Label printing and applying apparatus

Claim 2

A hand-held portable label applying apparatus, comprising: a housing having a handle, means for delaminating pressure-sensitive labels from a web of supporting material, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying the labels, a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web about the delaminating means, means for driving the feed wheel including a ratchet wheel, a drive pawl cooperable with the ratchet wheel, and a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for driving the pawl, and means including a plurality of teeth and including means cooperable with the teeth for varying the positional relationship of the ratchet wheel relative to the feed wheel to vary the position relative to the delaminating means to which the web is advanced by the feed wheel.

Claim 3

The combination as defined in claim 1, the position varying means including a plurality of teeth connected to the feed wheel, a hub connected to the ratchet wheel, and a plurality of other pawls connected to the hub and cooperable with the teeth, but the number of other pawls being fewer in number than the number of teeth, the disposition of the other pawls being such that in any one position of the hub less than all the other pawls fully engage with respective teeth.

Claim 4

The combination as defined in claim 1, the position varying means comprising means coupling the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel and including a plurality of teeth providing for variation of positioning of the ratchet wheel with respect to the feed wheel.

Claim 5

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and applying pressure-sensitive labels carried by a web of supporting material, comprising: a frame having a handle, a platen mounted by the frame, a print head movably mounted by the frame and cooperable with the platen, an applicator, means disposed adjacent the applicator for delaminating successive labels from the web of supporting material, a feed wheel rotatably mounted by the frame for advancing the web, and means for driving the print head into cooperation with the platen and for driving the feed wheel to advance the web, the driving means including a pawl and ratchet mechanism having a ratchet wheel and a cooperable pawl, a manually operable operator disposed at the handle, a gear driven by the operator for driving the ratchet wheel and the print head, and means coupling the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel to each other for varying the positional relationship of the pawl and ratchet mechanism with respect to the feed wheel to vary the position to which the feed wheel advances a label with respect to the platen and the delaminating means.

Claim 6

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and applying pressure-sensitive labels carried by a web of supporting material, comprising: a frame having a handle, a platen mounted by the frame, a print head movably mounted by the frame and cooperable with the platen, an applicator, means disposed adjacent the applicator for delaminating successive labels from the web of supporting material, a feed wheel rotatably mounted by the frame for advancing the web, and means for driving the print head into cooperation with the platen and for driving the feed wheel to advance the web, the driving means including a pawl and ratchet mechanism having a ratchet wheel and a cooperable pawl, a manually operable operator disposed at the handle, a gear driven by the operator for driving the ratchet wheel and the print head, and means coupling the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel to each other for varying the positional relationship of the pawl and ratchet mechanism with respect to the feed wheel to vary the position to which the feed wheel advances a label with respect to the platen and the delaminating means.

Claim 7

Label printing and applying apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the operator includes an operating lever, the driving means further includes a gear segment driven by the operating lever, the driven gear being driven by the gear segment, a gear carried by the print head and engaged with the driven gear, and means mounting the operating lever for pivotal movement, the pawl being carried by the driven gear, the operating lever being movable in one direction to move the gear segment in one direction and to cause the driven gear to move the print head into printing cooperation with the platen and to cause the pawl to move into cooperation with the ratchet wheel, and the operating lever being movable in the opposite direction to move the gear segment in the opposite direction to cause the driven gear to move the print head out of printing cooperation with the platen and to cause the pawl to drive the ratchet wheel to feed the web to a position in which the printed label is substantially entirely delaminated from the web and the next successive label is at the printing position between the platen and the print head.

Claim 8

The combination as defined in claim 4, the the position varying means including a plurality of teeth connected to the feed wheel, a hub connected to the ratchet wheel, and a plurality of other pawls connected to the hub cooperable with the teeth, but the number of other pawls being fewer in number than the number of teeth, the disposition of the other pawls being such that in any one position of the hub less than all the other pawls fully engage with respective teeth.

Claim 9

The combination as defined in claim 4, the position varying means comprising means coupling the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel and including a plurality of teeth providing for variation of positioning of the ratchet wheel with respect to the feed wheel.

Claim 10

A hand-held portable label printing and applying machine, comprising: a frame having a handle, a platen and a cooperating print head carried by the frame, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating print labels, an applicator disposed beyond the delaminating means, a toothed feed wheel for feeding a web of labels to a printing position between the print head and the platen and to the applicator, and means for driving the print head toward and away from the platen into and out of printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter driving the feed wheel to advance the web to present successive labels to the applicator, the driving means including a manually engageable operator disposed at the handle, a first gear section carried by the operator, a gear driven by the gear section, means drivingly coupling the gear and the feed wheel, and a second gear section carried by the print head and driven by the gear.

Claim 11

A hand-held portable label printing and applying machine, comprising: a frame having a handle, a platen and a cooperating print head carried by the frame, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating print labels, an applicator disposed beyond the delaminating means, a toothed feed wheel for feeding a web of labels to a printing position between the print head and the platen and to the applicator, and means for driving the print head toward and away from the platen into and out of printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter driving the feed wheel to advance the web to present successive labels to the applicator, the driving means including a manually engageable operator disposed at the handle, a first gear section carried by the operator, a gear driven by the gear section, means drivingly coupling the gear and the feed wheel, and a second gear section carried by the print head and driven by the gear.

Claim 12

The combination as defined in claim 8, including a return spring for returning the operator, the gear and the print head to their initial positions.

Claim 13

The combination as defined in claim 8, the handle extending downwardly relative to the remainder of the frame, the operator comprising an operating lever, and means disposed at the lower end of the frame for pivotally mounting the operating lever.

Claim 14

The combination as defined in claim 8, including means for varying the position to which the labels are advanced relative to the delaminating means, the position varying means including a plurality of teeth connected to the feed wheel, a hub driven by the gear, and a plurality of other pawls connected to the hub and cooperable with the teeth, but the number of other pawls being fewer in number than the number of teeth, the disposition of the other pawls being such that in any one position of the hub less than all the other pawls fully engage with respective teeth.

Claim 15

The combination as defined in claim 8, including means for varying the position to which the labels are advanced relative to the delaminating means, a pawl and ratchet mechanism driven by the gear, the pawl and ratchet mechanism including a ratchet wheel, the position varying means comprising means coupling the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel and including a plurality of teeth providing for variation of positioning of the ratchet wheel with respect to the feed wheel.

