Patent US3601042A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3601042A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for printing tags
Assignee: Avery Dennison Retail Information Services LLC
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Filing: 1970-07-06
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Granted: 1971-08-24
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Expires: 1990-07-06
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for printing closely spaced lines of characters on a series of tag parts, with a minimum of printing strokes and without the printing of extra tag parts, using a two section printhead having a plurality of band-set lines staggered between the two sections. Each tag part is fed past each printhead section and is partially printed by each section to be completed in two printing strokes. Adjacent tag parts are printed simultaneously by different sections of the printhead. One print stroke more than the total number of tag parts is employed. The feeding of blanks is inhibited during the last feed cycle. Counters control the printing of a selected number of single or multiple part tags through solid-state circuitry, and control the printing, feeding and cutting of tags, and the starting and stopping of the machine which prints them. The controls employ a combination of electrical and mechanical signals for driving, synchronizing, conditioning and enabling the various operations. A portion of the guideway is depressible to expose a cutting edge of the platen, a two section printhead structure with telescoping dials, and selective tag guides which retract into the guideway for accommodating various tag sizes are also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul H Hamisch Sr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:47
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41K; B41K3/00; B41K3/02; B41K3/04; B41K3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
293 words
A method for printing a plurality of tag parts in the form of N tags having M parts each for a total of (M X N) tag parts, in a minimum of printing strokes and without the printing of extra tag parts, with a printhead having two rigidly interconnected sections including a first section for printing at a first stage and a second section for printing at a second stage, each tag part being printed first at said first stage then at said second stage with a total of at least three lines of which one line printed at one of said stages falls between two lines printed at the other of said stages for a close line spacing, said method comprising, in order, the steps of: partially printing a tag part at said first stage with said first section of said printhead by a first printing stroke; performing (M X N)-1 intermediate operations, each of said intermediate operations comprising the steps of feeding a partially printed tag part from said first stage to said second stage and simultaneously feeding a blank tag part to said first stage, and thereafter printing tag parts simultaneously with a single printing stroke at both said first stage with said first printhead section to partially print a tag part, and at said second stage with said second printhead section to complete a tag part; feeding the partially printed Mth tag part of the Nth tag from said first stage to said second stage while inhibiting any feeding of blank tag parts to sAid first stage; and printing said Mth tag part of said Nth tag at said second stage with said second section of said printhead with the last printing stroke to complete a partially printed tag.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
293 words
A method for printing a plurality of tag parts in the form of N tags having M parts each for a total of (M X N) tag parts, in a minimum of printing strokes and without the printing of extra tag parts, with a printhead having two rigidly interconnected sections including a first section for printing at a first stage and a second section for printing at a second stage, each tag part being printed first at said first stage then at said second stage with a total of at least three lines of which one line printed at one of said stages falls between two lines printed at the other of said stages for a close line spacing, said method comprising, in order, the steps of: partially printing a tag part at said first stage with said first section of said printhead by a first printing stroke; performing (M X N)-1 intermediate operations, each of said intermediate operations comprising the steps of feeding a partially printed tag part from said first stage to said second stage and simultaneously feeding a blank tag part to said first stage, and thereafter printing tag parts simultaneously with a single printing stroke at both said first stage with said first printhead section to partially print a tag part, and at said second stage with said second printhead section to complete a tag part; feeding the partially printed Mth tag part of the Nth tag from said first stage to said second stage while inhibiting any feeding of blank tag parts to sAid first stage; and printing said Mth tag part of said Nth tag at said second stage with said second section of said printhead with the last printing stroke to complete a partially printed tag.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of: feeding a blank tag part to said first stage prior to said first printing stroke.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
122 words
A method according to claim 1 for printing N tags having M parts each for a total of N X M tag parts, in (M X N)+1 printing strokes, said method comprising the steps of: generating first signals corresponding one for each one of said printing strokes; generating second signals corresponding one for each Nth one of said first signals; counting said second signals, thereby counting the partial printing of the Mth tag parts; generating a third signal corresponding to the Nth one of said second signals, thereby signaling the at least partial printing of said total number of tags parts; and said inhibiting of any feeding of blank tag parts to said first stage being in response to said third signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method according to claim 3 for printing N separate tags of M attached tag parts each, wherein said blank tags are supplied in the form of a continuous strip, said method further comprising the steps of: severing from said strip each tag part which, during each Mth one of said printing steps, is partially printed at said first stage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 