A combination of a termal label printer and means for sorting parcels, and amethod for checking and sorting parcels.

Claim 2

Method as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that when the first data and the second data do not match with each other, the second data are transferred to a third memory area (M3) of the data memory means (30) for display and/or transmission to the external computer (32,37) for further data processing.

Claim 3

A combination of a thermal label printer (1) and means for sorting parcels based on a destination code (I) to be printed by said printer (1) on a confirmation label (L) and attached to the parcel for carrying out the method of claim 1, said thermal label printer (1) comprising a printer unit having a thermal print medium passage, a thermal print medium position detecting means (15), a thermal print medium transport means (19), a thermal printing means (20) for thermal printing on the thermal print medium, a data input means (6,11) comprising at least a keyboard (6), a data memory means (30), a program memory means (29), an input/output means (12,28) for data communication with at least one external computer (32,27) and a control means (26) for controlling the afore-said means comprising a comparator means which is adapted to temporarily store in the data memory means (30) both (a) data read from a slip number bar code (B) attached to a parcel through the data input means (11) as second data at a stage prior to the sorting of the parcel by its destination code (I) and after a collection stage, (b) data representing the slip number bar code (B) and destination code (I) of the parcel and received through the external computer (32,37) as first data, said data having been input to the external computer (32,37) at the parcel collection stage, said control means (26) being adapted to output a print command signal for printing the destination code (I) on the confirmation label (L) when the second data input from the data input means (11) match with the first data input from the external computer (32,37), and that when the first data and the second data do not match with each other, said second data are stored in said data memory means (30) for display and/or transmission to the external computer (32,37) for further data processing.

Claim 4

The combination as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that said data input means (6,11) additionally comprises a pen scanner (11) for inputting the second data by scanning a bar code.

Claim 5

The combination as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the thermal printer (1) comprises a main unit (2) providing a socket (12) for selectively connecting the pen scanner (11) or a wire link of the external computer (32,37).

Claim 6

The combination as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that a wireless connection is provided between the external computer (32,37) preferably a host or microcomputer, and the thermal label printer.

Claim 7

The combination as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the thermal label printer (1) comprises a main unit (2) housing at least the control means (26), a battery (27), an interface (28) for data input from and data output to the external computer (32,37), the program memory means (29) and the data memory means (30) in a flat housing with a keyboard (6) and a display (7) at a position above the keyboard (6) on its top surface and supporting a thermal label roll (R) at an upper portion of the main unit (2), with the thermal label strip (T) passing from the thermal label roll (R) through a label strip passage (18) comprising a position sensor (15) and guide rollers (17) of an upper press member (16), associated with a conveyor roller (19), to a thermal head (20) and a platen (21) where the labels (L) are peeled off a backing sheet (S) which is redirected rearwardly to engage the conveyor roll (19) at the lower side thereof, guided by guide rollers (23) of a lower press member (22) to be discharged backwards out of the main unit (2) via a discharge outlet (14).

Claim 8

The combination as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the thermal label printer (1) is of a desk-type comprising said main unit (2) enabling the thermal label printer to be placed on a supporting surface.

Claim 9

The combination as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the thermal label printer (1) comprises a handle provided on the bottom of the main unit (2).