Claim 16

A hand-held portable label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, means for printing on labels carried on a web of supporting material, means adjacent the printing means for delaminating pressure-sensitive labels from the web of supporting material, means adjacent the delaminating means for applying labels, a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web about the delaminating means, and means for driving the feed wheel including a ratchet wheel, a drive pawl cooperable with the ratchet wheel, and a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for driving the pawl, and means coupling the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel to each other for varying the positional relationship of the ratchet wheel relative to the feed wheel to vary the position relative to the delaminating means to which the web is advanced by the feed wheel, the position varying means including a detent mechanism coupling the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel, the detent mechanism comprising a toothed member having spaced apart teeth providing recesses and spaced apart fingers urged into the recess, at least one finger being engaged with a face of one tooth to provide positive driving of the feed wheel, but the fingers being deflectable to enable relative movement of the ratchet wheel in its non-driving direction against forces required to deflect the fingers.

Claim 17

A hand-held portable label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, means for printing on labels carried on a web of supporting material, means adjacent the printing means for delaminating pressure-sensitive labels from the web of supporting material, means adjacent the delaminating means for applying labels, a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web about the delaminating means, and means for driving the feed wheel including a ratchet wheel, a drive pawl cooperable with the ratchet wheel, and a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for driving the pawl, and means coupling the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel to each other for varying the positional relationship of the ratchet wheel relative to the feed wheel to vary the position relative to the delaminating means to which the web is advanced by the feed wheel, the position varying means including a detent mechanism coupling the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel, the detent mechanism comprising a toothed member having spaced apart teeth providing recesses and spaced apart fingers urged into the recess, at least one finger being engaged with a face of one tooth to provide positive driving of the feed wheel, but the fingers being deflectable to enable relative movement of the ratchet wheel in its non-driving direction against forces required to deflect the fingers.

Claim 18

The combination as defined in claim 13, the position varying means including a detent mechanism having relatively movable parts, and a pair of knobs connected to the detent mechanism by which relative movement between the parts of the detent mechanism can be manually effected.

Claim 19

The combination as defined in claim 13, the position varying means including a plurality of teeth connected to the feed wheel, a hub connected to the ratchet wheel, and a plurality of other pawls connected to the hub and cooperable with the teeth, but the number of other pawls being fewer in number than the number of teeth, the disposition of the other pawls being such that in any one position of the hub less than all the other pawls cooperate with respective teeth.

Claim 20

The combination as defined in claim 13, the position varying means comprising means coupling the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel and including a plurality of teeth providing for variation of positioning of the ratchet wheel with respect to the feed wheel.

Claim 21

A hand-held portable label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, means for delaminating pressure-sensitive labels from a web of supporting material, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying labels, a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web around the delaminating means, a ratchet wheel for driving the feed wheel, a driven gear coaxial with the ratchet wheel, a pawl carried by the driven gear and cooperable with the ratchet wheel, gear means for sequentially driving the driven gear in one direction to effect engagement of the pawl with a tooth of the ratchet wheel and in the opposite direction to cause the pawl to drive the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel, a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for driving the gear means, a print head for printing on the labels, and another gear coupled to the print head, the driven gear being in driving engagement with the other gear for moving the print head into and out of contact with a label as the driven gear is sequentially rotated in the one direction and in the opposite direction.

Claim 22

A hand-held portable label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, means for delaminating pressure-sensitive labels from a web of supporting material, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying labels, a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web around the delaminating means, a ratchet wheel for driving the feed wheel, a driven gear coaxial with the ratchet wheel, a pawl carried by the driven gear and cooperable with the ratchet wheel, gear means for sequentially driving the driven gear in one direction to effect engagement of the pawl with a tooth of the ratchet wheel and in the opposite direction to cause the pawl to drive the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel, a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for driving the gear means, a print head for printing on the labels, and another gear coupled to the print head, the driven gear being in driving engagement with the other gear for moving the print head into and out of contact with a label as the driven gear is sequentially rotated in the one direction and in the opposite direction.

Claim 23

A hand-held portable label applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, means for delaminating pressure-sensitive labels from a web of supporting material, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying labels, a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web around the delaminating means, a ratchet wheel for driving the feed wheel, a driven gear coaxial with the ratchet wheel, a pawl carried by the driven gear and cooperable with the ratchet wheel, gear means for sequentially driving the driven gear in one direction to effect engagement of the pawl with a tooth of the ratchet wheel and in the opposite direction to cause the pawl to drive the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel, means coupling the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel to each other for changing the position to which the labels are advanced relative to the delaminating means, and a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for driving the gear means.

Claim 24

A hand-held portable label applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, means for delaminating pressure-sensitive labels from a web of supporting material, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying labels, a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web around the delaminating means, a ratchet wheel for driving the feed wheel, a driven gear coaxial with the ratchet wheel, a pawl carried by the driven gear and cooperable with the ratchet wheel, gear means for sequentially driving the driven gear in one direction to effect engagement of the pawl with a tooth of the ratchet wheel and in the opposite direction to cause the pawl to drive the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel, means coupling the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel to each other for changing the position to which the labels are advanced relative to the delaminating means, and a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for driving the gear means.

Claim 25

A hand-held portable label applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, means for delaminating pressure-sensitive labels from a web of supporting material, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying labels, a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web about the delaminating means, and means for driving the feed wheel including a ratchet wheel, a drive pawl cooperable with the ratchet wheel, a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for driving the pawl, and means for varying the positional relationship of the ratchet wheel relative to the feed wheel to vary the position relative to the delaminating means to which the web is advanced by the feed wheel, the position varying means including a detent mechanism coupling the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel, the detent mechanism comprising a toothed member having spaced apart teeth providing recesses and spaced apart fingers urged into the recesses, at least one finger being fully engaged with a face of one tooth to provide positive driving of the feed wheel, but the fingers being deflectable to enable relative movement of the ratchet wheel in its non-driving direction against forces required to deflect the fingers.

Claim 26

A hand-held portable label applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, means for delaminating pressure-sensitive labels from a web of supporting material, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying labels, a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web about the delaminating means, and means for driving the feed wheel including a ratchet wheel, a drive pawl cooperable with the ratchet wheel, a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for driving the pawl, and means for varying the positional relationship of the ratchet wheel relative to the feed wheel to vary the position relative to the delaminating means to which the web is advanced by the feed wheel, the position varying means including a detent mechanism coupling the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel, the detent mechanism comprising a toothed member having spaced apart teeth providing recesses and spaced apart fingers urged into the recesses, at least one finger being fully engaged with a face of one tooth to provide positive driving of the feed wheel, but the fingers being deflectable to enable relative movement of the ratchet wheel in its non-driving direction against forces required to deflect the fingers.