4 further comprising the steps of: enabling said severing steps in response to each of said second signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 3 further comprising the steps of: generating print signals; generating feed signals; said print signals and feed signals being synchronized with said first signals; said printing steps being responsive to said print signals; and said feeding steps being responsive to said feed signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said print signals and feed signals are mechanical signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 4 further comprising the steps of: enabling said severing step in response to said second signals; generating knife drive signals synchronized with said first signals; and said severing step being responsive to the coincidence of the enabling of said severing step and any one of said knife drive signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 8 further comprising the steps of: generating knife reset signals synchronized with said first signals; and disabling said severing step in response to said knife reset signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein said knife drive signals and said knife reset signals are mechanical signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
102 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein each of said partial printing steps includes cyclically operating a printing drive means which is drivingly connected to the printhead to cyclically move the printhead in imprinting relationship to the tag parts, and wherein said method further includes the steps of: generating a pulse signal in synchronism with each cycle of operation of said printing drive means; generating a drive-disabling signal in synchronism with the (M X N)+1-th cycle of said drive means; and stopping said printing drive means in response to the coincidence of said drive-disabling signal and any one of said pulse signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
A method according to claim 3 further comprising the steps of: generating blank-feed signals; said feeding of said blank tags being in response to said blank-feed signals; generating an inhibit signal in response to the Nth one of said second signals for inhibiting said blank-feed signals, thereby inhibiting any feeding of blank tags to said first stage; generating inhibit reset signals synchronized with said first signals; and resetting said inhibit signals in response to any one of said inhibit reset signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 3: wherein at least one of said first, second and third signals are electrical signals.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
269 words
An apparatus for printing a plurality of tag parts in the form of N tags having M parts each for a total of (M X N) tag parts, in a minimum of printing strokes and without the printing of extra tag parts, with a printhead having two rigidly interconnected sections including a first section for printing at a first stage and a second section for printing at a second stage, each tag part being printed first at said first stage then at said second stage with a total of at least three lines of which one line printed at one of said stages falls between two lines printed at the other of said stages for close line spacing, said apparatus comprising: a supply of blank tag parts; a printing station including said first and said second printing stages; a guideway extending from said supply through said stages of said printing station; feeding means positioned adjacent said guideway for feeding tag parts along said guideway from said supply to said first stage and from said first stage to said second stage; means for inhibiting said feeding means from feeding blank tag parts from said supply to said first stage when said inhibiting means are actuated; and control means connected to said printing station, said feeding means, and said inhibiting means for operating said printing station through (M X N)+1 printing strokes, for operating said feeding means through a feeding step between each of said printing strokes, and for actuating said inhibiting means during the feeding step which occurs between the (M X N)th and the (M X N)+1th printing stroke.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
269 words
An apparatus for printing a plurality of tag parts in the form of N tags having M parts each for a total of (M X N) tag parts, in a minimum of printing strokes and without the printing of extra tag parts, with a printhead having two rigidly interconnected sections including a first section for printing at a first stage and a second section for printing at a second stage, each tag part being printed first at said first stage then at said second stage with a total of at least three lines of which one line printed at one of said stages falls between two lines printed at the other of said stages for close line spacing, said apparatus comprising: a supply of blank tag parts; a printing station including said first and said second printing stages; a guideway extending from said supply through said stages of said printing station; feeding means positioned adjacent said guideway for feeding tag parts along said guideway from said supply to said first stage and from said first stage to said second stage; means for inhibiting said feeding means from feeding blank tag parts from said supply to said first stage when said inhibiting means are actuated; and control means connected to said printing station, said feeding means, and said inhibiting means for operating said printing station through (M X N)+1 printing strokes, for operating said feeding means through a feeding step between each of said printing strokes, and for actuating said inhibiting means during the feeding step which occurs between the (M X N)th and the (M X N)+1th printing stroke.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
