Patent ID: 7578332

Claim:
A printer which can store a web that has removable labels affixed thereto comprising: a peeler mechanism having a peeler roller movable between a first peeling position for peeling labels from the web and a second or retracted position in which labels are not peeled from the web; a label exit for discharging labels peeled from the web; a web exit for discharging the web from the printer after the labels are peeled; a label detection unit comprising an optical photosensor having a photoreceptor portion for detecting the presence and absence of a label at said label exit based upon the light output condition of said photoreceptor portion for optically detecting if a peeled label remains in the label exit, and a movable member responsive to the position of said peeler mechanism with said label detection unit being interconnected to said peeler mechanism such that when said peeler roller is set to said first position the output of said label detection unit is indicative of the presence and absence of a peeled label in the label exit and when said peeler roller is set to said retracted position said movable member is moved to a position covering said optical photosensor.