Patent GB-1283954-A (GB)
Title: Label dispensing or applying device
IPC: B65C11/02
Filed: 1969-07-01
Abstract: 1283954 Labelling SATO KIKO KK 1 July 1969 [3 July 1968 30 Sept 1968 24 Feb 1969 4 June 1969 (2) 5 June 1969 7 June 1969 10 June 1969 12 June 1969 14 June 1969] 33183/69 Heading B8F [Also in Divisions A4 and B6] A portable label printing and dispensing device has a printing mechanism operable by a manually operable member to undergo printing and return motions to print inscriptions on labels on a tape, and tape feeding mechanism reciprocatable by the manually operable member such that it undergoes a return stroke during the printing motion of the printing mechanism and it advances the tape by a label length during the return motion of the printing mechanism. The tape may be divided into label lengths by transverse incision lines facilitating separation of the labels, or the labels may be carried by a carrier tape. As shown in Fig. 4, a manually operable lever 10 is pivoted at 11 to the casing of the device and bears at 13 on an actuating lever 4 pivoted at 5 and connected at one end by a pin 21 to a printing mechanism 7 and connected at its other end 8 by links 30, 31 to a feed pawl 39. Depression of lever 10 pivots lever 4 anti-clockwise, thus shifting the printing mechanism 7 downwardly into contact with a label therebeneath, an inking roller passing over the type face in the usual way during this downward movement. Anti-clockwise movement of the lever 4 also shifts pawl 39 idly to the right. Release of lever 10 allows clockwise movement of the lever 4 under the action of a spring 37, thus raising the printing mechanism and shifting pawl 39 to the left. During this movement the feed pawl engages incisions between the labels and advances the tape by one label length, the printed label being projected through an aperture 62 in the casing. In a modification (Figs. 10-20, not shown) the manually actuated lever 10 is dispensed with and the lever 4 has a projection passing through an aperture in the casing to facilitate actuation. This modification may be further modified (Figs. 21-25, not shown) by omitting the connection. between the feed pawl and the actuating lever 4 and providing a link between the pawl and the printing mechanism. In further modifications two simultaneously actuated printing mechanisms are provided. Fig. 35 shows a device for applying labels 456 stripped from a carrier tape 455 by passing the tape around a pin 452. A manually operated trigger 441 is linked to a lever 442 connected by a pin 446 to one end of actuating lever 427 which is pivoted at 428. The far end of the lever 427 actuates a printing mechanism 429, and the pin 446 is connected to a feed mechanism 430 having a pawl 451 advancing the label tape during clockwise (return) movement of the lever 427 and trigger 441. A toothed sector 431 is spring- biased to engage the lever 427 at 434 and it meshes a gear 435 connected by ratchet mechanism to a feed roller 436. During return movement of lever 427 the sector rotates gear 435 clockwise and roller 436 is driven to pull the carrier tape 455, from which the labels have been stripped, to the right. The label is applied by a roller 453. In another modification (Figs. 36- 41, not shown) the feed of the carrier tape is provided by means of a rack on the feed mechanism 430 engaging a pinion having an arm carrying a tape tensioning roller. The feed mechanism 430 also has a cam co-operating with a clamp which holds the free end of the carrier tape during the advance movement of the feed mechanism 430. During this movement the tensioning arm is lowered to form a loop of tape between the stripping pin and the clamp. During return movement of the feed mechanism 430, the clamp is released, the tensioning arm is raised, and spring-biased plates eliminate the loop in the tape and eject it from the back of the device. The labels may be applied by plain rubber rollers, plastic rollers having conical projections, by a plurality of bands passing over a pair of rollers, by a plurality of spring biased fingers or spring fingers, or by a helical spring. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 1137848.