A HEARING UNDER ANY SUCH STATE OR FEDERAL LAW, INCLUDING WITHOUT
LIMITATION, CHAPTER 903a OF THE CONNECTICUT GENERAL STATUTES, AS AMENDED, ON THE
RIGHT OF HOLDER TO ANY REMEDY OR COMBINATION OF REMEDIES THAT ENABLES HOLDER, BY
WAY OF ATTACHMENT, FOREIGN ATTACHMENT, GARNISHMENT OR REPLEVIN, TO DEPRIVE
BORROWER OF ANY OF THEIR PROPERTY, AT ANY TIME, PRIOR TO FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY
LITIGATION INSTITUTED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS NOTE, AND FURTHER WAIVES ALL
RIGHTS TO REQUEST THAT HOLDER POST A BOND, WITH OR WITHOUT SURETY, TO PROTECT
BORROWER AGAINST DAMAGES THAT MAY BE CAUSED BY ANY PREJUDGMENT REMEDY SOUGHT OR
OBTAINED BY HOLDER.

      14. JURY TRIAL WAIVER. BORROWER AND HOLDER MUTUALLY HEREBY KNOWINGLY,
VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF
ANY CLAIM BASED HEREON, ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS NOTE OR
ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS CONTEMPLATED TO BE EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR
ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALINGS, STATEMENTS (WHETHER VERBAL OR
WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF ANY PARTY, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, TORT CLAIMS.
THIS WAIVER CONSTITUTES A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR BANK TO ACCEPT THIS NOTE AND
MAKE THE ADVANCES EVIDENCED HEREBY.

      15. NO WAIVER. Failure by Holder to insist upon the strict performance by
Borrower of any terms and provisions herein shall not be deemed to be a waiver
of any terms and provisions


                                      -14-
<PAGE>   15
herein, and Holder shall retain the right thereafter to insist upon strict
performance by Borrower of any and all terms and provisions of this Note or any
agreement securing the repayment of this Note.

      16. MISCELLANEOUS. Any delay on the part of Holder hereunder in exercising
any right hereunder or under any mortgage or security agreement which may secure
this Note shall not operate as a waiver of any such right, and any waiver
granted for one occasion shall not operate as a waiver in the event of a
subsequent default. The rights and remedies of Holder hereof shall be cumulative
and not in the alternative, and shall include all rights and remedies granted
herein, in any document, instrument or agreement governing, evidencing or
securing this Note and under all applicable laws. This Note is the final,
complete and exclusive statement of the terms governing this Note.

      17. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COPY, USE OF PROCEEDS, REPLACEMENT NOTE. Borrower
acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Note and attests, represents and warrants
to Holder that advances hereunder are to be used for general commercial purposes
and that no part of such proceeds will be used, in whole or in part, directly or
indirectly, for purchasing or carrying any "margin security" or "margin stock"
as such terms are defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System. Upon receipt of any affidavit of an officer of Holder as
to the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Note or any other security
document which is not of public record, if any, and, in the case of any such
loss, theft, destruction or mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation of such
Note or other security document, Borrower will issue, in lieu thereof, a
replacement Note or other security document in the same principal amount thereof
and otherwise of like tenor.

       18. TRANSFER OF BANK'S INTEREST. Borrower hereby agrees that Bank, in its
sole discretion, shall have the unrestricted right at any time and from time to
time, and without Borrower's consent, to grant to one or more banks or other
financial institutions (each, a "PARTICIPANT") participating interests in Bank's
obligation to lend hereunder and/or any or all of the advances held by Bank
hereunder. In the event of any such grant by Bank of a participating interest to
a Participant, whether or not upon notice to Borrower, Bank shall remain
responsible for the performance of its obligations hereunder and Borrower shall
continue to deal solely and directly with Bank in connection with Bank's rights
and obligations hereunder. Bank may furnish any information concerning Borrower
in its possession from time to time to Participants and prospective
Participants, PROVIDED that Bank shall require any such Participants and
prospective Participants to agree in writing to maintain the confidentiality of
such information. In addition to the foregoing, Bank may at any time pledge all
or any portion of its rights under this Note to any of the twelve (12) Federal
Reserve Banks organized under Section 4 of the Federal Reserve Act, 12 U.S.C.
Section 341, PROVIDED that no such pledge or enforcement thereof shall release
Bank from its obligations hereunder.

      19. GOVERNING LAW. This Note shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Connecticut (without regard to its conflicts of law provisions).


                                      -15-
<PAGE>   16
      20. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Note is deemed void, invalid or
unenforceable under applicable law, such provision is and will be deemed to be
totally ineffective to that extent, but the remaining provisions shall be deemed
unaffected and shall remain in full force and effect.

      21. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. The provisions of this Note shall bind the
assigns and successors of Borrower and shall inure to the benefit of Holder, its
successors and assigns.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower has executed, or caused this Note to be duly
executed, as a sealed instrument.

Witnesses (as to both):





/s/  Barbara Koger                        TRIDENT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
--------------------------------


/s/ Dianne R. Neley
--------------------------------          By  /s/ J. Leo Gagne
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Its  Vice President--CFO


                                          By  
                                              ----------------------------------
                                               Its


                                       16
<PAGE>   17
                                   Schedule 1


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           Amount of
          Advance Made
         This Date And
         Interest Rate           Amount of             Principal           Amount of
           Applicable        Principal Prepaid     Balance Remaining     Interest Paid    Notation
Date         Thereto             This Date               Unpaid             this Date      Made By
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>                 <C>                   <C>                   <C>              <C>


</TABLE>


                                      -17-