Claim 27

A hand-held portable label applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, means for delaminating pressure-sensitive labels from a web of supporting material, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying labels, a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web about the delaminating means, and means for driving the feed wheel including a ratchet wheel, a drive pawl cooperable with the ratchet wheel, a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for driving the pawl, and means for varying the positional relationship of the ratchet wheel relative to the feed wheel to vary the position relative to the delaminating means to which the web is advanced by the feed wheel, the position varying means including a detent mechanism having relatively movable parts, and a pair of knobs connected to the detent mechanism by which relative movement between the parts of the detent mechanism can be manually effected.

Claim 28

A hand-held portable label applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, means for delaminating pressure-sensitive labels from a web of supporting material, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying labels, a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web about the delaminating means, and means for driving the feed wheel including a ratchet wheel, a drive pawl cooperable with the ratchet wheel, a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for driving the pawl, and means for varying the positional relationship of the ratchet wheel relative to the feed wheel to vary the position relative to the delaminating means to which the web is advanced by the feed wheel, the position varying means including a detent mechanism having relatively movable parts, and a pair of knobs connected to the detent mechanism by which relative movement between the parts of the detent mechanism can be manually effected.

Claim 29

A hand-held portable label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, means for printing on labels carried on a web of supporting material, means adjacent the printing means for delaminating pressure-sensitive labels from the web, means adjacent the delaminating means for applying labels, a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web around the delaminating means, a ratchet wheel for driving the feed wheel, a driven gear coaxial with the ratchet wheel, a pawl carried by the driven gear and cooperable with the ratchet wheel, gear means for sequentially driving the driven gear in one direction to effect engagement of the pawl with a tooth of the ratchet wheel and in the opposite direction to cause the pawl to drive the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel, a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for actuating the gear means, and means coupling the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel to each other for changing the position to which labels are advanced relative to the delaminating means.

Claim 30

A hand-held portable label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, means for printing on labels carried on a web of supporting material, means adjacent the printing means for delaminating pressure-sensitive labels from the web, means adjacent the delaminating means for applying labels, a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web around the delaminating means, a ratchet wheel for driving the feed wheel, a driven gear coaxial with the ratchet wheel, a pawl carried by the driven gear and cooperable with the ratchet wheel, gear means for sequentially driving the driven gear in one direction to effect engagement of the pawl with a tooth of the ratchet wheel and in the opposite direction to cause the pawl to drive the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel, a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for actuating the gear means, and means coupling the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel to each other for changing the position to which labels are advanced relative to the delaminating means.

Claim 31

A handheld portable label applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, means for delaminating pressure-sensitive labels from a web of supporting material, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying labels, a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web around the delaminating means, a ratchet wheel for driving the feed wheel, a driven gear coaxial with the ratchet wheel, a pawl carried by the driven gear and cooperable with the ratchet wheel, gear means for sequentially driving the driven gear in one direction to effect engagement of the pawl with a tooth of the ratchet wheel and in the opposite direction to cause the pawl to drive the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel, a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for actuating the gear means, means for varying the position to which the labels are advanced relative to the delaminating means, the position varying means including a plurality of teeth connected to the feed wheel, a hub connected to the ratchet wheel, and a plurality of other pawls connected to the hub and cooperable with the teeth, but the number of other pawls being fewer in number than the number of teeth, the disposition of the other pawls being such that in any one position of the hub less than all the other pawls fully engage with respective teeth.

Claim 32

A handheld portable label applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, means for delaminating pressure-sensitive labels from a web of supporting material, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying labels, a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web around the delaminating means, a ratchet wheel for driving the feed wheel, a driven gear coaxial with the ratchet wheel, a pawl carried by the driven gear and cooperable with the ratchet wheel, gear means for sequentially driving the driven gear in one direction to effect engagement of the pawl with a tooth of the ratchet wheel and in the opposite direction to cause the pawl to drive the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel, a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for actuating the gear means, means for varying the position to which the labels are advanced relative to the delaminating means, the position varying means including a plurality of teeth connected to the feed wheel, a hub connected to the ratchet wheel, and a plurality of other pawls connected to the hub and cooperable with the teeth, but the number of other pawls being fewer in number than the number of teeth, the disposition of the other pawls being such that in any one position of the hub less than all the other pawls fully engage with respective teeth.

Claim 33

A hand-held portable label applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, means for delaminating pressure-sensitive labels from a web of supporting material, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying labels, a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web around the delaminating means, a ratchet wheel for driving the feed wheel, a driven gear coaxial with the ratchet wheel, a pawl carried by the driven gear and cooperable with the ratchet wheel, gear means for sequentially driving the driven gear in one direction to effect engagement of the pawl with a tooth of the ratchet wheel and in the opposite direction to cause the pawl to drive the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel, a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for actuating the gear means, and means for varying the position to which the labels are advanced relative to the delaminating means, the position varying means comprising means coupling the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel and including a plurality of teeth providing for variation of positioning of the ratchet wheel with respect to the feed wheel.

Claim 34

A hand-held portable label applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, means for delaminating pressure-sensitive labels from a web of supporting material, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying labels, a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web around the delaminating means, a ratchet wheel for driving the feed wheel, a driven gear coaxial with the ratchet wheel, a pawl carried by the driven gear and cooperable with the ratchet wheel, gear means for sequentially driving the driven gear in one direction to effect engagement of the pawl with a tooth of the ratchet wheel and in the opposite direction to cause the pawl to drive the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel, a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for actuating the gear means, and means for varying the position to which the labels are advanced relative to the delaminating means, the position varying means comprising means coupling the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel and including a plurality of teeth providing for variation of positioning of the ratchet wheel with respect to the feed wheel.

Claim 35

A hand-held portable label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, means for printing on labels carried on a web of supporting material, means adjacent the printing means for delaminating pressure-sensitive labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying labels, a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web around the delaminating means, a ratchet wheel for driving the feed wheel, a driven gear coaxial with the ratchet wheel, a pawl carried by the driven gear and cooperable with the ratchet wheel, gear means for sequentially driving the driven gear in one direction to effect engagement of the pawl with a tooth of the ratchet wheel and in the opposite direction to cause the pawl to drive the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel, a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for actuating the gear means, means for varying the position to which the labels are advanced relative to the delaminating means, the position varying means including a plurality of teeth connected to the feed wheel, a hub connected to the ratchet wheel, and a plurality of other pawls connected to the hub and cooperable with the teeth, but the number of other pawls being fewer in number than the number of teeth, the disposition of the other pawls being such that in any one position of the hub less than all the other pawls fully engage with respective teeth.