126 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein both N and M are numbers greater than one, and wherein said control means comprises: means for generating first signals corresponding to each of said printing steps; a part counter having an input connected to said first signal generating means, and having an output; said part counter generating at its output second signals corresponding to each Mth one of said first signals; a tag counter having an input connected to the output of said part counter, and having an output; said tag counter generating at its output a third signal corresponding to the Nth one of said second signals; and said inhibiting means being connected to the output of said tag counter and being actuated by said third signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein: said supply comprises a continuous strip of blank tag parts; said control means comprises a tag counter for generating a signal corresponding to the printing of the Nth tag; said apparatus further comprises a knife positioned adjacent said guideway and responsive to said signal for severing said Nth tag from strip.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 for printing N separate tags wherein: said supply comprises a continuous strip of blank tags; said control means includes means for generating a signal corresponding to the printing of each tag; and said apparatus further comprises a knife positioned adjacent said guideway and responsive to said signal for severing each printed tag from said strip of blank tags.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 for printing N separate tags having M attached tag parts each, wherein: said supply comprises a continuous strip of blank tags; and said apparatus further comprises a knife positioned adjacent said guideway and responsive to said second signals for severing each M-part tag from said strip.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
90 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said feeding means comprises: a pair of feeding members spaced one tag part length apart along said guideway, said pair including a first member engageable with said supply for said feeding of blank tags to said first stage, and a second member engageable with a tag part at said first stage for said feeding to saId second stage; and wherein said inhibiting means, when actuated, disables said second feeding member and thereby inhibits any feeding of blank tag parts to said first stage.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said inhibiting means includes: a fender movable from an inactive position to a position against said second feed member to prevent engagement of said blank tags by said member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said control means comprises: a tag counter for generating a signal corresponding to the printing of the Nth tag; and said inhibiting means being actuated by said signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
87 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said control means further comprises: a cyclic drive operatively connected to said printing station and to said feeding means; a motor; a clutch connected between said motor and said cyclic drive to form a conditional driving engagement therebetween; a tag counter having an output, said tag counter generating at its output an end-of-run signal corresponding to the printing of the Nth tag; and means for disengaging said clutch in response to said signal after the (M X N)+1th printing stroke.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus according to claim 22 wherein: said end-of-run signal is generated by said tag counter in response to the (M X N)th printing stroke; and wherein said control means further comprises: delay means connected between the output of said tag counter and said disengaging means to permit an additional printing stroke after the occurrence of said end-of-run signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
207 words
An apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said delay means comprises: a clutch latch for conditioning said clutch to engage and release, said latch having alternative latched and unlatched states; clutch release signal generating means partially carried by said cyclic drive and partially carried by said clutch latch, for generating clutch release signals corresponding to a predetermined cyclic position of said cyclic drive, each of said clutch release signals demarking cycles of said cyclic drive, each cycle including one printing stroke; a count signal generator carried at least partially by said cyclic drive for generating count signals synchronized to said clutch release signals, said end-of-run signal timed to the count signal of the (M X N)th cycle; a reset signal generator having an output and carried at least partially by said cyclic drive for generating signals synchronized to said clutch release signals and preceding said count signals in each cycle; said clutch latch connected to said reset signal generator and responsive to the coincidence of any one of said reset signals and said end-of-run signal for setting said latch to said unlatched state; said clutch-disengaging means being responsive to the coincidence of the unlatched state of said clutch latch and any one of said clutch release signals.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
72 words
An apparatus according to claim 24 wherein: said clutch-disengaging means includes a cam member and a cooperating cam follower member, one of said members carried by said cyclic drive and one of said members carried by said clutch latch; said clutch release signal-generating means including said cam and cam follower members, said clutch release signal being defined by the alignment of said cam follower member with a predetermined position of said cam.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according according to claim 24 wherein said count signal generator and said reset signal generator are electric pulse generators.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said control means further comprises an electromagnetic solenoid having a winding connected to the output of said signal generator, said solenoid having an output shaft connected to said clutch for setting said latch to said unlatched state when said solenoid is energized.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
81 words
An apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said control means further comprises: a start signal generator having an output; an electromagnetic solenoid having an input connected to the output of said start signal generator, said solenoid having an output shaft connected to said clutch latch, said solenoid being energized by a signal at its input, said solenoid setting said latch to said latched state when energized; and said clutch being engaged in response to the latched state of said clutch latch,
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
