US3867882A — Apparatus for printing labels directly onto packa…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 187 words

A label printing apparatus for printing a label directly on a package, comprising: probe means for finding the package on which a label is to be placed; said probe means being movable relative to such a package to find a side thereof and including means forming a signal indicative of finding a side of the package, and means contacting the package during printing; print head means including means for applying ink for forming characters which comprise a portion of a label; means for moving said print head means and said probe means in a specified pattern relative to the side of the package to enable said print head means to form the label on the package, said means for moving further including means responsive to said means contacting the package to control inward and outward movement of said print head means with respect to the package during printing; and control means for providing print signals to said print head means indicating the label to be printed and driving signals to said means for moving to control movement of said print head means with respect to the package.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 187 words

A label printing apparatus for printing a label directly on a package, comprising: probe means for finding the package on which a label is to be placed; said probe means being movable relative to such a package to find a side thereof and including means forming a signal indicative of finding a side of the package, and means contacting the package during printing; print head means including means for applying ink for forming characters which comprise a portion of a label; means for moving said print head means and said probe means in a specified pattern relative to the side of the package to enable said print head means to form the label on the package, said means for moving further including means responsive to said means contacting the package to control inward and outward movement of said print head means with respect to the package during printing; and control means for providing print signals to said print head means indicating the label to be printed and driving signals to said means for moving to control movement of said print head means with respect to the package.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 62 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said label printing apparatus is adapted to be placed adjacent to a path of movement of a succession of packages, and further including means for orienting the packages relative to said apparatus to enable a side to be presented to said apparatus whereupon said probe means is extended toward the side and moves into contact therewith.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 67 words

means for providing driving signals to control movement of said print head means in the sequence of scanning movements with respect to the container wherein the label is directly printed onto the container, and e. means for controlling inward and outward movement of said print head means with respect to the container in response to said probe means to accommodate for small variations in the container surface.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 67 words

means for providing driving signals to control movement of said print head means in the sequence of scanning movements with respect to the container wherein the label is directly printed onto the container, and e. means for controlling inward and outward movement of said print head means with respect to the container in response to said probe means to accommodate for small variations in the container surface.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 31 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said probe means and said print head means are moved by said motive means along the height and width of the side of a package.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 86 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mean for moving includes: a pair of generally parallel and separated rotatable lead screws; a travelling nut on each of said lead screws; a supportive structure spanning between said travelling nuts and moved therewith; a lead screw incorporated in said supportive structure at right angles to said pair of lead screws; a travelling nut on said lead screw; and means connecting said travelling nut to said probe means to convey movement in two orthogonal directions to said probe means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 23 words

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for moving includes means for moving said probe means bi-directionally along a third orthogonal direction.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said print head means includes means for positioning said print head means within a specified range of a package.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 54 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said moving means moves said probe means and said print head means as a unit along a path toward and away from the package, and further including a motor and connected motor control circuit means which drives said probe means and said print head means along the path.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said motor rotates a lead screw which engages a travelling nut which is secured relative to said probe means.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 27 words

The apparatus of claim 7 including a pair of spaced guide means adjacent to said probe means for mounting said probe means for movement along the path.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said moving means includes a support mounting said pRint head means to the rear of said probe means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 72 words

The apparatus of claim 1 including a generally upright support; a carriage means movably mounted on said support; second means for moving said carriage means vertically on said support; third means on said carriage movable to the right and left and perpendicular to said second moving means; said third means including a movable structure supporting said movable means and said probe means for movement perpendicular to the operation of said second means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 15 words

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said second and third moving means include stepping motors.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said second moving means connects to a rotatable screw which advances said carriage means.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 28 words

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said carriage means includes a pair of parallel guide members, one of which is rotatable in cooperation with said third moving means.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 27 words

The apparatus of claim 1 further including an ink applicator in said print head means which is supported above and to the rear of said probe means.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 108 words

A label printing apparatus for directly printing a label onto a container, comprising: a. printer means for forming the label by selectively applying ink directly to the container under control of a series of print signals; b. print head means for moving said printer means in a sequence of scanning movements with respect to the container so that the printer may selectively apply ink to form the label on a surface of the container; and c. probe means for contacting the surface of the container being printed and for sensing the position of said printer means with respect to the container during printing; d. control computer means comprising:

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 108 words

A label printing apparatus for directly printing a label onto a container, comprising: a. printer means for forming the label by selectively applying ink directly to the container under control of a series of print signals; b. print head means for moving said printer means in a sequence of scanning movements with respect to the container so that the printer may selectively apply ink to form the label on a surface of the container; and c. probe means for contacting the surface of the container being printed and for sensing the position of said printer means with respect to the container during printing; d. control computer means comprising:

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 46 words

The apparatus of claim 16, wherein a succession of containers are moved past said apparatus to receive labels with varying information, and wherein said control computer means comprises: means for forming print signals in accordance with the varying information content of the labels to be printed.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 21 words

The apparatus of claim 16, further including: motor means for driving said print head means to thereby move said printer means.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 29 words

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said means for providing driving signals of said control means comprises: motor drive circuit means for providing driving signals to said motor means.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-02-24	1978-08-26	1979-02-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-02-24	1982-08-26	1983-02-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-02-24	1986-08-26	1987-02-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus for printing labels directly onto packages, containers and the like

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