Claim 36

A hand-held portable label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, means for printing on labels carried on a web of supporting material, means adjacent the printing means for delaminating pressure-sensitive labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying labels, a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web around the delaminating means, a ratchet wheel for driving the feed wheel, a driven gear coaxial with the ratchet wheel, a pawl carried by the driven gear and cooperable with the ratchet wheel, gear means for sequentially driving the driven gear in one direction to effect engagement of the pawl with a tooth of the ratchet wheel and in the opposite direction to cause the pawl to drive the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel, a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for actuating the gear means, means for varying the position to which the labels are advanced relative to the delaminating means, the position varying means including a plurality of teeth connected to the feed wheel, a hub connected to the ratchet wheel, and a plurality of other pawls connected to the hub and cooperable with the teeth, but the number of other pawls being fewer in number than the number of teeth, the disposition of the other pawls being such that in any one position of the hub less than all the other pawls fully engage with respective teeth.

Claim 37

A hand-held portable label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, means for printing on labels carried on a web of supporting material, means disposed adjacent the printing means for delaminating pressure-sensitive labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying labels, a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web around the delaminating means, a ratchet wheel for driving the feed wheel, a driven gear coaxial with the ratchet wheel, a pawl carried by the driven gear and cooperable with the ratchet wheel, gear means for sequentially driving the driven gear in one direction to effect engagement of the pawl with a tooth of the ratchet wheel and in the opposite direction to cause the pawl to drive the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel, a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for actuating the gear means, and means for varying the position to which the labels are advanced relative to the delaminating means, the position varying means comprising means coupling the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel and including a plurality of teeth providing for variation of positioning of the ratchet wheel with respect to the feed wheel.

Claim 38

A hand-held portable label printing and applying apparatus, comprising: a frame having a handle, means for printing on labels carried on a web of supporting material, means disposed adjacent the printing means for delaminating pressure-sensitive labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying labels, a feed wheel engageable with the web for drawing the web around the delaminating means, a ratchet wheel for driving the feed wheel, a driven gear coaxial with the ratchet wheel, a pawl carried by the driven gear and cooperable with the ratchet wheel, gear means for sequentially driving the driven gear in one direction to effect engagement of the pawl with a tooth of the ratchet wheel and in the opposite direction to cause the pawl to drive the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel, a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for actuating the gear means, and means for varying the position to which the labels are advanced relative to the delaminating means, the position varying means comprising means coupling the ratchet wheel and the feed wheel and including a plurality of teeth providing for variation of positioning of the ratchet wheel with respect to the feed wheel.

Claim 39

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, a platen mounted by the housing, a print head, means mounting the print head to the housing for movement toward and away from the platen, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, the print head having selectively settable printing members, a rotatably mounted toothed feed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, and means including gear means and a pawl and ratchet mechanism for moving the print head into printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter moving the print head out of cooperation with the platen and moving the feed wheel to advance the web and delaminate a label, the moving means further including a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle, movable relative to the print head and coupled to the gear means, the gear means including a gear section fixed to the print head, a drive gear in mesh with the print head gear section, and a gear section in mesh with the drive gear and coupled to the actuator, the driving means further including means for drivingly coupling the drive gear to the pawl and ratchet mechanism, and means for drivingly coupling the pawl and ratchet mechanism to the feed wheel, manual actuation of the actuator effecting movement of the print head toward the platen and release of the actuator causing the pawl and ratchet mechanism to advance the web to cause the just printed label to be almost entirely delaminated and presented in label applying relationship to the applying means.

Claim 40

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, a platen mounted by the housing, a print head, means mounting the print head to the housing for movement toward and away from the platen, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, the print head having selectively settable printing members, a rotatably mounted toothed feed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, and means including gear means and a pawl and ratchet mechanism for moving the print head into printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter moving the print head out of cooperation with the platen and moving the feed wheel to advance the web and delaminate a label, the moving means further including a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle, movable relative to the print head and coupled to the gear means, the gear means including a gear section fixed to the print head, a drive gear in mesh with the print head gear section, and a gear section in mesh with the drive gear and coupled to the actuator, the driving means further including means for drivingly coupling the drive gear to the pawl and ratchet mechanism, and means for drivingly coupling the pawl and ratchet mechanism to the feed wheel, manual actuation of the actuator effecting movement of the print head toward the platen and release of the actuator causing the pawl and ratchet mechanism to advance the web to cause the just printed label to be almost entirely delaminated and presented in label applying relationship to the applying means.

Claim 41

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, a platen mounted by the housing, a print head, means mounting the print head to the housing for movement toward and away from the platen, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, the print head having selectively settable printing members, a rotatably mounted toothed feed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, and means including meshing driving and driven gear sections for moving the print head into printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter moving the print head out of cooperation with the platen, the driving gear section being disposed coaxially relative to the feed wheel, the moving means further including a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle, movable relative to the print head and coupled to the driving gear section, both the driving and the driven gear sections being movable relative to the actuator, manual actuation of the actuator effecting movement of the print head toward the platen and release of the actuator causing movement of the print head away from the platen, and means including a pawl and ratchet mechanism having a pawl coupled to the driving gear section and teeth coupled to the toothed feed wheel for advancing the toothed feed wheel only upon release of the actuator to advance the web to cause the just printed label to be almost entirely delaminated and presented in label applying relationship to the applying means.

Claim 42

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, a platen mounted by the housing, a print head, means mounting the print head to the housing for movement toward and away from the platen, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, the print head having selectively settable printing members, a rotatably mounted toothed feed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, and means including meshing driving and driven gear sections for moving the print head into printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter moving the print head out of cooperation with the platen, the driving gear section being disposed coaxially relative to the feed wheel, the moving means further including a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle, movable relative to the print head and coupled to the driving gear section, both the driving and the driven gear sections being movable relative to the actuator, manual actuation of the actuator effecting movement of the print head toward the platen and release of the actuator causing movement of the print head away from the platen, and means including a pawl and ratchet mechanism having a pawl coupled to the driving gear section and teeth coupled to the toothed feed wheel for advancing the toothed feed wheel only upon release of the actuator to advance the web to cause the just printed label to be almost entirely delaminated and presented in label applying relationship to the applying means.

Claim 43

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, a platen mounted by the housing, a print head, means mounting the print head to the housing for movement toward and away from the platen, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, the print head having selectively settable printing members, a rotatably mounted toothed feed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, and means including gear means and a pawl and ratchet mechanism for moving the print head into printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter moving the print head out of cooperation with the platen and moving the feed wheel to advance the web and dispense a label, the moving means further including a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle, movable relative to the print head and coupled to the gear means, the gear means including a gear section connected to the print head, a gear in mesh with the print head gear section, and a gear section in mesh with the gear and coupled to the actuator, manual actuation of the actuator effecting movement of the print head toward the platen and release of the actuator causing the pawl and ratchet mechanism to advance the web to cause the just printed label to be almost entirely delaminated and presented in label applying relationship to the applying means.

Claim 44

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, a platen mounted by the housing, a print head, means mounting the print head to the housing for movement toward and away from the platen, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, the print head having selectively settable printing members, a rotatably mounted toothed feed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, and means including gear means and a pawl and ratchet mechanism for moving the print head into printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter moving the print head out of cooperation with the platen and moving the feed wheel to advance the web and dispense a label, the moving means further including a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle, movable relative to the print head and coupled to the gear means, the gear means including a gear section connected to the print head, a gear in mesh with the print head gear section, and a gear section in mesh with the gear and coupled to the actuator, manual actuation of the actuator effecting movement of the print head toward the platen and release of the actuator causing the pawl and ratchet mechanism to advance the web to cause the just printed label to be almost entirely delaminated and presented in label applying relationship to the applying means.

Claim 45

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, a platen mounted by the housing, a print head, means mounting the print head to the housing for movement toward and away from the platen, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, the print head having selectively settable printing members, a rotatably mounted toothed feed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, and means including gear means and a pawl and ratchet mechanism for moving the print head into printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter moving the print head out of cooperation with the platen and moving the feed wheel to advance the web and dispense a label, the moving means further including a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle, movable relative to the print head and coupled to the gear means, the gear means including a first gear section connected to the print head and a second gear section in mesh with the first gear section and coupled to the pawl and ratchet mechanism, manual actuation of the actuator effecting movement of the print head toward the platen and release of the actuator causing the pawl and ratchet mechanism to advance the web to cause the just printed label to be almost entirely delaminated and presented in label applying relationship to the applying means.

Claim 46

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, a platen mounted by the housing, a print head, means mounting the print head to the housing for movement toward and away from the platen, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, the print head having selectively settable printing members, a rotatably mounted toothed feed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, and means including gear means and a pawl and ratchet mechanism for moving the print head into printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter moving the print head out of cooperation with the platen and moving the feed wheel to advance the web and dispense a label, the moving means further including a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle, movable relative to the print head and coupled to the gear means, the gear means including a first gear section connected to the print head and a second gear section in mesh with the first gear section and coupled to the pawl and ratchet mechanism, manual actuation of the actuator effecting movement of the print head toward the platen and release of the actuator causing the pawl and ratchet mechanism to advance the web to cause the just printed label to be almost entirely delaminated and presented in label applying relationship to the applying means.

Claim 47

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and dispensing pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, a platen mounted by the housing, a print head, means mounting the print head to the housing for movement toward and away from the platen, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, the print head having selectively settable printing members, a rotatably mounted toothed feed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, means including a driving gear section and a driven gear section in mesh with the driving gear section for moving the print head into printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter moving the print head out of cooperation with the platen, the moving means further including a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for actuating the driving gear section, manual actuation of actuator effecting movement of the print head toward the platen and release of the actuator effecting movement of the print head away from the platen, means including a pawl and ratchet mechanism for moving the feed wheel to advance the web only upon release of the actuator and dispensing a label, the pawl and ratchet mechanism comprising teeth disposed in an annular arrangement and a pawl cooperable with the teeth, and means for coupling the driving gear section and the pawl.

Claim 48

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and dispensing pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, a platen mounted by the housing, a print head, means mounting the print head to the housing for movement toward and away from the platen, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, the print head having selectively settable printing members, a rotatably mounted toothed feed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, means including a driving gear section and a driven gear section in mesh with the driving gear section for moving the print head into printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter moving the print head out of cooperation with the platen, the moving means further including a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for actuating the driving gear section, manual actuation of actuator effecting movement of the print head toward the platen and release of the actuator effecting movement of the print head away from the platen, means including a pawl and ratchet mechanism for moving the feed wheel to advance the web only upon release of the actuator and dispensing a label, the pawl and ratchet mechanism comprising teeth disposed in an annular arrangement and a pawl cooperable with the teeth, and means for coupling the driving gear section and the pawl.

Claim 49

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and dispensing pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, a platen mounted by the housing, a print head, means mounting the print head to the housing for movement toward and away from the platen, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, the print head having selectively settable printing members, a rotatably mounted toothed feed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, means including a driving gear section and a driven gear section in mesh with the driving gear section for moving the print head into printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter moving the print head out of cooperation with the platen, the moving means further including a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle and movable relative to the print head and means drivingly coupling the actuator and the driving gear section, manual actuation of actuator effecting movement of the print head toward the platen and release of the actuator effecting movement of the print head away from the platen, and means including a pawl and ratchet mechanism for moving the feed wheel to advance the web only upon release of the actuator and dispensing a label.

Claim 50

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and dispensing pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, a platen mounted by the housing, a print head, means mounting the print head to the housing for movement toward and away from the platen, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, the print head having selectively settable printing members, a rotatably mounted toothed feed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, means including a driving gear section and a driven gear section in mesh with the driving gear section for moving the print head into printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter moving the print head out of cooperation with the platen, the moving means further including a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle and movable relative to the print head and means drivingly coupling the actuator and the driving gear section, manual actuation of actuator effecting movement of the print head toward the platen and release of the actuator effecting movement of the print head away from the platen, and means including a pawl and ratchet mechanism for moving the feed wheel to advance the web only upon release of the actuator and dispensing a label.

Claim 51

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and dispensing pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, a platen mounted by the housing, a print head, means mounting the print head to the housing for movement toward and away from the platen, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, the print head having selectively settable printing members, a rotatably mounted toothed feed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, means including a driving gear section and a driven gear section in mesh with the driving gear section for moving the print head into printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter moving the print head out of cooperation with the platen, the moving means further including a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle and movable relative to the print head and means drivingly coupling the actuator and the driving gear section, manual actuation of actuator effecting movement of the print head toward the platen and release of the actuator effecting movement of the print head away from the platen, means including a pawl and ratchet mechanism for moving the feed wheel to advance the web only upon release of the actuator and dispensing a label, the pawl and ratchet mechanism comprising teeth disposed in an annular arrangement and a pawl cooperable with the teeth, and means for coupling the driving gear section and the pawl.

Claim 52

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and dispensing pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, a platen mounted by the housing, a print head, means mounting the print head to the housing for movement toward and away from the platen, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, the print head having selectively settable printing members, a rotatably mounted toothed feed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, means including a driving gear section and a driven gear section in mesh with the driving gear section for moving the print head into printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter moving the print head out of cooperation with the platen, the moving means further including a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle and movable relative to the print head and means drivingly coupling the actuator and the driving gear section, manual actuation of actuator effecting movement of the print head toward the platen and release of the actuator effecting movement of the print head away from the platen, means including a pawl and ratchet mechanism for moving the feed wheel to advance the web only upon release of the actuator and dispensing a label, the pawl and ratchet mechanism comprising teeth disposed in an annular arrangement and a pawl cooperable with the teeth, and means for coupling the driving gear section and the pawl.

Claim 53

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and dispensing pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, a platen mounted by the housing, a print head, means mounting the print head to the housing for movement toward and away from the platen, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, the print head having selectively settable printing members, a rotatably mounted toothed feed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, means including a driving gear section and a driven gear section in mesh with the driving gear section for moving the print head into printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter moving the print head out of cooperation with the platen, the moving means further including a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle and movable relative to the print head and means drivingly coupling the actuator and the driving gear section, manual actuation of actuator effecting movement of the print head toward the platen and release of the actuator effecting movement of the print head away from the platen into label applying relationship with respect to the applying means, means including a pawl and ratchet mechanism for moving the feed wheel to advance the web only upon release of the actuator and dispensing a label, the pawl and ratchet mechanism comprising teeth disposed in an annular arrangement and a pawl cooperable with the teeth, and means for coupling the driving gear section and the pawl, the driving gear section being mounted coaxially with respect to the feed wheel, the annularly arranged teeth of the pawl and ratchet mechanism being disposed coaxially with respect to the feed wheel.

Claim 54

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and dispensing pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, a platen mounted by the housing, a print head, means mounting the print head to the housing for movement toward and away from the platen, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, the print head having selectively settable printing members, a rotatably mounted toothed feed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, means including a driving gear section and a driven gear section in mesh with the driving gear section for moving the print head into printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter moving the print head out of cooperation with the platen, the moving means further including a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle and movable relative to the print head and means drivingly coupling the actuator and the driving gear section, manual actuation of actuator effecting movement of the print head toward the platen and release of the actuator effecting movement of the print head away from the platen into label applying relationship with respect to the applying means, means including a pawl and ratchet mechanism for moving the feed wheel to advance the web only upon release of the actuator and dispensing a label, the pawl and ratchet mechanism comprising teeth disposed in an annular arrangement and a pawl cooperable with the teeth, and means for coupling the driving gear section and the pawl, the driving gear section being mounted coaxially with respect to the feed wheel, the annularly arranged teeth of the pawl and ratchet mechanism being disposed coaxially with respect to the feed wheel.

Claim 55

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, a platen mounted by the housing, a print head, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, means mounting the print head for reciprocating movement toward and away from the platen, a rotatably mounted toothed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, and means for moving the print head into printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter moving the print head out of cooperation with the platen and moving the feed wheel to advance the web and dispense a label, the moving means including a manually engageable actuator movable relative to the print head, a gear section connected to the print head, a gear section connected to the actuator, and a gear meshing with both gear sections.

Claim 56

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, a platen mounted by the housing, a print head, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, means mounting the print head for reciprocating movement toward and away from the platen, a rotatably mounted toothed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, and means for moving the print head into printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter moving the print head out of cooperation with the platen and moving the feed wheel to advance the web and dispense a label, the moving means including a manually engageable actuator movable relative to the print head, a gear section connected to the print head, a gear section connected to the actuator, and a gear meshing with both gear sections.

Claim 57

Apparatus as defined in claim 34, the driving means further including a ratchet wheel coupled to the feed wheel, and a pawl driven by the gear and cooperable with the ratchet wheel.

Claim 58

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, the handle having inner and outer end portions, a platen mounted by the housing, a print head mounted by the housing for movement toward and away from the platen, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, the print head having selectively settable printing members, a rotatably mounted toothed feed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, and means for moving the print head into printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter moving the print head out of cooperation with the platen and moving the feed wheel to advance the web and dispense a label, the moving means including a manually engageable actuator comprising a lever pivotally mounted at the outer end portion of the handle, a gear section connected to the lever, a gear in mesh with the gear section, and a gear section connected to the print head and in mesh with the gear.

Claim 59

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, the handle having inner and outer end portions, a platen mounted by the housing, a print head mounted by the housing for movement toward and away from the platen, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, the print head having selectively settable printing members, a rotatably mounted toothed feed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, and means for moving the print head into printing cooperation with the platen and for thereafter moving the print head out of cooperation with the platen and moving the feed wheel to advance the web and dispense a label, the moving means including a manually engageable actuator comprising a lever pivotally mounted at the outer end portion of the handle, a gear section connected to the lever, a gear in mesh with the gear section, and a gear section connected to the print head and in mesh with the gear.

Claim 60

Apparatus as defined in claim 36 the driving means including ratchet teeth coupled to the feed wheel, and a pawl driven by the gear and cooperable with the ratchet teeth.

Claim 61

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, a print head mounted by the frame for movement toward and away from the platen, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, a rotatably mounted toothed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, ratchet teeth coaxially disposed with respect to the feed wheel, a first gear section, a pawl driven by the first gear section and cooperable with the ratchet teeth, a second gear section in mesh with the first gear section, a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for driving the second gear section in opposite directions, and a third gear section connected to the print head and in mesh with the first gear section.

Claim 62

A hand-held portable apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle, a print head mounted by the frame for movement toward and away from the platen, means disposed adjacent the platen for delaminating labels from the web, means disposed adjacent the delaminating means for applying delaminated labels, a rotatably mounted toothed wheel for engaging the web downstream of the delaminating means, ratchet teeth coaxially disposed with respect to the feed wheel, a first gear section, a pawl driven by the first gear section and cooperable with the ratchet teeth, a second gear section in mesh with the first gear section, a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle for driving the second gear section in opposite directions, and a third gear section connected to the print head and in mesh with the first gear section.

Claim 63

A hand-held apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle; a platen mounted on the housing; a print head cooperable with the platen for printing indicia on the labels; the print head being mounted on the housing for movement from a first position to a second, printing position wherein the print head contacts a label secured to the web; means disposed adjacent the platen for separating the labels from the web; means disposed adjacent the separating means for applying labels; means for moving the print head from the first position to the second position and for moving the print head from the second position to the first position, the moving means including a manually operable actuator movably mounted on the housing and movable between an initial position and an actuated position, the actuator being resiliently biased to the initial position, a first gear driven by the actuator to effect movement of the first gear relative to the housing, and a second gear mounted on the housing and in mesh with the first gear, manual actuation of the actuator away from the initial position to the actuated position actuating the first gear which in turn actuates the second gear to cause movement of the print head from the first position to the second position to print data on a label positioned between the platen and the print head and release of the actuator actuates the first and second gears to cause movement of the print head away from the second position to the first position; a toothed feed wheel mounted on the housing in coaxial relationship with respect to the first gear for engaging and advancing the web; and a pawl and ratchet mechanism coupled to the first gear for driving the feed wheel to advance the web only in response to the return of the actuator from the actuated position to the initial position to cause the just printed label to be dispensed into label applying relationship with respect to the label applying means, the pawl and ratchet mechanism including teeth disposed in a coaxial arrangement with respect to the feed wheel and further including a pawl cooperable with the teeth.

Claim 64

A hand-held apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle; a platen mounted on the housing; a print head cooperable with the platen for printing indicia on the labels; the print head being mounted on the housing for movement from a first position to a second, printing position wherein the print head contacts a label secured to the web; means disposed adjacent the platen for separating the labels from the web; means disposed adjacent the separating means for applying labels; means for moving the print head from the first position to the second position and for moving the print head from the second position to the first position, the moving means including a manually operable actuator movably mounted on the housing and movable between an initial position and an actuated position, the actuator being resiliently biased to the initial position, a first gear driven by the actuator to effect movement of the first gear relative to the housing, and a second gear mounted on the housing and in mesh with the first gear, manual actuation of the actuator away from the initial position to the actuated position actuating the first gear which in turn actuates the second gear to cause movement of the print head from the first position to the second position to print data on a label positioned between the platen and the print head and release of the actuator actuates the first and second gears to cause movement of the print head away from the second position to the first position; a toothed feed wheel mounted on the housing in coaxial relationship with respect to the first gear for engaging and advancing the web; and a pawl and ratchet mechanism coupled to the first gear for driving the feed wheel to advance the web only in response to the return of the actuator from the actuated position to the initial position to cause the just printed label to be dispensed into label applying relationship with respect to the label applying means, the pawl and ratchet mechanism including teeth disposed in a coaxial arrangement with respect to the feed wheel and further including a pawl cooperable with the teeth.

Claim 65

Apparatus as defined in claim 39, wherein the second gear is fixed to the print head.

Claim 66

A hand-held apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle; a platen mounted on the housing; a print head cooperable with the platen for printing indicia on the labels; the print head being mounted on the housing for movement from a first position to a second, printing position wherein the print head contacts a label secured to the web; means disposed adjacent the platen for separating the labels from the web; means disposed adjacent the separating means for applying labels; means for moving the print head from the first position to the second position and for moving the print head from the second position to the first position, the moving means including a manually operable actuator movably mounted on the housing and movable between an initial position and an actuated position, the moving means further including gear means having a first gear driven by the actuator to effect movement of the first gear relative to the housing, and a second gear mounted on the housing and in mesh with the first gear, and the moving means further including spring means, manual actuation of the actuator away from the initial position to the actuated position actuating the first gear which in turn actuates the second gear to cause movement of the print head from the first position to the second position to print data on a label positioned between the platen and the print head and release of the actuator enables the spring means to return the actuator to its initial position and to actuate the first and second gears to cause movement of the print head away from the second position to the first position; a toothed feed wheel mounted on the housing for engaging and advancing the web; and a pawl and ratchet mechanism coupled to the gear means for driving the feed wheel to advance the web only in response to the return of the actuator from the actuated position to the initial position to cause the just printed label to be dispensed into label applying relationship with respect to the label applying means.

Claim 67

A hand-held apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle; a platen mounted on the housing; a print head cooperable with the platen for printing indicia on the labels; the print head being mounted on the housing for movement from a first position to a second, printing position wherein the print head contacts a label secured to the web; means disposed adjacent the platen for separating the labels from the web; means disposed adjacent the separating means for applying labels; means for moving the print head from the first position to the second position and for moving the print head from the second position to the first position, the moving means including a manually operable actuator movably mounted on the housing and movable between an initial position and an actuated position, the moving means further including gear means having a first gear driven by the actuator to effect movement of the first gear relative to the housing, and a second gear mounted on the housing and in mesh with the first gear, and the moving means further including spring means, manual actuation of the actuator away from the initial position to the actuated position actuating the first gear which in turn actuates the second gear to cause movement of the print head from the first position to the second position to print data on a label positioned between the platen and the print head and release of the actuator enables the spring means to return the actuator to its initial position and to actuate the first and second gears to cause movement of the print head away from the second position to the first position; a toothed feed wheel mounted on the housing for engaging and advancing the web; and a pawl and ratchet mechanism coupled to the gear means for driving the feed wheel to advance the web only in response to the return of the actuator from the actuated position to the initial position to cause the just printed label to be dispensed into label applying relationship with respect to the label applying means.

Claim 68

Apparatus as defined in claim 41, wherein the second gear is connected to the print head.

Claim 69

A hand-held apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle; a platen mounted on the housing; a print head cooperable with the platen for printing indicia on the labels; the print head being mounted on the housing for movement from a first position to a second, printing position wherein the print head contacts a label secured to the web; means disposed adjacent the platen for separating the labels from the web; means disposed adjacent the separating means for applying labels; means for moving the print head from the first position to the second position and for moving the print head from the second position to the first position, the moving means including a manually operable actuator movably mounted on the housing and movable between an initial position and an actuated position, a first gear driven by the actuator to effect movement of the first gear relative to the housing, and a second gear mounted on the housing and in mesh with the first gear, manual actuation of the actuator away from the initial position to the actuated position actuating the first gear which in turn actuates the second gear to cause movement of the print head from the first position to the second position to print data on a label positioned between the platen and the print head and release of the actuator actuates the first and second gears to cause movement of the print head away from the second position to the first position; a toothed feed wheel mounted on the housing for engaging and advancing the web; and means driven by the moving means for driving the feed wheel to advance the web only in response to the return of the actuator from the actuated position to the initial position to cause the just printed label to be dispensed into label applying relationship with respect to the label applying means.

Claim 70

A hand-held apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle; a platen mounted on the housing; a print head cooperable with the platen for printing indicia on the labels; the print head being mounted on the housing for movement from a first position to a second, printing position wherein the print head contacts a label secured to the web; means disposed adjacent the platen for separating the labels from the web; means disposed adjacent the separating means for applying labels; means for moving the print head from the first position to the second position and for moving the print head from the second position to the first position, the moving means including a manually operable actuator movably mounted on the housing and movable between an initial position and an actuated position, a first gear driven by the actuator to effect movement of the first gear relative to the housing, and a second gear mounted on the housing and in mesh with the first gear, manual actuation of the actuator away from the initial position to the actuated position actuating the first gear which in turn actuates the second gear to cause movement of the print head from the first position to the second position to print data on a label positioned between the platen and the print head and release of the actuator actuates the first and second gears to cause movement of the print head away from the second position to the first position; a toothed feed wheel mounted on the housing for engaging and advancing the web; and means driven by the moving means for driving the feed wheel to advance the web only in response to the return of the actuator from the actuated position to the initial position to cause the just printed label to be dispensed into label applying relationship with respect to the label applying means.

Claim 71

Apparatus as defined in claim 43, wherein the second gear is fixed to the print head.

Claim 72

A hand-held apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle; a platen mounted on the housing; a print head cooperable with the platen for printing indicia on the labels; the print head being mounted on the housing for movement from a first position to a second, printing position wherein the print head contacts a label secured to the web; means disposed adjacent the platen for separating the labels from the web; means disposed adjacent the separating means for applying labels; means for moving the print head from the first position to the second position and for moving the print head from the second position to the first position, the moving means including a manually operable actuator movably mounted on the housing and movable between an initial positon and an actuated position, a first gear driven by the actuator to effect movement of the first gear relative to the housing, a second gear mounted on the housing and in mesh with the first gear, and spring means, manual actuation of the actuator away from the initial position to the actuated position actuating the first gear which in turn actuates the second gear to cause movement of the print head from the first position to the second position to print data on a label positioned between the platen and the print head and release of the actuator enables the spring means to return the actuator to its initial position and to actuate the first and second gears and to cause movement of the print head away from the second position to the first position, a toothed feed wheel mounted on the housing in coaxial relationship with respect to the first gear for engaging and advancing the web; and a pawl and ratchet mechanism for driving the feed wheel to advance the web only in response to the return of the actuator from the actuated position to the initial position to cause the just printed label to be dispensed into label applying relationship with respect to the label applying means, the pawl and ratchet mechanism including teeth disposed in a coaxial arrangement with respect to the feed wheel and further including a pawl coupled to the first gear and cooperable with the teeth.

Claim 73

A hand-held apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle; a platen mounted on the housing; a print head cooperable with the platen for printing indicia on the labels; the print head being mounted on the housing for movement from a first position to a second, printing position wherein the print head contacts a label secured to the web; means disposed adjacent the platen for separating the labels from the web; means disposed adjacent the separating means for applying labels; means for moving the print head from the first position to the second position and for moving the print head from the second position to the first position, the moving means including a manually operable actuator movably mounted on the housing and movable between an initial positon and an actuated position, a first gear driven by the actuator to effect movement of the first gear relative to the housing, a second gear mounted on the housing and in mesh with the first gear, and spring means, manual actuation of the actuator away from the initial position to the actuated position actuating the first gear which in turn actuates the second gear to cause movement of the print head from the first position to the second position to print data on a label positioned between the platen and the print head and release of the actuator enables the spring means to return the actuator to its initial position and to actuate the first and second gears and to cause movement of the print head away from the second position to the first position, a toothed feed wheel mounted on the housing in coaxial relationship with respect to the first gear for engaging and advancing the web; and a pawl and ratchet mechanism for driving the feed wheel to advance the web only in response to the return of the actuator from the actuated position to the initial position to cause the just printed label to be dispensed into label applying relationship with respect to the label applying means, the pawl and ratchet mechanism including teeth disposed in a coaxial arrangement with respect to the feed wheel and further including a pawl coupled to the first gear and cooperable with the teeth.

Claim 74

Apparatus as defined in claim 45, wherein the second gear is fixed to the print head.

Claim 75

A hand-held apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle; a platen mounted on the housing; a print head cooperable with the platen for printing indicia on the labels; the print head being mounted on the housing for movement from a first position to a second, printing position wherein the print head contacts a label secured to the web; means disposed adjacent the platen for separating the labels from the web; means disposed adjacent the separating means for applying labels; means for moving the print head from the first position to the second position and for moving the print head from the second position to the first position, the moving means including a manually operable actuator movably mounted on the housing and movable between an initial position and an actuated position, the actuator being resiliently biased to the initial position, a first gear driven by the actuator to effect movement of the first gear relative to the housing, a second gear mounted on the housing and in mesh with the first gear, and spring means, manual actuation of the actuator away from the initial position to the actuated position actuating the first gear which in turn actuates the second gear to cause movement of the print head from the first position to the second position to print data on a label positioned between the platen and the print head and release of the actuator enables the spring means to return the actuator to its initial position and to actuate the first and second gears and to cause movement of the print head away from the second position to the first position; a toothed feed wheel mounted on the housing in coaxial relationship with respect to the first gear for engaging and advancing the web; and means driven by the moving means for driving the feed wheel to advance the web only in response to the return of the actuator from the actuated position to the initial position to cause the just printed label to be dispensed into label applying relationship with respect to the label applying means.

Claim 76

A hand-held apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels secured to a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing having a handle; a platen mounted on the housing; a print head cooperable with the platen for printing indicia on the labels; the print head being mounted on the housing for movement from a first position to a second, printing position wherein the print head contacts a label secured to the web; means disposed adjacent the platen for separating the labels from the web; means disposed adjacent the separating means for applying labels; means for moving the print head from the first position to the second position and for moving the print head from the second position to the first position, the moving means including a manually operable actuator movably mounted on the housing and movable between an initial position and an actuated position, the actuator being resiliently biased to the initial position, a first gear driven by the actuator to effect movement of the first gear relative to the housing, a second gear mounted on the housing and in mesh with the first gear, and spring means, manual actuation of the actuator away from the initial position to the actuated position actuating the first gear which in turn actuates the second gear to cause movement of the print head from the first position to the second position to print data on a label positioned between the platen and the print head and release of the actuator enables the spring means to return the actuator to its initial position and to actuate the first and second gears and to cause movement of the print head away from the second position to the first position; a toothed feed wheel mounted on the housing in coaxial relationship with respect to the first gear for engaging and advancing the web; and means driven by the moving means for driving the feed wheel to advance the web only in response to the return of the actuator from the actuated position to the initial position to cause the just printed label to be dispensed into label applying relationship with respect to the label applying means.

Claim 77

Apparatus as defined in claim 47, wherein the second gear is fixed to the print head.