91 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said control means further comprises: a motor; and a cyclic drive having an input drivably connected to said motor, said cyclic drive having a plurality of periodic outputs, said outputs including: a print output directly connected to said printing station to cause the execution of a printing stroke with each cycle of said cyclic drive; and a feed output directly connected to said feeding means to cause the feeding of a tag part relative to said printhead with each cycle of said cyclic drive.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 29 wherein said print output includes a cam member and a cam follower member, one of said cam and follower members carried by said cyclic drive and the other of said cam and follower members linked to said printing station.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said other member is linked to said printhead to move said printhead through said printing strokes.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 29 wherein said feed output includes a cam member and a cam follower member, one of said cam and follower members carried by said cyclic drive and the other of said cam and follower members linked to said feeding means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
91 words
An apparatus according to claim 29 wherein said feeding means comprises: a pair of feeding members spaced one tag part length apart along said guideway, said pair including a first feed member engageable with said supply for said feeding of blank tags to said first stage, and a second feed member engageable with a tag part at said first stage for said feeding to said second stage; and wherein said inhibiting means, when actuated, disables said first feed member thereby inhibiting any feeding of blank tag parts to said first stage.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 33 wherein said inhibiting means includes: a fender movable from an inactive position to a position against said second feed member to prevent said second feed member from engaging blank tags.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
75 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said control means further comprises: a motor; said first signal-generating means comprising a cyclic drive having an input drivably connected to said motor, said cyclic drive having a periodic output including an electronic circuit for generating said first signals in the form of an electric pulse, one of said first signals occurring with each cycle of said cyclic drive at a predetermined cyclic position of said cyclic drive.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus according to claim 35 wherein: said third signal is an electrical signal; and said control means further comprises a solenoid having a winding connected to the output of said tag counter, said solenoid having an output shaft linked to said inhibiting means to actuate said inhibiting means when said solenoid is energized by said third signal.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
128 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said control means further comprises: a motor; a cyclic drive having an input drivably connected to said motor, and having a plurality of synchronized periodic outputs, said outputs including: said first signal generating means, a knife drive cam, and a knife latch reset output; and a conditional linkage connected between said knife and said knife drive cam, said linkage including a knife latch, said knife latch having a latched condition wherein said knife drive cam is effective to drive said knife through said linkage and an unlatched condition wherein said linkage is disengaged, said knife latch being set to said latched condition in rEsponse to said second signal and to said unlatched condition in response to said knife latch reset output.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus according to claim 37 wherein: said knife latch reset output is a cam mechanically linked to said knife latch; and said controls further comprising a solenoid having a winding connected to the output of said part counter whereby said solenoid is engaged by said second signal, said solenoid having an output shaft connected to said knife latch for setting said knife latch to said latched condition.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
97 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein: said supply is in the form of a continuous strip of blank tags; said apparatus further comprises a knife pivotally mounted adjacent said guideway and having a mounting shaft parallel to said guideway, said knife movable against said guideway to sever tags from said strip; said guideway includes a transverse cutting edge and a depressible portion abutting said cutting edge; and said knife includes an abutting surface engageable with said portion when said knife moves against said guideway to depress said portion as said tags are severed from said strip.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
198 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said printhead comprises: a center mounting plate; two external mounting plates, including a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate spaced on opposite sides of said center mounting plate; a first printhead section and a second printhead section, each of said sections including said center mounting plate, a respective one of said external mounting plates, one of said sections including at least two rows of type, aligned between two of said rows of the other said sections, each of said rows of type mounted between, and at opposite ends to, said center mounting plate and the respective one of said external mounting plates; each of said rows including an upper shaft, a lower shaft, and a plurality of type carrying endless bands surrounding both of said upper and lower shafts; a dial shaft telescopically mounted within said upper shaft and projecting through the respective external plate; an indexing wheel mounted to the interior end of said dial shaft and selectively engageable with a selected one of said bands in accordance with the telescopic setting of said dial shaft, for indexing said selected one of said bands to a selected character.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
85 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said guideway comprises: selective guide means for forming a channel of variable size and position on said guideway, said selective guide means comprising: at least one retractable guide plate, including a first plate, extending longitudinally of said guideway, said plate having an operative position projecting from the surface of said guideway and an inoperative position remote from the surface of said guideway; and a control element for selectively moving said guide plate between said operative and inoperative positions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |