US3867883A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Strip label printer
Assignee: EMBLEM TAPE AND LABEL Co
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Filing: 1973-04-16
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Granted: 1975-02-25
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Expires: 1993-04-16
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a machine for printing a series of adhesive-backed labels joined together to form a continuous chain by relatively narrower disposable link-forming members formed integral therewith. The unit is characterized by a supply reel from which the label chain is drawn in intermittent fashion beneath a synchronized printing head by a reciprocating shuttle that has upstanding fingers which bridge the neck of the chain and successively engage the trailing edge of each label so as to push it forward along with the rest of the chain trailing therebehind. The head is pivotally mounted alongside the chain for rockable movement between a retracted inoperative position and an extended one in indicia forming engagement therewith. A common drive shaft turns a crank that reciprocates the shuttle and, at the same time, rotates a head-rocking cam wheel that activates the head during the return stroke of the shuttle.
Inventors
- 👤 James D Styers
- 👤 Paul H Styers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:05
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41K; B41K3/00; B41K3/02; B41K3/12; B41K3/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
325 words
The printing press for imprinting a plurality of labels joined together to form a chain by relatively narrower connecting portions which comprises: a base defining an upwardly facing supporting surface; a printing head adapted to carry an indicia transfer medium on the undersidde thereof mounted for rockable movement about an axis paralleling the supporting surface between an extended operative position in face-to-face contact with the latter and a retracted inoperative position raised thereabove; strip storage means located at one side of the printing head adapted to hold a supply of the labels in strip form; stripadvancing means carried by the base on the opposite side of the printing head from the strip storage means, said strip-advancing means including a shuttle mounted for reciprocal movement between an extended and a retracted position underneath the label strip as it leaves the printing head, said shuttle having a pair of transversely-spaced upstanding projections positioned and adapted to engage the trailing corners of each label alongside the connecting portion and advance same upon movement thereof from retracted into extended position; and, drive means connected to the printing head and strip-advancing means operative upon actuation to alternately shift the printing head and strip advancing means between their extended and retracted positions, said drive means including a Rotatable drive shaft, cam-carrying means and crank-forming means mounted on said drive shaft for conjoint rotation therewith, link means interconnecting said crank-forming means and shuttle operative upon rotation of the shaft to reciprocate the latter, means comprising a bell crank mounted for independent rockable movement about said axis intermediate its ends interconnecting the cam-carrying disc and printing head, said bell crank being operative in rsponse to rotation of said cam-carrying disc to intermittently advance said printing head into its extended operative position whenever said strip-advancing means is retracting the shuttle; and, yieldable biasing means normally urging said printing head into retracted position while cooperating therewith to hold said bell crank against the cam-carrying disc.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
325 words
The printing press for imprinting a plurality of labels joined together to form a chain by relatively narrower connecting portions which comprises: a base defining an upwardly facing supporting surface; a printing head adapted to carry an indicia transfer medium on the undersidde thereof mounted for rockable movement about an axis paralleling the supporting surface between an extended operative position in face-to-face contact with the latter and a retracted inoperative position raised thereabove; strip storage means located at one side of the printing head adapted to hold a supply of the labels in strip form; stripadvancing means carried by the base on the opposite side of the printing head from the strip storage means, said strip-advancing means including a shuttle mounted for reciprocal movement between an extended and a retracted position underneath the label strip as it leaves the printing head, said shuttle having a pair of transversely-spaced upstanding projections positioned and adapted to engage the trailing corners of each label alongside the connecting portion and advance same upon movement thereof from retracted into extended position; and, drive means connected to the printing head and strip-advancing means operative upon actuation to alternately shift the printing head and strip advancing means between their extended and retracted positions, said drive means including a Rotatable drive shaft, cam-carrying means and crank-forming means mounted on said drive shaft for conjoint rotation therewith, link means interconnecting said crank-forming means and shuttle operative upon rotation of the shaft to reciprocate the latter, means comprising a bell crank mounted for independent rockable movement about said axis intermediate its ends interconnecting the cam-carrying disc and printing head, said bell crank being operative in rsponse to rotation of said cam-carrying disc to intermittently advance said printing head into its extended operative position whenever said strip-advancing means is retracting the shuttle; and, yieldable biasing means normally urging said printing head into retracted position while cooperating therewith to hold said bell crank against the cam-carrying disc.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The strip label printing press as set forth in claim 1 in which: biasing means are interposed between the base and printing head normally biasing the latter into retracted position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The strip label printing press as set forth in claim 1 in which: a manually adjustable foot is carried on the end of the bell crank that engages the printing head, said foot being adapted upon actuation to vary the pressure exerted upon the labels in the label strip while printing same.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The strip label printing press as set forth in claim 1 in which; the crank-forming means of the drive means includes alternative points of attachment for the link means located at different distances from the axis of drive shaft rotation, said crank-forming means and link means cooperating with one another and with the shuttle to vary the length of travel thereof so as to accommodate labels of different lengths.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The strip label printing press as set forth in claim 1 in which: the leading edge of the shuttle is chamfered to pass beneath and lift the trailing corners of each label into the path of the upstanding projections following therebehind during the forward stroke thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The strip label printing press as set forth in claim 1 in which: the upstanding projections on the shuttle include sloping cam surfaces positioned to engage and lift the leading corners of each label alongside the connecting portion during the return stroke of the latter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The strip label printing press as set forth in claim 6 in which: the leading edge of the shuttle is chamfered to pass beneath and lift the trailing corners of each label into the path of the upstanding projections following therebehind during the forward stroke thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
The strip label printing press as set forth in claim 1 in which: a shaft is mounted atop the base in spaced parallel relation to the surface thereof and to the direction of shuttle movement; and, in which the printing head is mounted on said shaft for both longitudinal adjustment therealong and rockable movement relative to the supporting surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The strip label printing press as set forth in claim 8 in which: the bell crank is mounted on the same shaft as the printing head; and, in which at least one of said bell crank and printing head elements is mounted on said shaft for independent rotation relative therto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The strip label printing press as set forth in claim 9 in which: the printing head is freely rotatable on the shaft and the bell crank is fastened thereto for conjoint rotation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
84 words
The strip label printing press as set forth in claim 1 in which: the printing head includes a frame having an opening therethrough, an ink reservoir having a narrow neck sized to fit within the opening in the frame, an ink pad adapted to receive ink from the ink reservoir attached to the latter in inverted position through the opening in the frame, and fastener means carried by the ink pad positioned and adapted to detachably retain a stencil against the inked surface thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The strip label printing press as set forth in claim 11 in which: the opening in the frame is transversely elongate so as to permiT the subassembly which includes the ink reservoir, ink pad, stencil and fastening means for the latter to be adjusted laterally across the label strip.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
136 words
The strip label printing press as set forth in claim 12 in which: ink reservoir and ink pad in assembled relation cooperate to define a pair of oppositely facing notches alongside the neck sized to slidably receive the portions of the frame bordering the sides of the elongate opening therein; the upper surface of the frame bordering the sides of the elongate opening is cut away to define a pair of recessed tracks; and, in which a pair of wedge-shaped fasteners are mounted for slideable movement in said tracks, said fasteners being shaped and adapted to engage the ink reservoir alongside the neck and raise same up to a position where the ink pad contacts the underside of the frame so as to maintain the adjusted position of the printing head relative to the label strip.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The strip label printing press as set forth in claim 1 in which: tunnel-forming guide means are fastened to the base adjacent the extremities of shuttle excursion, said guide means being adapted to freely pass the label strip therethrough while holding same in position for engagement by the strip-advancing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The strip label printing press as set forth in claim 14 in which: strip-retention means bridge the gap between the tunnel-forming guide means above the strip-advancing means, said retention means being located and adapted to hold the label strip in position to be advanced by the shuttle.
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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) | 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 |